The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1914-06-11
GIVES OUT A BRIEF PLATFORM
Is Strong For Continuance of ''wiscon-
sin Idea and Declares That He
Favors a Downward Revision of the
Tariff in the Nation.

Governor McGovern has broken his
silence and from the capital of the
state today he sent out formal an
nouncement of his candidacy for the
United States senate. His announce
ment was sent in the form of personal
letters to many of his strong supporters
in Kenosha and in this announcement
he states briefly the platform on which
he will seek the nomination and cleo
| ton to represent Wisconsin in the up
per house of congress. There is moth
ing of sensational nature in the an
nouncement of the governor and it
caused no furry among politicians in
Kenosha. In his letter announcing his
candidacy he interviews himself and
says
It, has been so generally assumed
that I should become a candidate for
the republican nomination for United
States senator this year that it is al
most unnecessary for me to say so my
self. However, I feel that definite
statement on the subject should now
be made; and in announcing that |
am candidate for this high and re-
sponsible position I wish briefly to in
dicate the grounds upon which I shall
invite support At later time I shall
go into the subject in greater detail.
/. I place first my official record
as prosecuting attorney in Milwaukee
and governor Of Wisconsin, for this
record will prove far better guide to
the voter than any mere promise or
platform declaration. The people have
generously honored me with public
office. In seeking a further expression
of public confidence, I probably could
not escape from my record if I would
and I am very sure / would not do so
if / could. Not that I claim any ex-
elusive credit for what has been ac-
complished, for l do not; but because
of work in which I have had part, the
stain Of venality was wiped out in
Milwaukee and Wisconsin has come to
be recognized everywhere outside her
own borders as one of the very best
governed states in the union. Shou d
I remain in service of the state I shall
continue in the course [ have thus
far pursued.
2. For years I have advocated
downward revision Of the tariff; but
7 do not approve the present law.
Alike in the manner in which it was
enacted, it's failure to reduce the cost
of living and its harmful effect upon
industry and agriculture in Wisconsin,
/ it seems to me to be fairly open to
serious criticism. Unlike it's authors
III believe in a protective tariff; one
that, while discouraging monopoly, will
safeguard the interests Of American
producers and consumers by means of
import duties accurately and honestly
adjusted to cover the difference in the
cost of production here and abroad,
and so tend to equahze conditions of
competition between this country and
other nations Had the recent revi-
sion been in conformity with these
principles and had it been based upon
information furnished by q scientific
non-partisan commission, willing labor
would not lack employment as it does
today, the price of farm produce would
not have declined, nor would the tide
of industry here and everywhere in the
country be at its present law ebb.
8. I favor a reorganization of pres
ent methods of distribution, especially
Of food products. How to increase
prosperity on the farm, to reduce the
cost Of living and to eliminate trust
abuses are not three problems, but one.
Proper regulation of markets so as to
transfer control Of them from the
hands of unconssionable spectators to
the people themselves will go long
way toward just and satisfactory
solution. By this means the price Of
farm products may be increased, the
the cost of living reduced and the
business Of the retail dealer improved
The problem is the same in state
and nation.
These propositions thus briefly stat
ed are sufficient for present purposes.
Later I shall amplify them and also
discuss other subjects of interest to
the people of the state