Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-08-25
for Governor, Making the
Fight of the People Against 20
Iitical Rings and Bosses.


to the time-honored custom of political
rings and financial interests control
ling our politics by announcing that he
would be a candidate for governor
without a barrel" or ring" behind
him is not surprising to those who
know the man.
Spending his boyhood days at Sech-
leryille, in Jackson county, he was
scarcely in his teens before he was
working on farms in summer and say
ing his money to go to school in win
ter. At 16 he was a country school
teacher. He continued to make his way
while attending high school and col.
lege by working in printing offices.
Those were days of long hours, hard
work and small pay. The struggle was
constant and intense, and only strong
determination could win. At 20 he was
printer on the Milwaukee dailies,
still saving and fighting the battle for
education. He kept at the printers
case until in 1894 he completed his
studies and was admitted to the bar
OF the u. 8. Supreme court.
Sixteen years ago he purchased the
Jackson County Journal. newspaper
OF Black River Falls. He made 1t his
medium for promoting honest politics
and honest principles. II is now recOg-
nized as one of Wisconsin's leading
weeklies, and forcibly expresses the
views of its publisher ON public mat
ters.
In 1906 he was elected district at
t0rney and as such was conspicuous
success. AS result, two years later
he was elected to the Wisconsin assem-
bly, without opposition. He promptly
took up the fight for sound legislation,
laws and right principles.
He opened a fight for the common
schools and farmers cooperation
which has since brought important re-
suits He never asked the consent OF
the bosses OF rings as to policy. He
simply followed his own course and ad-
vOcated the principles he believed
were right.
SO well did he succeed, that in 1910
and 1912 he was reelected, each time
without opposition. In 1913 he was
elected Speaker of the assembly,
though the bosses decreed otherwise
and refused to consider his candidacy
seriously. He worked to improve the
legislative conditions and methods. He
presented the first farm marketing bill
which was passed, and then vetoed by
Governor McGovern. sHe presented
laws providing for vocational training
in high schools. for rural school con-
solidation, in aid of agricultural educa-
ton and numerous good laws now in
the statutes He was the author of the
law against the unfair competition Of
which since has been put
into national statute. He was the au-
thor of laws providing for greater
funds from corporation sources for the
schools. He warmly support
ed such measures as the workmen's
act, income tax law. CO.
operative association law. etc.
In the years gone by when prohibit
ton and woman suffrage were so I'M
popular that their advocacy was al
most a sure road to political oblivion.
he stood out for both. In his news
paper. on the platform and in the iegis-
lature he made the fight. He never
considered political consequences
when taking a stand.
In 1916 he was nominated and elect
ed secretary of state. also contrary to
the intentions and expectations of the
bosses. They never wanted him.
Neither do they now. AS secretary of
state. his record speaks for itself. The
Office is one of the most efficient in this
state capitol. Through improved serv-
ice and laws enacted through his int
tiatlve, over 100000 have been added
to the states revenues. He was re-
elected In 1918, receiving the largest
vote of any candidate.
Now he is candidate for governor
He has had longer and more varied
experience In state affairs than any
other candidate. He knows the states
business. He knows what is needed
for service, efficiency and economy.
He also has definite views upon the
questions OF public policy and presents
a constructive progressive platform of
what ought to be done and what can
be done, not merely a platform of
wishes and vague promises.
His entire course in public life has
been doing things worth while" the
things the people want done, the things
which they may rightfuliy expect to
have done. He stands squarely upon
the issues. He neither lodges nor
evades He wants everybody to know,
because It is everybody's business to
know. just what candidate stands
for and what he proposes to do.
But the bosses. the political rings and ma.
chimes, the politicians who are ready to pr~un.
Use everything before election and do not hin
but wrange and quarrel for personal and fat
tional purposes after election do not wan. hi,n
They want a man the bosses can rely on-s
man who will serve the ring and machine
rather than the people. HE is not he never
has been that kind Of q man. So they sa,
"he has no money"--"he has no machine" anC
urge his defeat.
Thinking voters who win consider the man,
pressing questions must recognise that IN
age-old custom Of playing polities-electin,
uen who play politcs-is a mighty serious AM
costly business for the people.
IL Is time TO change the poiicy-bring abou
clean politics and honest political method
which will result in honest government Their
are no problems too great for our peopl
.hrouSh honest efficient administration Of thsi
affairs.
The voters can make the ehange-they ca,
scrve both themselves and their stately &c
ha tt the polls on primary day and votin
ion Merlin Hull W. b. NAYLOR.