Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-03-04
LAF0LLETTE'S PLAIN TALK
ANENI THE SENATORSHIP

When Mr. Stephenson and | (LaFol
lette) served together in Congress
twenty-five years ago his Sturd,
pioneer character won my persona
regard. When the contest came OIL
in Wisconsin decade later Mr.
Stephenson, then identified with the
old political machine. used his money
and influence for six years against The
| reform movement, but that did not
affect our personal relations. Later
when he broke with Payne and Spoon
er and allied himself with the Pro
gresSiyes, believed it was from con-
YictiOn. He aided the cause by his
contributions to campaign expenses
and advanced it by establishing q
newspaper in support of the principles
for which the progressive element in
| the party was contending.
His contributions were, supposed
| freely given and were so accepted and
appreciated. They were at no time
excessive in comparison with the con.
tributions in time, in money and in
sacrifice of business interests, made
by many disinterested men in the
State of. Wisconsin.
A dispatch published in Washington
Feb. II states that Mr.. Stephenson S
paper editorially S Iys: "Nr. Stephen
son, although contributing to Mr..
LaFollette's presidential campaign.
declined the alluring suggestion that
he might be maker of presidents as
| was Mark Hanna"
1t was against nv expressed wish
that Mr.. Stephenson was asked to
contribute to my presidential cam
paign expenses, rs thought if he
| would do SO without solicitation.
The committee, in charge. however,
! considered it proper to make the same
request of him, and to give him the
same opportunity TO contribute, which
| they gave To others, believed to be
! interested.
| When Senator SDooner Unexpectedly
resigned and Mr.. Stephenson became
candidate for the uneXpired term, |
supported him Notwithstanding his
advanced yeats. | did so because
/ believed he was right on, all of the
great public questions, and because L
believed his legislative experience
and business insight equipped him to
serve ont acceptably the unexpired
! term.
I could not have supported him as a
candidate for the slX.yeaT term, even
! though his record of service during
the short term had been perfectly
consistent. l had assured my friends
in the legislature that his promise
under no circumstances to be candi-
! date for the six-year term, could
be absolutely relied upon. Otherwise
they would not have voted for the
election of a man in his seventy-ninth
year, and he could not have been elect
ed for the short term.
Mr.. Stephenson, however, became
candidate to succeed himself, and Sc
cured plurality of The votes at the
primary. This nominated him under
the law. But he was charged with
having violated the statute prohibit
| ing corrupt practices in elections.
! The corrupt practices act applies to
primary elections. Both statutes
must be construed together. The
penalty for certain violations of the
corrupt practices act is disqualified
tion to bold the office. Evidently.
disqualifying charges when formerly
made, shouldsbe investigated before
electing the candidate. If the charges
in this instance are not proven, every
Republican member of the legislature
| is bound to vote for Stephenson.