The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-09-11
MR.. HIRsT AS AN INDEPENDENTS

The proposal is made that Arthur II. HIST,
leader of the Coolidge Republicans in the re-
cent primary campaign, run as an independent
candidate for Governor.
We are not in favor of fools rushing in
where angels fear to tread but we do know
that great army of real Republicans in the
state are anxious to have a candidate OF their
own to vote for in November. These men and
women neither want to vote the Democratic
ticket or support candidates endorsed by the
Socialists They still have laundering for old
time Repubicanism and desire to have
chance to vote for a Republican. They repre-
sent body of Wisconsin citizens constantly IN
creasing in numbers, and it is not at all uncer-
tain that before the November election takes
place that they will represent a majority OF
the Republican voters of Wisconsin.
These men and women are not going to vote
for John j. Blaine He represents nothing
that they stand for, and he stands for every
thing which they are opposed to. The fact that
he managed to get nomination has not in any
way changed the character Of the man or re-
formed his habits He still remains, in our
opinion, the man who is nothing but polite
ian, and the man who is willing to sacrifice
everything to advance his political fortunes and
those of few of his political friends, He is
in no way representative of the citizens OF
Wisconsin who vote the Republican ticket He
small minority vote of the state, and this vote
was largely given to him by Socialists, Radicals
and Democrats Republican strongholds in the
state repudiated him by no uncertain majority.
We would not suggest that Mr.. Hlrst run as
an Independent candidate for Governor except
he is given the assurance that the great num-
Der of Wisconsin Republicans who believe as ne
believes will get behind his candidacy.
Getting behind such candidacy must mean
both moral and financial support. Mr. Hlrst
is not rich man as money goes, but he is rich
in ideas and ideals and he would make splen-
did government 1t is only fair for him to de-
mand that if he fights the cause Of the people
that the people pay the cost of the fight. s.
In the primary election only a little over 4OO,-
900 votes were cast The state has voting
strength of nearly million votes. Ii the con-
science of Wisconsin can be stirred to point
where that other 100000 will get out and vote,
the entire political situation in Wisconsin can
be changed in the next two months. It cannot
be changed if half of the voters suk on the
side lines or half of the leaders insist putting
their own ambition above the advancement OF
the principles they have espoused politically.
The question of the political ethics" of an
Independent candidacy has been settled long
ago Senator LaFollette bolted the Republican
party after he sought nomination from it. 1t
is well-known fact that many of his bench
men were prepared to run as Independent can
didates if they met defeat at the primaries.
The makeup of the Republican ticket in Wis
consin is political lie Not man running for
state office stands on the Republican platform
or supports the Republican candidates in the
nation. $3.50 rsrF9r4e
The Republican party is not represented on
any ticket in Wisconsin at the present time,
and the only way to have it represented is
VI I'd
Hirst has shown that he is a real leader. In
less than two months he came out of the OBJ
security of an office in Madison and secured
100000 votes These men and women are just
as strongly behind him today as they were be-
fore the primary vote was cast.
His candidacy can be made real candidacy
if the proper steps are taken for organization.
These steps should provide for an Independent
ticket with every place filled Where men who
believe in Socialism rather than Republicanism
are running for legislative Offices they should
find an Independent candidate against them.
The assault should be made all along the line
and be made with the serious idea that it is
going to mean something.
Hirst can be elected Governor of Wisconsin
if the paocle of the state who want man like
Hirst in the executive offices at Madison will
just get out and vote. His Independent candi-
dacy viii be i'll starred and failure if the peo-
pie insist on paying no attention to their right
to vote
Republicans are going to make fight for
Wisconsin, and the fight should be made all
along the line with someone in every space on
the ballot. Immediate action should be taken
to formulate the plans to put every Republican
in the state back of the candidacy of Mr. Hirst
with the idea of giving such a, candidacy al
moral and financial support.