Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-01-10

side of the story. But Senator Sewyer
was never prosecuted for bribery or
cited for contempt of court and moth
ing was done except to make political
capital for Senator LaFollette so far
as I have been able to understand.
fMy idea of this matter is that Sen
ator LaFollette should have prosecuted
and punished Senator Sawyer for the
criminal act that he alleged, or else
he should have accepted it as
matter growing out of the bIunted
sensibilities of man who had never
had the polish Of education OF an
ethical development.
CANNOT UNDERSTAND ACTION.
I have never felt just right about
Senta tor LaFollette g action in that
case Another thing do not under
stand is why he should so bitterly
condemn Sawyer, and afterward make
an offensive and defensive alliance
with Isaac Stephenson of Wisconsin,
who is exactly the same type Of a man
and certainly not the superior of the
Senator Sawyer
Senator Stephenson, pursuant to
this agreement with Senator LaFol-
lette, started newspapers and other
wise in Senator LaFollettes interest
spent hundreds of thousands of dol
lars It may be said to Senator La
Fullette's credit or otherwise that he
broke with Senator Stephenson as soon
as he landed in the senate.
Some time afterward Senator La
Toilette became candidate for governor
and was successful. His continual
triumphs, 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 all
of this In every campaign Senator
LaFolIette has spoken boldly, has
been potent agitator and has always
landed in place of distinction and
good salary.
HAS OWN INTERESTS AT HEART.
Il have always believed that be
chose to make a profession uf politics.
I have always believed that he had
his interests primarily at heart. And
I have often wondered whether Senator
LaF'Ollette in his brilliant oratorical
and intellectual crusades ever con-
sidered that there is very little moral
distinction between the assault Of a
more powerful mini upon a weaker
one and an unequal combat of physi-
cal arms. -
No man. however, has a right to
read motives into the mind and heart
OF another 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 LaFollettes auto
biography is being published states
that Wisconsin has prospered under
the LaFnllette regime and because of
his many disturbing campaigns. the
facts seem to be that such is not
necessarily the case.
COMPARES PROGRESS OF STATES,
Among other things, the speaker,
in this connection. said that from
1900 to 1910 Wisconsin q percentage of
growth in population decreased from
% 2 per cent to IL per cent; that
during the same decade, from 1900 to
1910, Michigan 9 percentage of growth
increased over the previous decade
from Is. 6 per cent TO Is 1 per cent.
IT do not contend,'' said Gov.
Osborn, to attribute this great fall
ing off in Wisconsin to LaFolletteism.
| do not know how to account for
it." .
The speaker said also that during
this decade, 19OO1O wisconsin
practically reaped crop of one
Socialist congressman, the first in the
United States. and Socialist mayor
of her commercial capital.
In conclusion the Governor said:
hope Senator La Toilette may be
retained in the United States senate
during his entire lifetime. If he is
made president his influence will BIZ
over in eight years, even if he is ell
ected for a second term. If be stays
in the senate he will be on the fight.
ing line for quarter of a century
yet. I do not believe be can be nom.
mated for the presidency. I do not
believe be can be elected if he is nom.
mated.
PLEADS FOR PARTY HARMONY.
If he is really interested in pro.
gressive Republicanism and in the vel.
fare of the Republican party, Ipropnse
that he withdraw as a candidate, join
join me in asking President Taft to
withdraw, and then permit the party
to settle upon Albert ]. Beveridge or