New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-17
FIGHT IN WISCONSIN.
SPOONER is INDORSED, BUT
WITH CONDITIONS.
VICTORY WON BY GOVERNOR LA FOL
LETTE'S NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
POLICIES APPROVED.
GRr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


Madison, Wis, July 16-The Republican State
Convention, which opened here to-day. was one
of the most enthusiastic ever held in the state
The triumphant followers Of Governor r. Nj.
la Toilette, who has over eight hundred of the
one thousand delegates. jubilant in their
victory and disposed to show any quarter
to the stalwart element, which has made such
bitter war the Governor. Already at the
opening several dramatic incidents have oc-
Cured which show the temper of the gather
ing.
The great contest came tonight in an effort
by the stalwarts to indorse John c. Spooner for
United States Senator unequivocally. AS Mr.
Spooner has been allied with the stalwart fac
tion, the La Toilette followers were rot dis
posed to make this concession After prolonged
debate in the Committee on Resolutions the
Jority reported. demanding that the Senator in
dorse the platform adopted II he Is to receive
the support of the victorious element. II is
thought here that 1t means the retirement Of
Senator Spooner IL La Toilette Legislature is
elected in November is probable. The men
ton OF Senator Spooner's name evoked trerlen-
dous applause. The platform Is in part as fol-
lows:
We, the Republicans OF Wisconsin. in conven-
tion assembled, reaffirm our support or the prin-
ciples of the party expressed in the last
tional platform, and as Loyalty exempliied in
the policies of the administrations of William
Mckinley and Theodore Roosevelt.
Lamenting the enduring loss TO the country
in patriotism and craftsmanship through the
untimely death Of President Mckinley we tes-
tfy our confidence in the ability OF his sue
cessor fully to administer the high trust. and
we record our appreciation of his splendid cour-
age and enduring integrity made manifest in
his official conduct
We approve OF the public services of Wscon-
sins representatives in both houses of Congress.
and especially commend the official career
OF John G. Spooner who by his notably able
tions of national and international Importance
has become recognized as the leader of the
United States Senate. We again express
faith in his announced determination not TO
serve the State another term in the Senate and
should he find it possible to reconsider
this decision and express his willingness 10 stand
a candidate in harmony with tne sentiments
and in support Of the platform Of principles here
adopted by Wisconsin Republicans. and for the
election of a legislature favorable to their en-
actment into law, his decision would meet the
general appreciation OF Republicans everywhere,
and pledge him the enthusiastic support OF
the party for his reelection to the high place
which he has filed with such distinguished abll-
ity and with such great honor to the State and
nation, and in case Senator Spooner shall not
find 1t possible again 10 be eligible for United
States Senator we demand that all candidates
for this place shall indOrse the principles of
this platform and favor the election OF a legis-
lature pledged to enact these principles into
law
We indorse and approve the administration OF
Governor Robert M La Toilette conspicu-
ously able honest and impartial and ever mind
ful of public interests.
AS representatives of the Republicans of Wis
consin, chosen in a contest and after a cam
paign which has left reasonable ground for
doubt. declare equal and uniform taxa
tion of all taxable property and the right Of
every citizen to equal voice with a direct
vote in the nomination of candidates for Office
are issues of supreme Importance in the ensu-
ing State campaign.
We demand that caucuses and conventions
for the nomination of candidates for office be
abolished by legislative enactment and that
all candidates for State. legislative, Congress
and county offices be nominated primary
election upon the same day and by direct vote
under the Australian ballot.
TUMULT OVER SPOoNER'S NAME.
NJ J. wallrich of Shawanee presented as a
minority report in place of the regular Spooner
plank resolution indorsing Spooner uncondi-
tionally.
The name Of Spooner heartily applauded
In presenting the minority report Mr. Wallrich
made a strong plea for its adoption. Senators
Riordan and Roehr also spoke for the adoption
of the minority report. This followed by
five minutes of chaos. Cries of sit down."
were heard. mixed with cheers of approval
John Blaine. of Grant County, insisted that
Spoorer should stand on the platform; that the
convention is supreme and can place restrc-
tions on any desiring office at the
hands of the Republicans OF Wisconsin. Gen
eral Winkler, leading Stawart, of Milwaukee
made an impassioned plea for Spooner. Ma
tionaI questions. he said, engage Senator
Spooner Others in fact all. were for Spooner
but the majority insisted that he stand on the
platform
A motion to adopt the minority report was
lost by a vote of 703ls to 3531A The majority
report as presented, therefore was adopted.
A. r. Hall, of Dunn County. of La Fol-
Iette's leading supporters took the floor and
spoke in favor of reconsidering the vote the
Continued second naue