Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-02-14
LAFOLLETTE MAY NOW
WITHDRAW FROM RACE
Serious Illness VIII Compel
Long Rest is the Report.
Many Who Were Supposed to be His
Strongest Supporters Have Rushed
Into the Roosevelt Boom.


opinion here but just how abrupt will
be his withdrawal is a question. His
name may even go before the national
convention but aggressive work in his
behalf has practically been suspended.
His immediate friends say this is
mere suspension of activity caused by
a breakdown in the senator's health.
There is talk of trip to the Mediter-
ranean or some oGher outing to restore
the Wisconsin mans health but his
Remittance into the campaign is
heartily expected,
Part of the LaFollette buom has
already been shifted to Roosevelt
AS soon SIS the senator's indisposition
became known Medill Mccormick, of
the campaign committee Of the IL
linois LaFollette committee. wired
the Illinois Republican league in
Chicago to swing to Roosevelt, but
Mccormick is one of the publishers of
the Chicago Tribune. which has been
whooping it up for Roosevelt for some
time, and his loyalty to LaFollette
has been doubted, though he was one
of the senator closest attendants on
the latter's recent tour through H.
linois
LaFollette S withdrawal will vastly
increase the sentiment for Roosevelt
and make the Republican campaign
square duel between Taft and Roose-
velt. The President friends are not
overly pleased to see the opposition
concentrated. Many progressives have
urged LaFollette to come out himself
for Roosevelt but this he refuses to do,
and nominally his campaign is still
on.
The senator finds, it necessary to
take a few weeks rest. !" is the STAGE
ment of W. L Houser, his campaign
manager.
Roosevelt boomers say the LaFol-
lette movement in Ohio, has been
brought to an abrupt term ination and
the men associated with it now will
support Roosevelt. What is true of
Ohio, they say, is true also of Cali
fornia, and is expected to apply in
Kansas, Nebraska, and other states
especially those in which there is a
presidential primary.
In North Dakota. with LaFollette
eliminated, an overwhelming victory
for the former president is predicted
in the primaries to be held arch II.
LaFollette May Not Follow The Colonel
Washington. Feb. 6.-Senator La
Toilette, although urged by many Of
his supporters to join the Roosevelt
movement, refuses to do so and virtual
" says that Roosevelt promised not TO
be a candidate. He is quoted here
as saying:
II have been the standard bearer Of
principles not of individuals; no pos
sibla change in circumstances can
change the great issues for which I
have fought, and will continue to
fight [ can enlist in the ranks of
no man unless he adopts publicly, in
binding terms, the true principles of
progressive government by the
people.
Mir LaFOllette' attitude was m8de
: known in this statement given out to-
day
AS a progressive leader of proved
ability, Senator LaFollette was drafted
as leader Of the fight to be made at
Chicago; drafted at time when the
leadership was thought to mean
certain defeat. Col. Roosevelt at that
time positively eliminated himself
from the 1912 fight, and his followers
for the most part being also sincere
admirers Ex-senator LaFollette, pledg-
ed themselves to the latter.
"LaFollette claims that before con.
senting to make the fight, he had
every assurance from Col. Roosevelt
that the latter would not under any
conditions be a candidate in 1912
La Toilette started his fight at a time
when the prospects for preventing the
denomination Of President Taft was
ridiculously small.
As the movement grew, and The
indications Of possible progressive
strength developed the Roosevelt boom
was launched.
The crisis was reached when
many of those who pledged
themselves to LaFollettes support,
hut who is reality preferred Roose-
Welt, announced the discovery that
LaFollette could not win and that the
nation was demanding Roosevelt. ;"
ROoseveIfs Declaration.
New York, Feb. 8. IT don't be