Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-05-02
Growing Triumph of His Career

The succeeding nglt was the hottest
in the history of Wisconsin politics.
The two senator's, of whom the re-
doubtable Spooner was one, were
strong enough to have the La Toilette
delegation thrown out of the national
convention. He went back to 'Wiscon-
sin. began vigorous campaign. won
his case in the courts for the legality
of his ticket and was elected over all
competitors by an Overwhelming plu
rality. 1t was the browning triumph of
his career. He was then chosen to the
senate, but refused to resign the gov
ernorship until all of his measures had
been enacted into law. The fight had
been going, on for more than ten years.
but he had won at every point. With
his legislative programme he laid down
the reins as governor of Wisconsin and
began his career as United States sena-
tor.
As might have been expected. La Fol-
lette was not welcome to the reigning
elmer circle of the upper house. The
| senators from the express companies,
| the railroads. the trusts and the spe-
| ciaf interests had little use for one from
the plain people.
Declined to Be a WalIfIoWer.
| The new man made his pressnce felt.
| however, from the first He declined
to be wallfower. He had no respect
for the precedent that made new SEN
ator serve two years before he could
begin representing his people. He had
not been in his seat long before he pre-
vented the steal of millions of dollars
worth of government coal lands by the
| railroads in Indian Territory. He be-
! gan almost at once fighting for an en-
ployers' liability act, shorter hours fol
| railway employees and physical valua-
ton Of railroads to get rid of the wa
tered stock fraud. He also lent vigor-
GUS support to the rate bill, his speech
being pronounced by students the
abiest of the session. He attacked the
I railway mail graft. Despite the at
tempts of the corporation attorneys in
the senate to haze him, he went his
way and did his work. He showed
himself infinitely larger than all the
tribe of those who pretend to serve the
people while hiring themselves to the
peoples enemies.
4 1t is a matter for supreme thanksgiv
fng that at last the American people
are learning their true friends They
are seeing through the masks of those
who pretend to serve public good. but
In reality serve only private greed
They have seen enough insurance
erookedness, railroad favoritism, brib
cry, double dealing and joker legisla
ton to put them on their guard for
evermore against the Industrial pirate.
and the political grafters. 1t is mer
such as La Toilette who have done
their part toward awakening the pub
lie conscience. -
Robert NJ. La Toilette is one OF thu
great orators now before the public
While he has grace of delivery ant
uses the choicest language. he is littl,
given to classic allusion, byplay o.
Ornamentation. He has keen sens,
Of humor, but uses It sparingly or no
, at all on the platform. He Is all bust
ness there, talks directly and simply t,
his audience and makes appeal only {,
their intelligence and love of right ant
fair play. HIS power lies In the fac
that be knows what he Is TALKING
about and is not trifing. If would b.
orators only knew 1t. these are tn,
, qualities that win men everywhere.
, In the case Of candidacy like tina
Of La Toilette 1t is not question o
his being big enough for the presiden
cy, but rather one of the ability of tn
American people to come to hts stand
ard. 1t is not be that is on trial. bu
the public. Are they big enough to ca
loose from all the fctions and take
real man who means businessf