The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1912-02-23
Politics and Business.

All men measure the sum of public
happiness more or less by the words,
business" prosperity. When times are
good, when business runs in it's accus-
toned channels, then we say everybody
is happy, or at least as happy as they
can be. Now, whether this definition
suits those with 'lofty ideals" or the
spiritual minded, or those who make
business of reforming others or not,
vet there it stands as the general con-
census of public opinion, and it gov
ems.
One of the most disturbing things to
business, or in other words, to the nat
ural trend of industry, is politics. Right
here is where we get together to dis
agree, to be suspicious of each other,
to doubt one another's patriotism, to
put on airs of superior virtue and fore
sight over each other. All this flying
apart does not close until we are Oblig
ed to quit by the closing of the ballot
box and the declaration of the count.
Then we subside for time. Then we
begin to resume our former condolences
in each other; then we attend to bust
ness. No wonder politics disturb bust
ness. Business means getting together,
x
itics means flying apart. In these lat
ter days there is more of the acrid,
corroding spirit of politics than ever
before in our history. A class of agi-
tators have arisen called Progressives,
who are trying to persuade the people
that the laws are all wrong, the courts
are all wrong, everything is wrong but
their notions. They have saddled them
Cfofn WISCONSIN
They are creating an enormous in
crease of expense, loading down the
statute books with mass of crude, i'll
digested laws, increasing the taxes to
a degree never dreamed of before, and
for what?
Simply to give lot of theorists in
the University and elsewhere the chance
to govern us and test out their theories.
The Supreme court has lately declar-
ed unconstitutional their water-power
law. This law, as the court shows,
proposed to cOnfiscate private property
to satisfy one of their theories. Not
content with increasing regular taxa
ton enormously, they impose an IN
come tax on the people that is partial,
incomplete and unjust. Who are the
men this progressive wave has put IN
power to disturb business and increase
the cost of government? Look them
over Turn to the communities In which
they live and see if they represent the
most thoughtful, the most considerable
and the wisest men in those communl-
ties. Only one purpose animates their
shallow minds. That is to make every
thing bend to LaFollettism. The farm
ers have, heretofore, been the strong
hold for this craze. But their tax re-
ceipts are putting crimp in their en-
thusiasm. They are beginning to see
that radicalism costs fearfully; that
they have been played as pawns to give
certain ambitious fellows chance to
secure distinction without imparting
real service to the voter.
Of course, all kinds of industry must
be greatly disturbed by such brainless
policies. Business men are feeling the
ground tremble beneath their feet.
Everywhere is present the politician,
looking to politics alone, filled with his
own selfish ambition.
Every specious plan is put first fol
reform Plain common sense is at g
discount; it is not progressive enough.
Is it any wonder business interests, in
dustrial interests, all good interests
suffer when such madcaps have contro
OF affairs. By and by the day of reck
oning will come.-Ft. Atkinson Union