The Washington times., 1908-10-02
Managers Say Senator's
Speech Influenced $4,000
Votes for Judge Taft.
HOPE
FOR AID OF RADICALS
Estimates Are Made That Repub-
lican Candidate Will Garry State
by $4,000 to 10000.
By JOHN SNURE.

MILWAUKEE, Wis, Oct. 40 a re-
markable degree. the political situation
in Wisconsin ana the question OF what
Wisconsin is going 10 do in the cam
paign Of this year centers around
certain combative parsonage with POM
padOUr hair who unites a dimtnUtive
physique with a fighting disposition
1t Is hardly needfuI TO state that this
individual IS Senator Robert Martin La
Toilette.
In a situation badly tangled with fac
Ionalism and In which there are puz-
cling currents and cross currents, Sena-
tor La Follette's influence in the Wis
consin campaign IS the greatest puzzle
Of all
Senator La Toilette has already come
out for Judge Taft and in his recent
speech Of introduction warmly Endorsed
the Republican candidate. The Ques-
ton is not what Senator La Fouette's
personal attitude viii be but how far
his position in favor Of Judge Taft will
influence the La Toilette following IN
Wisconsin. Familiarity known as the
half-breeds. The Republican State cam
paisn managers say La Fouette's speech
of Introduction for Taft added ., 900
votes 10 the Republican Presidential
ticket in the State.
Democrats Do Not Deny.
The Democratic managers do not deny
that some strength has been given
Judge Taft by the course Of La Toilette,
but they insist there viii be g large
part OF the half-breed strength that viii
not be led by La Toilette. and that VIII
vote for Bryan. The Democrats are en-
cOuraging the talk that La Toilette at
heart is for Bryan and they point out
that the course which La Toilette Wi
take in this struggle is likely to help
the Nebraskan as much or more than
It VIII aid the Ohioan. This course, as
1t IS well understood. Will be TO criticise
the Republican national platform in
number Of particulars. but to praise
Judge Taft As evidence that Senator
La Toilette cannot lead his followers or
drive them to vote for some man other
than himself the Democrats cite the
fact that IN the recent Senatorial cam
Iaigu La Toilette supported W II. Hat
ton, Of New London. but HattOn was
badly beaten and Senator Stephenson
WIS reuominaJed. despite the feud now
on between the aged millionaire and his
colleague.
Democrats Take Hope.
From this, the Democrats reason that
Senator La Toilette cannot get all his
faction TO support the Republican Presi-
dental ticket. The disposition OF this
faction 10 balk was prompted by the
action OF the Chicago convention IN re
jecting planks strongly advocated by
the Wisconsin delegation Judge Taft
was not responsible for such rejection,
but the fact remains that many Of the
half-breeds resented the conventions
action and some Of them are likely 10
continue sullen until the election IS
past.
The most careful analysis OF the wis
oonsin situation leads 10 the conclusion
that It Will be carried by Taft and
sherman by a reduced plurality. This
plurality, IS estimated by the bcst-in-
formed, ranges from $1,000 10 1900.
Only a land slide can turn the State 70
Bryan. and while there are many indi-
cations that President ROoseveIts
enormous plurality Of $4,000 will not be
reached, there is no reason TO believe
an upheava. is TO be anticipated, even
remotely. Mr. Bryan was defeated IN
Wisconsin in 1896 by 10000 and in 1900
by 10000. The Republican plurality in
the last State election was $1,000. an
extremely light vote being poIled.
Bryan is seemingly stronger in the
state than ne was in prior campaigns.
and there need be no surprise II he cuts