The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1902-09-26
BUCKSTAFP vs..
KRONSHAGE
LaFoIIette's Friends Admit Deal
but Say He Was innocent.
IGNORANT 1T WAS BOOK MONEY
Until Convention Time-It Is Now a
Question of Whether Buck
staff Drew Conclusions
e. UnWarranted.

Madison, Wis, Sept. 23.-Not for a
long time in Wisconsin have we had
such a sensation as that produced by
the publication of the statement of
eX-Speaker Buckstaff and endorsed by
Senator Stout. Buchstaff is a man of
about SO, q graduate of the state uni
versity, q wealthy casket and furni-
ture manufacturer of Oshkosh. He is
clean as d hounds tooth, but impul-
siye to an extent. At the time of the
state convention he and Senator Stout
were very indignant at the anti-Har-
Vey movement 1t had considerable
genuine basis, for part of the educa-
tiOnal interest of the state insist Har
Vey was too much in with the Ameri
can Book Company; but it was OBJ
ViOusly fOstered by the LaFOllette
forces and Mr.. KrOnSha ge'S neWSpG-
per, the Milwaukee Press. 1t seems
the independent book companies
rivals of the trust, had turned in
$4,000 to the LaFOllette campaign
early in the season; this was known
to Buckstaff and Senator Stout
(Kronshage told them sol, Buckstaff
and Kronshage differ as to their YER
mer. Buckstaff says it was a straight
story that the money was given con-
ditiOnal on an opposition candidate
being put up against Harvey. Buck
staff further says Kronshage told him
it was agreed to by the governor.
KrOnShage says that the governor had
no part in it; that there was no condi-
ton attached to the contribution; and
Assemblyman Stevens says the COVER
nor told him he absolutely did not
know until convention time that the
money came from the book companies.
Whether the money was sent Ito La
FOllette'' BuckStaff'S verSiOn). or
whether ito Madison" Kronshage's
story, really makes no difference.
Governor LaFOllette manages his
own campaign, and that there was
money received means LaFOllette
knew it. If, as LaFollette says, he did
not know 1t was book company money,
then Mr.. Buckstaff in his excited con-
dition, must have built up his COM
plete story against the governor out Of
facts which only condemn Kronshage.
For it is clear the independent COM
panies gave money for some end No
one gives $4,000 without a return. The
end sought was the retirement OF
Harvey, who, these companies said,
excludes them in favor of the trust.
Mr.. Kronshage is young man, also
university graduate of fine appear
ance, wealthy, from a Boscobel fam
lily. He is fairly new in politics. The
likelihood is that having read good
deal OF campaign funds from cor
pOratlonS. and the railroads (the usual
source, being stopped to LaFollette,
the young men thought of other cor
porations, namely the book companies.
No Doubt His Success Seemed Clever.
This is the shabby part of the bust
ness. The LaFOllette movement finds
its justification in war on the con-
founding Of the private corporation
with the public business; on public Of
flcers trafficing with private concerns
that merchandise to the state. Yet
the state convention, dominated by La
Toilette men, is corrupted by this con-
tessed bargaining of Kronshage. 1t is
sad business. Madison men of both
factions feel so sorry about it-so hurt
and ashamed, that they do not like to
talk of it. Governor LaFOllette in his
speech may put himself right-we oil
sincerely hope so. If it be true that
he himself did not know the money
was from the book companies-it is
folly to disassociate it from the condi-
ton to get Harvey out of the way land
when Governor LaFollette says so. he
will generally be believed, there will
still be the fact that when the matter
was made clear to him at the conyen-
ton, he did not instantly clear the at
mosphere by disavowing Kronshage's
action. This would have been master
~ but perhaps it is asking too much
1t is bad business, even with Governor
LaFollette indicated. There are ex-
tenuating circumstances. There was
a good deal of honest opposition to
superintendent Harvey and it may be
pleaded that in accepting the money,
no new condition of affairs was eff
fected, but condition existant merely
taken advantage Of The administra-
ton needed money to meet legitimate
campaign expenses. The brave fight
Governor LaFollette has made against
corporate power dried up the usual
source of revenue. In reaching round
Cor the sinews Of war to resist his
enemies-rich powerful-the governor
must suffer the fOrmpntS of tho oo,,