River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-05-22
AFTERMATH OF
HARMONY FEAST
Republican Meeting Has As
SumGd National Significance.
LEkROOT MAKES PREDICTION

says WITHIN Year Convention VIII
Be Called for the Purpose Of Reor.
eanzing the Party-Lesislature and
the State University - McGovern's
Marketing BiII-Notes.
Madison, Wis, May 20.-(SpeciaD
The Republican harmony dinner
held at the university gymnasium has
assumed national significance Many
are inclined to regard the address of
Congressman Irvine Lenroot as a mes
sage from Senator LaFollette. While
Mr.. Lenroot failed to mention the
senator as the national standard bear.
er in 1916, he dropped suggestion
which may amount to the program of
the progressive Republicans of the
La Toilette wing as to the organiza-
ton of the party for the next presi-
Dental campaign, If Mr.. Lenroot's
suggestion is carried out it means the
La Toilette men will endeavor to
gain control of the Republican party
and make it progressive rather than
to give recognition to the Progressive
party of Roosevelt.
In his speech Mr.. Lenroot predicted
that within a year a convention will
be called for the purpose of reor.
ganizing the party. He said that Wis.
consin should play an important part
in that convention and that it should
send it's best and most progressive
men. He said that at this convention
that the conflicting ambitions of men
should be laid aside and that there
should be no thought of the presiden
tial candidates for 1916. He said that
if this program were carried out that
the Republican party would begin a
period of service in the national field
unto that it performed in the days
of Lincoln.
Makes Clear Senator's Course.
If this program is that of Senator
La Toilette it makes clear the course
of the Wisconsin leader. If it is
taken up by the states it amounts to
a call to the progressive Republicans
to remain within their own party and
not to follow Roosevelt. Much color
was given to this line of speculation
by the speech of Lieutenant Governor
Thomas Morris. Mr.. Morris said:
There is no more need for a new
party than there is for a new repub
lic."
That the harmony meeting held
here will be followed by similar meet
of the program. Delegations from
Minnesota and North Dakota attended
the banquet. 1t has already been an.
nounced that Minnesota will hold a
Republican dinner the latter part of
this month and it is expected North
Dakota will do likewise. There is
much La Toilette sentiment in both
of these states particularly in North
Dakota 1t is possible at the Mime
sofa gathering that the name of Sen
ator La Toilette may be more direct
ly linked with the presidency in 1916
A large number of Wisconsin men
will attend the Minnesota event
1t comes from one of the senator's
close friends that he will remain in
Washington and continue to saw
wood" He intends to keep his record
clear during the Wilson administra
ton and it is possible that some of
the things he may do will play an
important part in the next presiden-
tial campaign.
True to his word, Governor Mccoy
ern did not attend the harmony ban
quet. 1t is significant, however, that
many so called McGovern men who
hold positions in the state service
were present. The impression pre-
vailed that it would have been more
satisfactory to the governor had they
remained away.
Back in the La Toilette Family.
The appearance here of Congress.
man Lenroot and the tone of his
speech amounts to public and un.
qualified reinstatement of Mr.. Len
root in the La Toilette political family.
It may be recalled that Mr.. Lenroot
showed a Bull Moose tendency not
so long ago, at least. His action in re-
firing as a delegate to the national
convention was given that interpreta.
ton. Since then, however, the con.
gresham from Superior has satisfied
his old-time friends in Wisconsin that
he really did not intend to waver in
his loyalty and allegiance to Senator
La Toilette.
Mr.. Lenroot promises to figure
prominently in the campaign that will
be waged in this state over the cleo
ton of a United States senator A
powerful speaker, and strong, clean