The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-08-23

rant any executive, State or Fed
eral, in calling the legislative de-
| partment so sharply to accOupnt az
1 did IN the veto of the Hagemeister
bill and in the veto of the dog tax
bill, but in this case the situation
was not normal; after a series OF
campaigns; the Republican party, the
party IN control of the governm ent
Of Wisconsin, had pledged in the
platform Of 1898 a reform Of the
nominating system. and of the un
equal and unjust tax laws, and the
Legislature elected on that platform
had defeated the will of the people
and denied them the legislation for
which a majority Of them had de-
clared.
Again in 1900 the same pledges had
been made. The people in the cleo
ton had by more than one hundred
thousand majority voted that such
legislation be enacted, and again the
Legislature had def1ed the will If
the electorate.
1t was plainly the end Of ropre-
sentative government in Wisconsin.
1t was the rule Of a minority
through trickery, bribery and cor
ruption.
1t was a state Of revolt.
The situation called for extraordi-
nary, aggressive and strong action
on the part not only Of the executive
but Of every man who cared TO see
democracy maintained. The abuse
of power was not on the part of the
executive. 1t was on the part OF the
Legislature. The legislators were
| the ones who were abusing their
power. The executive was obeying
the mandate of the people.
I understood perfectly well not
only that the position which 1 was
taking would raise an issue with the
Legislature. but that it would be
made the basis of a bitter attack
upon me. But I was content to go
to the people with my messages and
place my record side by side with
/ the record Of the Legislature. and let
/ it be fully discussed and talked out
with plenty Of time for the people to
consider whether I had taken
course menacing to q republican
form Of government, or whether this
/ Legislature was undermining ana
| destroying every semblance of repro
1 sentative government.
Accepts Issue
So, when this manifesto was pro-
mulgated, accepted the issue. 1
caused many thousands of copies of
| the messages which were criticised
to be printed and sent broadcast
over the State.
II this had been all. therefore. I
might have looked upon the situa-
ton more hopefully. But the strain
under which I had worked for six
months, the high pressure, the long
/ hours. the anxiety suppose I
worked more than eighteen hours
! day steadily-had so impaired my
health that as soon as the Legisla-
| ture adjourned. my health gave way.
This, also. was made the occasion
for uDremitting attack They pub
lished stories that I was losing my
mind. that I had softening of the
brain-anything to discredit me with
the people
But there was never a moment
that was not determined that I
would fight it out with them again.
At the opening OF the Legislature
OF 1903, I felt that the time had ar
rived TO advance vigorously with the
railroad regulation issue.
There were good reasons for doing
this. We had the support Of the
public We had discussed the sub
iect pretty thoroughly in the proceed
ing campaign. so that the people
were prepared to back us up strong
~ in our plans.
/ Copyright. 1924. NEA Service. Inc)
Continued I'm Our Next Issue)
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