River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-01-15
WASHING j IN LITER
FROM JAMES A. FREAR, MEMBER Of
CONGRESS, 10Th DISTRICT

presidential primary proposition is
one Of the greatest political innova-
tons proposed by any administration
for many years. Thus far it has not
been looked upon with much favor by
southern states where the basis OF
representation in the electoral college
is fixed by population instead of on
the vote. Disfranchisement of APP
proximately so per cent of the popu-
lation now exists in several sout erD
states, SO that all contests are h.. III
the primaries. Sometimes the vote
cast in an entire state at the gene raj
election is not much larger than the
ote in a single congressional district
)f the north.
A direct primary law that fails to
recognize state lines would require a
constitutional amendment; impossible
10 secure in view of the large number
Of southern representative in con.
gress. The administration PROPOSE
ton is likely to take shape by confin-
ing the direct primaries to state lines
hereby avoiding the objection urged
3y the south. With that modification
It may pass congress, in which event
he old. fashioned national conventions
at which Bryan made his Grown OF
Thorns" speech, and from which Roos
3yelt withdrew, viii be only a mem
DRY. Conventions in the future would
be composed of candidates who had
0een minated for congress with SUCH
additional membership as might be
deemed expedient, on the lines of the
Wisconsin state primary law. Suca
j plan will placate rebellious southern
members and permit a direct choice
without the Intervention of a conVen
5ion, as was tentatively proposed i'll
the presidents message.
1t will be difficult for congress to
satisfy the demands Of the Philippines
or complete independence, judging
rom the tone Of Filipino publications
'aceived by congressman. Partia.
5elf-government is had under the pres
ent plan, but separation is demanded
BY those more particularly in political
ife. A strong party Of ''antis" in the
Philippines is opposed to separation
believing such act would be immedi
ately followed by a chaotic condition
of affairs, compared to which MeXico's
government is a model OF stability.
Let US once find the path and Sc
out with firm and confident tread upol
t and we shall not wander from it MOI
niger upon it." That is the presi
dents advice to congress and sounds
right, but our experience with Mexico
proves there are many hidden Stun
bling blocks in the path which we d.
not see until after we have stubbed
our toes.
A letter from an old friend asks i
write and am responsible for These
weekly letters to which publishers ar
so kindly giving space. At the risl
Of straining a life long friendship,
admitted the accusation but have
made all necessary apologies for style
or lack of style, long ago. Bill Nye
used to drop into my Office occasion
ally when he lived in Hudson-he was
democratic in his tastes. Once mar
Yelling at my failure to appreciate
some of his jokes then running in the
New York World syndicate, he said
he knew he wasn't to blame and didn'
know that l was, all of which wa
both true and humorous. This weekly
letter reminds me of another famous
Bill" from our district. Congressman
Bill Price who represented the dis
rict thirty years ago, was approached
one day by a hesitating green young
ster, who was engaged in writin6
weekly letters to his paper back home
the Hudson Star and Times. The
writer, who pleads guilty to the like
ness, asked Mr.. Price if he wouli
give a few items" on congress for
the weekly letter. Certainly M
boy" he replied cordially, and then
loaded me up with news for the home
people. Just as l was leaving he
said with a chuckle, Nov you needn't
be afraid to see me any time, or ~
mention me in the paper as often a.
YOU like, the oftener the better ana
he added. Don't take any stock ir
the fellows who pretend to the coli
trary." The Star and Times once
had a fire, otherwise evidences q
those weekly offenses against a dis
eliminating public would still exisr