The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1906-05-03
Gov. Jas. 0. Davidson Removes
all Doubts as to His Plans
in Regard to Candidacy
TELLS OF RECORD IN OFFICE
Measures and That He was Pioneer
Mover Along These Lines-Asks
Support of the People

Kenosha politicians are discussing
been made by Governor James O.
Davidson, in which he declares that
he is candidate for the nomination
for the Office of governor. Governor
Davidson stands on his record, and
he insists that his official acts have
been such as to give him the right to
ask for a nomination.
The letter Of the governor is we'll
received in Kenosha and there is
little doubt but that Governor David
son will find large measure of sup
port among the Republicans of Keno
sha county. The letter sent out is in
part as follows:
I'm response to numerous and
urgent requests from citizens in all
parts of the state I hereby make
formal announcement that will
stand for the Republican nomination
before the primaries next September
as candidate to succeed myself in
the Office of governor of Wisconsin.
During the last twelve months
events have so sha ped themselves that
| could not with propriety refuse to
become a candidate at this time. My
official record as member of the as
sembly, as state treasurer, as 1ieuten-
ant governor, and as governor since
the first day of January last must be
accepted as an index to my future
public course.
81 was pioneer in the reform
movement which began more than
twelve years ago to emancipate the
people and state government from the
control of public service corporations.
As legislator introduced bills and
aided IN the enactment of laws for
the taxation of express companies and
to increase the taxes to be paid by
telephone, telegraph, sleeping car,
insurance companies and other public
service corporations. The law which
provides for the supervision of state
banks and which has been accepted
as model by other states was placed
upon the statutes through my initia
tive. | was among the first 1egis-
lators to propose railway rate COM
mission, and earnestly supported the
bill for that purpose drafted by the
lamented A. r. Hall at time. before
public sentiment had been strong
enough to write it into law.
.sWhile treasurer Of the state I
labored faithfully to keep the peoples
Ii ~ ~
cover into the treasury large sums of
interest earned. During this time
more than So, 900, 900 of the state funds
we're invested without the loss of
dollar. For this claim no special
credit. as performed no. more than
my simple duty, and refer to it now
only for the purpose of calling at
tention to the necessity of giving the
same conscientious care to the dis
charge of public duty that should
mark the conduct of faithful servant
in private life.
II emphatica11y approve the efforts
of my immediate predecessor in office
in all measures to restore tosthe peo-
pie the rights usurped by the great
aggregations of wealth, and:to make
every creature of the law subserviert
to its creator.
II have believed that in addition to
just ard equitable freight rates on
our roads there should be established
a passenger rate of not exceeding Q
cents mile on first class roads. and
n a yea O1 1f ~ 1o s.
into the statutes; but the.last 1egisla-
ture deemed it wise to intrust this
matter to the state railway commits
sion, which it created.
1T is to the credit Of our state that
some Legislation correcting the worst
abuses existing in the life insurance
business was placed upon our statutes
even before the recent startling dis
closures, emphasizing the necessity
of stringent laws on the subject. But
am convinced that the insurance
Legislation of 1905 should be made
still more effective.
Il would remind the people of Wis
consin that no governor, no matter
what may be his ability, can procure
the enactment of the necessary laws
unless he is ably supported by senate
and assembly that will cooperate
with him in promoting the public vel
fare. Il is, therefore, Of prime impor-
lance that the people select for legis-
lztive Offices, only men of the highest
character and greatest ability, and
who are known to stand for fhe
principles for which the people have
contended.
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