The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-02
To Retire in Favor of BeveridgC
or Roosevelt.
is FOR THEINCUMBENT
And Does Not Believe the Sena-
tor Can Be Elected.
Mingles Severe Criticism With
Mild Sort of Praise.

E Osborn in a statement here today
proposes that President Taft and Sem
ator LaFollette both withdraw az
presidential candidates in favor OF
Theodore Roosevelt or Albert j. Bev-
eridge. The governor had prepared a
speech to this effect to be delivered
in introducing Senator LaFollette. In
view of the fact that the senator miss
ed his train this morning. Governor
Osborn authorized the use OF the
speech as a statement OF his views.
Governor Osborn added:
LAS between Taft and LaFollette,
am for Taft"
Governor Osborn criticised Senator
LaFollette as having taken up those
things which might be termed popular
that contained the least danger to
himself" and frankly said that he did
not believe Senator LaFollette can be
nominated for the presidency or elect
ed If nominated. Governor Osborn
further said:
"The Senator LaFollette style Of
campaign tends to arouse the passions
of the people and make for a con1i-
ton of public intolerance which IS al
ways worse than personal or individual
intolerance because It has so much
more might as a force.
I'm Senator LaFOllettCs speeches
and writings-and in this connection
let me say that I have taken and en-
joyed LaFollette's Weekly and I am
he distinguishes between honest men
in big business and dishonest men,
1--WE have got to have big business
in this country If we are to compete
in the manufactures and transactiona
of the world. But big business should
not be permitted to oppress tho Eco
pie
His Work in Wisconsin.
'T have noticed also that while Sem
ator LaFollette did great work In rid
ding Wisconsin of corruption and
railroad domination, he has never said
anything against brewery domination
in that state Really, as between the
two I should prefer railroad domina-
ton. However. it was good politics TO
fight the railroads in Wisconsin. but Il
would not have gotten Senator 7-aFol-
lette anywhere probably IL ne had
fought the brewery saloons.
What I wish to make clear about
this statement is that the senator has
taken ND those things which might be
least danger to himself. Now this may
be entirely unfair, but I have thought
it and do think it still and wish to
say it to you and to kim face 70 faceF In
beginning his remarks Governor Os-
horn said:
Il have known Senator I.aFollette
and of him for 30 years. or ever since
he made his fight for district attorney
of Dane county against the machine or
Boss Keyes. I have followed his ca
reer always with interest and with
varying degrees of admiration and ap-
fright here let me state so that
there can be no misunderstanding about
1t that If he is nominated for presi-
dent (Which at this moment I hope
he will not be) I will give him my
earnest and active support and VIII
request my friends everywhere to sup
port him with earnestness and devo-
ton"
suits brought some years ago in Wis
consin by the Democrat admlntstra-
tion against previous Republican treas
which had not been turned over 20
the state.
The case of sawyer.
Senator Philetus Sawyer" said GOV
ernor Osborn, had signed the bono1
of one delinquent treasurer or InO y
Statement is made that he stooc 10
lose several hundred Thousands OF ooi-
lars If the state won. The story -
that he offered to retain Senator -
toilette as an attorney IN the caser-
senator I.aFollette's story Is that SEN
atOr Sawyer tried to bribe MIN. Bus
Senator Sawyer was never prosecuted
for bribery or cited for contempt or
court and nothing was done except 70
noalre noIitical capital for Senator La
toilette so far as nave oeeh apie "
understand -. g.
my idea of this matter is that SEN
a+or TaFolIette should have prosecuted
and punished Senator Sawyer for the
criminal act that he alleged, or else
he should have accepted Il as matter
growine, out of the blunted sensibinties
of 4 man who had never had the polish
of education or an ethical development
..Sana+or Isaac -stephenson pursuant
to This agreement with Senator LaFol~
lette started newspapers and otherwise
in Senator I.aFollette's interest spent
hundreds Of thousands of dollars. lt
NAV be said TO Senator LaFollette's
credit or otherwise that he broke With
Senator Stephenson as soon as ne
landed in the senate.
sSometime afterward Senator LaFol-
lette became a candidate for governor
and was successful. His continual tri-
umphs placing him finally in the United
states senate are more recent history
and familiar to you all. But what have
the people gotten out Of al thisf IN
every campaign Senator LaFollette has
snolten boldly. has been a potent agi-
tator and has always landed In place
of distinction and good salary
Politics His Profession.
Il have always believed that he chose
to make a profession Of politics.
have always believed that he had his
interests primarily at heart. And
have often wondered whether Senator
IaFoIlette in his brilliant oratoricai
and intellectual crusades ever consio-
cred that there is very little moral dis
tfnctfon between the assault OF more
powerful mind upon weaker one and
an equal combat Of physical arms. No
man. however. has right to read mo-
tives into the mind and heart or an
other man. ] am entitled to my opl7-
49,. that a all