The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-05
HEDGES IS Held ENDS IN SUICIDE MENTAL TROUBLE
LaFOlIette's Collapse Is De-
cIared to Be Serious.
BristOw's Explanation of Sena-
tors Philadelphia Speech.

Washington, Feb 5.-While no an
nouncement has come from the LaFol-
Iette headquarters that the nervous
breakdown of the Wisconsin senator
has eliminated him from the race for
the presidential nomination, yet nearly
all of Senator LaFollette's friends tao
lily admit that it would be suicidal for
him to attempt to keep up the fight
Some of his friends, including Senator
Bristow. whose loyalty to LaFollette
cannot be questioned. are advising that
he go abroad Immediately for a COM
plete rest.
It is believed that the progressive
candidates condition is much more
serious than is generally supposed.
Senator Bristow, who was at the Phil
ade1phia dinner last Friday night and
heard Senator LaFollette's address, is
confident that there has been an al
most complete mental breakdown on
the part of LaFollette.
Senator Bristow attributes Senator
LaFollette's mental collapse to a SER
les of circumstances starting with the
operation to which he submitted at
Rochester, Mimi, more than a year
ago Senator Bristow, who attended
the publishers dinner, was shocked at
the Wisconsin senator's utterances. Mr.
Bristow discussed LaFollette's condi-
tion with Walter L. Hauser. who is di-
recting the LaFollette campaign from
Washington; Senator Clamp and other
result of their conferences Mr. Hau-
ser announced that Senator IaFol-
lette would cancel all of his speaking
Engagements
The understanding is that the Wis
conS1n senator has been directed by his
physician to leave Washington at once
for prolonged period of rest. This it
is said, he had agreed to do
What BristOw says
Senator LaFolIette's mental and
<.r,1 Il
his friends have expected and have
warned him against" Senator Bristow
said. He has been burning the can
die at both ends and is now paying
the penalty for his indiscretion His
trouble goes back to an opera ton for
gallstones a year ago last fall. That
was severe enough to kill the average
man, but IaFolletteS rugged cOnSts-
tuition pulled him through. When he
left the hospital his physician insisted
that he take a vacation of at least six
months. Instead of doing that he re-
turned to Washington and plunged
into the work of the session of con
gress which had just opened. When he
addressed the senate in the Lorimer
case he was on the verge of physical
collapse; in fact, hardly had sufficient
to stand at his desk. When
congress adjourned he remained In
Washington at work and later began
the preparation of his autobiography
for a magazine. Then came his cam
paign for president and another ses-
sion of congress"
How win Senator LaFolIette's i'll
ness affect his candidacy for presi-
dent?'' Senator BristoW was asked.
Il know of no reason why it should
have any affect on it at ALL he re-
Piled t.LaFollette certainly will not
retire from the contest. Why should
he? He stands for certain principles
and his following viii not permit him
to retire. I feel sure. however, that
he is not considering such a thing
Senator LaFollette is at his resi-
denee. It was said by some of his
close friends that he does not realize