Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1911-04-18
What's the Matter With Wis
CONSUL

cOuSIu
In his address last evening in
the Presbyterian church, the Hon.
W. H. Nylrea emphasized the fact
that the population of this state had
increased less than 100000 during the
last decade. This is over 100000 less
than the increase shown in the CEN
sus of 1890, and nearly 10000 less
than shown by the census of 1900.
What's the matter aeith Wisconsin?
With as low death rate, and with
as high a birth rate as any of the
states in this Union, the natural in
crease in population of 2,069,042 in
1890 should show a larger increase
than 264, 81s in ten year period.
Everyone knows that people have
moved into the state, but they do
not yet seem to have realized how
many residents of this state must
have moved elsewhere that so poor
showing should be made.
What's the matter loith Wisconsin =?
Geographically, with splendid agri-
cultural and natural resources second
to none in this Union; with every
facility of transportation, every edu-
cational advantage, Wisconsin in
every way should be the "Mecca" of
the man seeking a home and favor
able business opportunity.
What's the matter ,oith Wisconsin?
There must be some reason for this
poor showing Look again. During
the past ten years 244,000 boys of Is
years of age and upward have grown
to manhood and should have become
voters, yet in November, 1910, the re-
publican candidate for Governor was
elected although receiving 100000
votes less than the republican candi-
date for the same office, and 1000 less
than the defeated democratic candi-
date, in 1896-fourteen years ago.
After IA years there has been a falling
off, rather than as there should be, an
increase in the vote; &c, 267A fewer
votes were cast for the republican
and democratic candidates for gov
ernor in this state last fall than in
lS9A-sixteen years ago.
Is it possible there has been ali
exodus to escape the strenuous re-
form movement in Wisconsin, and
that people seeking new homes
under a conservative government
have side-stepped Wisconsin and have
gone elsewhere? Has pounding the
corporations, increasing taxes, villifi-
cation and charges of widespread
corruption by the Holier-than-thou
Apostles of the LaFollette brand of
reform had any influence in retarding
the growth and progress of Wiscon-
sin? Has driving "a of the largest
and most successful life insurance
companies out of the state. with their
millions of funds requiring invest
ment, added anything to the prosper
ity of the state? With every session
of the legislature more and wilder
propositions of reform; each budding
statesman endeavoring to outclass
every other blooming statesman in
strenuous endeavor to reform some
one other than himself; Milwaukee
, gone socialist, its mayor haranguing
and with wild eyed denunciations
condemning the courts; legislators
tumbling over themselves TO Guido
the socialistic representatives and
stealing their thunder; dear old loyal
Wisconsin, containing as majority
of its people the best and most law
abiding citizens in the country, is
receiving the daily free advertising
throughout the United States and the
world that can do only harm and
that makes sane and conservative
people everywhere wonder and ask:
! What's the matter with Wisconsin p!