The Washington times., 1902-07-06
SPOONER MAY PUT
ON HARNESS AGAIN
Probable That He viii En-
ter Senatorial Race.
HAD DECIDED TO WITHDRAW
Factional Fight in Wisconsin May
Cause Him to Change His Mind-Gov-
ernor Lafollette Involved-Hopes of
the Democrats.

Western politicians are looking with
great interest to the approaching Re
publican State convention in Wisconsin,
which occurs July l6. There has been
bitter factional fight going on in Wis
consin for a number of years, which is
expected now 10 reach a grand climax.
On one side as leader is Gov. Robert
NJ. Lafollette, whose following are called
throughout the State Half Breeds" On
the other side is Senator Spooner and
what are known as the "Stalwarts.'
Lafollette Wants denomination.
Governor Lafollette is candidate for
denomination. and will in all proba-
bility succeed. The main issue in the
convention will be the control of the
state organization. Up to this time
about one-half of the delegates to the
convention have been named, and La
toilette has majority of over 100. La
folIette's administration has been
married by radical ideas in regard to
taxation and the encroachments of the
trusts. His managers in the convention
Will be Ex-Governor Hoard. who has
been prominent in connection with the
oleomargarine law, and State Senator
J. A. Stout.
When Lafollette was nominated two
years ago it was the third time he had
made canvass for the governorship
Twice before he had been defeated by
Senator Spooner's friends and followers.
On the third trial he was nominated by
acclamation. The situation was de-
rrrihpl hy hOfb cii 70 e.
the so-called Staiwart faction.
Spooner's Withdrawal.
Senator Spooner, under the stress of
what seemed to be an overwhelming dis
aster. and for private reasons, about two
years ago made public letter announc-
ing that he should not be a candidate
for reelection to the Senate, and that
he should retire from public life at the
close Of his present term, which occurs
the Sd of March next Senator Spooner's
desire to return to the practice of law,
in which he has enjoyed great success.
and the long illness of Mrs
Spooner, were reasons which also con-
tributed to his decision.
In the interval since the publication CT
that letter Mrs. Spooner's health has
continued steadily to improve. greatly
to the delight of the Senator and all
their friends. Also in the interval SEN
ator Spooner has, perhaps, eclipsed ev-
cry other period of his life in the
achievement OF broad. statesmanlike.
and successful public and party meas
ures. Hardly any great question that
has come up since the beginning of the
Spanish war has been disposed of with
out his active and usually controlling
direction and support.
The Senator's Recent Successes.
He has. in consequence, loomed up
distinctly as a great national character,
and his admirers in Wisconsin and
throughout the country are demanding
that he should not, of his own choice,
nor by the DEGREES of faction that may
be in control in the Wisconsin Repub-
lican organization, be retired from public
life at this time. In the. session Of Con-
gress just closed It was only by his
mastery solution of the difficulties
surrounding the isthmian canal question
that a positive and constructive result
was reached. His name is indissolubly
connected with the canal, which Is rec
ognized by the leading politicians of
both parties as great public question,
which the whole American people are
glad to have settled.
Ah,1ttr