River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-08-23
Announcing His Candidacy
Before September
Primary.
A PIONEER FOR REFORMS
Governor Davidson Wants Fair
Play and an Open Contest
To the republicans of wisconsin:

Ol the state, hereby make formal
announcement that | will stand fo1
the republican nomination before the
primaries next September, as a candi-
date to succeed myself in the office
of governor of Wisconsin. During the
last twelve months events have so
shaped themselves that l could not
with propriety refuse to become a
candidate at this time. My official
record as member of the assembly, as
state treasurer, as lieutenant govern
or, and as governor since the first day
of January last, must be accepted as
an index to my future public course.
Pioneer for Reforms.
'T 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 corpora
lions. AS a legislator I introduced
bills and aided in the enactment of
laws for the taxation of express COM
panies, 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 SUI
pervision of state banks and which
has been accepted as a model by other
states, was placed upon the statutes
through my initiative. l was among
the first legislators to propose a rail-
way rate commission, and earnestly
supported the bill for that purpose
drafted by the lamented A. r. Hall
at time before public sentiment had
become strong enough to write it in
to law.
Did Duty as Treasurer.
"While treasurer of the state labor
ed faithfully to keep the peoples
money working and was enabled to
cover into the treasury very large
sums of interest earned. During this
time more than 100000 of state
funds were invested without the loss
of dollar. For this I claim no spe-
cial credit as I 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 the
discharge of public duty that should
mark the conduct of . faithful SER
want in private life.
Approves La Toilette.
Il emphatically approve the efforts
of my immediate predecessor in Of
flee in all measures to restore to the
people the rights usurped by
great aggregations of wealth and to
make every creature of the law sub
servient to and amendable to it's crea-
tor. I have worked Loyalty with Hon.
Robert M. La Toilette during the past
years to. secure the reforms which he
so ably and earnestly championed and
Will never consent 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 pow
er of special privilege, or weaken the
power of the hImblest citizen.
For Two-Cent Fare.
81 have believed that in addition
to just fand equitable freight rates on
our railroads, there should be estab-
lished passenger rate of not exceed
ing two cent 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
l.
The subject has now been formally
brought before that body for decision,
and the commission may be relied
upon to make a full Investigation
and to reach conclusion just and
fair to all interests concerned.
Insurance Reforms.
''It is to the credit of our state that
some legislation correcting the worst
abuses existing in the life insurance
business was placed upon our stat
utes even before the recent start,
ling disclosures emphasizing the nee
essity of stringent laws on the sub
ject. But I am convinced that the
insurance legislation of 1905 should
be made still more effective. We
now require the life insurance com
panies to- issue TO policy which does
not provide for the accounting and
distribution of it's surplus at least
every five years. On the bill requir
ing this, there was tie vote in the
senate, and, as the presiding officer,
it fell to me to cast the deciding vote,
which I did, in favor of this law. Late
make it plain that fur
Their legislation is necessary as the
0lOSC rol1dDI0 data OUId1udU10 SuOW
that a large percentage of policy hold
ers 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 compel the accounting and dis
tribution of profits at the end of the
second policy year and annually there
after, on all contracts of life insur-
ance with proper provisions to in
sure economy in expense of manage |
ment and in securing new bust
ness.
Wants Good Legislature.
81 would remind the people of Wis
consin that no governor, no matter
what may be his ability, can procure
the enactment Of necessary laws I'M |
less he is ably supported by senate
and assembly that will cooperate with
him in promoting the public welfare. |
1t is, therefore, of prime Importance |
tbs the DeODle select for legislative I