Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1911-01-13
Governor so Characterizes SUD.
gestlons to Legislature.
IMPORTANT REFORMS URGED
Urinary Law, an Effective
corrupt Practices Act, Home
Rule for Cities, and Initiative,
Referendum and Recall Rec.
commended for Con-
sideration.

with equal opportunity for doing good
many legislative matters of the very
hlghest Importance upon which there IS
practlcai unanimity of opinion. have been
law Aii'o
The problems presented bv the growth
OF monopolies and trusts and the dis
Placement OF the small manufacturer are
discussed by the governor and the ne
ceSsity Tor 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. This was once a necessary
phase In the development of present is
sues, put IL 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 den and you, gentlemen of the
legislature, should accomplish much du-
ring this session. The great mass of men.
I'll 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
'hls work and completing II without I'M
necessary delay"
Primary Election Law
The primary law, according to the gov
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-
tnuing this subject the governor says:
The principal weakness in the law Is
that under 1t nominations may be made
by the vote Of mere plurality. In many
cases this has been less than a major
ity or the voters of party. Generally
speaking, majority rule wherever prac-
been
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 result, con-
tlict of opinion within each party Is now
often more intense than between the par
ties, and a constant but almost imper-
ceptble shifting and interchange of mem
bership 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
and fairly and free from strategy or
suJterfuge
LAS the law now stands there IS danger
that whenever the majority wing or fac
ton of any party is represented by
number Of candidates in a primary cam
paign. a compact. cohesive and we'll drill
ed minority may defeat IT.
This is a condition which should not
nprD1iftpd flows from
defect in the present law which may be
remedied in large measure at least, II 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
seed at times prove inestimable. I earn
sstlv recommend the enactment of such
q law
Corrupt Practises Act.
The excessive use of money in political
campaigns is declared by the governor to
be an unmitigated 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
huencing elections is debauching and
eorrupting influence which has grown in
prominence and baleful significance with
zach succeeding campaign. In any form
This practice is demoralizing; but II be-
comes intoierable when IL reaches the
point OF lawlessness and extravaganza.
Repeatedly single candidates and politi-
raj committees have expended vast sums
Of money, some times more than hun-
ared thousand dollars most of which
was designedly employed to mislead the
Foters and befog the issues pending be-
fore them. AS the law now stands every
candidate for public office, whether he
ilIes IT 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-
lective corrupt practises act. He says:
Such a law should provide for publ
cation by the state and at public ex
oense of necessary information concern
ing the qualifications of candidates at
Ill primary and general elections; It
should place an absolute limit on the
amount Of money which may be spent by
hr on behalf OF any candidate for public
office. this amount to depend In each
rase of course. upon the Importance of
ME office and to bear some fair relation
N the salary incident thereto; II should
provide that no monev whatever may be
,nent in political campaigns except for
pertain PURPOSES which should be euum-
Grated in the law: II should require
strict system OF public accounting Of all
money disbursed I'm political campaigns
In order 10 avoid evasion. and TO the
md that every dollar spent may readily
he traced from the original contributor
to the ultimate recipient; II should pro-
hibit all political activity whatever on
either urinary or general election day;
cnd 4 should compel compliance with its
provisions by rigorous PENALTIES. includ-
inc IMPRISONMENT and disqualification of
candidates for public office
Workmen's Compensation Act
Tho executive declares that demand
bos crown up for more enlightened and
tvr,sne system OF compensating work
rnen injured in the course OF their en-
,,Iovnent He says:
at osSes due to industrial accidents TO
ror.1nen nov fall in the hrst instance
on me Injured employee or in case OF
SastT ,,Don his widow and orphan emil
dren. This burden can be shifted 10 Ihe
Shoulders of the EMPLOYER and thus upon
soc,atv as a whole only by means OF
,ov-e,,it AS the law now stands. In or.er
20 -,ravail in such an action. the me MN
,,,,,st chow, that the injury for when ne
socks redl ess was due TO the neghseh0e