The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1902-01-17
If 1t is a LaFoIIette-Spooner Pro-
gramme, X Must Come
Quick.
STALWARTs ARE TO NOMINATE
But May Be More Than One-Tricks
of PoIiticians-Why Taxes Are
Bigger-Pure Milk the Cry.

sources candidates for the Republican
gubcrnatorial nomination may be eX-
pected to show their heads very
soon. The notably able speech OF
State Senator John NJ. Whitehead
in Madison has had the effect of
rfyeting state attention upon this re-
markable man and he may later offer
himself. although it is by no means
certain that he will do so. Such men
ire strong with the voters, but party
..mmIa gers" find them too indepen-
dent They prefer more experienced
or pliable men; but as the job Of
knocking out the governor is confessed
ly big one, they may be forced to
throw their influence for Whitehead.
Some of the stalwarts, as Senators
Riordan, Kreutzer and the like, are
genuine admirers Of the GAINESVILLE
man, and would like to legislate with
him in the executive chamber; but 9th
rrs would take him because they had
to.
1t may be the policy to set loose
number of candidates, in which event
later in the campaign the deep ones
Of the eleventh story might make
fresh and later choice. Politicians are
uncertain quantities and the motto of
those who throw in their lot with them
should be Blessed are those who eX-
pect nothing, for they shall not be
disappointed"
Again, when the campaign is we'll
on, new and unexpected alignments
will likely surprise those not on their
guard. The governor is no tyro i'll the
political game, and those who expect
him to go uneventfully towards the
state convention with only his loyal
senators and assemblymen to help, to-
gcther with a few appOintees, will like
Iy be surprised. Political managers
representing large interests and con-
tingents, perhaps some that now seem
to be, or even are, antagonistic to the
administration, will probably turn up
preferring LaFollette to any other. 1t
is a many-sided game, and has more
phases in the revolving months than
the moon.
The Argument for Harmony.
Senator SpOoner's friends who, for a
long time, inclined to a programme Of
harmony-that is, the reelection of
LaFollette and of Spooner-came to
the conclusion later that the desire to
down the governor was so strong in
many quarters as to make harmony
impossible. And yet, some hesitate
If the war to the knife" should be
successful and Governor LaFollette
eliminated as a political factor, all
would probably be we'll. Spoonel
could be returned with hands down.
But suppose the governor got his re-
nomination. He would naturally feel
triumphant and his election would
drag into the legislature an increased
number of assemblymen and senators
who shared his sentiments. To add
to complications every one comedies
that the Democrats will increase their
number of seats in the legislature, pos
Sibly good many. The fractional
fight in some districts will throw the
outcome to popular Democrats I'M
doudtedly. Suppose they carried forty
seats next time, or even more. De-
duct the members who shares a La
Toilette retaliatory spirit, together
with Il few for Mr.. Babcock or Mr..
Stevenson, or any one else who might
aspire to the seat-how much margin
would the Spooner men have to secure
the nomination in the senatorial party
caucus?
Senator Spooner is so strong in Wis
consin and his support so transcends
factioinal lines that do not believe
he could be defeated. But one can
readily enough conceive conditions
under which he might be a good deal
worried 1t is for these reasons that
some political modus yivendi, by
which the present administration may
be sustained in the next state con.
vention, together with a united party
approving tbs return of Senator Spoon
er has always seemed to me judicious
and wise. 1t is true that many feel
the hour for harmony is past. But ii
so, the party in the state has launched
| fear, on a shoreleSs sea.
Mr.. Payne Once More.
1t is no small honor to a state tt
have one of it's citizens selected for the
presidents cabinet. The disposition
in Wisconsin on all sides is to accep
the honor in the spirit in which it wa:
given. President Roosevelt believed
he was adding to his official family
thoroughly competent disintereste(
and biameless public servant. 1t il