New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-12
LET WISCONSIN ALONE.
SO LEADERS BELIEVE.
National Contentious Decision
Would Only Increase Bitterness.
Decision
IFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU I


Washington, June 11.-There is a strong and
growing sentiment among Republican leaders
that neither the national committee nor the
national convention should be called on TO rem
der a decision between the opposing factions OF
Wisconsin Republicans. IL is urged by those
who hold this view that the national organiza-
tion will be confronted AT Chicago by eight
woud-be delegates -at-large from Wisconsin. all
Of unquestioned loyalty to the national party
and TO the country. although seriously divided
State issues. IL IS openly proclaimed by
both parties 10 the quarrel that neither the
decision of the committee nor OF the conven-
tion would serve to settle the fight, and the
Supreme Court OF Wisconsin must eventually
determine which is the regular organization Of
the State.
What then ask the national Republicans,
lis TO be gained by having the national conven-
ton render decision. based on necessarily
hurried examination OF the evidence, incapable
OF accomplishing final settlement Of the con-
test, and bound Inevitably to embitter the losing
faction?"
1t is said that the only result OF decision by
the convention would be to commit the national
party and the administration to one side OF
State fight
Those who oppose this view maintain that IL
has always been the Republican policy 10 re-
gard the national convention as the final trtbu-
nal I'm all party matters, and that one side OF
the other to this fight should receive from the
convention the hallmark OF regularity This ar
gument is met. however. by a presentation or
the peculiarly local character OF the light and
the claim that. inasmuch there is no dif-
ference of opinion with regard 70 the national
ticket or issues. there does not exist the same
necessity for the national convention to inter-
fere.
PRESIDENT NOT TAKING SIDES
Some have urged that the national commit
tee and the national convention can obviate the
necessity of deciding between the opposing fac
tions by seating two delegates-at-large from
each faction or by seating the entire NUMBER
and giving to each one-half a vote. Such
course would be in accord with the policy OF the
Presidsnt IN all State fights. ne having invaria-
1Iv a& consistently refused to take sides In
any contention between Republicans IL is
known. moreover. that the President has asked
Henry C. PAYNE chairman OF ths national COM
ynit+ee. not TO take sides in the Wisconsin dif-
iculty.
Here are eight would-be delegates at-larse
from Wisconsin, all for Roosevelt" say the na-
tional Republicans. why not give them eaeh
half vote in the national convention ana
leave the Supreme Court OF Wisconsin 10 de-
termine as il viii inevitably be called upon TO
do. the regularity Of the opposing State tickets
and then trust 70 the good sense OF the Repuo-
Iean voters OF Wisconsin TO repudlate the fac-
ton which the court finds TO be irregular IL
that faction persists in placing a ticket on the
ballot
The opponents Of the compromise scheme
again urge that neither side would be willing
TO have i compromise made. that either would
be better pleased to see their opponents seated
in the national convention than to be compelled
to share the honors and participate in the con-
vention with the question OF their own regu-
Iarity still at stake. II IS not beheyed how
ever. that this is correct presentation OF the
facts. 1t is held to be- rather. the result of a
fevered antagonism which IA temporarily in
capacitating both factions for correct thinking.
1t is argued that neither side claims an over
whelrnng majority. that the evidence on which
each side rests it's case is more or less complex
as well as contradictory. and that IT would be
next TO impossible for either the national COM
mlttee or the committee on credentials OF the
national convention thoroughly TO examine all
the evidence and accurately adjudicate the dis
pute in the necessarily limited time at It's COM
mand.
Nevertheless. the decision OF the national con-
vention might have strong moral weight with
the Supreme Court when it was called upon to
adjudlcate the dispute. For this reason 1t would
seem advantageous TO the La FOllettites to pro-
pose a compromise. thus they would proba-
bly, avoid prejudicing their case by the rem
dering Of a decision against them IN the ma
tional convention.
II is generally believed that the "Stalwarts''
as the followers OF Senator Spooner are called
would from the prominence and ability Of their
leaders In the national party. have the advan-
tage in the national convention. On the other
hand it is said that they should accept a, COM
promise, from motives of loyalty to the ma
tional party and from the fact that If. they
maintain. their case is impregnable they could
be certain Of the decision of the court event.
ually
DANGER IN INTERFERENCE.
At all events. it is declared. a decision for one
side or the other must inevitably engender
bitterness which would not die out before the
election and especially would this be the case
were the court to affirm the decision Of the con-
vention and thus leave ground for the opinion
that it's disposal of the case had been influenced
by the action of the national party. If. however.
the case were decided on its merits by the Su-
prene Court without such predispOsing in
huence there could exist ground for bitter
ness against the national party when such de-
cisiOn rendered.
Still one more phase of the situation appeals
strongly TO prominent Republican leaders. The
La Toilette faction has always stood for certain
policies which. whether practical or not appeal
strongly TO the average voter These policies
are increased taxation of the railroads. a State
railroad commission. with power 10 fix rates
and prevent extortOnate freight and passenger
tariffs increased power for the Interstate Com
merce Commission in disputes with railroads,
and a primary election law calculated 70 insure
free nominations 10 office. IL may be argued
that the professions OF the La FOllettites are
insincere and their schemes demagOsic, but IL Is
maintained there is the power to cOnjure with
in these pretensions and the power 70 iniure the