The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-28
La TOILETTE LETS
DOWN The BARS
GOING INTO A WHIRLWIND CAM
PAIGN FOR LENRoOT.
a Principle Of the Primary, He Says,
is the Fullest and Freest Discussion
Of Candidates and Principles-As a
Citizen He Cannot Be Barred from
Such.
Special to Tho journal.

/. p &. . E NJ
Madison, Wis, July Ex-senator R. M. La
Toilette has gone to Nebraska City, Neb.,
where he speaks on Sunday. On his return he
will plunge at once into the primary campaign,
and will devote the month of August to speech
making In an effort to secure the nomination
Of Speaker I. L. Lenroot of Superior, whose
candidacy he favors for governor. whirl-
wind campaign, such as he alone can make, Is
expected fron now until the fateful 4th Of
September, the first primary election day In
the history Of Wisconsin. Replying to cr1t1-
cisms over his participation in the primary
campaign, the senator said:
81 see no reason under the primary election
law why I as a citizen cannot participate in a
campaign as well as anyone else. The intent
Of the primary election law was to permit the
fullest and freest discussion of candidates and
principles. The election safeguards the wishes
and vote Of every man. The people will be
entirely free in their expression.
II am going into this for what I consider
the good Of the state Of Wisconsin. We have
not been contending for any one piece Of legis-
latton, but for general condition OF affairs
toward which we are working, and while work
ing toward which there must be no halting or
retrogression. In making my choice Of candi-
or obligations. These might indeed point in
another direction, but am actuated By con-
viction that it is for the best interests Of the
state. Ill., e 1872 -aE :s~ s'
Contrasts Senate and House.
''In spite of the popular idea to the con-
trary," said the senator when diverted in an.
other direction, ''the senate of the United
States Is more representative Of the people than
is the house. As the house of representatives
is now organized and run, there is absolutely
no such thing any more as a congressman
representing and voicing the views Of the people
of his district, as was the in the earlier
part Of our history.
'Thru the growth Of the power of the speaker
and Of committee practices, members Of the
house have lost their entity, their individuality
H,A.~ 80 III - L.
not in the pleasure Of the speaker or of the
committees, it is impossible to get any recogni
ton or discussion Of measure. Bills cannot
| be amended and members are often put in the
position Of having to vote simply for against
measures Of which they know little or nothing
and on which they cannot get information, con
sideration or amendment. -.
| "Often 1t occurs that member Is in sym
pathy with the general intent Of q measure
but absolutely at variance with some part Of II
or with its method OF procedures. But unless
| the powers OF the house choose to be gracious
he cannot get any consideration for it, and II
often put in the unpleasant position Of having
| to vote for It or be misunderstood.
4ra Praises the Former. ,...-
Elm the senate there Is fuller and freer dis
QUESTION and more play for individuality. On.
result Of this is seen in the railroad rate bill
discussion Of 1t in the senate. There are o.
course things to be said Of each house. 4
marked change is beginning to come over tn,
senate. The members are coming to be NOR,
in touch with the people. They are wincin.
under the fire of criticism and exposure t
which the upper house has been subjected
They don't show it in public, but hear then
| talk about it In the corridors and cloak
rooms. There is no longer that contempt an,
aloofness toward public opinion once enter
! tanned by members of the upper house.
| ut used to be considered undignifed of tn
clalnor. but it is 80 no longer There Is
FEELING that perhaps the conditions that nov
prevail may have come to stay, and they hav
| their eyes to the future more. With CROWN
demand for popular elections Of senators tn
members are becoming more responsive to tn
people more representative Of them and less o
the big moneyed interests