Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1911-01-13
HIS FIRST MESSAGE
NEW EXECUTIVE RECOMMENDS
MANY IMPORTANT CHANGES
IN LAWS.
ASKS FOR PROMPT ACTION
His Suggestions, He Declares, Are
Not Perfunctory Expressions of
Any Department of Government,
but in a Sense Are Real Mandate
from the People Themselves.

from the People Themselves.
Madison, wis-In his first message to
,he legislature GoveSnor McGovern urges
some important changes in the laws of
me state He declares that Wisconsin
has been the leader in carrying forward
reform legislation and that the present
affords splendid opportunity for continu-
ing the work along those lines.
The problsms presented by the growth
Of monopeies and trusts and the dis
placements of the small manufacturer are
discussed by the governor and the ne
cessity far curative legislation along lines
that will protect the interests of both
capital and labor. The governor saws:
Accusation and recrimination concern
ing existing abuses should now come to
an end ghis was once necessary
phase in the development of present is
sues but 1t is so no longer. The people
now went action They must have re-
suits In all governmental affairs the
newly awakened public conscience de-
mands square deal. In response to this
imperative demand you, gentlemen of the
legislature, should accomplish much du-
ring this session. The great mass Of men.
all political parties. are in substantial
accord as 10 the lines upon which you
should proceed. Let me most earnestly
urge upon you the necessity of taking up
this work and completing 1t without I'M
necessary delay
Primary Election Law.
The primary law, according TO the gov
ernor. has been frequently tested and
the arguments against it's adoption are
now seen TO be without merit Some de-
fects, however, are now apparent Con-
tnulng this subject the governor says:
THE principal weakness in the law is
hat nd f,o
by the vote of a mere plurality In many
cases this has been less than a major
ty of the voters of a party. Generally
speaking, majority rule wherever prac-
tieaple has been regarded as a funda-
mental tenet in the government of public
bodies and voluntary political associa-
tons. 1t Is not secured by the primary
law In its present form
Existing political conditions greatly
emphasize this defect. Never was indie
pendence in politics more marked Many
good citizens now vote for men rather
than for parties, and are more deeply in
terested in political ideas and legislative
programs than in party organization or
partisan candidates. As a result. con-
fict of opinion within each party is now
often more intense than between the par
ues. and constant but almost imper-
eepuble shifting and interchange of mem
bership is taking place. Thus the real
INES OF political cleavage frequently run
not parallel to conventional party boun-
carries, but across them. In this situa-
uon 1t has become very important that
the nomination OF party candidates and
determination OF what shall constitute
party principles may be made honestly
ana fairly and free from strategy or
subterfuge.
As the law now stands there is danger
vat whenever tho majority wing or fac
Dn w. 4-
number OF candidates in a primary cam
paign. compact cohesive and well drill
ed minority may defeat 1t.
This is condition which should not
De permitted to continue. 1t flows from
defect in the present law which may be
remedied In large measure at least IL not
completely by permitting voters at the
primary election 10 name their second
choice candidate for each office The
saiue OF majority nominations may In
ueeu at times prove inestimable earn
law" - SUN
Corrupt PractIses Act.
Inc excessive use of money in political
campaigns is declared by the governor r.
oe an unmitigated evil and one that has
apparently increased with each succeed
ing year. On this subject he says:
lavish expenditure OF money through
poltcal channels for the purpose of in
nuehcing elections is a debauching and
olIupung influence which has grown in
prominence and baleful Significance with
each succeeding campaign, In anv foc,,,
ms practice is demoralizing: but n ha
No!'les intolerable when Ii reaches the
point OF lawlessness and extravaeance
repeatedly single candidates and norti-
- Committees have expended vast sums
money some times more than a hun.
ALL
va oesignedly employed to rnislead the
..o1ers and oefog the issues pending he
!ore them. As the law row stands everv
,ahaldate for public office, whether he
nAes II or not. is placed at the mercy Of
- OF great wealth who purpose nv
power OF money. to annex to their
POSSESSIONS some desirable public office ..
~. remedy this condition of affairs the
sso.eFnor urges the enactrnent OF an o.
Tive corrupt practises act. He saws.
1Uch law should provide for nuhli
@uoh oy the state and at public ex
ssnse OF necessary Information concern
M me qualifications of candidates al
81 psllnary and general elections; it
6'u place an absolute limit on tha
e-"unt OF money which may be snent nv
ss 'h oenaf OF any candidate for public
TINS amount to depend in each
ot course. upon the Importance Of
~ ONCE and to bear some fair relation
n, ne salary Incident thereto; It should
sue that no money whatever NAV be
go. go IN political campaigns except for
s an purposes which should be enum-
ST. In the law; it should REQUIRE
- system of public accounting of ALI
~ disbursed in political campaigns
order to avoid evasion. and 10 the
h. mat every dollar spent may readily
- taeed from the original contributor
btt. ultimate recipient: 1t should BRO
ai,t az political activity whatever on
a1s !. primary or general election day;
rro11, should compel compliance with its
~, visions by rigorous penalties inc;,,d-
e., n,I,npTlsonInent and disqualification OF
aates for public office"
"orkmen's Compensation Act.
The executive declares thar /. demand
-as Grown up for a more enlightened and