The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-20
DARK THREATS
OF Mr.. SPOONER
Wisconsin Senator in a Huff Over
Recognition Of La Toilette
Committee.
ADMINISTRATION ACCUSED
OF COLD INGRATITUDE
Spooner Gives Out Interview
After Stormy Session with
Cortelyou.
By w. w. Jermane.

BY w. w. Jermane.
Washington, Oct. Ex-senator Spoon
er' interview in New York, carried by
the Associated Press, in which he said
that the republican electoral ticket in
Wisconsin, was in danger, has stirred
up good deal of ii sensation in Wash
ington among the president s friends.
1t is taken to mean that the leader of
the Wisconsin stalwarts is dissatisfied
with the attitude which the national
committee has taken, or seems likely to
take, regarding the fractional troubles
in Wisconsin, and has given hint that
possibly the stalwarts do not intend to
support the Roosevelt electors with any
degree Of enthusiasm.
Senator Spooner went to New York
late last week, and it is reported here
that he had a stormy interview with
Chairman Cortelyou of the republican
national committee, which ended in his
walking out of Cortelyou's office in
high dudgeon: The next day came the
interview, and the fact that it was car
ried by the Associated Press suggests
that. 1t was premeditated. AS soon as
Chairman Cortelyou saw the interview
he made ready for hurried trip to
Chicago. for consultation with the man
ayers Of the campaign headquarters
there.
Settle Tangle from East.
But later he concluded to try to set
tie the Wisconsin tangle from New
York. To this end he is to have CON
ferences there with several leading re-
pubEcans Of the state, and the manag
ers OF the western headquarters at Chi
cago are to cooperate with him with
view of disposing Of the case.
Tawneys notice to the La Toilette
to take full charge of the campaign in
Wisconsin is Cortelyou g open rejoinder
to Spooner. It shows the national COM
mittee has cut loose from the stalwarts.
Mr.; Cortelyou may visit Chicago
shortly if the Wisconsin case becomes
more acute, but he prefers not to make
the trip on account Of the heavy pres
sure of the campaign at this time in
New York state. ...... -~
Spooner is said, to be incensed be-
cause Of the intention Of the national
committee to acknowledge the regular
intention was foreshadowed day or
two after the supreme court decision,
when Representative Tawney wired the
La Toilette leaders with view to hav.
ing them take charge Of the Fairbanks
itinerary in Wisconsin. Later it was
whispered that, owing to the decision
of the supreme court, 1t was the pur-
pose of the national committee to defer
to the La Toilette committee in every.
thing, practically placing the stigma of
irregularity on the, stalwarts. This is
what brought Senator Spooner to New
York. His interview with Chairman
Cortelyou didn t help matters, and sc
Spooner sounded his note Of warning.
spooner Talks Of Ingratitude.
Spooner Is understood to accuse the
administration Of ingratitude. He ha.
been for a long time it's avowed cham
pion on the floor of the senate, and hi
eloguence and ability have been of thu
highest value on more than one occa
sion. When other republican SENATOR
were lukewarm or almost in open revol
against the president, Spooner stood hi
serious trouble. He appreciates this ait
at it's full value, and processes to fee
that the president has too quickly for
gotten it.
By way Of, reioinder, some of tn
president g friends have said that MI
Cortelyou, in ordering that the La Fol
lette faction be recognized as the regu
lar republican organization in Wiscon
sin, has done the only thing that, as
the supreme. court decision. Had tn
court decided in favor of the stalwart:
it is added, that faction would hav
been recognized The chairman of tn
national committee is compelled to des
in each state with the regular organize
erences, and he has done this in Wis
consin, well knowing that in undertal
ing to handle in any manner a situt
ton of such delicacy he was likely
be misunderstood and to make enemie
The Spooner Argument.
IN reply to this defense some Of tn
Spooner people here say that Cortelyo,
before making up his mind to recol
nize the LaFollette faction, shout
have taken notice Of the personnel 9
With e aid of ePu one re pT9 %e
the majority opinion which recognize
the half breed faction. The court
composed Of five members. The tw
who did not sign the majority opinio
were republicans, one of whom refuse
tions to LaFollette, while the other or
wrote a dissenting opinion. These fact
is claimed by the stalwarts, should hay
been carefully. weighed by Chairma
Cortelyou This. is the point which Sc,
made to Cortelyou in New York in h
stormy interview with that gentlema
and Cortelyou's refusal to consider
as a sufficient reason for turning dow
the half breeds is said to. have precir
tated the Spooner interview.
IT is not believed here that the opp
sition of the stalwarts will militia
against the success of the Rooseve
electors in Wisconsin, but the situate
is anything but pleasant. It is reportt
here that Spooner will resign fro
the senatez5if the national commits
carries out it's plan of recognizing tt
LaFollette faction. And anyway, tt
administration, should Spooner reta
his seat in the senate, seems likely
lose the services Of that able char
pion.
What Else Gould Cortelyou Do?
It is pointed out here that Senat
Spooner himself originally suggest,
the appeal to the supreme court.
said from the beginning of the troub
that he would abide by that decisio
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