Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-01-04
is that Senator Sawyer tried to bribe
cite. sawyer Controversy.

Cites Sawyer Controversy.
Facts are that Senator Sawyer
gave publicity to the matter before
Senator LaFollette made 1t public.
Senator LaFollette had, however, told
the matter to intimate friends and had
been advised to tell Judge Siebecker
(Senator LaFollette's brotherin.lAw)
and did go. Judge Siebecker refused
to hear the cases and called In another
Judge.
After Senator Sawyer had given
his version OF the matter Senator La
Toilette. then In private life, published
q signed statement of his size OF the
story. But Senator Sawyer was never
prosecuted for bribery or cited for con-
tempt of court and nothing WAS done
except to make political capital for
Senator LaFollelte so far as have
been able to underl and. .,., --ss.t:
my idea of this matter Is that Sen
ator LaFollette should have prosecut-
ed and punished Senator Sawyer for
the criminal act that he alleged, or
else he should have accepted It % .
matter growing out Of the blunted
sensibilities of man who had never
had the polish of education or IN
ethical Development. .s.. I'll. *,
Stephenson Alliance Criticised.
II have never felt just right, about
Senator LaFollette's action In that
case. Another thing I do not under
stand Is why he should 80 bitterly
condemn Sawyer and afterwards
make an offensive and defensive ALI.
ance with Isaac Stephenson OF Wis
consin, who is exactly the same type
Of 4 man and certainly not the super.
Tor of the late Senator Sawyer.
Senator Stephenson pursuant to this
agreement with Senator LaFollette,
started newspapers and otherwise In
Senator LaFollette's interest, spent
hundreds Of thousands Of dollars. It
may be said to Senator LaF'ollette's
credit or otherwise that ne broke witt,
Senator Stephenson as soon as he land
ed In the senate.
LaFolIstts Works for Own Interests.
Sometime afterward Senator La
Toilette became q candidate for gov
ernor and was successful. His continual
triumphs, placing him finally in the
United States senate, are more recent
what have the people gotten out of all
of this? In every campaign Senator
LaFollette has spoken boldly, has been
q potent agitator and has always land
ed in a place of distinction and good
salary.
Il have always believed that he chose
to make a profession OF politics. have
always believed that he had his inter-
ests primarily at heart. And have
often wondered whether Senator La
Toilette In his brilliant oratorical and
intellectual crusades ever considered
that there Is very little moral distinc-
ton between the assault Of q more
powerful mind upon q weaker one and
an unequal combat Of physical arms.
No man, however, has q right to read
motives into the mind and heart Of an
other man. I am entitled to my opinion
and that Is all.
"a comparison Of conditions In
Michigan and Wisconsin would seem to
show that although the magazine in
which Senator LaFollette's autObio-
graphy Is being published states that
Wisconsin has prospered under the
LaFollette regime and because of his
many disturbing campaigns, the facts
seem to be that such 10 not necessarily
the case"
Rsaps Crop Of Socialism.
Among other things Osborne in
this connection said that from 1900 to
1910 Wisconsiil's percentage Of growth
in population decreased from 22.2 per
cent to 1871 per cent, that during the
same decade, from 1SOU TO 1917, Mich.
igan's percentage of growth increased
over the previous decade from 1876 to
1871 per cent.
Il do not contend" said Governor
Osborne, "to attribute this great fall
ing of In Wisconsin to LaFolletteism.
l do not know how to account for It,"
He also said that during this decade,
190O-1910, "Wiscontin practically reap
ed crop Of one socialist congressman,
the first In the United States, and a
socialist mayor of her commercial cap
ita1."
Would Have Him and Taft Quit.
IT hope Senator LaFollette may be
retained In the United States senate
during his entire life time II he is
made president his influence will be
over in years even II he is elected for
a second term II he stays in the senate
he will be on the fighting line for q
quarter Of q century yet. I do not be-
lieve he can be nominated for the pres-
idency. do not believe that he can be
elected II he is nominated
III he is really interested in progress
sive republication and in the welfare
Of the republican party, l propose that
he withdraw as q candidate, Join me
In asking President Taft to withdraw,