Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1905-06-15
Senator Martin, Our Senator Martin

SENATOR WdrfIH, OuT SeHdiOT "0'""'
When the history of the legisla-
ture is reviewed 1t will be said OF
some Of the members that they were
inconsistent, of others that they were
vaccillating, and of u few that they
broke their pledges and betrayed
their constituents. The indepen-
dence OF some of the members will
be matter of criticism in some
quarters and an object Of admiration
in other circles. Here's what Mad
ison correspondent to the Milwaukee
Free Press, under date of June 10,
says Of our able aud consistent rep
resentative in the state senate, Hon.
Harry G. Martin:
zone of the members who has nj
ways been consistent, one whose
course has been as straight as careful
study of public policies and strict
observance Of party pledges could
make it, and one whose indepen-
dence and sincerity have been the
object OF admiration of friends aud
foes alike, is Senator Harry G.. Mar
tin Of Darlington. No one has ever
doubted where Senator Martin stood
on any question Of importance. II
any question was mentioned in the
Republican state platform, it was
unnecessary to ask where he stood.
He always stands on the platform.
TO his way Of thinking platforms
are made to be kept. He holds that
the people vote for the platform just
as much as for the man. Also he
holds that the platform lays down
the broad principles aud that small
er questions should be weighed on
the platform scales
"His respect for platform is funda-
mental 1t was in 1898, when, rs IA
delegate to the state Republican con.
vention held in Milwaukee, he sec
onded the nomination OF Governor
La Toilette, that the people first
heard good stiff talk about the of
flee of Il platform. A motion had
been made on the floor of the con-
W ntion to nominate the officers and
then to receive the report of the
ON resolutions and adopt
10 NJ I'm, "a h, ,t
he wanted platform first and then
he wanted the convention 10 nomin-
ate man who could get onto the
platform with both feet in some
thing less than two years The sug-
gestion had its effect. The candi-
dates were nominated after the plat
form was adopted.
AS a legislator, Senator Martin is
modest and unassuming. On the
floor he talks frequently, but not
without excellent reason, and not Of
ten enough nor long enough 20 weary
the senate. He does good work in
the committee ms member of the
judiciary and as chairman of the
committee on privileges and cleo
lions.
Senator Martin has code cover
ing the conduct of public officials
which might be an example in many
quarters of the state. His first eX-
perience in the Legislature was in
1895, when he was elected to fill a
caused by the death of AS
the custom, Assemblyman Freeman
had drawn his $500 of salary at the
of the session. When Mr..
Martin came on to fill out the uueX-
pired term, a Joint resolution, origin
ating in the assembly, passed both
houses, appropriating $500 salary for
him. This was not Mr.. Martins idea
of public service. The state had paid
once for its representative from La
fayette county. Therefore he refused
to take the money which had been
appropriated and authorized by q
joint resolution adopted by both
houses. He served in the special
session called by Gov, Upham to re-
apportion the state after the attempt
OF the Democrats to gerrymander
the whole state, and served without
any compensation beyond that Of
mileage to and from his home in
DarlinptonM