Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1906-05-04
DAVIDSON 4 CANDIDATE,
ANNOUNCES THAT He WILL TRY TO
SECURE THE REPUBLICAN
NOMINATION.
FAVORS 2-CENT FARE.
Outlines His Platform on Which He
Counts for Popular APP
prevail

ciaI. mo backward step must be taken
in the legislation of the last SIX years,
says Gov. James o. Davidson in an an
nouncement of his candidacy for the
nomination for governor. The governor
demands better insurance laws, ana he
expresses himself IN ravor of cent rail
road fare.
These, he said, may be the planks of
his platform on which he will go before
the people.
The statement sets forth that Coy. Da-
wilson succeeded La Toilette on New
Years day and that he feels it a duty
to himself and his friends to run so his
work and policies may be carried out.
Reviews His Services
A review Of Gov Davidson's services
as aSSemblyman. state treasurer, and
lieutenant governor also are given. with
particular attention TO DavidsOn's loyal
support of and cooperation with La Fol
Iette in bringing about reforms Of recent
years. Davidson pays a high tribute to
La Toilette. and is emphatic in the dec
laratiOn that no retr0grade step can De
taken and that the people must be alert
to elect legislators who will see that
none of the hard won victories are lost.
The governor expresses himself as hav-
ing been long in favor of a cent fare,
but says the question now is before the
rate commission and can be left safely
to its good judgment.
He favOrs more stringent insurance
laws i'm the light of recent revelations,
and urges a law compelling the annual
division of the surplus following the pay
ment of a second premium. This may
be said to be the main plank of his plat
form, as the insurance question has been
the subject Of study with Mr.. Davidson
for years.
Other Candidates in Field.
Two other avowed candidates are in
the field for the Republican nomination.
Speaker Irvine L. Lenroot of Superior
was the first to come out, and has the
backing of Senator La Toilette and
majority of the legislators perhaps. lie
will make a campaign on the issue that
the La Toilette reforms must be safe
guarded and extended.
Senator X. ]. McGillivray of Black
River Falls also is seeking the nomlna-
ton on demand for retrenchment IN
state expenses. All of the three candi-
dates have been stanch supporters OF
Gov. La Toilette in the past.
Davidson's Announcement.
The governors announcement follows:
In response to numerous and urgent re-
quests from citizens in al parts OF the
state | hereby make formal announcement
that l will stand for the Republican NOM
nation before the primaries next Septem-
Der as a candidate to succeed myself in the
office of governor of Wisconsin.
During the last twelve months events
have so shaped themselves that could not
with propriety refuse to become candl-
date at this time. My official record as
member of the Assembly, as state treasurer,
as lieutenant governor and as governor
since the first day of January last must be
accepted as an index to my future pubic
course.
| was a pioneer in the reform movement
which began more than twelve years ago
to emancipate the people and state govern
ment from the control of public service
corporations As a legislator l introduced
bills and aided in the enactment of laws
for the taxation of express companies and
to increase the taxes to be paid by tele-
phone, telegraph, sleeping car, insurance
lions. The law which provides for the Su-
pervision of state banks and which has
been accepted as a model by other states
initiative. I was among the first leg1S-
lators to propose a railway rate commits
sion, and earnestly supported the bill for
that purpose drafted by the lamented X.
A. Hall at time before public sentiment
had been strong enough to write it into
law.
Tells of State Investments.
While treasurer of the state l labored
faithfully to keep the peoples money work
ing and was enabled to cover into the
treasury large sums of interest earned
During this time more than $4,000, 900 of
state funus were invested without The loss
of a dollar. For this / claim no special
credit as l performed no more than my
simple duty, and refer to it now only for
the purpose of calling attention to the
necessity Of giving the same conscientious
care to he discharge of public duty that
should mark the conduct of faithful
servant in private life.
| emphatically approve the efforts Of my
immediate predecessor in office In all meas
ures to restore to the people the rights
usurped by the great aggregations Of
law subservient to and amenable to it's
creator. l have worked loyalty with
Hon. Robert NJ. La Toilette during the past
years, to secure the reforms he SO ably and
earnestly championed, and will never con-
sent to any retrograde movement or any
compromise that would detract from the
political and legislative triumphs of the
past six years, or that would add to the
power of special privilege, or weaken the
power of the humblest citizen.
have believed that in addition to just
and equitable freight fateS on our rail-
roads, there should be established a paSsel,.
ger rate of not exceeding cents Il mile on
first class roads,, and have sought to have
this rate written into the statutes; but the
last legislature deemed it wise to intrust
this matter to the state railway commits
sion which it created. The subject has now
been formally brought before that body for
decision, and the commission may be relied
upon 10 make full investigation and to
reach a conclusion just and fair to all in
tereStS concerned
Decided Insurance Bill
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 disclosures. emphasizinc
the necessity of stringent laws on the sub
! iect. But l am convinced that the insur-
| ance legislation of 1905 should be made still
more effective. We now require the life
/ insurance companies to issue no policy
| which does not provide for the accounting
/ and distribution of its surplus at LEAST
| every five years On the bill requiring this
| there was a tie vote in the Senate, and, as
| the presiding officer. it well to me to casr
! the deciding vote, which | did, in favor of
| the law. Late developments make 1t plain
that further legislation is necessary. as the
/ most reliable data show that a large per-
centage of policy holders terminate their
/ insurance before the end of the five year
! period Thus, even under the provisions OF
! the law as it now stands, many policy
holders are deprived of their just share of
| the profits which they have created. I am
/ in favor of amending the law so as to COM
/ pel the accounting and distribution of pro-
/ fits at the end of the second policy year,
| and annually thereafter, on all contracts
| of life insurance. with proper provisions 10
| insure economy in expense of management,
| and in securing new business.
| l would remind the people Of Wisconsin
! that no governor, no matter what may be
| his ability. can procure the enactment of
| necessary laws unless he is ably supported
| by 4 Senate and Assembly that will coop
| welfare. 1t is. therefore, of prime i'm
| portance that the people select for legisla-
| tive offices. only men of the highest char,