Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-04-09
IT'S PRIDE FOR
HOME AND STATE
LaF0Ilete Loved and Feared---
Forced his way to Front Des-
pite Opposition
(By c. Edmonde LaVigne.l

tBy c. Edmonde LaVigne.l
WASHINGTON, d. C.-Grand Rapids
is my home; good old Wisconsin is my
native state. But | have been Separ-
ated from the base, cast adrift in the
nations capitol, very minor person
in very minor civil-sefvice position.
That's personal history begging your
pardon.
Our grand old republican party is
in control. Southern democrats,
Badger democrats, other democrats,
and niggers are being given the pro-
motions and all the best chances dis
tributed around me under civil service
and, more particularly, in spite of
civil service. Details are at hand for
your information upon request. That
is political fact-frankly submitted.
There is Just one sustaining senti-
ment left. There remains one tender
connection to bolster up the courage,
keep the hand steady, and bid me
stick to my submarine craft rather
than jump overheard. That helpful
agent springs from the elementary
proposition upon which the American
Constitution was framed. 1t rests in
the same settled rule of action that
has made it possible for great nations
to prosper and endure. 1t is found in
the Fundamental tenet of world
growth-that every poor plodding
human must 60 on doing his best, no
matter how unfair the odds, just be-
cause of simple, loyal pride for his
home and his State. That's patriot
ism.
When Hon John G. Spooner repre-
sented the state of Wisconsin in the
United State senate it was no mans !
shame to point him out to the gather
ings here from all sections as 'our
senator" 1t was rather an oppor-
tunity to swell up, stand erect, push |
out the chest, and strut like a peacock
with all tail feathers famed to reflect |
the versatile colors of the illustrious
Badger. Mr.. Spooner cast a die in
congress that few men in our country
today can hope to equal When he
prepared to speak in the senate the
made advance announce
ments, the chamber filled with atten-
tive listeners, the galleries were
packed, the press gave generous ac-
counts, and the country generally ap-
plaudec And the Wisconsin bunch I
in Washington glittered and gloried
in their little jobs because of pride
for Spooner, for home and for State.
Once upon time it was the writer's |
privilege to find himself in the
August presence of Senator Spooner's
secretary. During the conversation
we made mention of the fact that all
the newspapers at that moment and
the magazines over the country were
filled with highly plimentary para
graphs and articles about Mr.. SpooneT.
"Yes," said the secretary, in bored
and disgusted tone. 'they are all full
of the slush at present" Oh, slush!
Right here we want to 60 to prayer
meeting with Mr.. E. Pinkley in order
to keep out of temptations way.
'This is the first time you have been
to prayer meeting in powerful long
WHILE" said the pastor of colored
congregation.
81 had to come," replied Mr.. Eras-
tus Pinkley. l needs strength min.
Use got job whitewashin' chicken
coop an buildin' fence around
watermelon patch" So now we can
put fence around the secretary hop
ing he will never be worried by news
paper praise and slush of greatness
Admitting that Spooner is out and
this reference to him is of ancient
vintage, it has been rehearsed never
theless because it is true and for pur-
poses of comparison, because it is
equally true that
Today.W wisconsin does not lack in
high-class representation on the floor
of the senate. Its senior member,
like the druggists medicine, seems
conceded by public acclaim to be ''just
as good" At the very outset OF his
senatorial career LaFollette has filled
the Spooner shoes. He commands the
same quality of print, the same atten-
tion from the people if not more, and
the same applause. He continues to
keep the standard of ability and
prominence where it was put: Wiscon-
sin still stands proudly to the fore
front in our country's greatest legisla-
tive body.
| All you who are interested in public
affairs have no doubt read and rel read
full accounts of Mr.. LaFollette's
great speeches lately ON the Aldrich
currency bill 1t is enough to repeat
that it was Spooner setting for La
Toilette showing, In Washington it
has proven the finishing demOnstra-
tion that our senior senator has