The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-07-05
Bitter Fractional Quarrel
With GcV LafOllette.
COMING STATE CONVENTION
An Anomalous Situation-SPooner's
Enemies Seeking his Reelection
Congressional Districts Involved.
Democrats Hope to Make Gains.

publican state convention in Wisconsin /
which occurs July Is. There has been .
a bitter facti0nel fight Eoiag on in Wis /
consin for q number OF years. which is F.
expected nov to reach q grand climax I
On ore side IS a leader is Gov. Robert /
n LafoIlette. whose following are called +
throughout the state Halt Breeds" On /
the ether side is senator Spooner and
what are known Is the ..Stal7yarts''
LafoIette Wants denomination.
Governor Lafoueue is a candidate for
denomination. md VIII in al proba-
bility succeed. The main issue in the
convention plH be the control of the
State organization Up 10 this tine
about one-haE of the delegates 20 the
convention have been named. and La
toilette has q majority Of over 100. La
folictte's administration has been
marked by radical ideas in regard TO
taxation and the entertainments Of The
trusts HIS managers in the convention
VIII be Ex-Governor Hoard. who has
been prominent II connection with the
oie0IaarssriEe law and State Senator
j. 4 Stou-.
When LafOIiette vas nominated two
years ago Il was the third time ne had
made @ canvass for the -orarra~shiD.
Twice before he had been defeated BIZ
Senator spocner's friends ard followers.
On TIE third trial he was nominated by
acclan1a ton, The situation was de-
scrl5eC By both sides as Waterloo Tor
TIE so-calleL StaIwart faction
SPooneI's Withdrawal.
Senator SPocaer. under the stress Of
what seemed to he an overwhelming dis
aster, and Tor private reasons. about two
years ago made public a letter announc-
ing that he should not be a candidate
fer reelection 10 the Senate. and that
he should retire from public life at the
close OF his present term. which occurs.
The 81 Of March next. Senator Spooner's
desire TO return to the practice OF law.
in which he has enjoyed great success.
and the Ioug-Coatiuued illness Of Mrs.
Spooner. we're reasons which aIso con-
ributed to his decision.
Il the interval since the publication CT
that letter Mrs SDooneT's health has
continued steadily 10 improve, greatly
TO the delight Of the Senator and all.
their friends Also in the interval Sen
ator SPoouer has, perhaps, eclipsed ev-
erE other period OF his life In the
achievement OF broad statesmanlIze
and successful public and party meas
ares Hardy any great question that
has come up since the beginning Of the
Spanish war has been disposed OF with
CUr his active and usually controlling
direction and support
The Senator's Recent Successes.
He has. IN consequence, doomed Up
distinctly as Q great national character.
and his admirers in Wisconsin and
throughout the country are demanding
that he should not. Of his own choice.
1or by the DEGREES Of a faction that may.
BE IN control in the Wisconsin Repub-
Iican organization. be retired from public
life at 5G5s time N the session OF Con
gTess Just closed it was only by his
mastery solution Of the difficulties
surrounding the isthmian canal question
that O positive and constructive result
was reached His name is indissoIubly
connected with The canal which is rec
CguIzed by the leading politicians OF
both parties as a great public question.
which t7e whole American people are
glad 90 have settled
SpooneTs ability.
n the course OF the Legislation Incl
dent To the control Of the Philippines
and The other island Dependencies. in
gliding Cuba. Senator SDooner has been
looked 10 by the leaders Of his party
and by both Presidents Mckinley and
Roosevelt continually for counsel and
guidance. Upon him have devoIved in
the Senate the responsibilities Of lead
ersLIp IS the representative Of che Ad-
roluistat5oa and his party Re has &C
Quilted himself ably ana successfully In
every encounter with the opposition.
Even On the last day OF the session he
tuTEed the attack Of Democratic Szua-
tors, Who hoped to make capital out Of
the partisan character Of the inquiry
iutc the condition OF the Philippines,
into complete rgut, making brilliant
speech which was Instantly seized On
b. the Congressional campaign commit
fee rs one of the best documents avail
able Tor the approaching campaign
Senator Spoon has refused every
suggestion frC-n lis friends OF assistance
IN shaping events so that h. might ever
come the effect Of the letter which he
wrote two years ago and restore himself
T. the position gF d candidate for re-
election JutI within the last few
weeks it has been Q settled conviction
with probably q majority Of Wisconsin
Republicans that Senator Spoouer voliE
retire from public lie next March as j
said he desired 90 do
Al Anomalous Situation.
But the fact that Governor Heard a..
large number Of substantial support
ers Of Governor LafoIIetra are demand
ing the couDr cuLioa should l1d0rse him
IN the most positive terms. in order 10