Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-05-31
The Political Situation

tor its action in the condition pre-
vailing among the republicans in
this state and there will be no excuse
Tor failure to make use of every
advantage these conditions afford.
The direct primary law, the
methods of it's enactment and ex-
pioitation, the disorganization of
the republican party and the fac
tional strifes which il has created
makes impossible united action for
the selection of the best men as
candidates by that party at the
primary. Five candidates have
already announced themselves for
the nomination for Governor aud
either have or are now creating
separate political organizations to
further their candidacy. Four of
the five candidates have been iden-
titled with the LaFollette-half-
breed-insurgent-progressive wing of
the party, and these four candidates.
may again be subdivided when con-
sidering those ready to insurge
little against Bob, or firt with any
old issue or ism offering the least
opportunity for votes, with the real
dyed-in-the-wool and die-in-t he-last-
ditch LaFollette candidate ready
even for the desperate chances of
appealing to the fair minded demo
crat to save ard make possible
little longer lease of the longed for
public Office. On the other hand,
the conservative candidate-who,
with four opposing Candidates who
represent almost the san e faction
seems to have the better chances of
securing a plurality at the primary,
yet who, should he receive such a
nomination can hope for little en-
enlargement or support from Battle
Bob's adherents whose thumbs are
down" for any candidate not of their
own choosing and entirely subservi-
ent to their interests.
Then there are the Frears, Dahls,
Ekerns, ETC., strenuously determined
to keep right on bleeding for their
country at so much a bleed. who,
though entitled to no special con-
sideration, are hanging on, bound
not to let go so long as the direct
primary law offers so many obstacles
to real ability and modesty, and such
favorable chances for little men
with leather lungs and bold front.
These, too, complicate the situa-
ton.
So to bring order out of chaos the
big men-big in that they are broad
minded, to whom principle and not
Office is the loadstone, with whom we
differ but whose sturdy adherence to
platform and principle we admire
are gathering the clans for con-
vention with a determination to
give back to the rank and file of the
party the direction and control of
party affairs. Laudable as is the
purpose, such convention can have
no immediate results in unifying the
republican party. The half-breed
insurgent-progressive faction de-
clines Cancellation; as matter of
fact they have already served notice
that they intend to have state
convention of their own.
1t will be an easy matter for the
conservative republican convention
to adopt platform giving enthusi-
astic approval of President Taft
and his policies, but when the ad-
visibility of recommending or in
dorsing candidates for state offices
comes up, all is not harmony even
among the conservatives, and al
ready there are quiet discussions
not for publication-of the advis-
ability of nominating Governor ].
o. Davidson and permitting Sena-
tor Fairchild to withdraw his an
nouncement and renounce his aspi-
rations. The progressive-half- breed
insurgent smiles knowingly when
the Davidson nomination plan is
mentioned, thinking no doubt of the
splendid primary campaign mater
ial afforded by the game wardens'
campaign funds contribution testi-
mony and the governors explana-
ton before the legislative primary
investigation with Davidson a can
didate instead of Fairchild. Yet
the conservative republican conven-
ton must nominate and recommend
a ticket; they must have it to con-
centrate their efforts, for so only
can they secure a plurality at the
primary. But then what
The followers of LaFollette may
hold a convention but they can do
no more than adopt platform
apologizing for their shortcomings
and attempt to justify their insug-
gency as all in the interests of the
dear people. The question of candi-
dates however must be tabooed, for
how could Bob be expected to injure
his own chances by making a selec-
ton from among the clamorous
faithful. Harmony there, too,
would be as clear and thick as mud
The conservative republican CON