River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-04-07
A Manitowoc Friend of
Baencsh,


VIM. Rockhof of Manitowoc, was
published in the Free Press of Mil
waukee March I.
To the Editor: Manitowoc coun-
ty was long considered one of the
safe Democratic counties fthe state,
but we have been keeping it out of
the Democratic column pretty regu-
larly the past few years. We car
ried the county for Mckinley in
1896 and again in 1900, and we car
ried it for La Toilette in 1900 and
1902. 1t took some hard work. |
have been the chairman of the Re-
publican county committee. for sew
eral years and helped swing Mani
towoc into line for the governor in
both campaigns. He was given
hearty and enthusiastic support by
all the Republicans up here, and |
think every one is satisfied with his
record as an executive. But | don't
approve of third term, and | know
that there is very strong feeling in
my county against third term for
ANY state officer. [ have not seen
that the governor is an avowed cam
didate for another term, but there
seems to be much talk to the effect
that he may come out. hope not,
for feel that we have done our full
duty by him in two campaigns, and
that is enough. Besides, we all
want to turn in and support Judge
Baensch, who has become an active
candidate for the nomination.
1t is known everywhere that since
Judge Baensch retired from the lieu
tenant-governorship he has done an
enormous amount of work for the
party. Especially during the last
state campaign in 1902, was he in
demand to help Gov. La Toilette to
his second term. Judge Baensch
was requested by the state central
committee to take the stump in sup
port of the governor, and he prompt
ly complied. He put in five solid
weeks of active campaigning, ex-
cepting Mondays and Tuesdays,
which he devoted to his private
business. He was sent into Fond
du Lac, Green Lake, Sheboygan,
Dodge and Calumet counties; and
he paid all of his expenses out of his
own pocket. During the last two
weeks he was assigned to Mantle
woo county at the urgent request of
our county committee, and held
eight meetings, several of them IN
the afternoon. A number of the
towns called for the Judge and would
be satisfied with no one else. We
were very anxious to carry Mantle
woo county for La Toilette, and by
hard work and the help of Judge
Baensch we did it. | am satisfied
we could not have done it without
his efforts. The farmers particular
ly have great confidence in him and
desired his views. While he was
on the stump that fall some of the
leading supporters of the governor
told me that Baensch would be the
next executive, and I was one of the
first to urge him to announce his
candidacy this year. l find numer-
Gus others who have strongly sup
ported the governor, who feel as |
do; that is, that he ought not to de-
mand that the Republican party
grant him SO uncommon favor as
third term, when there are other
men as competent as Judge Baensch
to carry on Republican policies IN
the state. And so far as party service
is concerned, no one has been men
toned for the office for years who
has so ably and so unselfshly given
his talents to the cause. That this
is appreciated at Madison is shown
by the letter of thanks sent 10 the
Judge by Gen. Bryant after the cleo
ton in 1902.
So we are all working for
Baensch's nomination, and we are
confident it will be accomplished.
| Workers are taking hold of the
movement for him in every corner
of the state, and the information we
receive from day to day only serves
to increase our confidence in the out
come. WILLIAM RocKHoFF.
Manitowoc, Wis, March 6.