Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-08-08
THE VOTERS OPPORTUNITY

less heritage which will be appreciated
more in after years than 1t is at the
present time. Through it the people
of this state will be given an oppor-
tunity Of expressing their choice Of
the men who will represent them in
the various branches of our govern
ment.
To enjoy the fullest measure of
benefit from this law, it is necessary
that the people as a whole familiarize
themselves with it. Every voter who
lays claim to ordinary intelligence
should give to this law the most
careful study. It's strength will be in
being generally understood. 1t may
have imperfectiOns. If it has these
will be apparent and can later on be
remedied, but the underlying principle
of the law is sound, and truly Ameri-
can.
Not only is it essential that the
voters familiarize themselves with the
practical working of the law, but with
the history and character OF every
possible candidate, and no man whose
honesty of purpose or patriotism is
questioned should receive their sup
port. If they can find one man in
their community who will truly
represent them they should mass their
votes in his support.
The recent graft Investigations
which have been conducted in Mil
waukee and other places have brought
to light the fact that the grafters and
those who prostitute popular govern
ment for gain, can be depended upon
to stand together in support Of the
kind of men who are susceptible to
the use Of money, and who will betray
their constituents.
Popular government in Wisconsin
has been in recent years farce, and
it has been no more SO in Wisconsin
than in other states. Those who have
been elected to office have frequently
betrayed their constituents. IL this
were not SO the paid lobbyist of the
corporations would never have bOaSted
that for years no law was passed that
did not meet with the approval of the
corporations he represented.
Anyone, who has carefully noted
these things, has inevitably come to
the conclusion that in our legislative
bodies the people as whole have had
very little representation.
Under the old plan of nominations
it was an easy matter for these
interested corporations to practically
control the greater share of all
nominations. Tie member of the
legislature who opposed their
measures knew in advance that he
could not gain denomination. If he
was ambitious, he knew that to be
honest was to end his political career.
Under the new system a man can
afford to be honest, to fairly represent
his constituents, to fight the encroach-
mentS of organized capital and know
that he can come home and go before
duu tADldlu lis
action on this or that matter. If his
judgment has been good, if he has
been inspired by patriotic motives, he
may rest assured that his constituents
will stand behind and support him.
The strong, clean, honest man
needs have no fear of the primary
election law. 1t is the policy men,
the dodgers, those who betray their
supporters who will feel its lash.
Now is the time to study the law
and the material at hand for candi-
dates. Don't wait until the campaign
opens up and then support some
fellow because the crowd is apparently
yelling for him. Pick out some good,
square, honest man.-WauSau Daily
News.