Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-01-10
GOVERNOR OSBORN'S
VIEW OF LA TOILETTE
AS Expressed in Intended Speech
of Introduction.
Michigan's Chief Executive Created the
Leading Political Sensation of
the Past Week.


statement made public here today.
Gov. Chase Osborn suggests that in
the interest of harmony in the Re-
publican party, both President Taft
and Senator LaFollette withdraw
from the 1919 presidential contest in
favor of Theodore Roosevelt or ex
Senator Beverage.
The governors statement" was
intended to be his speech of welcome
to Senator LaFoIlette at Lansing,
but when the senator sent word that
he had missed train and would be
unable to keep his Lansing engage
ment. Gov Osborn authorized che use
of the speech as a statement of his
views regarding the presidential con-
test and the candidates.
RATHER TAFT THAN LA TOILETTE.
las between Taft and La Fol-
lette, the statement continues. ''I
am for Taft. -
This suggestion was mads after
Gov Osborn had 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
elected if nominated.
Gov. Osborn further said
The Senator LaFollette style of
campaign tends to arouse the passions
of the people and make for a condi-
tion of public intolerance. which is
always worse than personal or in
dividual intolerance because it has
SO much more might as force.
In Senator LaFolIette's speeches
and writings-and in this connection
let me say that have taken and en-
joyed LaFollettes Weekly, and T. am
subscriber to it now-I do not think
he distinguishes between honest men
in big business and dishonest men.
We have got to have big business
in this country if we are to compste
in the manufacturing and transactions
of the world. But big business should
not be permitted to Cypress the people.
ADMIRED LAFoLLETTE's CAREER
1T is entirely proper for me to be
here this afternoon to welcome a
senator of the United States to
Michigan, and one who is so much in
the public eye and seeks the public
favor at this time. I wish to state
in addition that it is pleasing to ne
personally to be here. I have known
Senator LaFollette and of him for
thirty years, or ever since he made
his fight for attorney of Dane county
against the machine of Boss Reyes.
I have followed his career always
with admiration and approval. Never
have I discovered in my mind a single
thought of what might be interpreted
as condemnation Most of my ap-
probation of him grows out of de-
tense of him on my part at every time
| have heard him criticised. 1 have
always believed him to be entirely
honest and believe he is honest now.
WILL BACK HIM IF NOMINATED.
fright here let me state. so that
there can be no misunderstanding
about it, that If he is nominated for
president (Which at this moment
hope he will not be- I will give him
any earnest and active support and
will request my friends everywhere
to support him with earnestness and
devotion.
Gov. Osborn referred to- suits
brought some years ago in Wisconsin
by the Democratic administration
against previous Republican treasurers
for interest on state deposits which
had not been turned over to the state
''Senator Philetus Sawyer" said
Gov. Osborn had signed the bonds of
one delinquent treasurer or more.
Statement is made that he stood to
lose several hundred thousands of dol
lars if the state won. The. story is
that he offered to retain Senator La.
Toilette as an attorney in the cases.
Senator LaFollette's story is that
Senator Sawyer tried to bride him.
THE SAWYER CONTROVERSY.
Facts are that Senator Sawyer
gave publicity to the matter before
Senator LaFollette made it public.
Senator LaFollette. had, however,
told the matter to intimate friends
and had been advised to tell Judge
Siebecker Senator LaFollette's
brother-in law and did, so. Judge
Siebceker refused to hear the cases
and called in another judge.
"After Senator Sawyer had given
Mo varsion of tho mott.r Sanotor