River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-07-26


Attorney John A Awkward, OF
Madison, formally accepted call
from prominent Democrats Of the
state to become a candidate for the
Democratic nomination for governor
at the September primaries. In his
letter of acceptance Mr.. Awkward out
lines his platform. The main points
of the document are as follows:
1.-THE present administration was
elected because it promised to des-
troy the machine that long dominat-
ed this state, because it promised re-
trenchment in the expense of the
state, because it promised integrity in
public office, because it promised the
restoration of the peoples rights.
Nevertheless the ordinary running
expenses of the state have more than
doubled and are now nearly 800 per
cent. greater than they were under
the last Democratic administration.
We insist that there has been no re-
turn to the people to justify such
enormous increase in expenditure.
These moneys, however derived, were
the peoples moneys, and the people
have a right to demand and to know
for what purposes these vast sums
were expended. They were not and
could not have been legitimately ex-
pended.
1.-THE present administration has
unlawfully misappropriated the sa-
cred trust funds of the state. In a
single instance $1,1S4,000 of the
school, normal, university and agri-
cultural trust funds were unlawfully
diverted from the trust to which they
belonged and turned into the general
fund for the purpose of covering up
the enormous increased running eX-
penses of the state.
Public office is rightly declared
public trust, and the people are or
should be the beneficiaries of the
trust. Yet the present administration
stands convicted of corruption and
malfeasance in Office. 1t has de-
bauched the public services in estab
fishing and maintaining, at the public
expense, the most perfect of political
machines.
I'VE have had long years of agita-
ton and five years of railway legisla-
ton with the result that the railway
charges for freight transportation are
higher to-day than they were during
the last Democratic administration,
and the increased freight charges are
not only greater than the increaGed
roi hI1t + IN
formed are greater annually than the
entire railway taxes.
I'm these and many other ways the
public trust reposed in the present
administration has been betrayed.
There is, therefore, an imperative de-
mand and the time is ripe for
change. These are epoch making
days. There is a great popular awak
ening along democratic lines, due
largely to the strong, steadfast and
unimpeachable character of our peer
less leader-the great commoner-
William Jennings Bryan.
THE situation demands a strong,
vigorous and aggressive campaign
the campaign in which we shall fear
lessly take and maintain the offensive
and preach and practice Democratic
principles. Our splendid platform in
vites If it does not demand and neces-
State such a campaign.
LAS a member of She state central
committe 1 urged upon the state
chairman the calling of a meeting to
discuss the ACCESSIBILITY Of calling a
platform convention. At the meeting
of the committee l argued and voted
for a platform convention. l had the
honor to preside as permanent chair
man over that convention. That con-
vention was composed of the chosen
representatives of the Democracy of
Wisconsin. 1t was in the fullest sense
a democratic, deliberative assembly.
l, therefore, have no personal plat
form to offer. The work of that con-
vention as expressed in the platform
meets my hearty approval, and the
platform of party principles there an
nounced is my platform. 1t is deep,
broad, and large enough for all who
wish to work for the good of the peo-
pie. A platform, to my mind, is not
thing to get in on but to stand on,
and believe it sacred pledge to the
people.
IF nominated / shall, with the as
sistance of all loyal Democrats, in all
things seek to meet your eXpecta-
tons, and I pledge you my utmost en-
deavor to use all honorable means
possible to bring new life and
strength, new hope and aspiration and
honor to our party.
IF nominated and elected / prom
Use you, and through you the people
of the state, that so far as in me lies
our platform pledges shall be re-
deemed.
IF nominated and elected / prom
Use you there shall be an honest, eco
nomical and busineslike administra-
ton of affairs of the state"
Entries for State Fair Races.
Great speed contests are assured
for the Wisconsin state fair, but the
greatest race of the fair, and one of
the greatest contests to be held on
any track this season, will be the
2:02 pace, which was closed by Secre-
tary John NJ. True, with six entries,
some OF the fastest horses in the
country. They are Hazel Patch, The
propobo Major n A1Iarc0u NifofioY