Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-02-13
The Material Facts,

The writer has no special regard for
Robert NJ. LaFollette as an individual.
Like all human beings, he doubtless
has his faults. and some of them NAV
be grievous faults in the eyes of GER
tain other human beings. But the
relevant, pertinent and material facts
in the case are these: In 1900 Robert
III. LaFollette was elected governor by
the people of Wisconsin on a platform
that pledged a Republican legislature
to do certain things. He qualified,
was inaugurated and in the twelve
months that have since elapsed. has
from all evidence at hand, Striven
earnestly TO do his duty as executive
OF this commonwealth. In the matter
OF, appointments; in his circumspect
exercises Of pardoning power: in his
StenuouS efforts to have party faith
kept intact and invi0late and party
pledges fulfilled in spirit as we'll as
letter: in the superb manner in
which he has risen to the perform
ance Of unforeseen and universal duties:
and last but not least, by his dignified
and manly science in the midst of a
storm OF carping criticism, such as no
former governor was ever called upon
to suffer, he has shown himself TO be
an executive in every way worthy the
confidence Of the people whose suf-
frageS placed him where he is today.
But. protests the Sentinel, he has
created schiSm in his party: he has
talked arrogantly to party leaders who
sought to counsel him; he has shaken
his fist in the faces of party men who
sought to show him the error of his
way: he has played the egotist; he has
sought to bulldoze men into voting for
a pet measure: he has kept his private
office guarded against the approach of
Lobbyists and refused audience to men
whose views were antagOniStic to his
own.
Granting all this to be true, What
bearing does it have upon the case,
and what bearing would it have in the
eyes of the people of Wisconsin,
A bsolutely none. The people of this
state do not care rap about the hurt
personal feelings of a few politicians
What they are concerned about is the
manner in which their servant, Robert
NJ. LaFollette, is doing the work
they engaged him to do in November
1900. Is he doing it we'll? Yes. and we
challenge the Sentinel or any other
paper to show one iOta of proof to the
contrary. Under these circumstances,
would the people be apt to endorse
reputation by the Republican party
Of an administration that is clean and
creditable and capable in it's every
detail. viii the Sentinel or the Star
Times have the kindness to tell US
what possibly excuse the Republican
party could have to offer the people
for turning down a man whose work
has been in every way satisfactory to
them? We will admit that there are
reasons to be given by politician for
Robert M. LaFolleJte's retirement
which might be satisfactory and
sufficient, and which too, might
possibly lead to- defeat in a con-
ventiOn 0-2u.g-'ar1d by politicians,
but when laa acaa sntiOns are over and
the parties are lined up for the real
battle, what then would avail the
petty excuses and the half-hearted
explanations, with the people instead
of a ball .un OF politicians controlling
the issue.
Gov. LaFollette is not a demi-god,
nor saint, nor possibly even a hero:
be is simply a governor whom the
people regard as capable, faithful and
earnest in his determination to give
mp the highest light vouchsafed him.
And finally. brethren, our contention
is simply this: That the party under
these circumstances cannot afford to
turn him down. If that be hero
worship make the most of it
Greenwood Tribune.