Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1908-01-31

his cause is honest and is honestly
advocated. They are always pioneers
IN every movement. brave, outrageous
men and women, often misjudged by
their failures, who plant the initial
seed tor the great harvest of good
results. The good, ole Methodist
church had its bilth in this way. and
its magnificent proportions of these
days. can be traced to the primal
efforts Of few individuals working
under inspiration to achieve success.
Political parties are born through the
same process representing in their
powerful functions and possibilities.
the massed thought of the people.
Education, work, effort, creates senti-
ment, which in turn, is but the ex-
pressed responsibility of the people
individually.
1t seems to me that practical ex-
perlence has demonstrated that the
best results along reform lines can be
secured by obtaining the direct ex-
preston OF the people upon questions
which concern community interests.
believe that the widest possible
latitude should be given the voters of
any community to determine their
desires as to laws and their rigorous
enforcement. The legislature fire.
quently enacts law to fit general
condition IN the state. The fact that
1t is law carries witch it the fact
that it should be enforced. When the
enactment is sustained by public
sentiment, it is accepted. Where
sentiment is againts it, or IN a coma
tOse condition, the law becomes
nullity. This is the situation as
regards scores of laws, regulatory in
their natures and purposes. AS d
result, while the authorities know
that these laws exits, their violation
Is winked at, unless public sentiment
is back of the enforcement.
My vlew is that if greater power
was left to the communities to deter
mine many of these questions, laws
would not be dead letters and attempts
at their enforcement, become mere
effort at joking application. 1t is
these methods that bring law into
disrepute and arouse the disrespect
and disregard of the people. The peo
pie have delegated too much power in
these matters and efforts should be
made to secure a practical remedy.
Every citizen Is interested in the
up-building of the community and
state. All matters in any way per-
tanning to material advancement are
closely watched and awaken interest.
1t IS only when the community grows
apathetic with unconcern, when public
sentiment fails to express the honesty
and convictions Of communities that
danger is apparent.
Politicians are crafty and through
organized dust throwing brigades, fire.
quently achieve thler selfish ends by
misleading the people. Generally they
keep their test to the pulse of the tax
paying public to see how alive the
patient is IN order To experiment with
1T. These experiments are frequently
expensive and are only possible be-
cause che people are Indifferent as
regards matters OF public interest or
of good morals.
In speaking as l hav.. my purpose
is to Impress the fact upon you that
an alive public sentiment safeguards
every interest of benefit to the people.
Without this sentiment, movements
represent individual effort fully
exercised. 80 frequently the political
activities of individuals are based
upon selfish and purely personal con-
siderations that the public should not
mistake the motives, nor the objects
sought to be attained. Zoo often the
mere politician seeks his own selfish
advancement to the excl usion of any
benefit to the bubble.
We in Wisconsin are possessed of
wondrous heritage, one of such
magnificence that the fullest measure
of state pride should fill the hea't of
every citizen. The progress the state
has made is wondrous to contemplate
II is picture of contented homes, of
citizenship of advancement, of move
ments, which in the main, have
brought us to an excellent position in
the regard of sister states and the
nation at large. These achievements
represent the good thought and honest
effort of conscientious men and women
seeking the welfare IF their fellows
and the up building of this prosperous
commonwealth
In its diversified industries, it's
bountlful resources, its proven systems
making for the welfare of the people,
Wisconsin has few equals. 1t is
essential that no backward steps be
permitted, and this can best be pre-
vented by the quickening of senti-
ments conserving the public welfare. |
The best practical reform efforts con-
sist largely in the education of public |
sentiment. What public official need |
fear the fittul whims of opposition as
long as he stands shoulder to shoulder |
with the people to conserve their
in terests?