The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1908-05-14
BECKER COMES OUT
Former Mayor of Milwaukee Says
4e Is a Candidate for Nomi.
nation for Governor
TO BE PEOPLES CANDIDATE
Declares That the Lid on His Barrel
Will Not Be Boosted to Make
Easy Money for Political
Workers Stands on Record
lFrom Mondays Daily.l

(Erom Mondays Daily.l
Sherbie Becker, who has concluded
his term as mayor of Milwaukee has
done gone and done it and he is now
full fedged candidate for the Office of
governor Of the state on the Republi-
can ticket. Hundreds of voters of
Kenosha in their mail this morning re-
ceived personal letter from Becker
announcing his candidacy. The letter
of Mayor Becker follows;
To the people of Wisconsin:
1t has always been my practice to
steer clear of custom and to avoid the
stilted and perfunctory methods of poll
icians when presenting myself to the
people for their consideration. [ have
certain contempt for custom in poll
tics, and shall refuse to be guided by
precedent in the formality | am now
approaching.
| am not conceited enough to be
lieve that the whole state of Wiscon-
sin is lying awake nights waiting for
me to say that l will "consent" to be
a candidate for governor but there has
been more or less talk for some time
about my, intentions relating to this
subject, and | want to say that I have
finally determined to make the race.
My plans have been fully matured up
to this date, and [ have concluded to
disclose some of them in a general way
lat this time for your approval or dis
approval
[ shall be candidate for governor
before the September primaries, and
shall seek such nomination upon the
ticket Of the Republican party, the
political party of my choice, and which
has three times honored me- Never
theless [ want it distinctly understood
that [ am not fanatical party man
and that | still consider political part
les Of less Importance than they were
in the days Of Lincoln, when sectional
issues threatened to rend the Union.
[ subscribe to the energetic policies
,of our honored president, Theodore
Roosevelt, and like many nowadays
trusted with public office, [ refuse to
be controlled by party bosses, so-called
finterests, or party factions who
take to themselves the authority some
times with party creed or platform to
back them-vested in the official by
the voters. In plain words, let me say
| want no alliance with these obnoxi-
GUS persons or cliques. My promises
will be made to the people, not to the
politicians; and when it comes time
to go out over the state to talk to the
voters, what I say to them will be so
clearly put that there will be no room
for doubt.
This statement to the people is in
tended principally to set at rest any
doubt or uncertainty as to my inten-
tions. [ want everyone to know that I
will be in the field; and I want to as
sure the voters in q general way that
shall be the people IS candidate Con
party ticket, primed with a know
ledge Of the. real demands, the real
necessities, of the taxpayers of the
state, and prepared to meet them.
I want the support Of all liberty-lov-
ing, fair-minded citizens Of all parties.
and in seeking it I make the promise
now, and will elaborate later or, that
I shall, if elected, not be the tool or
hireling, either Of a political party
interest" or INTERESTS a faction.
part of faction, boss or bosses.
A word to the professional or anna
teur political booster: IF it should APP
pear to you that this announcement
presents possibilities for teasy money"
let me disab1se your mind by saying
that there will be no barrel [ do not
want an Office that must be bought
with money. Tt is too degrading and
out Of harmony with the times. But
if any other man wants the office that
way, let him try to get it. He will be
exposed and | will expose him. The
interests will no doubt be in the
field, and SO will the factions, but not
IN my regiment as such or following the
flag OF good government which I car
~ and attempt to plant at the capitol.
Therefore, to any who may be i'm
PEELED to join my standard for the
money they may imagine there will be
in it, let me anticipate and solemnly af-
firm that they will starve to death on
what they will get from me. shall de
pend largely upon my record as a pub
lie official in Milwaukee and my ability
to convince the people of the state that
I am worthy, to secure an election to
this high office.
In due time / shall issue statement
not the customary cut and dried