The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-10-31
Fink and La Toilette.

Henry Fink, one or the IedQ1nS stat
wart Republicans, in replying. in the
Milwaukee Sentinel, to an article in
one of the La Toilette organs, which
protested against the use of the term
''faction" as applied to the followers
of the Governor, gives clear and COM
prehensive review of La Toilette and
La Folletteism, and of the cause and
origin of the unfortunate disagree
ments which now threaten to disrupt
and defeat the Republican party in
this State. He quotes Webster's def
milton of the word "faction"-
e ga party in political society COM
bined or acting in union, in opposition
to the government OF state, usually
applied to a minority, but may be APP
piled TO a majority. A com bination or
clique of partisans of any kind, acting
for their own interests, especially
greedy, c1amorous and reckless of the
common good. Tumu1t, discord, dis
sensiOn."
And the Ceutury's-
ga party of persons having com
mon end in view; usually such party
seeking by irregular means to bring
about changes III governments or in
the existing state of affairs, or in any
association of which they form a part.
A com binatiou of persons using sub
versive or pervert methods of promot
ing their own selfish and partisan
views, or interests, especially in mat
tiers of state"
And, applying these definitions,
goes on to show how nearly the "ha1f
breed division Of the Republican
party fills the bill of specifications"
He says in part
It will be observed that in defining
the word faction" all the dictionaries
lay stress upon "se1f-interest," as an
important element in the definition of
the term.
Ever since the defeat of the Repub-
1ican party in 1890, in consequence of
the insistance upon personal hobby
as a party issue, Mr.. La Toilette has
been untiring in his efforts to build up
a personal following to secure control
of the party organization. He entered
upon this task with determination
that challenged admiration. Com
mencing with an ipsidiCus and un JUS
tifable attack upon The late Senator
Sawyer, he proceeded to organize the
discontented elements in the party all
over the state, and thus in a few years
established the most perfect ard rigid
political orga uiza ton for the advance
ment Of his personal ambition ever
known in this state. This orga uize1
force first showed itself in the conven-
ton of 1894 IN support of Mr.. Haugen
for the gubernatoria1 nomination.
In the convention of 1896 Mr. La
Toilette himself was it's candidate for
Governor, but he, too, was defeated
and Scofeld nominated.
The campaign of 1896 was one of the
most important in the history of the
country, in that it involved the honor
aud the credit of the nation. It is
very strange, therefore, that man as
piring to political leadership should
have reftained from active participa-
ton in that contest in support of his
party until two weeks before the eleC
ton, when the battle had already been
won.
In the year following, however,
when there was no election pending,
Mr.. La Toilette found time to enter
upon a tour of political agitation, tax
ing in most of the more importan ut
county fairs in the state. He then in
itiated in his own behalf the campaign
of 1898, but despite the comprehensive
organization of Mr.. La Fo11ettes fol-
lowing, he was again defeated in the
convention by large majority and
Governor Scofie1d renominated.
Mr.. LaFollette refrained from sup
porting his party in that campaign,
and the result was that in many parts
of the state, notably in Dane county,
his followers largely voted for the fus-
ion candidate. But Governor Scofeld
was nevertheless elected by $4,000 ma
iority. He had administered the affairs
of the state during his first term with
credit to himself and the state. So far,
then, the minority led by Mr.. LaFol-
1ette was, in its object and the methods
mployed to attain it, a factional
movement in the meaning of the die
tionaries. It was, according to Web
ster's definition, ga combination or
clique of partisans acting for their own
interests, especially greedy, c1amorous
and reckless of the party's good" In
deed it would seem as if the 1exico-
graphers had just such a combination
n I1ov Nd Efa
In 1900, still bent upon gratifying
his ambitions, Mr.. LaFol1ette again
came forward as a candidate for gov
ernor. The nomination was also sought
at the time by several other Republi-
cans of high standing and with good
claims on the party. 1t was evident
that the contest for the nomination
would be spirited. Mr.. LaFollette
who had met with defeat in every Re
1~Ts -.