The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-11-28

WASHINGTON. u e.. Nov, 20, At the
age of eighty eight years ex-senator
Isaac Stephenson. one or the last OF
wisccnsan's lumber merchants, has
issued volume Tecoiiections
which, Tor the first tirse. bares sec
refs Of his relations with Robert M
la Toilette. and with the tumultuous
POLITICAL movement within that State.
which resulted in the genesis of the
wisconsin idea
Ex-senator Stephenson discIcses the
details Of his financing of ia Toilette 8
political ambitions. and LAYS before
his friends all the facts which he
steadfastly refused 10 give out when
La Toilette turned on him ans ~
tern nied - Dust him from the United
States Senate because he had spent
more than st0o coo in his cam patgn
Tor election 10 that body,
The venerable ex-senator relates
aow he spent more than 100000 GA
Ia Toilette and his political lieutenants,
ana how he has contributed probably
sIe0a GOO 10 the Republican party
Z He describes La Toilette weeping with
10Y when his tStepheusan'sl agent
4 handed him the first s2,54o
Senatof Stephenson makes the IN
teresting disclosures that LA Toilette
turned against him, finally trying II
after he refused 30 put UP $3.50, GOO
10 back LIZ FolIette's candidacy for
4 me presidential nomination. MI
stephenson does not seek 70 connect
he TIVE events or draw any deduc-
tiohs from, them He merely states
the FACTS
La Toilette Rises TO Power.
How the movement for the Wis
-onsir idea" began, how the half
breed" faction within the Republican
party came into being IS the con-
trolling political power, and how La
Z Toilette rode the crest Of the wave
Of popularity an Battling Bob''--al
these questions arc answered In Mr.
Stephenson's va}edictary Of his long
political career. 81 valedictorS which
has prepared only for distribution
srnnne his friends
Ever since the Progressive move
.nant In Wisconsin set the pace for
other states. the methods by which
4 1alned. its impetus have remained
mystery Politicians ger orally believe
tast Senator Stephenson. whose wealth
had ems nled him 20 make generous
contributions 10 ne Republican party,
knew B8t ne did not decide to break
silence until his term Of office had
expired last March aud lac had def
niteiN made mp his mimi to turn his
sacs. upon the tum03 ~ politics.
The mystery according 10 Mr.
sfenhepson's narrative, is no longer
mystery al ali Tire eanpaings Of
THE half breed % progressive 1ss-
rahltcaus Of Wisconsin long sup
rosed 70 have derived their force en-
Nreiy from the spontaneous uprising
nf tho people against the bosses did
nnt differ greatly from other cam
9sfEne neither we're the Progressive
battles @on u fhe brilliant leader
stlsp ~ Batting Bob" any more than
are ire battles o. the European war
eo9 hF tbs generals
II the WISCONSIN ~ mpaign as ia
fhe European battles, Il seems 10 haze
heen largely a question Of amnunt-
tE"n while Senator La Toilette MAS
working &esiausly on tie firing line
tsaa stephenson, III the background,
wss keealTg Tire bases Intact. and by
ffeeaeaff drafts aroe hts eheekhooA
jdfte tne weapons with which the
0jt order ia i1p Republican party was
lLn-ng oycrthfoN1- and the new *
iab3ish"H.
.fsr aimee SeveptT wears, saSs
Stephenson b I3ts autobiography,
hse ahnit with 81 sorts ana con
}itiGnA ~ men, had hla2ai trails
. ~ thsm through tho forest. spread