Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-28
FIRST / ak Of
.0H|OCAMPA|GN
BY .LAF0L.l..ETTE
Senator Opening Presiden-
tial Fight Praises Wis
consin Laws; Says They
are Is Years Ahead.

Youngstown, O., Dec. 27-In a tradi-
tional stronghold Of political conserva-
tives Senator Robert M. LaFollette. of
Wisconsin, opened here today his cam
paign as prospective presidential
standard bearer Of the progressive re-
|publicans. A MONDAY meeting was at
tended by business men who listened
attentively. l.r,.a .
Frequent bursts of approval inter-
rupted the senator who described what
the progressives stood for and what
the progressive movement had done
in Wisconsin.
The senator's first appearance on the
stage of the theater was the occasion
Of the first outbreak. His first words
were uttered as he drew the speakers
table nearer to the edge Of the plat
form. II want to get closer to you
he said. "The initiative, referendum
and recall was explained by the SEN
ator at great length, the latter, he de-
clared, he would extend to the judici-
ary, and everywhere. e..
What are we here for?" he said,
when so many men attend MONDAY
meeting of so distinctly a political
character, months before an election?
The question is not one OF railroad
rates, nor tariff, nor one Of national
currency, but it is question whether
there is force stronger than the
American people. Can the people of
the United States after more than a
hundred years of trial, control their
own government" 81
81 n
short because of the theater being
needed for matinee performance,
and at 2:30 o'clock he left for Cleve-
land, where he speaks tonight. While
here he was in conference with John
D. Fackler of Cleveland, who Is IN
charge of the LaFollette headquarters
Lat Columbus, and Judge r. M. sWana-
maker OF Akrb IN 10 discussion OF
the conference would be entertained by
any of the parties thereto.
Calls II Peoples Movement
LaFollette declared that the pro-
gressive movement is peoples move
ment, q peoples cause, and that 1t took
root In the granger movement of the
northwest asserting that to-day the
Justice, the wisdom. the economic
which the progressive movement gave
being has conquered opposition and
compelled the approval OF every Ameri.
can community.
Is Wisconsin Laws Praised.
"The nation has profted by Wiscon-
sins civic evolution, Mr.. LaFollette
declared, and continued:
'It is not claimed for the progress
sive view In Wisconsin that 1t has at
tanned it's final destiny, that 1t has set
tied all the questions that vex and
trouble thoughtful people everywhere
and cause unrest, but we do know that
we have achieved certain things. We
know that government has been made
representative representative.
1--WE. do know that the dire and
awful predictions which alarmed
honest men In Wisconsin have proven
false; that capital has not fed ont OF
the state, but is more secure than
elsewhere: that state banks. subject
to state regulation, are safe and fail
ure is unknown; that the street car,
the interurban, the gas, electric light
and water rates are undergoing regu-
lation and reduction, and yet, because
we have stability, the bonds OF all
public utilities are selling higher in the
markets than those of other states;
that railroad rates have been reduced,
the services regulated, the complaints
of shippers adjusted, and yet the rail-
roads Of Wisconsin are more prosper
ous than in other states because OF
the sense of security that prevails
everywhere and every producer, every
manufacturer knows that his competi-
tor within the scope Of state regulation
enjoys no secret favor or advantage.
state is Years Ahead Of Sisters.
"The old feeling of class antagon-
ism and distrust is fast giving place
to peace, confidence and prosperity. 1t
was clearly understood at the outset
that we were entering on a new era;
that wonderful Industrial development
of the country had outgrown our
statutes and legislation; that the prob
lens were complex and intricate In a
high degree ard that they required
profound study and research and the
application Of the best expert know.
ledge available.
"Whatever success we have attained
in Wisconsin throughout the enactment
Of wise. conservative statutes, has
been the result of clear and definite
comprehension of the Importance Of
the work as affecting. not only the ma
teriaI interests of the state but the
sociological welfare Of the people, In
the broadcast application of that term.
"The conditions which prevailed in
government and business in Wisconsin
fifteen pears ago. are those which the
people in most states and in the ma
ton are facing today.
gs f-------- q ~ "
Mason City Man Bound Over.
Mason City. Dec. 27.-Maro MyuS-