The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-21
Senator Spooner.

Undoubtedly Senator Spooner' 8
equanimity and self-possession has been
subjected to severe strain by the po-
litical developments in Wisconsin. 1t
is we'll calculated to jar man s self
complacency to meet with the severe re-
verses which the stalwarts have sus-
tanned and face the defeat which in
evitably awaits them. At the same
time, it was just that sort of test to
which it has been subjected that Sena-
tor Spooner ought to have been pre-
pared to meet. He declared when the
controversy between the republican fac
lions was submitted to the supreme
court that that was the proper thing to
do. In fact, he is said to have sug-
gested it, and that he was ready to
abide by the result.
The decision of the supreme court
was in favor of the La Toilette faction.
Senator Spooner may have expected
something else, altho as a lawyer it is
not easy to see how he could have an
ticipated different result. Having
submitted his case to that tribunal it
was certainly part of a fair and rea-
sonable antagonist to accept the result
without more than formal protest.
1t has been generally supposed that
Senator Spooner was man of that size.
The public has learned to have great
admiration for his ability, and his
services to his party and his country
have been distinguished. It is, there
fore, all the more regrettable that he
could not have met political adversely
any better than he has in this case.
His threat against the management
of the national campaign, that if it did
business with the La Toilette faction it
would do it at the peril Of the national
republican ticket, is something which
even the kindliest feelings and even the
most generous sympathy with Senator
Spooner's unenviable situation is I'M
able to excuse. Fair-minded people
like q good fighter, but they also like
man who can accept defeat with a
good grace. They will certainly not
excuse or tolerate one who, as the lead
er Of great party, finding himself I'M
der peculiar circumstances in worsted
condition with local rivals, proceeds to
vent his spite upon the most important
interests, which are in no sense respon-
sible for his embarrassment.
The proposal of the national commit
tee to do business with the La Toilette
committee was the only reasonable
. thing that the national committee could
do. 1t had, for example, to cooperate
with somebody in Wisconsin in the
management Of the national campaign.
IN the routing of speakers, in making
arrangements of various kinds Incl
dental to the work Of the campaign.
The national committee kept out of
Wisconsin practically while the contro-
versy was pending in the supreme court
and gave no color or comfort to either
side. When the question of regularity
was decided in favor Of the La Toilette
faction there was nothing else for the
national committee to, do, if it were
to do anything in Wisconsin, than to
cooperate with the La Toilette COM
mittee.
Any reasonable man, any man who
is not part of the stalwart faction
or blinded by prejudice and sympathy
with it is bound to take that view of
the matter. 49,.
Senator Spooner, it is said, has even
threatened to resign from the senate.
He will probably do nothing of the
kind. It certainly is to be hoped that
he will soon recover from his present
unhappy state Of mind because the
country needs John G. Spooner, his
party needs him. in spite Of all fractional
differences the Wisconsin republicans
are proud Of him, and he will no doubt
arrive at the conclusion in due time
that it is possible to have been defeated
in a factional fight in state politics