Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-11-10
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SUBSCRIPTION SIS A YEAR IN ADVANCE
Friday, November 10, 1905.

DO the election returns that have
come In from those places where cleo
lions have been held this week indi-
cate that party lines are falling away?
Are the results obtained at the polls
In the last few days indications of a
rising and speedily power-growing feel
Ing to forget party and help sustain
another man? They seem to do
this. Judging from the returns, one
Ia obliged to feel that the people of
the United States are arising at last:
that they are determined to let moth
ing come between them and the OBJ
ject for which all viii; gladly die
that of having at all times the right
to cast an honest vote for the man
whom each deems best for each office.
Boss-ism seems to be approaching its
end. The American people are at
last doing the grandest thing that any
people have ever done in the history
Of the world. Instead Of remaining
factional; Of being separated, almost,
BY lines OF party feeling; tied down
by promises or supposed necessity, the
cause of which rests in the men who
are operating the powerful political
machine; the American people are at
last rising together, taking hold of
hands, and with a common will are
fighting to their death the political
frauds, bosses, and dishonest methods
that have long prevailed. There are
now apparently but two parties; one,
that which still feels compelled to do
the bidding of the machine bosses, or
mas not yet seen the light Of better
and more honest era dawning upon
this country; the other is made up of
that RloriouslY strong, mentally and
morally powerful part of our popula-
ton, those that are willing TO offer up
life itself in the interest of the fur
therance Of this great nation Of ours,
and In the cause of the right of every
man to vote as his conscience and
judgment dictate, unfettered by any
political pull or power, this right be-
Ing the true fact for which stands the
greatest nation on the face of the
earth, the good old UNITED STATES.
; There are few cities of this size in
this state that are so firmly fraternal
In mind as Grand Rapids. This lean.
Ing to fraternalism is felt in all
branches Of city life and social life,
but is felt particularly strong il the
insurance question. While there are
many of the old line insurance COM
panies who have many and strong pat.
rons In this city, and while these COM
panies are doing very nicely here, it
IL true that the fraternal and bene.
fetal companies have much stronger
hold here. Nearly every fraternal
lodge Of Importance, and nearly every
one that covers this section of the
country Is interested here. Due tC
this fact, the recent Investigations OF
the old line insurance companies and
their results have interested quite a
little, the residents Of this city. OF
course there Is no question but that
the old line companies are sound, and
that they will not fail. But the fra
ternal societies are making the mos,
OF the fact OF frauds being shown up
to, encourage friendlier spirit toward
their societies. And they have good
offers, too. and are proving about a:
satisfactory. AS sample of theil
''sefullness, the recent payment of the
death claim for William Helm of
this city sounded strong in their favor
Within ten days from the time his
death occurred, the amount of hi:
claim WAS paid to his widow. Fur
ther, the lodge or order By whom Thu
money was paid, is sworn to assist anC