Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-09-05
ASSERT Common
is A CANDIDATE
Say That if Attempt Is Made ia
Center on One Man, Theirs
Will Be the One.

The Milwaukee Sentinel in Sunday
issue had the following about w. D.
ConDors candidacy: Although denial
is made of the fact, in interested
administration circles, it is known
that Chairman w. D. COnnOr Of the
republican state central committee, is
quietly building up personal ma
chine in the furtherance Of his
candidacy for governor. While Mr..
Conner has up to this time, made no
announcement of his candidacy, it is
nevertheless an accepted fact among
many Of the La Toilette leaders, and
the claim is made that he is a cam
didate. 1t is also asserted that a
number of personal lieutenants for
some time have been canvassing the
state in his interest. These men are
willing to stake their political
regulations upon the fact that Conner
is already a candidate, and that he
will be nominated.
La Toilette seeks to minimize the
Importance Of Connor's coming out
and the Madison crowd especially
appears to be interested in keeping
the situation from the rank and file
of the faction. The candidacy of
Chairman Conner, however,, is an
established fact, in the political
circles of Milwaukee, and is so adj
mitted by men who no longer find
reason to conceal the intention of an
important following Of the governor,
to make the Marshfield man their
candidate.
Conner Can't Be Fooled.
This work would not have pro-
crossed to the extent it has without
the consent and knowledge Of Chair
man Conner, for those who know him
best assert that he possesses too
much political Sagacity to be fooled
either by his friends or enemies. The
men who have been canvasslng the
situation in his interest, predict
success for the movement and coupled
with this is the report that they care
little about what the plans OF Gov.
La Toilette in trying to threw, the
strength of his entire machine to
Lenroot, and assert that this can not
be done.
In their advocacy of Connor's can
didacy, there is an earnestnesS upon
which can be predicted something
more serious than a mere fitful
uprising in the ranks Of the faithful,
but something in the nature of a
political revolt. When the suggestion
is made that Connur will accede to
whatever plans La Toilette may make
for his faction, will accept his can
didacy for governor and continue to
yield obedience to the supreme will,
COnnor's attitude is defined, in a
declaration of independence sort of
way, carrying considerable following
with the chairman.
Houser Not Taken Seriously.
Administration men assert that
Secretary of State HouSer will not be
a candidate for governor, despite the
fact that he is swinging around the
circle of county fairs, and manifests
an activity indicating political
ambitions beyond those of his present
position. Further than to state that
Gov. La Toilette is back of Lenroot's
there is no discussion of
his prospects. Neither the candidacy
of Davidson nor McGillvray appear
to cause apprehension in the ranks of
the ConnOr men, who believe that any
attempt at slate making will prove
futile because of the conflict of inte-
rests and ambitions.
In the meantime there is no end to
the candidates for places among the
administration men. August c..
Backus, former factory inspector, but
now one of McGovern's force of
district attorneys would like
to be state treasurer, and is not stand
Ing in the way of any possible