Evening star., 1907-05-05
SPOONER'SSUCCESS0R.
Wisconsin Senatorship Far
From Settlement.
NO FEELING IN CONTEST
Legislature May Adjourn Without
Naming Its Choice.
STEPHENS0N'S UNIQUE POSITION
Present Situation a Blow to His Pride
La Follette's Position Anything
but Pleasant to Either Side.
NO FEELING IN CONTEST
TEPHENs0NS UNIQUE POSITION
Special Dispatch to The Star.

MADISON, Wis, May 4.-The sena atorial
situation refuses to be settled, despite the
most vigorous efforts Of all the candidates
to find some way out of the muddle. The
belief Is growing that the legislature will
be forced to adjourn without a selection,
and that Senator La Toilette will be the
lone star senator from this state for the
next two years. 1t is hinted In some quar-
ters that this has been his object, and that
he has deliberately deadlocked the situation
to effect such result and at the same
time to so bind his friends to him with
promises that while none of them Is elected
none Is defeated In his race for the office.
The contest has been going along with
little show Of feeling until the last week,
but now there are evidences of some bit
terness. particularly among the Stephenson
men. The situation with Uncle Ike and
the race for the senatorship is much like
that of eight or ten years ago, when he
was defeated for election by the failure of
his stalwart friends to come to his saliva
ton in sufficient numbers. The failure to
secure the election put Stephenson at the
head of the La Toilette branch Of the party
and his financing made La Follette's sue
cess possible. Now, however. Mr.. Stephen
son. who turned against his old friends
when they failed to elect him senator. finds
he is getting the same sort of treatment
from his new friends. To learn that these
new friends We're friendly with him for
their own revenue only has been a rather
sad blow to Mr.. Stephenson's pride.
Surprise for Stephenson.
When Stephenson entered the field he
had little doubt that he could easily Sc
cure the election. 1t is said that If he
knew then what he does now he would
have never tried for the election. Now he
sees that too many candidates have been
brought out as favorite sons for him to
have much chance of the election, and he
will die with the shame of this second de-
feat over him, instead of with the toga as
his winding sheet. He does not see now
how he can get out Of the race, nor does
he see how he can win.
At one time Mr.. Stephenson was inclined
to blame Representative Esch for the diff
Guilty thinking that Esch by a combine
with the stalwarts had blocked the pro-
gram OF Senator La Toilette Now, how
ever, he Is turning to Irvine Lenroot of
Superior as his scapegoat, and he thinks
that the Superior man. who should be his
friend and supporter. Is deliberately block
ing his election. though with no chance Of
winning the fight himself. With this In
view. Mr. Stephenson called a conference
Of the other candidates leaders; and pro-
posed the dropping Of Lenroot by all. the
giving up of the Esch boom and the cleo
ton of himself. The other candidates,
however. as on other similar occasions,
declared that their own candidates. were
just as ready to accept the plume of vic
tory as to be abandoned for the millionaire
lumberman.
One Phase Of the Situation.
One phase of the situatio is this: While
La Toilette promised to throw his influence
to send Stephenson to the Senate, he found
that to elect Stephenson was to ruin his
career by making him stand as the sup
porter Of one of the money barons who
he has been fighting. This being the case.
Stephenson is asking why could not La
Toilette become the only senator at Wash
ington for a couple of years without in
curing this stigma of repaying with a
seat in the Millionaires' Club the men who
furnished the cash to make La Toilette
successful reformer or muckraker
Next week is expected to see no break
in the deadlock. but the other legislative
affairs are progressing well. and 1t is now
proposed to order the committees to report
out ready for passage any measures in
This would clear the decks for an ad-
journment without a solution of the sena-
torial problem.
A Reported Understanding.
Reports are in circulation that an under
standing has been arrived at between Isaac
Stephenson and Representative H. A.
Cooper. which practically withdraws the
latter from the race at any time when 1t
will work to the advantage Of Stephenson.
Mr.. Cooper Is somewhat disgusted with
the situation. If there was anything to be
gained by Cooper's immediate retirement
from the field. he would have withdrawn
from the field during the week, it is as
serted. Today the statement Is made that
Cooper is only in the field at this time be-
cause the Stephenson managers are not as
sured that they will benefit by his with
drawal at this time.
The Hatten, Esch and Lenroot forces
have solicited votes of members supporting
twenty-four hours. This activity has been
SO marked that by some it was predicted
that Cooper's forces would break up at last
nights caucus. The fact that nothing did
happen Is cited as proof that the Stephen
son men are not sure of their ground.
Stephenson has been talking plainly about
things to happen in the future. about his
not having been squarely dealt with and
about other matters, fully disclosing his
anger and disposition to get even"
Cooper has become convinced that pos
sibly the best way out OF the muddle. 30
far as the future is concerned. Is to cast
his lot with Stephenson and take his
chances at a more auspicious time. What
the inducements were the fact re-
mains that a number Of his own supporters
are responsible for the reports that Cooper
only waits upon the pleasure and direction
of Stephenson to abandon the field.
The fact that Cooper was angered by an
EFFORT to make him sign the following
pledge aided his determination to with
draw: =
II hereby promise and declare that /
will. In case Of my election to the United
States Senate from Wisconsin, most heart
lily support and uphold Senator La Toilette,
In his work. endeavor and political effort
both in Washington and within the stats
as we'll" ~