Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-03-28
GOV. LA TOILETTE
AND THE TOGA

! Gil Vandercook with the Milwau.
kee Sentinel in a recent issue had the
following to say about Governor
La Toilette:
Senatorship Matter Not Closed?
There are still considerable mum,
Der of members who refuse to accept
| the senatorial contest as a finished
result of past campaign. Whether
members of the legislature are becom.
ing impregnated with opinions pre-
vailing in Washington that Gov.
La Toilette will not take his seat
| when the time comes, it is impossible
to state, but during the last few DAYS
the sentiment appears to grow that
Stephenson will 60 to Washington
instead of La Toilette. That this
sentiment is based entirely upon
opinion unsupported by anv concrete
evidence is admitted, but certain it is
that La Toilette will decline the
senatorship can be had among the
members.
Interest ia the matter is taken to
such an extent that some of the men,
hers have been looking into the law
and have fortified their opinions by
citing that under the provisions of
section 962 and 966 aD easy method is
found to relieve the governor from
serving should he desire to remain in
Wisconsin and again attempt to lead
his forces to victory.
May Decline to Serve as Senator
The law specifies that an Office shall
become vacant upon the "death or
declinatiOn in writing of any person
elected or appointed to fill vacancy,
or for full term, before he qualities,
or his death or such declinatiOn before
the time when by law he should enter
upon the duties of his Office to which
he was elected or appointed.
1t is further provided that whenever
vacancy shall occur, during the
recess of the legislature, in any office
which the legislature or the governor,
by and with the advice and consent
of the senate, are authorized to fill by
appointment, the governor, unless it
be otherwise specifically provided,
may appoint some suitable person to
perform the duties of such office for
the time being.
The claim is made that under these
provisions, Gov. La Toilette can de-
cline to serve. Having failed to
qualify as senator the declinatiOn is
entirely in the control of the state
authorities, the act not subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States sem
ate. After the declination the next
step would be to fill the vacancy by
appointment, which could be done by
the governor.
Deal With the Democrats Alleged.
Notwithstanding all the speculation
upon the subject now and past it is
doubtful if other than Gov. La Fol
lette any one IN Madison can speak
will; authority concerning bis plans
By some the thought is expressed that
the purpose of bringing Col. Bryan to
Madison was to more closely cement
the bonds between the administration
men and the fair minded democrats,
and the result of the primary election
in some Of the towns and cities was
today cited as evidence that an Of
fence and defensive political align
ment exists One member claimed
that this fact was clearly shown in
the selection Of Burt Williams of
Ashland as d candidate for mayor, he
being the choice Of La Toilette re-
publicans and Bryan-HearSt demo
Gratis.
Whatever may be the plans Of Gov.
La Toilette so far as future pclitics is
concerned, he has every opportunity
offered him to be busy. He is in
urgent request fer lecturing engage
ments, and According tn claims made,
next to Col BRYAN. stands in create.
demand. His time for this season It
is SAID is fully contracted.