The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-22
THE INDIGNITY TO SENATOR
SPOONER

The majority of the recent Wisconsin Re-
publican convention, which placed upon the
reelection of Senator Spooner the necessity
of indolsing the peculiar views of Gov
ernOr Lafollette respecting universal pri-
mary elections and taxation. will not find
very complimentary notice of its action in
the newspapers whose opinions are entitled
to respect. With single exception every
paper of large circulation, commenting up
on the action of the convention in reference
10 Senator Spooner, has condemned it. Nor
is this condemnation confined 10 Republi-
can papers, since some of the sharpest
criticism is found in what is called the
independent press. One of those papers de-
clares that Senator SpOoner lis the most
brilliant senator in Congress. an authority
on constitutional law, a practical states
man whose genius for constructive legisla-
ton probably has not been equaled since
the days of Henry Clay" This is a fact
which is generally recognized by intelligent
men in both parties outside of the Lafol-
lette faction of Republicans in Wisconsin.
II the Lafollette faction does not see it.
it is known TO all intelligent men else
where. No important piece of legislation
has been sent TO the President by Congress
the past two years. no matter who intro
duced it, which has not received a finish
ing touch from the hand of Senator Spoon
er. Someone has said that he has been
the compromising senator, meaning that ne
has been able to so modify his views as to
secure their acceptance by others. That
is the highest attribute Of craftsmanship.
The man who has one plan and will accept
no other should find some other sphere of
usefulness than that of legislating.
A majority of the republicans in the
Wisconsin convention notified Senator
Spooner that he cannot be chosen to sue
coed himself unless he shall give his public
adhesion to the Lafollette primary cleo
ton scheme by which all party conven-
tions in State may be abolished. A man
Of large experience. and with a rare grasp
of affairs. ii may be that Mr.. Spooner does
not see the wisdom of the Lafollette plan;
nevertheless. in order to be reelected by
the votes of the Lafollette element he is
required to support a measure, whether
he believes in it or not, which has no con-
nection with national affairs. Not only
do the Lafollette leaders humiliate the SEN
ator, but they demand that he shall stultify
himself, if necessary. in order t6 obtain
a reelection. They say to him that lit
is Of no consequence what your conscien-
tious opinion may be upon this local ques-
ton, you must accept our views or not be
a candidate"
Such unreasoning tyranny as that exhib-
tied by the Lafollette faction toward the
leading man in the United States Senate
presents a strange contrast to the action of
the Massachusetts Legislature in re-electing
Senator Hoar, and of the Maine Legislature
in re-electing Senator Hale, when both
men are known to be hostile to the Re
publican policy growing out of the Span
ish-American war. The Republicans of the
whole country are incensed at the treat
ment of Senator Spooner, and they hope
that the people will rebuke the imperti-
nence of the Lafolette faction and make
| certain the reelection of a senator worthy
of the State.