Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-12-30
Reasons Why The Governor
Should Not Be Candidate
for Senator.

or candidates 1Of Gne assembly W vote
for you for United States SENATOR"
said | to the governor.
''There is nothing in that" he
replied. II have asked no man for
any such pledge. While l am at it
l may as we'll put this thing to sleep
once for all. You may say for me
that | have no wish to 60 to the
United States Senate at this time. l
do not deny that some day or other
/ may aspire TO seat in the Senate
and take one if the people of WiScOn-
sin are willing to give it to me.
but mark this: | have set out
here in Wisconsin TO do certain work.
| have undertaken TO compel The
railways to pay d proper share of their
taxes; to secure primary election
system which shall give the people
direct power over all party nomina-
tions, and To pass railway rate law
which shall compel the roads to
charge only reasonable rates and to
abolish the atrOciOuS system Of re-
bates to favored shippers. which has
created an industrial tyranny in
Wisconsin and given the railway
managers d power over commerce and
politics and government which no
men should be permitted to exercise
in our country.
"A part OF this work is done. and
part remains unfinished. Until it is
all finished shall remain here at my
post. cannot and will not desert
my task. To do otherwise would be
unfair TO the brave people of WiscOn-
sin who have so Loyalty supported the
principles for which [ contend
Hence | shall not be a candidate for
the Senate. | have a right to aspire
to the Senate if wish, but | have
not the right to do so at the expense
Of the work to which | have given
some Of the best years of my life."
Ii the above article that appeared
in the Chicago Record-Herald in
October last was authorized by the
governor, and we take it for granted
that it 1was, then Gov. Robert M.
La Toilette cannot now be a candi-
date for the United States Senate to
succeed Senator Quarles, and keep the
good will and confidence of the s.peOple
of Wisconsin.
The governor has two classes of
admirers and friends. One class has
been with him on account Of the
principles he has been contending
for and the explicit confidence and
respect they have in the personality
OF the man, which has been acquired
by many years Of acquaintance with
him. The other class are those whc
follow him not on account sof the
reforms he is contending for, but
simply because his star is in the as
tendency and they want to be in the
loaded wagon.
Those who belong to the former
class will be disappointed if the
governor now becomes IA candidate
for the Senatorship after making the
successful fight he has made, ano
publishing the above statement. The
other class will urge his candidacy
not from any love for his good. but
simply in the hope that If he were
made senator at this time some of the
spoils might fall TO them in the dis
tribution.
Governor La Follette's wonderful
success, which he has been able tG
achieve during the past eight years
has been possible only because of the
devotion, respect and confidence OF
the people who have supported the
principles and reforms he represents
The minute the governor forfeits
their confidence and respect, that
minute he will fail utterly.
To be candidate now after per-
hitting that interview to be pub
lshed unchallenged, will lose for
him the respect, confidence and
good will OF all good people regardless
of political affilation. The only way
he can continue to be strong with the
people in the future, as in the past, is
to COMPEL THE RAILWAYS TO PAY A
PROPER SHARE OF sTHEiR TAXES; Sc
CURE A PRIMARY ELECTION SYSTEM
WHICH SHALL GIVE THE PEOPLE
DIRECT POWER OVER ALL PARTY
NOMINATIONS, AND TO PASS A
RAILWAY RATE LAW WHICH SHALL
COMPEL THE RAILROADS TO CHARGE
ONLY REASONABLE RATES AND TO
ABOLISH THE ATROCIOUs SYSTEM OF
REBATES TO FAVORED SHIPPERS"
To do this will require long, careful
session Of the legislature. When this
is done and accomplished there will
be nothing too good, even the pres;.
dency of the United States to bestow
upon Governor La Toilette.
We do not believe he can or will be
led away from the plan he laid
out for himself in the above inter.
view with Walter Wellman. That
statement bears the ear marks of a
Siocara honest man which. wo tolo