The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1902-11-13
DISCUSSING THE PRESIDENCY

now who would be the strongest
nominee of the democratic party IN
1904" said ex-Attorney General
James r. O'Connor. Between
now and the converting of The ma
tional convention I expect to see
condition in national politics very
similar to that which the state OF
Wisconsin has just passed through.
The managers of large aggregations
of wealth and the benefciaries OF
high protection, together with all
others in the republican party who
are profting by Legislative favorlt-
ism, will oppose the denomination OF
President Roosevelt just as the
same influence in Wisconsin opposed
the denomination of Robert NJ. La
Toilette. In that contest the rank
and file of the republican party will
name Roosevelt. expect that the
democratic national convention will
be held after the republicans have
made platform and nominated a
ticket, and that these influences
which failed to defeat Roosevelt will
enter the democratic convention and
seek to dictate the democratic plat
form and select the democratic
nominee.
I should consider it very unwlse
on the part of the democratic party
to select any candidate at the dicta-
ton of the corrupt Influences of the
republican party. After the expert
ence the democratic party in Wis
consin has just passed through, |
feel convinced that large majority
of the rank and file feel as | do and
are opposed to permitting those in
fuences to shape the policies or to
dictate the nominees of the party. .
There is so much real good truth
in what Mr.. O'Connor has to say
that it might be published and with
out comment. 1t is we'll known
that the great capitalistic organiza-
tions of the country are conspiring
to defeat the renomina ton of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, wnom the people
believe stands for all that is good in
government, and they will likely
seek to accomplish their purpose oil
defeat through the medium of the
democratic party in the exact man.
ner indicated by Mr.. O'Connor.
Mr.. O'Connor held one of the
principal state offices for four years
while the democrats were in power
in the state of Wisconsin, and is a
consistent democrat. He implies in
correctly, though that the only op
position to the nomination O
Governor La Toilette arose from the
capitalists of the state, and indicates
that all opposition to the Governor
was corrupt. In that he certainly
is mistaken. as there was a goo(
share of the opposition to the Gov
ernor that came about honestl.
enough. Men who disapproved o
the tight that the Governor wa
making on Senator Spooner and wh'
could not believe in primary cleo
tions had no sinsister notions il
their opposition to the Governor. l
is true that the corporate influence
came to the aid of the stalwart move
ment. but THE TIMES for one has al
WAYS insisted that the confusion G
the genuine with the selfish an(
greedy opposition to the re- nomina
ton of the Governor was to tn
benefit of the latter. The CONNER
cial politicians WI o joined II
stalwart movement ,obscured tn
real issues that might have be-
discussed, so that the rout {
stalwartism was bound to result
The great mass of the people stan
for principles, and this party fealt
is governed by their belief, while
yeiy small proportion OF the polite
al conditions have their birth
selfish and greedy politicians. III
rank and file of the republicans {
the state differed simply in their b.
liefs regarding genuine issues; but
became general feeling, thong
very incorrect = we believe, tn;
greedy politicians OF the state wei
dominating the stalwart moyemen
and this made the nomination an
reelection Of Governor Lab lett
certain. If such astuiug were tru
then any honest man must idml
that Mr.. LaFollette was tn log lcS