Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1915-07-03
FACES CRISIS IN STATE AFFAIRS
Political Tactics Of Ultras Make Even
PrOgressives Severe Critics.
(By B. X. Pratt.)

CoIlSln are today facing a CTIS1S III
their state government and it is
high time that they were brought
to realization of that fact. This
statement was made recently
by man, who has long been af-
hliated with the progressive wing
OF the republican party, but who
having become disgusted with the
political tactics of the ultras" is
now just plain republican once
more. For a number of reasons
his name cannot be used. The
crisis that speak of concerns the
very foundations of democratic
governments, he continued. 1t
means that the people of the state
are either going to have what they
want in the way of government or
else they are going to have to sub
NIT to a government prepared for
them by few of the faithful.
Less than a year ago the voters
decided that they want three things.
First, reduction in taxes; second,
fewer commissions, and third, bet
ter business administration of the
affairs of the state. Because they
believed +. l.. Philipp was the
man best prepared to give them
these things they elected him gov
ernor A majority of the members
of the assembly and the senate
were also elected because the people
believed these men when they said
that they would support the plat
form of Mr., Philip. And yet to-
day we find nat a powerful ma
chine organized by the job holding
ultras and some, who haven't any
particular jobs at all, that is per-
sistently opposing every step made
by the governor. These men don't
want the governor to keep his
promise TO the people and they are
doing all in their power to prevent
him from so doing. And if the
state don't wake up and get i'll
touch with their representatives,
some of the administration mea-
sures for consolidation of commits
sions and better business admins
trations may be defeated. The de
cision is for the most part in the
hands ofthe state senate. All bills
except tax commission re-organi-
zation measure have gone through,
despite the efforts of the progress
sive political lobby, The senate
is the only hope of these men who
believe that progress means an ac-
ceptance of their ideas. And they
are making the most of their chance.
Every senator is being beseiged
constantly from all sides. Heads
of state departments, whose depart
ments are effected by some of the
measures are circulating the state
at the expense of the taxpayers
Propaganda is being prepared i'll
departments and then printed III
the ultra organs as news. Special
efforts are being made against the
proposed board of public welfare
measure. And the central board of
education plan, which is being at
tackled through every possible me
dunn. And a majority of the SEN
ate was elected on a platform that
contemplated all the changes sug-
gested by the consolidation bills.
1t would hardly seem possible that
they would dare to go back on that
platform. The democrats in the
senate subscribed to a platform
that does not differ materially from
the republican pledges. And yet
they are abused by the ultra
press because some of them have
dared to vote for measures that Co
incide with their platform pledges.
The people of this state will know
who to hold responsible in the
event that their requ est at the last
election is denied. They know
that Governor Phillip is trying
honestly to put through his pro-
gram. And they know for the
most part the names of those mem
bers of the legislature. who are