Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-02-17


to carry out its promise to the people.
81 am quoted as having stated that
I would not remove any efficient pub
lie employe whose services may be
needed if he does not engage in poll
tics. The statement is correct in so
far as it goes, but it fails to state
what I said at the same time that
would not retain heads Of depart
ments who are not in full accord with
what my administration stand for, and
I believe this to be a reasonable
reservation.
81 have recently seen letter from
q senator who has vigorously opposed
my appointments in which he stated:
There is nothing left for us to do
but to oppose every appointment that
Governor Philip makes This state
ment discloses the real purpose of
my opposition. It means then if it
we're my privilege to nominate the
ss.inted Lincoln for public office or
in urging legislation; if l were in
spired by the power that directed
Moses when he wrote the Ten Com
mandments l would still be opposed
by the same gentlemen. In other
words, anything that does not fit into
the political plans of the propaganda
must be opposed regardless of the
public interest.
ct make this statement so that the
people of this state will understand
the inspiration which is behind the
opposition which is being put up
against me-"
Removal of Fit Men Opposed.
The opposition of the progressives
to the appointment of Walter Alex
ander as a member of the state rail-
road commission, and George ]. Wei
gle as head Of the state dairy and
food commission was based upon the
ground that it was not in the interests
OF good business to remove efficient
departmental heads. The reply Of
the governor is to the effect that the
administration cannot make good it's
pledges If departmental heads are not
in sympathy with the program Of the
administration.
In making the fight on the govern
or's appointments, the progressives
spoke highly of the qualifications Of
Mr. Alexander, and there was no crit
icism made for the honesty and in
tegrity of Mr.. Weigle.
To an unprejudiced person watching
the play of fractional differences, it
seems that the progressives will aim
to make a record for future use.
There may be some degree of cooper
alton in matters Of economy, but it
begins to look very much like bitter
fight in most matters, with the odds
in favor of the governor because of
the voting strength of his forces in
the senate and the assembly.
Loss of Public Confidence Feared
In the bitterness that has been dis
played in the debate in the senate,
progressive members have read ar
tiCles from newspapers for the purpose
of establishing some working connec-
ton between the governor and the
press of the state. Senator Bosshard
laid special stress on a newspaper ar
ticle relating to the organization Of
the state railroad commission. In the
fight on the two new members named
by the governor for service on this
commission, the progressive forces
said that the passing of two tried
efficient members of the board might
destroy the public confidence that is
felt in the work of the commission,
and it also was pointed out that re-
organization of the commission would
be the next thing to look for. The
commission then met and elected Hal
ford Erickson, senior member Of the
board, chairman, and reelected L. E.
Gettle, progressive, as secretary.
The newspaper clipping read by the
senator from La Crosse attached news
value to the fact that the commission
was not completely reorganized" and
that the nonpartisan element in its
organization was of interest.
Assemblyman w. c. Bradley Of
Hudson introduced a bill in the house
providing for state wide referendum
Oh equal suffrage, to be voted upon at
the election in Nov, 1916 A consti-
tutional amendment giving women
the right of ballot was passed twice
by the legislature and went to the
people for a vote in 1912. It was de-
feated. Another measure passed the
last session but was vetoed by Nc
Govern. Other suffrage bills will be
introduced at this session.
Boards Committee Busy.
The legislative committee named to
conduct an investigation of the state
boards and commissions hiss inaugur-
ated a busy program. At least five
hours a day are given over to the
nrOhe FxnartS from 4hn state hoard