New-York tribune., 1902-07-16
GREAT INTEREST IN THE CONTEST
WASHINGTON OFFICIAL. AND PoIIrrr,,
CIRCLES EAGERLY WATCHING The
WISCONSIN CONVENTION.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1Buyy

IBf TELEGRAPH 10 THE TRIBUNE
Washington. July 15.-Oficial and political r,-.,.
in Washington watching with unusual inta,.s.
the factional struggle among the Republicans q,
Wisconsin. which will eulminate in the Stata c,
vention 10 be held at Madison tomorrow. Thar.
are involved in the fight the reelection OF senato-
Spooner. one OF the acknowledged leaders OF ~.
Senate. and party policies touching the questions Of
local taxation. the trusts and tariff revision Two
years ago. when IL became evident that the far
ton represented by Governor La Toilette had
gained control Of the party In Wisconsin. Mr.
Spooner publicly volunteered the announcement,
that he would not be candidate for reelection 10
the Senate. At that time this taken as mean
ing that at the expiration Of his term. in March
1908. Mr.. Spooner would permanently retire from
public fe with the possibility. OF course OF becor-
ing candidate for President. About two weeks
before the adjournment OF the last session OF Con-
grss Mr.. Spooner let IL be known in Washington
that he intended TO enter the night again IN his
State for the Senate. and IL is believed that this
determination his part is largely responsible tcr
the fierce factional fight now in progress in Wis
consin.
Next in importance to the issue caused by Sena-
tor Spooners desire 10 return TO the Senate the
question OF tariff revision raised in Congress
years ago by Representative Babcock, OF Wiscou-
sin, a leading member OF the Ways and Means
Committee. Mr.. Babcocks bill for the repeal o.,
the tariff on all the products OF the Steel Trus,
has been more thoroughly discussed in the Badger
State. perhaps than in any other part OF the
try, and his effort TO have the principles Of his
bill incorporated in the platform 10 be adopted at
Madison has aroused widespread interest in Wash
ington If he succeeds il is feared that the issus
OF tariff revision viii be precpltated into the Con-
gress campaign before the leaders OF the party
ready for 1t. and il might endanger the success
OF Republican candidates IT many close Congress
districts OF the West.
But the State issues involved nearly OF
much national importance the larger questions
and revolve mainly around the contentious which
have made Governor La Toilette such power in the
State. Two years ago Robert ". La Toilette. after
two unsuccessful attempts. the nomination
for Governor. He was nominated by acclamation
the forces OF the old line leaders colapsing abso
lutely He made his campaign largely the is
that the legislature should pass a law proyid-
ing for the nomination Of candidates at the prt-
maries. The legislature defeated his proposed bill
and passed substitute. which he vetoed as IN.
satisfactory and falling to meet the demands OF
the party platform Then an additional issue was
hoated by the La Toilette faction proposing
sweeping reform in taxation, EOmething along the
lines OF the Tom L. Johnson proposition in Ohio
and in sympathy with the Pingree ideas in NIichi-
gan. The railroads were made the object OF par
ticular attack. The old line Republicans charged
that the schemes smacked OF POpulism. and
denounced them bitterly. The light became hot
Then a majority OF the Republicans OF the legis-
lature signed a statement deprecating La Fol-
lettes reelection and charging that the execu-
tive had infringed on the functions OF the leSts-
lative branch OF the government.