Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1904-11-24
Sensational BabC0Ck.


of a revision of the tariff schedule
by its friends, and the adoption OF
additional legislation for strengthen
ing federal control of trusts and cor
porations, which, by the way, would
be in line with the LaFollette state
platform. The runior having reached
the ears of J. w. Babcock, who is
credited with being the representa-
tive Of this district IN congress, he
has hastily sought to be interviewed,
TO the effect that he, too, favors an
extra session of congress to revise
all schedules that furnish more pro-
lection than is needed, stating, as he
did about three years ago, that he
had made study OF the steel indus
try and was satisfied that it was one
of the industries over protected. This
opinion OF Mr.. Babcocks, heralded
three years ago for sensational effect,
"died a bornin'" The steel trust
tbrottled it with ease, and political
Juggling of this kind is what has
caused the people to lose faith In
Mr.. Babcocks good intentions. This
rushing in to be ahead of the presi-
dent, upon hearing rumors OF his
ideas, is another Of Mr. Babcock's
fine moves to advertise himself, and
rebuild, if possible, his political
standing from which he was so UNI
tremendously yanked on election
day. Would it not have been wiser
il Mr.. Babcock had waited for a
distinct and positive expression from
the leaders of the great party con-
corning its future actions, to which
party he hangs by slender thread,
and that by the Juggling OF one
Warden of the democratic state com
mittee?
Mr.. Babcock cannot act in accord
ance with such expressed views and
be true to corporations and trusts,
and who imagines for moment that
he will prove un.aithful to them
And further, in the light OF his
bolting freak at the regular state
convention, together with his vigor-
Gus opposition to LaFoliette and the
regular republican state platform,
and, last but not least, his disregard
for the popular sentiment of four
fifths of his district, it is not reason
able to suppose that he Will now
serve with earnestness in this new
role and thereby carry out what said
regular party in platform demanded.
Then, f or consideration, is the like
lihood of a man of Babcock's intelli-
gence and reputation being able to
master an important tariff schedule
in the interest of the people.
On the same subject the Milwau-
kee Evening Wisconsin. a pronounc-
cd opponent of La Toilette, has this
to say:
-. w. Babcock, of the Third
congressional district, is re-elect-
ed by the lean plurality of $50.
Two years ago he received plu-
rality of 1891. Notwithstanding
this vast diminution of Babcock'S
popularity, he has recently eNhi-
bted the assurance of declaring
that the republican party must
convoke an extra session of con-
gress Immediately after the 4th
of March to revise our financial
and tar,if legislation, This sug-
gestion of Babcock will receive
no announcement whatever from
President Roosevelt or any men,
Der of the cabinet.
ave have never been disposed
to Criticise j. w. Babcock. In
fact we have always defended
him and have insisted that he
was one of the most efficient
chairmen of the republican con-
grcss:oa8l committee UitA wheai,
the party has over boon favored;
but we can properly add that
when Mr. Babcock attempts TO
act beyond that position he drops
into too deep water.
Cf course the recent remark of
Mr.. Babcock is purely sensation
al. Common sense is the greatest
of all genius. Mr.. Babcock is GER
tainly not exhibiting that char
aeteristic at the present time"
Upon being asked one day last
uaotx wbathar Mr. Babpprk had AK