Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-08-09
BAD PRECEDENT, SAYS BASHFoRD

To the Editor: Gov. Davidson would
have been nominated as his own sue
eessor with substantial unanimity by
the Republicans OF the state but for the
active participation OF Senator La Fol-
lette IN the primary campaign. His
course IN this matter is Il grievous dis
| appointment to many of his truest
friends and supporters and whose loy-
atty to him personally viii not be shal1-
en- by what they consider a political
plunder ON his part
The Republican state platform of 1900,
upon which Gov La Toilette was first
nominated, declared in favor of meth-
cd of nomination whereby every vot-
er may exercise his sovereign right of
choice by direct vote without the inter
ference of any political agency and
recommended the enactment of pri-
mary election law to accomplish that
| purpose. That declaration was inspir-
ed by the meddlesome interference of
federal ot1ice-nolders in the nomination
Tor state and county offices. and sup-
gests parallel Mr.. La Toilette was a
candidate for the nomination for gov
ernor in 1896 and the claim was made
on his behalf that majority of the
delegates We're pledged to his support
lie had antagonlZed Ex-senator SAWYER
who declared that if Mr. La Toilette
was nominated he would not make his
usual contributions to the campaign
1und, but would exert himself to the
utmost to defeat the state ticket. Mr..
Bryan had been nominated for presi- |
denvby the Democrats and the mid-sum-
mer enthusiasm for a popular candidate
was at Its height. The result of the |
national election seemed in doubt and |
the Importance of carrying Wisconsin |
Tor the Republican ticket could not be |
exaggerated. Under the circumstance
es Senator Spooner felt justified in us
ing his position and influence to secure |
the nomination Of Gov Scofield. This /
conduct on the part of the Republican |
senator aroused the hostility and re-
sentiment of the friends of the defeated
candidate and planted the seeds of en-
nifty and strife that are still bearing
fruit in the politics of the state. Sena-
tor Spooner had no right to make use of
the official position bestowed on him by
the party to control the nomination of
candidates for state offices and the plat
form declarations of 1900 were intended
as rebulxe for the past and as warn
ing for the future This offence was
condoned by an indulgent consistency
only to be re-enacted later under more /
aggravating circumstances and in a
more dangerous form.
Friends of Senator La Toilette renl ct
to see him repeat Senator Spooner's first
mistake and undertake to control the
nomination of the Republican state
ticket at the primaries. He can expect
the same charitable treatment that has
been accorded TO his associate, but this
does not justify him in following a bad
precedent.
Gov. Davidson, by his open advocacy
and support of reform measures in the
assembly in 1898, 1895 and 1897. before
they had been embodied in party plat
forms, has furnished the highest proof
of his political convictions, of his stead
1ast adherence to the cause of the peo-
pie and of his courage in battling for
the right. The Republican party has
learned to know him and to trust him
and has advanced him to the high sta
ton which he now honors. The Repub-
llcan hosts are eager that Gov. David
son should be the standard bearer in L
the next campaign, but they are sud-
denly startled by the command to turn
over the banner to other hands and to
send hum To the rear discredited and
The cause of good government and
the best interests of the party do not
warrent any such treatment of a capa-
bic and faithful public servant, and ;
many of Senator La Follette's best /
friends, while steadfast in their allegi-
ance to his leadership, deny his right
to issue this order and refuse to join in
the ruthless sacrifice of man whom ]
they believe to be worthy of the high
est honor in the gift of the people of
the state.
r. NJ. BAsnFoRD.
Madison, Wis, July 81
Milwaukee Free Press.