The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1910-12-30

which demonstrated the strength OF
the insurgent sentiment turnout the
country, has given the progressive n
ators and representatives a much
stronger strategic position in national
councils than they held before. In all
estimates Of what congress may do the
attitude Of the insurgents is always can
yassed with a good deal Of interest and
their acknowledged leaders in the SEN
ate, Cummins and LaFollette, find
themselves more sought after than they
were at the last session. A great deal
OF interest has been manifested in Sen
ator LaFollette's future. Word has
come TO Washington that there is a
possibility that the senator may strike
a snag when the legislature assemblies
on the second Tuesday in January and
takes up the question Of electing his
successor. Il appears that LaFollette
has 70 votes in the legislature and that
he needs but 81, but some Of the po-
litical forecasters have figured that if
the social democrats and the standpat-
ters should unite against him, they
would be able to encompass his defeat.
Whether there is any organized move
ment to carry out such a plan, Wash
ington does not profess to know, but
inasmuch as the claim is made that
Senator LaFollette has always owed his
strength in a large degree to demo
cratic support, it may be that he would
be just as likely 10 win democratic
votes in the Legislature as to suffer by
such a coalition in opposition to him.
The results Of letting the people rule
have been somewhat interesting in
Wisconsin, and long distance observers
are keeping an eye on that state with
the idea that the political evolution
which has been in progress there may
teach some valuable lessons. One re-
suit has been the election Of two sena-
tors who do not agree on anything,
and who never make any effort to do
so. Senator LaFollette hews his own
path, and has gone so far as to decline
to visit the white house even when
the president has requested him to do
so for consultation. Last year the SEN
ator declined to ask for anything in the
public buildings bill. Senator Stephen
son was not so modest, and he secured
appropriations for three public build
ings. Just now there is an interesting
contest on for the postmastership at
Madison. This being Senator LaFol-
lette's home city, the postmastership
according to recognized custom should
be disposed Of in accordance with the
wishes Of the senator. There are three
candidates in the field for the Office
named, if not more.
Congressman John M. Nelson, who
halls from Madison, is a LaFollette
man. Whatever he does will undoubt-
edly be with the approval, if not the
advice, OF Senator LaFollette. These
conditions unite to invest the postmas-
tership at Madison with considerable
interest. Senator LaFollette finally in
Dictated his choice to the president at
the %latter's request and probably his
man will be named. 1t is remarked
that President Taft seems to be de-
sirous Of winning over the Wisconsin
mans support.
All federal patronage in Wisconsin
was long held up. President Taft on
December IS SEN to the senate the
name of G. Edward Schulz to be col
lector Of the port Of Milwaukee. Schulz
recommended by LaFollette a year
ago, but at that time his appointment
was not favored by the president. 1t
might apper that the senior senator has
after all, but it seems that
the appointment was not due to Sena-
tor LaFollette's championship, but be-
cause the German population got be-
hind Schulz, who was recommended
in addition by every Lutheran minister
and the leading organ Of that denom-
nation.