The Minneapolis journal., 1906-08-03
LA TOILETTE And
DAVIDSON BREAK
CLOSE FRIENDSHIP OF YEARS IS
THREATENED.
Present Governor Said to Have Even
Stronger Following at Madison Than
Z the Senator--Strong Denial Made
that He Is Flirting with the Stal-
warts. " a.....
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal. ., -... -. a. ...>-
Madison, Wis. Aug 3.-Senator Robert NJ.
La Toilette is the political opponent of Gov
ernor james 0. Davidson. - ---
Therein lies element prominent In the
gubernatorial campaign in Wisconsin which IS
not purely political. Years ago Davidson left
quiet successful business life to enter poll
tics because Of his great friendship and ad-
miration for Bob" Ever since he has fought
hard for those reforms which La Toilette
championed and these two men seemed to be
the most genuine friends up to the time when
La Toilette announced he would campaign in
favor of Lenroot, the gubernat torial candidate
from Superior. Thus Davidson and La Toilette
came to parting of the ways.
Davidson Strong in Madison. r.
As to the merits of the two republican can.
didates, opinion naturally differs, but at Madi
son Davidson has the stronger following. His
friends openly criticize La Toilette for trying
ITO dictate"-they. all use that expression
who will be the next governor. ..t
| Governor Davidson Is Norwegian, and a
man Of sturdy character. Despite the fact he
is not much Of public speaker, he Is good
politician and he remembers first names al
most as readily as Senator La Toilette himself
Governor Davidson feels that La Toilette has
| not treated him fairly. He does not say So
but one can read it In his eye, for the fight
has brought sadness into his heart. Still water
| runs deep.
| II haven't any trouble with La Toilette, y
said Governor Davidson the other day. eve
have never disagreed in principles. would
be the last man in this world to detract one
| iota from the great credit due Senator La Fol
! lette for the progress the reform movement has
made in Wisconsin. but before he came ou
as a leader I was fighting for these measures
in the legislature"
Not Compromising.
Some Lenroot supporters have thrown a littl,
political mud-at least that is what David
sons friends call it-already by declarin,
| Davidson has sought, alliance with the stal
wart faction In the republican party in tn
| badger state. ~ =.
In reply to this Governor Davidson said: &C.
have not sought any alliance with the stal
! warts or anyone else that would force me t.
! compromise on any Of the principles I hav,
| stood for these past years. Il would rathe
Danish all thought Of the governorship thai
to accept even a suggestion Of such com
PROMISE :.
I LA CROSSE, WIS.-The contest over the re
publican nomination for governor in this stat
! is dividing the forces in La Crosse county ant
bitter fight is being waged between the tw'
! factions. Some of the leading republicans O.
the county are in favor Of Davidson, whil
many who supported La Toilette thru his en-
I tire campaign are out for Lenroot, La Toilette
choice for the nomination. ,,lr
1t is said by many of the party leader
that the fight before the primaries isa NOR
serious at present than ever before in tn
factional fight, nnd 1T is feared by some tina
| the county may be lost by the republicans thi
fall. >
| The democrats quietly working and hop
to win over enough votes from the republican
faction that is defeated at the primaries t
carry the election a;stf ,s - ~ n,;[y<