Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-09-20

oath Of Office and the seat assigned in the house OF
representatives But it must be remembered that
he did not enter II with such favors and assist
snce as past representatives had received to
assist them in the discharge Of their duties. Il
was in an opposition house that he entered,
where the controlling power was IN the hands OF
the Democratic party, who instead Of assisting
him in the discharge OF his duties would put
barriers In his way 10 keep hia in the back
ground of obscurity. But amidst all these dis
advantages he bent all his energies to the task
before him, and after long days Of close obser-
| walton aud long nights or intense study he soon
pbeoame acquainted with the leading issues OF
| the day, and the dark room OF obscurity to
which the Democratic party had assigned him
became too small for his ambitious soul, and,
tearing the bolts asunder, he stepped forth into
the arena OF puslic debate. As evidence OF this
fact comes the testimony OF a disinterested party
in Summing up the discussion aud vote on the
oleomargarine bill, then so prominent before
| the country. II WAS from the pen OF a cores
pondent Of one Of the leading Journals OF the
state Of Massachusetts,, IN which he says. "The
ablest argument presented in bel ( OF the bill
was by The gentleman from the third district OF
Wisconsin and when that bin came into the
Senate for Its action more than one OF our Sena-
tors (metaphoricolly speaking) sat at his feet to
| receive instruction on the question before them
for consideration. Two years ago the convention
for this district paid a worthy aud deserving
compliment 10 this representative by a unani-
nous nomination and the people ratified their
action AZ the polls by majority seven times
greater than the first Since then we have
watched his career faithfully and with no small
degree Of pride. 10 the individual interests of
his constituents whether civilian, soldier or
| sailor he has been faithful servant II absent
! from any session OF Congress z, was because
prostrated by sickness the result OF overwork,
or in attendance upon Important committees.
His career in Congress has been one OF stead y
and permanent growth, until to-day he is the
superior Of many, and the equal OF any four
year-old Congressman upon that floor. The boy
that his honor, the secretary OF interior dubbed
him with four years ago has become a nun;
against whom the sneering articles OF the Madi.
son Democratic regency have no other power
than to sharpen his steel and brighten the armor
OF his warfare In debate he has been equal 20
! every occasion, and although limited in tme
he has made every second do its du,y, as illus-
trated in the five minutes allotted him at the
close OF the great tariff debate, in which he
threw bomb OF dynamite into the carefully
prepared full dress English free trade speeches
Of the Democratic Goliaths, Carlisle and Mills,
thai shattered them almost beyond repairs. And
now, gentlemen OF the convention, we have
come up from the districts we represent 70 nom
inste a successor TO this representative have 50
briefly and feebly referred to. I have no hest
fancy in saying that any name that shall be pre-
sented TO this convention viii, ! believe, repre-
sent a man OF sterling character and ability asd,
II nominated, will receive the unanimous sup
port Of this convention and the party Il repre-
sents; aud IN presenting the name OF our present
representative. do so with no ill.feeling to any
gentleman that may hereafter be named but for
the reason that believe 1t is for the best inter
ests In general that he should be nominated. It
has been suggested that rotation In Office is for
the b,st interest OF party, For positions II
less honor and responsibility this may be true,
but, gentlemen Il occurs 10 me that this Office is
Of too great Importance, too vast responsibility
TO be disposed Of by complimentary tickets.
Why is il that the leaders OF the two great
parties IN Congress are ieaderJ Chiefly for the
reason that the districts they represent have
kept them there, until their knowledge and ex-
perienee have become Of great value 10 the dis
trict and state they represent, and gentlemen,
II ever this state needed such men, Il Is to-day.
do not regard any representative as being the
property Of any one county, bnt the seryaat OF
the entire district. Our present representative is
no! spoken Of al Washington as the gentleman
from Dane county, but as he truly is the gentle
man from the third district OF Wisconsin.
And now, gentlemen, we have in onr present
repray ,ntadye one whose official record is all
that Sc could ask It 10 be; aud who is ripe with
knowledge aud experience for sull greater use
idlness in the future, A young man with years
Of bright premise before him. young man
whose character we need have no fear OF being
called upon TO apologize for or defend. A young
man not transplanted from some eastern state to
load US IN wisdom but born IN our district,
educated al our university, he Is IN every sense
Of he expression one or us And now, believing
what Is for the best interest Of The district the
state and the nation is also for the best interest
OF our party, take great pleasure iu placing 10
nomination as our candidate for COugreB-the
present incumbent-Hon. Robert ". la Toilette.
Mr.. A. G. Dodge, Of Green county,
followed with the presentation of
the name of j. B. Treat, which be
did briefly but neatly.
No other names being presented
the convention proceeded to an in
formal ballot, which resulted in La
Toilette receiving % votes, Treat Q.
After the announcement Of the
ballot Mr.. G. A. Booth, in a neat lit.
tie address, withdrew Mr.. Treats
name, at that gentlemau's request,
aud moved that the nomination Of
Mr.. LaFollette be made unanimous
by acclamation, which was done
amid great applause.
The delegates from the several
counties then selected members OF
the congressional committee for the
ensuing two years "a follows;
Grant--G ~ Parker
/ IaPagette-Thgs. BainDridge.
fireeu-E g Warren.
I lowa-W =. Jones.
/ DApe--GeQ. +. Bryant.
The basis of representation tor