Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-02-01
JUST REWARD FOR FAITHFULEEssl
CALLED TO HIGHER PUBLIC DUTIES!

| GlVes or the people, not only as q reward
for past services faithfully performed,
bat as commission to Tim to do greater
things in the future. His election was
remarkable. He was not candidate,
he did not solicit a vote, it did not cost
him postage stamp; in fact, no person
could truthfully say that Governor La
Toilette would accept the senatorship,
and when he did accept he reserved the
right " tender it back, should it seem
to him that his duty to the people Of the
state demanded such a course Of action
on his part
This act of the Legislature marks the
end of stirring chapter in til" history
of Wisconsin. 1t marks the highest
point in the contest for good govern
ment that has bsen waged in every n rs;
and csrner of the stese for TIC past ten
years. 1t is difficult to realize the i'm
mense advance that has been made
Only few years back since the combined
lumber and railway interests held the
government of the state in its grip with
a power that no ordinary man could
loosen or overthrow. 1t was a long and
hard and stirring contest. At first de-
feat followed defeat but under the
leadership Of La Toilette tho foes of sci.
fish interests gained in number, gradu-
ally conquered hostile territory, and
finally the old machine went all 10 pieces
before it's irresistible advance, How
fraught with good this contest has been
to the people of this state. 1t has edu.
Gated them to a fuller realization Of their
rights and duties as American citizens
1t has been campaign of education ia
fundamental principles Of government.
Great things have teen accomplished.
The pass evil has been abolished, the
lobby has been driven cut Of the capitol
much has been done for equal taxation
the will Of the people has been made ef-
fective at the polls, and tue giant evil
of excessive freight rates and rebates is
soon to end in this state.
The work Of Governor La Toilette has
reached its elimination. The work of
Senator La Toilette is about to begin
'rhe issues for which he has been the
champion in this state have attracted
the attention of the nation. In every
stale now the questions Of equal taxi.
ton, primary election and freight rate
regulation are under consideration.
The other states are following the lead
of Wisconsin, and President Roosevelt,
in his last message, came out strongly
for national regulation of freighT tee
putting a stop to rebates, and loing
away with other dangerous practices Of
the consolidated railways of the country
There is also growing sentiment in the
west, where Governor La Toilette has
made his campaigns, that demands re-
vision Of the tariff slong the lines Of real
protection Of the people. On all these
| leading issues Governor La Follettes
experience ability and eloquenca equip
him for leadership To confne him lon
ger to the state when his services are
of such inestimable value to the nation,
would be a crime, and the crime of bar
ter and sale of public trust by mem
bers of the legislature is the only posi-.
BILE thing that can happen that viii pre-.
vent him from taking his seat in the
United States senate on the fourth day
of March. 1t IS not possible or even
probable, that such calamity can take
place. Both branches of the Legislature
have been organized by the friends Of
the administration, and it is lncouoeiy-
able that any member thereof, pledged
to carry out the principles Of the repab-
lican party, will betray that sacred
trust at this time.
And now it is The fond and proud
hope Of us all that as the highest gilt Of
the people Of the state was bestowed up
on Governor La Toilette as a recogni.
ton of his untiring services in their be
half SO the people Of the nation viii
soon come to see in him the logical sue.
cessor Of Theodore Roosevelt, the leader
of the cause of the people in the nation,
The career Of this young man Is mos,
remarkable. Risin from lowly station
with uaught but ne blessings Of a good