The Minneapolis journal., 1906-07-27
GAN la TOILETTE
SAVE MIR LENROOT?.
GOVERNOR DAVIDSON PROVES "A
WORTHY RIVAL.
Influential La Toilette Men Are Cast
ing Their Fortunes with the Cover
nor In the Present Contest-Why
Fear Of Hudson May Not Be Fac
tor in Another Campaign.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Hudson Wis, July 27.-Since the announce
naent ut Milwaukee last week by Senator Robert
irvine T. Lenroot for Governor there ere has AS BEEN
noticeable increase in political interest in wes
tern Wisconsin, as we'll as in the eastern and
southern part Of the state, in and around Mad
ison and Milwaukee, This illustrates the truth
of the eft-repeated assertion that nowhere in
the west, or perhaps even in the nation, is
there such powerful political agitator as the
junior Wisconsin senator. Es
It is very doubtful, however whether Senator
La Follette's stand for Speaker Lenroot will be
able to stem the strong tide Of popular feeling
for Governor James o. Davidson. In Hudson and
st. Croix county as well as elsewhere, 1t Is ap
parent that the most influential La Toilette men,
while processing the same old love for the Junior
senator. refuse to be led BY him into the Len.
root camp, and the effect OF La Follette's speech
by the publication OF the address to the repub-
licans OF the state IN behalf of Governor Da-
wilson, signed by 200 of the most prominent
La Toilette men In Wisconsin. s@.> T.
Among those signers are the active La Fol-
latte leaders Of Hudson, and as the conserva-
tives are solid for Davidson it means that the
almost unanimous vote Of this section will be
for the governor. a..r.- ...... ~ =.
Frear's Fate at Stake.
1t is generally understood and admitted that
this campaign will decide the political fate Of State
Senator James A. Frear. of Hudson. Frear first
attracted the attention Of the state in 1908,
when, as member Of the assembly from
st. Croix county, he was selected as the floor
leader Of the La Toilette forces in the lower
house Of the legislature. In the fierce debates
on the railroad rate bill and the primary election
measure of thaA session he took conspicuous
part, winning both friends and enemies
In 1904 he was the La Toilette candidate for
the state senate from the Pierce-St. Croix dis
| trict. and had hard battle for victory, Cover
nor La Toilette coming to the rescue by deliver
Ing fifteen speeches for him in st. Croix county.
In the memorable legislative session Of 1905
| Frear was chosen as the floor leader Of the La
Toilette forces In the upper house of the legis-
lature, and was 80 conspicuous in the debates
that older solons Of the senate, like Senators J.
J. .McGilivray, o. G. Munson and others of long
| service, resented his leadership and frequently
spoke their minds freely concerning it. - 80
Senator Frear's next appearance in the public
eye was as chairman Of the legislative commit
tee to Investigate Wisconsin life-insurance com.
psn1es, in which capacity he has spent most OF
his time In Milwaukee and Madison, where. the
newspapers have given him much attention
Last winter, after hesitating long time as
| to whether he should continue in the senate.
stand for the republican nomination for con.
| gTess against ]. J. Jenkins or seek the secre.
taryshfp of state, he finally decided in favor
Of the last course, and is now competing for
the republican nomination with Walter L. Houser
the present incumbent, and former Secretary OF
State w. H. -Froelich OF Jackson. - l..