Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-17
LAFOLLETTE WINS VICTORY
Followers Of Governor Defeat So-0alled
stalwarts Of Senator spOOnsr,
WARM TIME IN WISCONSIN CONVENTION
Committee on Resolutions at Gather
ing of Republicans Holds stormy
session for Fully SIX
Hours.

Hours.
MADISON, wis, July 16.-The followers
Of Governor La Toilette won a victory over
the so-called stalwarts and United States
Senator John G. Spooner In the republican
state convention here today. The strife was
sharp and bitter and there were exciting
scenes on the convention floor, but the real
battle was fought in the committee on reso'
lutlons, which was in session six hours,
and on which the convention after organic
ing temporarily n appointing the usual
committees waited until nearly Q o'clock
tonight. The committee came in with ma
jority and minority reports.
After a sharp and decisive contest, the
followers of La Toilette carried the day.
adopted Its majority report and adjourned
the convention until tomorrow morning.
The address OF Judge Levi H.. Bancroft Of
Richland Center, temporary Chairman, was
frequently interrupted with applause. His
mention that the republican party believes
that honesty and integrity are the only
principles upon which republican %institu-
lions can be perpetuated was received with
a thundrous ovation.
At the conclusion Of Judge Bancroft's
speech the various districts announced their
selections for the committee on resolutions.
Three resolutions we're offered by a mem
Der OF the stalwart delegation from Mil
waukee county, which were accepted with
out being read and handed to the commit.
tee on resolutions. One provides for an
endorsement Of John G.. Spooner for re-
election Internationally TO the United States
senate; another is against the proposed
primary legislation Of the La Toilette wing,
and a third provides for a modification OF
the tariff laws on strict protection lines.
The last Is in line with the view OF Con.
gressman Babcock.
The convention then adjourned until 4
o'clock.
Long and stormy Session.
The committee on resolutions held a lone
and stormy session. After six hours OF
heated argument, the committee by a vote
Of 5 to 3 adopted a platform and reported
1t to the convention at the evening session
The declaration says:
We, the republicans Of Wisconsin, in con,
ventton assembled, reaffirm our support oil
the principles Of the party as expressed IL
the last national platform and as Loyalty
exempiifed In the administration of VIII
liam Mckinley and Theodore Roosevelt
Lamenting the enduring loss to the country
IN patriotism and craftsmanship through
the untimely death Of President Mckinley
We testify our confidence in the ability O
his successor fully to administer the hig.
trust. and we record our appreciation OF
his splendid courage and enduring integrity
We approve of the public services o.
Wisconsin's representatives in both houses
the oficiai career, Of Hon. John c. spooner
who, by his notably able, conservative anC
patriotic course upon questions of nationa
and international Importance, has becom,
recognized as the leader OF the United
States senate.
We again express our regret at his an
nounced determination not to serve tn,
state another term In the senate and SHOULD
he now ind II possible to reconsider Thu
decision and express his Willingness q
stand as a candidate in harmony with tn,
sentiments and In the support OF the plat
form principles here adopted by Wisconsin
iaturs favorable to their enactment 'eis int,
law, his decision would meet the genera
appreciation of republicans everywhere, an
we pledge him the enthusiastic support o
the party for his reelection to the higi
position which he has filled with such dis
~tinguished ability and with such grea
honor to the state and nation. and in cas-
Senator Spooner shall not find II possibl
to again be eligible for Unitef States sena
tor we demand that all candidates for thi
position shall endorse the principles of thi
platform and favor the election OF a legis
lature pledged to enact these principles ins
law.
Praise Governor La Toilette.
Continuing, the report endorsed an
praised the administration Of Governo
Robert M. La Toilette and declared for hi
remoniation, continuing:
We condemn the pernicious activity O
federal officials in this. state in diagram
disregard of civil service laws in attempt
to forestall and control conventions an
caucuses OF the party, and in assistin
professional lobbyists before the legisls
ture and elsewhere in the work of defeat
l M lnaNal0N NAH In sfAlaANA- ---N
pledges.
Governor La Follette's system for a sc
ries of primary elections, abolishing en-
tirely all caucuses and conventions for tn
nomination OF candidates for ONCE, WI
specifically endorsed. The other resolu
tions as reported related wholly to stat
matters.
The minority members of the committe
presented a resolution, in lieu OF the res
ular Spooner plank, endorsing the senate
Internationally. The three minority men
bers of the committee made stron
speeches urging its adoption. The speaker
were greeted both by cheers and cries
disapproval, and for several minutes III
convention was In the greatest confusion.
John Blaine Of Grant county insiste
that Senator Spooner should stand on II
platform.
General winkler, a leading stalwart
r Milwaukee, made an impassioned plea II
the senator.
: The followers OF Governor La Toilet
. forced the question to a vote and by 709
J votes to S53h the minority report Wi
defeated.
The platform as reported by the mi
y jority Of the committee was then adopt'
by a vote Of 76s to 23s, after which Il
: convention adjourned until tomorro
morning.
10. ". Grove