Ladysmith news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1906-1907, 1906-08-18
ASSEMBLY CAMPAIGN
The Situation AS It Appears at This
Time in the Second
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The candidates for the assembly in
the Second district, comprising the
County of Rusk and a part of Chip
pewa county are Theodore M. Thomas
of Ladysmith, Thomas Emmerton of
Bloomer and o. G. Briggs of Bruce.
The district receives it's present form
from the fact that when the last APP
portionment was made Rusk county
was yet a part Of Chippewa county.
| However under the rapid growth in
population the next apportionment will
| doubtless make a change in the dis
| trict
Since the organization of Rusk coun-
ty, Chippewa county has had two repre-
sentatives and it is deemed by Rusk
county people to be but fair that the
representation this time shall be by a
Rusk county man. We are pleased
with the report that many people in
the Chippewa county portion of the
district admit this point and gracefully
concede to Rusk county the naming
of the member of the assembly that
will meet at Madison this winter. This
is fair way, and likewise logical
way, to look at the matter.
Under these circumstances the peo-
pie of Rusk county present as their
candidate Theodore M. Thomas of
Ladysmith Mr.. Thomas career and
characteristics are briefly stated in an
other article in this issue. He is sup
ported by the people of the county who
do things whether manufacturers,
businessmen, farmers, or professional
men. Mr.. Thomas stands for better
things in politics. He is man of
talent, of force, man of the people
and will be positive force in the as
sembly.
Mr.. Emmerton has come into the
race. He is man esteemed for good
qualities, farmer who evinces good
Judgment and industry. He has been
democrat until this year and in the
past has been a democratic candidate
for the same office, and many think
that it would have been well to have
worked in at least one campaign as
republican before asking for an office.
Another thing in connection with Mr..
Emmerton's candidacy is the fact that
he is an officer in an organization that
should not be mixed with politics. 1t is
the history of these organizations that
thew become wrecked on the shoals OF
politics. Members of such orders have
always been handicapped in legisla-
lures. This district, in common with
all northern Wisconsin, has several
matters needing legislative action and
they should not become tangled with
any special or class issues. We believe
that the better judgment of the voters
will be with us on this point.
Mr.. Briggs came hastily into the
field in response to what he has mis-
taken to be a call of the people of
the county, but which in fact is the
call of few people who have an en-
nifty for Mr. Thomas, because as at
torney for the receiver of the defunct
First National bank he was nstru-
mental in causing them to cover into
the assets of this concern many thou
sands of dollars. Mr.. Briggs had not
been in Rusk county long enough to
have become voter had he come from
another state, and in the zeal natural
in preacher became the easy prey OF
the ex-defunct- bankers who wanted a
candidate very sorely. This is a plain
statement of the facts of the case.
The News has no hesitation in asserting
that Mr.. Thomas is the candidate of
all classes of the people of Rusk coun-
tv. aside from the ex defunct bankers.
It is fact that Mr.. Briggs an
nounced his candidacy without consult
ing the people of his own town. AS
soon as the announcement was made
ten of the leading businessmen of Bruce
held meeting, called Mr.. Briggs be-
fore it, stated to him plainly that they
did not approve of his candidacy and
asked him to withdraw. Upon his re-
fusal to do so, this meeting unanimous
w adopted motion to the effect that
his candidacy was against the desire
and the protest of the businessmen
present. The population of Bruce is
about 1000 and the men present repre-
cented about the entire leading business
people.
Now the situation ought to be clear
to the voters of both counties, and we
believe that they will find little difficult
tv in deciding that the proper thing to
10 is to send man of ability, broad
understanding of the needs of northern
Wisconsin, wide acquaintance over the
state and who will be able to secure for
the district the largest measure OF
benefit from legislation. The News
/ 1:o,oc +hat fbaf man iS Theodore MI.