New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-22
HOT WISCONSIN FIGHT.
LII FOLLETTE MEN OUT.
Refuse to Make Contest, and dc
cuSc Credentials Committee.
Icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


Chicago June 21-The busiest committee here
to-day is that on credentials. AS the
convention adjourned the committee met in the
annex of the Coliseum and organized by elect
ing Senator McComas. of Maryland, chairman.
The most sensational incident of the day
the action OF Governor La Toilette OF WsCou-
sin and his followers When La Toilette WAS
left off the temporary roll of the convention il
taken Indication that he would have
little success in a contest before the committee
on credentials The statement which Senator
Spooner made to The Tribune last night that
the "StaIwarts' would under no circumstances
permit two electoral tickets. robbed La Fol-
lette Of the chief issue on which he hoped to
appeal this morning. and he and his followers
Ia ugly mood
When the committee on credentials assem-
bled. La Toilette did not appear 10 make con-
test but instead sent the committee a sinister
letter. He said In effect that he would not pre-
sent his evidence try his case before the COM
mittee, that he had evidence that the commit
tee was packed against him; that members had
been approached, and that he could not get
justice. He added that he was going back TO
Wisconsin, and would leave his case To the peo-
pie. What the nature OF the approach might
be. or by whom made. the La Toilette people
declined TO state. They entered into no par
ticulars. simply making the broad and general
charge OF an approach" and withdrew
The Wisconsin one OF the earliest
called when the credentials committee went into
session at o'clock The contestants were not
present when the sergeant-at-arms announced
that the committee was ready 10 hear the Wis
consin fight. and the case was passed until a
contest in the WITH Alabama District had been
heard. In this case the contestants withdrew
and the action of the national committee in
II
default.
THE LA TOILETTE STATEMENT.
The Wisconsin case was then called for the
second time. and both parties filed into the COM
mittee room The La Toilette people were repre-
sented by w q. Connor of Marshdeld Wis 4:
Gilbert f. Roe. of New-York. and Henry F.
Cochems Of Milwaukee, The burden of proof
was on the contestants. and they opened and
closed their case with single statement by Mr.
Roe. who spoke follows:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the Commit
tee: Several members of the committee
dentials, before which we are asked TO
present our case, are members OF the national
committee, which passed on this case before.
We do not. therefore. consider this unpreju-
diced committee We understand. moreover
that several members Of this committee have
been approached and we therefore decline TO
present our case. preferring to submit il to the
people of Wisconsin at the election next Novem-
containing the statement L have Just made.
a dead silence followed the speech of Mr. Roe
Some members OF the committee scowled at
him and others smiled sarcastically. but not Il
word was said in reply. Mr.. Roe advanced to
the clerks desk and handed in his paper. and
then. in company with Mr.. Connor and Mr..
Cochems left the committee room. As they
were going, Senator McComas rose and said
have grave doubts to whether we should
permit that paper to be filed at all.
No further comment made. however. and
tre paper went In
The La Toilette people declined TO make any
statement as they left the committee ROOM but
marched straight across the anteroom down the
stairway, and left the building.
The "Stalwart" faction. on leaving the commit
tee room received the statement turned in by
Mr. Roe, and retired the office of the ser
geant-at-arms to formulate reply. Senator
Quarles said:
They were simply afraid to meet us on the
floor Of the convention or before the committee
on credentials. Then they insulted every MEM
ber of the national committee and every member
of the credentials committee and went away.
ALLEGED GRIEVANCES STATED.
The statement submitted to the committee by
Mr. Roe recited at length the history Of the
struggle between tY factions in Wisconsin.
and charged that the grievances of the La Fol-
lette faction are found in the following state
ments:
That said committee did not examine said
record or appoint any subcommittee to do 50.
but at the close of the argument Immediately
decided said contest upon the conflicting and
wholly contradictory oral statements of cOun-
sci for the respective parties.
That an examination of such records and such
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