Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1911-01-17
IS 4 MANDATE
FROM THE PEOPLE
Governor so Characterizes Sug-
gestions to Legislature.
IMPORTANT REFORMS URGED
Perfected Primary Law, an Effective
Corrupt Practices Act, Home
Rule for Cities, and initiative,
Referendum and Recall Rec
commended for Con-
sideration.


Referendum and Recall Rec
commended for Con-
sideration.
Madison. Wis.-Governor McGovern, in
his inaugural address. declares that few
legislatures have convened in Wisconsin
with equal opportunity for doing good
Many legislative matters OF the very
highest importance, upon which there is
practical unaninlity Of opinion, have been
considered and await only enactment into
law
The problems presented by the growth
of monopolies aGd trusts and the dis
placement of the small manufacturer are
discussed by the governor, and the ne
cessity for curative legisla don along lines
that VIII protect the interests of both
capital and labor The governor says:
Accusation and recrimination concern
Ing existing abuses should now come to
an end. This was once a necessary
phase in the development OF present is
sues, but it is so no longer. The people
now want 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 TO the lines upon which you
should proceed. Let me most earnestly
urge upon you the necessity of taking UP
this work and completing il without un-
necessary delay"
Primary Election Law.
The primary law, according to the goy-
ernor. has been frequently tested and
the arguments against its adoption are
now seen to be without merit Some de-
fects, however, are now apparent Con-
unuing this subject the governor says:
The principal weakness in the law is
that under it nominations may be made
by the vote of mere plurality In many
cases this has been less than a major
ity of the voters of a party. Generally
speaking, majority rule wherever prac-
ticable 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
prosrams than in party organization or
partisan candidates. AS a result con-
fiict of opinion within each party is now
often more intense than between the par
Ties. and constant but almost imper-
cepuble shifting and interchange of mem
pershlp is taking place Thus the real
lines OF political cleavage frequently run
not parallel to conventional party boun-
daries, but across them. In this situa
ton 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 thsre Is danger
that whenever the majority wing or fac
ton of any party is represented nv a
number or candidates in a primary cam
paign, compact cohesive and well drill
ed minority may defeat it.
This is condition which should not
be permitted to continue. It flows from
defect in the present law which NAV be
remedied in large measure at least. If not
completely by permitting voters at the
primary election to name their second
choice candidate for each office The
value of majority nominations may in
oeed at times prove inestimable I earn
estly recommend the enactment of such
q law"
Corrupt Practlses Act.
The excessive use of money in noIiticat
campaigns is declared by the governor TO
De an unmiugated evil and one that has
apparently increased with each succeed
ing year. On this subject he SAYS:
Lavish expenditure of money through
political channels for the purpose of in
fuencing elections is a debauching and
corrupting influence which has grown In
prominence and baleful Significance with
each succeeding campaign. In any form
this practice is demorallzing: but It be-
comes intolerable when It reaches the
point of lawlessness and extravaganza.
Repeatedly single candidates and politi-
cal committees have expended vast sums
OF money, some times more than a huns
dred thousand dollars. most of which
was designedly employed to mislead the
voters and befog the issues pending be-
FORE them As the law now stands every
candidate for public office. whether he
likes 1t Or not, is placed at the mercy of
men OF great wealth WHO purpose, by
the power of money. to annex to their
possessions some desirable public office.
To remedy this condition of affairs the
governor urges the enactment of an ef-
fecttve corrupt practises act He SAYS:
Such a law should provide for publ
cation by the state and at public ex-
pense of necessary Information concern
Ing the qualifications of candidates at
all primary and general elections: II
should place an absolute limit on the
amount Of money which may be spent bv
or on behalf Of any candidate for public
office. this amount to depend In each
case. of course, upon the Importance Of
The office and TO bear some fair relation
to the salary incident thereto: II should
provide that no money whatever may be
spent in political campaigns except for
certain purposes which should be enum-
Grated In the law; II should require a
strict system of public accounting of all
money disbursed in political campaigns
in order to avoid evasion, and 10 tho
enc that every dollar spent may readily
be traced from the original contribute.
to the ultimate recipient: il should pro-
hlhit all political activity whatever on
either primary or general election day:
and Il should compel compliance with its
provisions by rigorous penalties includ-
fng imprisonment and disqualification OF
candidates for public office"
Wcrkmen's Compensation Act.
The executive declares that a demand
has grown up for moro enlightened and
humane system of compromising work
men Injured In the course of their en-
ployment. He says;
Losses due 20 industrial accidents 10
workmen now fall ir the first instance
on the injured employee or in case OF
death upon his widow and orphan chill
dren This burden can be shifted to the
shoulders Of the employer and thus UPON
society. as q whole only by means on
lawsuit As the law now stands. In order
10 prevail In such an action. the plaintiff
must show that the injury for which he
seeks redress was due to the negligence