River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-03-11
LA TOILETTE VS.. THE MACHINE.

The attack made upon Hon. Robert
M. La Toilette, by certain newspapers
since he delivered the able and schol-
arly address on the Menace of the
Machine" before the Chicago Univer-
sity, is very significant indeed. No
better evidence could possibly be fur
nished, Of the debasing character of
the very evils which that address so
strongly presents. Independent, con-
scientious journalism would review
the argument, criticise the reasoning.
attack or approve the conclusion pre-
sented, as the intelligent judgment of
the editor directed. Instead, in a few
instances-and to the credit or the
press of the state we are glad to note
but a few--there has been a studious
avoidance of the subject-matter of the
address itself and a resort to personal
abuse and Misrepresentation. The.
cuckoo-like tone of these papers is the
verification of his declaration that the
Machine has its own press" They
chorus the accusation that Mr. La Fol-
lette has himself been a machine poll
tician. Here in Dane county, where
his life has been spent, ii is well
known that such accusation is totally
unjust and unfounded. Those ia
miliar with his congressional district
well know that his great strength In
the five counties of that district lay
back of the politicians and with the
people, who even to this day would
rally to do him honor. The campaign
of 1896 Is recent history and no man
with a spark Of intelligence will assert
that Mr.. La Follettes candidacy for
the gubernatorial nominations had the
support OF single machine politician
or machine newspaper In the state.
The friends of Mr.. La Toilette relied
for his support upon the confidence of
the people In him, and their efforts
were solely directed toward securing
the largest possible attendane of the
people at the primaries and no where
to the suppression of their will. There
was work done in his behalf, and or
ganization In his behalf, but the work
was spontaneous and the organization
was "of the people and ny the people"
and not a mahine, either In fact or in
method. Mr.. La Toilette proved him
self a splendid leader. and one whose
personality commanded a great fol
lowing. No Drawer. cleaner campaign
or one more free from machine faint
was ever fought. Reference to that
campaign 10 made herr only because
raignmeni q the machine give war
rant for snch reference. As stated in
Mr.. La Foiiette's address: There is
no likeness or similitude between po-
litical organization that appeals to
every voter in ..e party, and a ma
chine that appeals only TO the most
skilled and INSCRIPTIONS workers OF .
the party" Mr.. La Toilette has had :
an opportunity to study the machine,
for he has been its open foe since he
has had anything to do with public
life. This the people of Dane county
and we believe Of the state as well
quits generally know. The purpose oil
the machine editors is clearly to excite
II possible, personal controversy and
thereby endeavor to distract the minds
OF the voters from the momentous is
sue presented by 1.-The Menace OF the
Machine" Such pettifogging serves
merely to make more apparent the ne
cessity for primary election laws.-Olo
Dane, Madison, Wis.