American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-02-25


ment in 1900 was about 1000, 900; in
1914, they were in excess of SIS, 000, 900.
This great increase has beer brought
about gradually by the carrying out
of the system generally known as the
Wisconsin Idea" Whatever it's pro-
genitors claim it to be-. the actual
working out of this system has proven
to be a scheme for centralizing the ad-
mission of all laws at Madison, the
capital city; for the employment of
thousands of people, inspecting, super
vising and regulating the functions of
the people of the state; and the build
ing up of a political machine which it's
organizers believed to be i~mprcgnable
and which therefore, was the more
easily defeated.
About a a ago, the writer made
the first public protest against the pre-
vailing high taxes following it within
a few months by a public address in
which he proposed as a remedy the
elimination of the WISCONSIN Idea"
with all it's qualifications. The feeling
against the so-called Progressive" ad-
ministration grew so strong that 900
men met in Madison in June, named a
ticket, headed by f.. L.. Phillip of Mil
waukee, a business man who had new
er held office and who had never seen
an aspirant for office and promulgat-
ed a platform demanding a reduction
in commissions, in state employees, and
in taxes. At the September primary
Mr.. Phillip was nominated on the Re-
publican ticket by a vote of 10000 as
against q 5000 for his nearest Compel
itor. And the Democrats named Judge
J. C. Karel, also a conservative.
Through the efforts of the capitol
Clique" consisting of five men, all of
whom are beneficiaries under the sys-
TEN, John L. Blaine, of Boscobel was
brought out as an Independent candi-
date for governor, and the issue was
clearly drawn between conservatism,
as represented by Mr.. Phillip and Mr..
Karel, and radicalism, represented by
Mr.. Blaine.
At the November election Mr.. Phillip
was elected with 14O. 1877 votes. Mr..
Karel was second with 119, 500 votes,
and Mr.. Blaine received 1850 votes.
Ten constitutional amendments were
presented to the people for adoption
or rejection at the November election,
having been passed by the legislatures
of 1911 and 1913, both of which were
controlled by the radicals. Prior to
1912, amendments to the state consti-
tuition had been voted upon by an av-
erage of 81 per cent of the total vote
in the state. That year three amend
ments were passed by a small vote, a
little more than 6 per cent of the to-
tai number of voters expressing their
choice for them and a little more than
8 per cent being against them, the to-
tai being IA little less than ~ per cent.
This year, therefore. the radicals
thought these ten amendments would
have easy sailing. But the people,
weary of high taxes. weary Of constant
supervision, inspection and regulation,
voted them down by a large majority,
Notwithstanding supreme efforts made
ny the dtlOU- Inc AMEND
ments and the vote on them were as
follows:
No. l. For changing the manenr o:
making future amendments to the con-
stitution. providing that they should
pass but one legislature and then be
submitted tothe people. For. 71,784;
against, 100. z
No 2. Providing for the initiative
and referendum. For, 84.934: against,
1885.
No. 8. Providing for state insurance
and annuities, with the limits and re-
strictions Of the constitution removed
as to that subject For. 1890; against
170,33s.
No. 4. Giving cities home rule. For, |
5000; against, 141.472.
No. 5. Authorizing the legislature
to decrease the number of judicial cir
cults and to provide additional judges
If necessary. For. s3.311; against, ls4-
s27.
No, 8. Providing for the recall. For. |
II G2Q- a~atnaf ia 7ae