River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1909-02-18
Senatorial

Whatever may be the outcome of
the pending Senatorial contest, the
course pursued by the La Toilette
wing of the contending forces is
open to adverse criticism. In pre-
Stunning to venture few suggestions
along this line we cannot justly be
charged with being predisposed in
favor of Mr.. Stephenson, as we op-
posed his nomination throughout
the ante-primary campaign.
When the result of the Senatorial
primary was announced, although
our candid ate was defeated, in COM
mon with voters generally we ac-
cepted the verdict as final, SO far as
it could be affected by the primary.
Smartine under their Stephenson
defeat the La F gillette people listened
attentively to the persistent appeal
fthe leading Democratic newspaper
of the State TO prevent Stephenson
reelection. The general and in
definite charge of corruption was
made.
Had the La Toilette people been
prompted solely by desire to puri-
fly the primary they would have
sought for specific charges affecting
the Marinette millionaire methods
of conducting his campaign, taken
the matter into the courts under ex-
listing corrupt practice" laws, ard
had the "old man" heavily fined,
and serving a Jail sentence before
the November election, had they
evidence sufficient to convict.
They were not in search of an OPP
portunity to vindicate either the
primary election or any other law.
The only object in view was the de-
feat of Stephenson. They did not
believe that judicial fairness would
sustain their cause, and SO waited
more than four and one-half months
to take the case into the legislature
where men are more likely to be in
fuenced by partisan prejudice. in
the meantime shouting "Corrup-
tion!" without making the slightest
attempt to substantiate their charge
in the courts.
A fruitless attempt was made to
railroad through the Legislature
joint resolution for an investigation
without specifications. The legis-
lature wanted to know what it was
expected to prove before committing
itself to an investigation. Then
came Senator Blaine with sixteen
specifications charging Stephenson
with corruption. The general tenor
of these specifications would apply
with equal force to all the other
Senatorial candidates, and they were
finally included in the investigation.
The real offense with which all
four of the Republican candidates
for the United States Senate now
practically stand charged, the ex-
penditure of money in an attempt
to obtain office, is an offense of
which large majority of candidates
for public Office are guilty. This
simple and unqualified statement is
supported by the expense accounts
that have been filed by candidates,
1t is not the purpose of this article
to either defend or condemn this
practice. We wish to point out that
Stephenson, Cook, Hatton and Nc
Govern have been observing prac-
tically universal custom-a custom
that has for years been followed by
those who are behind this investiga-
ton. When Stephenson's money
was flowing like milk and honey"
to carry La Follette's campaigns to
a successful termination no investi-
cation was wanted by anybody, but
when his spare cash was used for
doing himself good political turn
that was different.
The primary probe is merely a
bluff that its promoters dared not
take into the courts, and designed
by one political faction 10 compass
the downfall of another, and the
people are paying the bills. The
truth of this assertion is not con-
tingert upon certain faction pre-
dominating in the contest for posi-
ton and power.
State Superintendent