Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-03-12
The Special Election For United States Senator
1ALDEN"

Pythias performance of brotherly love
or united action even with the flesh
pots of Egypt in sight. So that the
( rending of political party ties in this
special election can cause no painful
severing of association especially
where so overshadowing an issue is
at stake. Perhaps at no time in the
history of this Nation have political
party lines been less closely drawn
and less clearly defined-when an all
important overshadowing issue alone
marks the dividing line of its people,
and the greatest help that can now
be given is practical forceful demon
stration that on the qeustion to make
the World safe for democracy the
American people are united in the
support of the administration.
Here in Wisconsin the test is now
to be applied, and the Country has
turned its eyes upon us to see how
we live up to our duty-and with
some anxiety they await the result.
We face peculiar conditions and the
numerous candidates add only to the
confusion:
The Socialist candidate, Victor Ber-
4
and conference of warning nations and
an immediate peace" His platform
reads as if it had been edited by
Lenine and Trotzky. He was born
in Austria and came here to better
his condition, and ever since he found
that this Country had government,
he's been agin the Government-more
so now than ever for the socialist
paper he edits has been denied mail
privileges. The loyal American would
as soon enlist in the german army as
to vote for this candidate.
Then there is Mr.. Thompson,
who following an uncomfortable in
ner urging announces himself as a
candidate and calls ''for a declara-
tion of our aims and purposes in the
war;" If by any political fiuke this
candidate ever landed at the capitol he
no doubt would make a bee-line for
the White House to call on President
Washington, then first discover that
George Washington was dead and ex-
press his surprise that he had not
even heard that he had been sick.
Then we have with us again that
ubiquitous and perennial candidate for
political office-F. Z. McGOVern-
whose continuous performances have
grown into a bad habit. Aside from
his own desires in the matter there
seems to be no special reason why
he should serve in this war in SEN
atorial toga, when without wife or
dependent children, his patriotic fer
vor could find full expression in serv-
ing in khaki mid shot and SHE'LL" at
less salary no doubt but with an equal
opportunity to demonstrate his loyal
ty. For a man-as shown in every
position he has occupied--whose like
or dislike of his fellowman is gov
erned by whether he is for him or
against him, hardly endows this
candidate with any special superiority
at this time, Notwithstanding that he
admits of loyalty equal to any other
man seeking the Office.
Then comes Dr. Charles Mccarthy
whose sudden conversion was as sur
prising to democrats as the price de-
manded as reward appears eXhorbit-
ant, but who--as he frankly admits
if he did elect Wilson, furnish all the
real gray matter of the national demo-
cratic party platform and then present
ed the party in this state with demo-
cratic senator -gratis-for-noth
has practiced such quiet strenuous
suppression of the facts that one
marvels at the modesty of the demand
Ito fill only one of the existing va
cancies from this state-one mere
man who can do all that and not say
anything about it, is big enough to
fill both vacancies-but the democratic
party management deny the accusa-
tion,, resent the imputation, refuse to
accept the admission, repudiate the
self-constituted democratic Warwick,
who comes with extended glad right
hand offering fellowship while with the
left he tries to grab-off the best thing
the party has been able to fiuke off in
years. DR.. Mccarthy is loyal-no
question about that; he is able-and
as to this everyone who knows him,
seconds his OWL admission, but as to
his candidacy-oth than as an ex-
ample of what can be done under
direct primary law-it will have no
other effect than to cause the party
temporary aggravation and annoy
ance.
Then we have Irvine L. LenrOOt-
who may be designated the republican
candidate-now in Congress and one
of the leaders of the party in the
House of Representatives; man of
ability and large legislative experience
and of unquestioned loyalty-against
whom, however many have prejudice
because of former close associations
and who fear the Swengale hypnotic
influence should he come within mas
sagipS distance of his former close
associate. But Congressman Lenroot
has demonstrated IAN independence
and gained standing which entities
him to respectful consideration and if
party considerations are to govern is
entitled to the republican vote as a
worthy exponent and representative;
whether in his standing in the House
of Representatives and the value of
| his services there, he could better
serve the Nation is a question which
will lose him some votes, especially
as his transfer to the Senate would
create another vacancy to be filled
! with no assurance that a proper selec-
tion will be made-in justice to Mr..