Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-06-18
TALK POLITICS
IN LEGISLATURE
WcGOFarH Appears to Be Most
lHtare ii 8 Topic.
is PICTURED IN NEW ROLES

One Theory Is That He May &c .
Candidate for Third Term AS Gov.
ernor-is Telling No One, However,
About His Program-Liquor Inter.
ests in the Legislature.
Madison, Wis, June lO.-(Special.)
Members Of the Wisconsin Iegisla-
ture are again talking politics. The
charge has been made that they have
spent most Of the time Of the session
doing that and Killing saloon bills,
but in view OF the fact that the house
is about ready to adjourn, and the
senate seems disposed to hurry legis-
lation, the allegation is hardly justi-
| fed
Governor McGovern appears to be
the most interesting figure in the
speculation that is going on among
the legislators. 1t has generally been
accepted that the governor would be
candidate for the United States SEN
| ate to succeed Isaac Stephenson, but
recent speculation has brought out
new angles picturing the governor in
new roles.
May Run for Third Term.
One theory is that he may run for
a third term as governor. Argument
along this line is that Mr.. MeGovern
feels that by reason of his defeat in
the Ekern case his chances for cleo
ton to the senate have been serious
ly injured Because he has managed
to stick pretty close to the platform
of the Republican party and because
his record as governor is still Of
high character and because he
has an attractive issue in the mar
keting commission idea to improve
agricultural conditions and reduce the
high cost of living, it is contended
that he may confine his political ac-
tivities to reelection as governor.
In the event that this is a correct
line Of speculation, the question
arises IS to whether he would run as
Bull Moose candidate or whether he
would attempt TO remain within the
ranks of the regular Republican par
ty In the state. The fact that HIS
candidacy for any office will meet
with the opposition of the La Toilette
forces, makes It certain that if he
runs for the goyernorship or the SEN
atorship he will be forced to cam
paign under Bull Moose colors.
Attorney in Milwaukee.
Another interesting theory touching
cpon the future plans of Mr.. Meow
ern features him in the role of an at
torney back In Milwaukee. 1t has
been limited that the governor at the
expiration of his present term will re-
tire with a view of running for the
senatorship against Senator La Fol-
lette. In all OF his political contests
in the past. the governor has had the
support of Senator La Toilette That
support, particularly in the last gu
bernatorial campaign. was a decided
ly important factor. The governor is
clever politician and doubtless fully
appreciates his position. He may
have reached the frame of mind
where he feels that IL he has to fight
the current of opposition caused by
Senator La Toilette, that he might
just as well do it in a contest which
will bring him into the field as an OPP
ponent of the senator.
Then, too, the governor may be
considering the possibility that in
1916. Senator La Toilette may be the
Republican candidate for president
In the event of such a development,
he would go into contest with less
danger of defeat, perhaps, than he
would face in a contest Tor the SEN
atorship within two years against
some strong La Toilette man
Governor McGovern, however. is
not telling anyone about his program
for the future.
Lieutenant Governor Morris is ex-
pected to make a formal announce
ment of his candidacy for the gov
ernorship or the senatorship within
short time. The best information
is that he viii be the La Toilette
candidate to succeed Senator Ste !
phenson
Liquor interests In Legislature.
To one who views current events in !
the legislature from an impartial
viewpoint, it appears as though the
liquor interests are about to over I
step themselves. and that reaction 1
viii follow which may change the as /,
pect of anti-saloon legislation in years I
to come in this state. Flushed by ,
their own success, the agents who /
have been here as representatives of ,
the liquor interests, have become so
active that members of the senate !,
have already charged that the legis-
lature is controlled and dominated by
the brewers of the state.
The debate became particularly
sharp when the Ackley bill which
wiped out q portion OF the so-caned
Baker law relating to the granting
and transferring of saloon licenses
was UP for consideration In the sen
ate. Senator Skogmo limited that be
cause of the domination Of the liquor
interests that two years hence some
of the men who are now willing 4
champion the cause of the brewers
may find themselves retired to pri.
r,Rs, lsF. Z