Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-09
WISCONSIN FACES
BITTER CAMPAIGN
La Toilette and. "Standpat-
tiers" Again Will Lock
Horns Next Year.
DEMOCRATS URGE ON
REPUBLICAN FACTIONS
Hope They May Squeeze Through a
United States Senator-Ger-
man Feeling Abating.
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

BY N. o. MESSENGER.
MILWAUKEE. September 81 The
dark and bloody ground of repub-
lican factionalism is apparently des-
tined to go through another whirl-
wind of party strife in the next ma
tiona1 campaign. Battling Bob" La
Toilette is preparing to take horse
again and ride the marches at the head
of his henchmen, who would rather
fight standpatters than eat.
And their opponents are as eager for
the fray as themselves. for 1t is re-
allied that the causeway is not wide
enough for both factions. and one or
the other must go over the BRINK All
of which is highly satisfactory to the
democrats, who are lined up in the
neighboring hills cheering the fighting
republicans on to mutual eNtermina-
ton. hoping to ride through the breach
and slip across another democratic
United States senator.
Plans Test of Strength.
1t is the understanding that Senator
La Toilette, who comes up for renom-
nation and reelection next year. VIII
take advantage of the presidential prf-
maries in April for the selection of del
egates to the national convention to
make preliminary trial of strength
with the standpatters. 1t is said his
name will go on the ballot as Wiscon-
sins favorite son for the presidential
nomination. and he will contest with
the old-line republicans for the con-
troll of the delegation. The quality or
-, l., hi ~
will determine, it is thought, his course
as to the senatorial nomination.
Wisconsin at present has a stand
pat" republican governor. Mr.. Phillip.
who was swept into office on a wave OF
reaction against the La Toilette regime
of extreme reform legislation. Every
body knows that Wisconsin is recog-
nized as a state which has led in all
kinds Of reform movements, and mas
upon its statute books more laws reg
ulatory of all human endeavor than any
other state in the United States.
Reaction Is Caused.
This was carried to such an extent
as to cause reaction. 1t was claimed
that the state was law ridden to de-
gree that was harming its expansion
No railroad building was going on.
Capital was discoura ged. it was charg-
ed and there was general complaint OF
harassment.
So there was a rebellion. The old
guard in Wisconsin had been ridden
down, but never annihilated; their
heads were bloody from many a cud.
ceiling administered by Battling Bob"
but unbowed. They elected regular
republican governor.
But even then they did not come fully
into their own. The legislature proved
hard to handle and refused 40 pass
NJ al ia
by the governor.
The old La Toilette leaven was at
work. and there it is almost a case OF
an irresistible force meeting an in1-
movable body. The fight must be gone
over again.
Inquiries in Milwaukee developed the
statement that the progressive repub-
licans and the "stalwarts' are not in
harmony. The plan of the stalwarts
to abolish some of the many commits
sions created under La Toilette i1itia-
tive is already arousing protest from
the progressives. The La Toilette men
are quick to take advantage and say.
There. you see, bring back the stand
patters and you will undo all the pro-
gressive work of twenty. years"
Called Bob the Unbeatable"
Democrats and republicans alike told
me in Milwaukee that it will not do to
underestimate Senator La Follette's
strength While he did not succeed in
electing the men he picked for Office
he Is invincible when he himself is up
for election. They call him Bob the
Unbeatable" and many people think
that he cannot be defeated when he
place his own fortunes in the balance
before the people.
1t is generally presumed that the
present governor, Gov. Phillip, viii
s$afA
ship nomination with Senator La Fol-
lette In case the senator should lose.
republicans would not expect TO see
Phillip win at the polls. The feeling
is said to he too bitter.
The La Toilette men are charged by
many republicans. whether Justly or
not. with being the cause of the cleo
ton of Senator Husting. democrat to
the Senate by less than a thousand
votes.
The democrats are counting on his
tory repeating itself and getting an
other democratic senator.
If the outlook is favorable there may
be several democratic candidates for the
Senate. including A. j. Schmitz of Mil
waukee. W. F. Wolfe of La Crosse and
Daniel Grady of Portage.
German Feeling High.
Feeling is high among Wisconsin
Germans against President Wilson. but
seems to be abating. i was told by
Germans that the German Press and
one or two other newspapers catering
TO German support are going further in
attacking the President than portion
of the German population Endorses.
These Germans said that while there
is criticism of the administration on
a account of munitions shipment, still.
when il comes to a show down on sup
norting President Wilson or a repub-
ijcan candidate the German democrats
will hesitate long time before they
desert President Wilson. The German
of course, will vote against
him anyhow
/ was told that no one realizes more
than these very Germans. many of
whom have lost relatives in the war.
the fact that President Wilson is labor
ing to the utmost of his ability to keep
the United States out of the war.
Nobody in Wisconsin wants war.
either with Germany or Mexico. Every
body is for peace and some prosperity
as soon as it can be placed on tap.
This section has been industrially de-
pressed for some time. although BUSH
ness is looking up gradually. /.
Crop Outlook Dazzling.
The agricultural outlook. now is al
most dazzling. and they are praying
that their industries may pick up.
wisconsin never saw such a crop of
wheat, oats and barley as her fields
are now yielding. and a few more tor
rid days such as this week afforded will
mt the corn out of danger and Wiscon-