The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-11-28
WATCH STAND OF STlL NARTS
Conservatives Among Wisconsin Re
publicans May Hold the Balance Of
Power in Big Battle for Supremacy
Between Governor and Senator.

There is no longer any question that
there is to be a political war to the
knife in this state between United
States Senator Robert M. LaFollette
and Gov. +. f. McGovern. The lines
Of the battle are practically drawn
and it is well known now hat the gov
ernor is never to be United States sen
ator from this state with the consent
of the senator. In fact, it is likely
the senator will even go SO far IN the
primary campaign two years hence as
to make stumping tour Of this state
to prevent the governor from succeed
ing to the goal of his ambition, which
Is q seat in the United States senate.
The senator has time and again pub
Ideally said in the speeches he has
made in the recent campaign advocat-
ing the reelection of Gov. McGovern
at this time that there woule he time
for punishment later AMI from The
preparations that Mr.. LaIrollette IS al
ready making to participate in the
next primary election fight in Wiscon-
sin it is plain to be seen that, although
he considered the reelection Of Gov.
McGovern at this time necessity to
the progressive cause, he also consid-
ors that with his term as governor
ended the value of Gov McGovern to
the progressive cause las ceased and
he should be retired to private life.
What is more, it begins to look as if
the senator intended TO be far more
than passive figure in attempting to
make this retirement possible. In
fact, the senator is already showing
an active interest in the 1914 soma
toriaI primary and is making very
precise plans as to how his following
shall organize for that contest.
On the other hand, Gov. McGovern is
not keeping still. He fully appreciates
tbe feelings that Senator LaFollcrte
entertains toward him, as he showed
in his statement to the papers the
other evening in which he plainly de-
clared that he considered as unwar-
ranted the criticisms of Senator La
Toilette Of him during the campaign
because of the action of Gov. MeGov-
ern in being a candidate for temporary
chairman Of ;he republican national
convention. That the articles of Sen
ator LaFolletse in his paper were not
to the liking Of the governor was very
plainly shown in his statement. AS a
political move, however, the statement
Of the governor is merely added fuel
to the fire of opposition which is felt
towards him by the senator. The sen.
ator and the governor have come to a
permanent parting Of the ways aud
both fully recognize the fact.
One of the questions which is arts.
ing as regards this coming NcGovern.
LaFollette contest is as to where the
conservative republican vote will GO
in such contest. Although it is said
that this vote is but very small pro.
portion of the total vote of the state
and when it comes to an election does
not cut much of figure, it is also
equally certain that it is a pretty com.
pact vote, which probably minds an
organization call as closely as any
vote in the state. In primary cleo.
tion compact vote of this kind, il
only 1900 or 10000 strong, which i
probably about the reliable strength
of the vote which follows under ali
circumstances the stalwart leadership
would cut some figure This vote has
at all times hated both Senator La
Toilette and Gov. MeGovern. The near
est its leaders have ever come to say
ing anything very kind Of either was
in the recent election when some slight
words of commentator were at times
heard of Senator LaFollette because be
did not espouse the bull moose cause
This stalwart vote has not sufficient
strength to bring out any candidate OF
its owr with any hope of securing his
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