Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-09-07

vote of 322 to 24S. The other nominal
tons were made without incident.
A. T. Warden Of Waukesha was re-
elected state chairman.
The candidates were chosen as fol-
lows:
George W. Peck for governor by acclama-
DR.. H. A. Lathrop for lieutenant governor
by a vote of 322 to 24S for Burt Williams
James P. Nolan for secretary of state by
a vote of 327 to 124 for L. p. Leonard and
1913 for G. w. Lewis.
Andrew Jensen for state treasurer by a
vote of 81 to 126 for John Zander, and "a
for Frank P. Ainsworth.
William E. Wolfe for attorney general
unanimously.
Edward L. Hanton of Superior for rail-
road commissioners, unanimously.
Henry Fetzer for insurance commissioner
by at vote of $50 to ISL for Michael Clifford
Villas Turns the Tide.
The feature Of the convention was the
speech Of former Senator Villas in closing
the debate on the platform. The argu-
ment over the primary election plank had
been very warm. Two reports were
made by the resolutions committee. The
imajority, or conservative report being
against the primary election bill, the mi
nority being strongly i'll favor of it. The
radicals had scored, the resolutions COM
mittee saying it was made up of tea law
yers and one taxpayer. Other personal
retorts were INDUCED in and for a time
it looked as if there would be q split.
Then Senator Villas arose.
II came to the Democratic state con-
vention," said he, 'hoping for harmony
and was joyful in that hope. But l
nothing, knows nothing about the great
principles on which it was founded and
which has made it a power, and must
throw itself away Oh a mere question of
political machinery injected by crafty
politicians.
Defends Lawyers.
The speech aroused great enthusiasm.
Mr.. Villas was terribly in earnest. He
Scorned the allusiOn made by q former
speaker to the fact that lawyers were ON
the committee.
IF we were SO unfit, why were you so
cruel as to send US out on this mission q
he asked.
Earnestly did Mr.. Villas plead with the
Democratic delegates to return to true
the debate on primary election, he spoke
with all the vigor and earnestness Of his
soul. 1t was the turning point in the his
tory of Democracy in this state.
His defense of the lawyers on the
committee was a magnificent effort of
oratory. From Jefferson down the line,
he said, the great minds were lawyers.
He dashed his opponents in debate I'M
mercifully and created laughter at their
expense.
What is before us as a party? Is it
not to say whether laws shall be aD-
proved or disapproved? First, let us IN
uerstand that principle, then we can tell
whether we want it or not. Under no
circumstances would | vote for the ap-
proval of that law. 1t would provide
that every candidate for state office or
Congress should go abroad and hunt for
men to sign his petition. The poor man
would have small prospects. 1t provides
for, no opportunity for people to meet
and declare their political views. To my
mind there is nothing more undemocratic
than that.
Puts the Cart Before the Horse.
1T puts the cart before the horse. In
stead of prescribing the principles upon
which officers shall serve the people, if
provides that officers shall dictate to the
people what they shall have"
There would be no valuable concen-
tration of public opinion should there be
no convention two years hence" contin-
men running about the state with NOM
lnation papers in an effort to put them
selves on the Democratic ticket"
Mr.. Villas spoke Of the benefits of con-
ventions. He said that the minority of
the committee admitted that they would
amend the law.
you don't tell us what you want.
what you mean," Mr.. Villas said. 81
have no objection to trying an expert
ment of primary election instead of eau
cuses and primaries, but | will never IA
vor the nomination of candidates for
state officers by that system. 1t is not
democratic"
There was wild applause when Mr..
Villas finished and then the roll was
called. 1t was evident that Villas had