The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-21
OPPOSITION FADING
Way for Spooner Is Being Made
Brighter ~,
LAFoLIErTE mENFALL1NGINL1NE
Asserted the Governor Is Interested
Only In the Redemption of
Party Pledges.
Special to The journal. nj

Special to The Journal ..5 ,4,~.
Milwaukee, Aug. 21.-There is no long
er any doubt that La Toilette men have
decided not to oppose the re-election Of
senator Spooner' any longer. Confirma-
atory OF the reportdthat such a decision
had been made Is the following statement
which was given out late yesterday af-
ternoon by close personal and political
friend of khe governor.
"Governor La Follette's single purpose
Is the redemption of the pledges Of the
republican party made in its last plat
form. He will take no part in the cleo
tton of a United States senator. He de-
sires that all legislative candidates nom
mated by the different legislative con-
venttons throughout the state be pledged
to carry into effect, the provisions of the
platform with reference. to equal and just
| taxation and nomination of all officials
by direct vote. These questions per-
tain to- state policy only and have no
connection with national issues.
THE plank in the platform intimating
that Senator Spooner, or any other can
dldate for senator, should assent to these
doctrines was not proposed or carried
for the purpose of in any way interfering
with the candidacy of Senator Spooner or
| the putting in his way of any obstacle
| to his election to the high Office of sen-
ator. 2-a'
| reasonable republican has any right to
| complain that legislative candidate who
| Is Instructed to carry out the platform
| promises as to taxation and primary elec-
| tion laws is also directed to vote for the
return Of John c. Spooner to the senate
or for the election of any other candi-
date for that high office.
! "The administration will not oppose
the reelection of Senator Spooner. It
would seem, however. that the election Of
and candidate for the legislature who is
known to be hostile to the fair tax and
the direct vote, although in: favor of Sen
ator Spooner, should be contest ed at the
polls by every republican in favor of the
fulfllment of party pledges
Special to The Journal.
La Crosse, Wis.,, Aug. 21.-At the close
of the first assembly district convention
yesterday, George H. Ray, the nominee,
! appeared before the convention and in a
speech referred to the@report in which he
had been quoted as saying he would not
support Governor La Toilette. He said
! this report was false and that he would
support the ticket He also said that
while in the legislature he supported
every measure of the governor and ex-
| pected to do the same # reelected.
In the second assembly district conven-
tion Thomas Johnson, the administration
candidate, was nominated. William Smith
the stalwart candidate, being his closest
rival. The vote was johnson, %; Smith
25; A, c. Hanson, 1. The resolut ions
adopted in both conventions, drawn in
almost the same words, indorse Senator
! Spooner unconditionally, but in the Sec
ond district the La Toilette man was Sc
lected to run Oh the spooner platform
In view of the resolut ions adopted the
name Of J. E. Mcconnell, the La Toilette
candidate, was not presented before the
first district convention. ;'''> =.