Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-01-15
Madison Letter
CONTINUED from Page y

Win the legislature controlled by the
La Toilette forces, it was pointed out
that impeachment proceedings would
not be likely to get far
Fight for Control.
The McGovern-Ekern incident has
brought to a head all of the bitterness
incident TO any factional fight The
feeling is strong that Governor Nc
Govern is now openly fighting Senator
La Toilette for control Of the Repub-
lican party machinery in this state
It is said by those who advance this
theory that the dismissal of Ekern is
but one step in that direction.
To close students Of politics in Wis
consin the clash between the govern
or and the insurance commissioner
was inevitable because of the personal
strength Of Ekern, who is close to
La Toilette and is already being men,
toned as a candidate for United States
senator Friends of Governor Nc
Govern, however, contend that the ex-
ecUtive merely performed his duty
They declare that when the Office OF
insurance commissioner was made APP
pointive by the governor instead of
elective by the people it was done so
on the ound that the position re-
CURED expert ability and for that rea-
son should be taken out Of pelities.
In order to accomplish this result.
they say that the Office was made ap-
poinfve. with certain restrictions in
the law making ii clear that the COM
missioner should not NEEDLE in poll
tics. They admit that Mr.. Ekern has
made a record for constructive admin
istration since he took charge. but
they also insist that he went too far
politically Ekern was appointed by
Governor McGoyern.
Complaint Against Ekern.
The formal complaint served on In
surance Commissioner Ekern and up
on which the hearing was held was
signed by Harry Curran Wilbur, of the
executive Office 1t was as follows:
Harry Curran Wilbur, being FIST
duly sworn, deposes and says that he
is now and at all times hereinafter
mentioned was a resident elector of
the city and county Of Milwaukee.
Wis; that he is personally asquaint-
ed with Herman l.. Ekern and that
at all times since the S0th day of June.
1911, the said Herman l.. Ekern was
and still is commissioner of insurance
of the state of Wisconsin
"Deponent further sass upon infor-
nation and belief and charges the fact
TO be that the said Herman l.. Ekern
is guilty Of duty as such commission
er of insurance in this, to wit:
"That on and between the LIST day
of January, 1913, and the 9TH day of
January 1913. both inclusive, at the
city of Madison. Dane county, the
said Herman L. Ekern did serve on
sind under the political committee and
as manager of the political campaign
of one L. T. Johnson. who was then
and there candidate for the Office of
speaker of the assembly of the state
of Wisconsin, contrary TO the provi-
ssions of section 1861 OF the statutes. .
First Surprise OF Session.
The election sof Merlin Hull of
BLACK, River Falls as speaker Of the
&seafhlyswas the first surprise of the
session Mr.. Hull was made theschoice
of the Republican caucus and was
elected speaker of the assembly
through the support of the La Toilette
men, although before the caucus L. l..
johnson was considered the leading
La Toilette candidate, and Ray Nye,
Superior. the leading McGovern candf-
date, both McGovern and La Toilette
forces declaring that Nye was pro
gressive' The support of Insurance
Commissioner Ekern for Mr.. Johnson
and the subsequent clash between
Govern McGoyern and Mr. Ekern is
believed to have brought about the
selection Of Mr. Hull.
Governor McGoyern. at once said
that the election of Hull was salts
factory TO hims He said that be ask
ed members of the assembly to sup
port Hull The La Toilette leaders
said that they, too. we're satisfied with
the election Of the Black River Falls
man.
Assemblyman Hull was an active
member Of the lower house two years
ago. and was especially active during
the special session of the legislature
which was called to restore the city
of Black River Falls following the
food In the last regular session he
took stand against the saloon in
terests Of the state. and opposed some
of the larger appropriations for the
state UNIVERSITY Before the caucus
vote It was predicted that his stand
In these matters made impossible his
selection as speaker OF the assembly,
position which carries with ii much
personal power and influence. The
speaker selects the committees and
is generally in control.
The Governors Message.
Governor McGovern read his mes
sage at Joint session OF the legisla-
ture In the assembly chamber Thurs
day morning. The message was an.
proximately 10000 words In length,
and It took the Governor over one
hour to read it. The chief executive
was followed with close interest and
was afplauded at the close.
The assembly in adopting the rules
under which the house will work re-
duced the number Of standing COM
mittees from 40 to 81.
Senator r. E. Browne Of waupac in
troduced the first important bill. The
bill proposes an appropriation OF