Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-19
PROBLEM FOR SENATE
Future Treatment of La Toilette
Being Discussed.
HIS COURSE CRITICISED
It Is Said That His Reception Will Be
Chilly.
HELPED 10 BEAT REPUBLICANS
Much Resentment Felt by His Asso-
ciates-Proposed to Debar Him !,
From the Caucus
ELPED 10 BEAT REPUBLICANS

what will be the party status Of Senator
La Toilette of Wisconsin in the Senate
| from now on7 VIII he be regarded as re-
publican, a democrat or a political free
lancer?
This Is a question which Is being asked
| by congressional politicians with some
show of interest. It Is prompted by con-
sideration of Senator La Folletteis course
In the recent campaign in opposing num-
| Der Of republican senators in several states.
and defeating republican candidates for
local. state and congressional offices in his
own state. The answer to the question is
that technically. at least. he Is republic
can. since he holds credentials from re-
publican Legislature and has been recog-
nized by President Roosevelt in a division
of federal patronage with his colleague.
Senator Spooner. In passing. 1t may be
mentioned that he Is accused of trying to
beat Spooner for reelection.
There Is said to be no question as to the
character of the reception Senator La Fol
lette will receive. personally: this session
from his colleagues. It Is likely to be some
what chilly. Deep resentment Is enter
tanned by many OF them against his atti-
tude toward his brother senators who had
the temerity to oppose his amendments to
the rate bill. His course Is declared to
be unprecedented in the annals OF the Sem
ate.
Exclusion From the Caucus
1t is too early to discuss the suggestion
that he be debarred from republican eau
cuses. In the first place 1t Is a delicate ques-
ton whether he could be kept out If 1t were
desired. In the second place Is the more i'm
portant consideration of the doubtful policy
Of making him a martyr" The proposition
to keep him out of caucus has been broach-
ed privately among senators, but the weight
of opinion Is against that course.
Some of the cautious ones say that Sena
tor La Toilette would welcome such action
as furnishing him good ammunition for his
Onslaughts on his colleagues. They say he
would Immediately go before the country
in the role Of champion Of progress per-
secuted by the railroads and trusts alleged
to be represented in the persons Of the plu-
tocratfc senator's.
1t would also, it Is claimed. be a valuable
financial asset to him. What time Senior
La Toilette is not faying his colleagues and
battling against the trusts, he is speaking
to Chautauqua assemblies at so much per,
still unfolding the true, the good and the
beautiful in politics and legislation. 1t Is
said that he would not ask any better ad-
vertisement for his lecture purposes than
the cancellation Of his union card by the
republican senate.
1t has been suggested that the Senate
might refuse to confirm his federal ap-
pointees. but there again comes In the OPP
portunity for cry of persecution, which
would strengthen him in his own state at
the time when he Is alleged to be working
for the defeat of Senator Spooner. Taken
by and large, his case Is said to present a
pretty difficult problem for his ''unfriends'
In the senate, and they may have to let 1t
go as 1t lies. and smile under his castiga-
ton.
Attacked Brother Senators.
The bill of complaint against him for his
attacks upon brother senator's contains a
number Of particulars. He opened the
ball by going into Indiana. and at Evans
Vile, being introduced by Senator Hemen-
way to the audience, started in to roast"
Senator Hemenway to the queens taste.
He next went after Senator Dryden in New
Jersey and openly aided Dryden's foes
who were opposing his reelection at the
primaries.
He made violent attack on Senator
Long, in Kansas; went tooth and nall a fter
Senator Dolliver in Iowa. and attacked
both Senators Nelson and Clapp In Mime
sofa. Senator Nelson being up for re-elec-
ton. He got after Senator Smoot in Utah
Just few days ago. much to the surprise
OF that gentleman who had introduced him
to the audience. All Of these attacks were
based upon the alleged hostility of those
senator's to railroad rate reforms
A prominent Minnesota man wrota tn
President Roosevelt asking whether Sena-
tor Nelson had been inimical to reform
legislation in the last session and received
letter from the President praising Sena-
tor Nelson in the highest terms and class
Ing him as valuable friend Of reform.
In his own state Senator La Toilette on
posed four republican legislators and beat
three of them. on the ground that they
had not favored his reform program when
he was governor. He defeated Represen-
tative Minor for denomination and swung
republican votes from Representative Bah
cock sufficient to cause his defeat at the
polls In favor Of a democrat, who ia said
to be free trader and free silver man.
He supported an Independent Candidate
for district attorney in milwaukee,. arainst
the regular party nominee, and helped to
defeat the republican
In the course Of the campaign Senator
La F'ollettee was charged with working
for new party and training with BRYAN
He denied the charges and insisted that
he Is a republican.