The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-01-12
IS A MANDATE
FROM THE PEOPLE
Governor so Characterizes Sug-
gestions to Legislature.
IMPORTANT REFORMS URGED
Perfected Primary Law, an Effective
Corrupt Practices Act, Homo
Rule for Cities, and Initiative,
Referendum and Recall Rec
commended for Con-
sIderation.

sIderaton.
Madison, Wis.-Governor McGovern, In
his inaugural address, declares that rev
legislatures have convened In Wisconsin
with equal opportunity for doing good.
Many legislative matters OF the very
highest Importance, upon which there Is
practical unanimity Of opinion. have been
considered and await only enactment into
law.
The problems presented by the growth
OF monopoles and trusts and the dis
placement of the small manufacturer are
discussed by the governor. and the ne
cessty for curative legislation along lines
that will protect the interests of both
capital and labor The governor says:
Accusation and recrlmination concern
ing existing abuses should now come to
an end. This was once necessary
phase in the development OF present is
sues, but 1t is no longer The people
now want action. They must have re-
suits. In all governmental affairs the
newly awakened public conscience de-
mands a 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 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-
tinuing this subject the governor says:
The principal weakness in the law IS
that under It nominations may be made
by the vote of a mere plurality In many
cases this has been less than major
ity OF the voters OF a party. Generally
speaking, majority rule wherever prac-
tcable has been regarded as a funda-
mental tenet in the government OF public
bodies and voluntary political associa-
tons. II is not secured by the primary
law In It's 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
ties. and constant but almost imper-
ceptible shifting and interchange Of mem
hership is taking place Thus the real
lines OF political cleavage frequently run.
not parallel to conventional party boun-
darfes, but across them In this situa-
ton It has become very important that
the nomination OF party candidates and
determination OF what shall constitute
party principles may he made honestly
and fairly and free from strategy or
subterfuge
LAS the law now stands there is danger
mat whenever the majority wing or fac
ton OF any party is represented by a
number or candidates In n primary cam
paign compact cohesive and well drill
ed minority may defeat IT,
This is a condition which should not
be permitted to continue. It flows from
defect In the present law which may be
remeded 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 NAV in
deed at times prove inestimable I earn
estlV recommend the enactment OF such
law"
Corrupt PractIses Act.
The excessive use OF money In political
campaigns is declared by the governor I,
be an unmitigated evil and one that has
apparently increased with each succeed
Ing year. On this subject he saws:
Lavish expenditure Of money through
political channels for the purpose of in
fuencing elections IS a debauchinp AND
corrupting influence which has grown in
prominence and baletul Significance with
each succeeding campaign. In any form
this practice is demoralizing: but II be-
comes intOlerable when II reaches tba
point of lawlessness and extrayagance
Repeatedly single candidates and no,iti
cal committees have expended vast sums
or money some times more than a HIM,
dred thousand dollars, most Of which
was oeslsnediy employed to mtslead the
voters ana oefoC the Issues pending be-
1ore them. As the law now stands ever,.
candidate for public office. whether he
hkes II or not, Is placed at the mercy or
men or great wealth who purpose nv
the power Of money. to annex to the,,
possessions some desirable public office :.
10 remedy this condition Of affairs the
governor urges the enactment Of an o.
fective corrupt practises act. He saws.
Snch law should provide for nubu
cdtioh nN 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 tho
amount NJ money which NAV be snan+ h,,
or on behalf OF any candidate for p,1hItc
OFFICE, this amount to depend in eecb
case, or course. upon the importance ~
the office and to bear some fair relation
10 the SH'ary Incident thereto: II should
provide That no money whatever NAV ba
spent in political campaigns except Tow
certain purposes which should be enun-
Grated In the law; II should reuuire q
strict system Of public accounting OF all
money d.sbursed In political campaigns
In order to avoid evasion, and to the
end that every dollar spent may readily
be traced from the original contributor
to the ultimate recipient; It should nro-
hihit all political activity whatever on
either primary or general election day.
and II 81 ould compel compliance with it's
provisions by rigorous penalties. includ-