Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-08-17

years, he has never abandoned the Re-
publican party. Inducements of a
compelling character have been made
to him to join various political move
ments and event to join the Demo-
cratic party, but he has turned a deaf
ear to them all.
This is not because of any narrow
partisanship, but because he believed
that such action on his part would
weaken his usefulness in promoting
the great work to which he was de-
voting his life
During all this time he has firmly
chung TO MS Republican principles,
yet at times, without hesitation, he
has denounced the action of his own
party when he felt it was wrong or
unfaithful to the best interests of the
people. He has not only refused to
support, but has vigorously opposed
candidates nominated by the party, if
they were unworthy.
He has not been without ambition,
has entertained high aspirations, but
never permitted such ambition to de-
fleet him in the slightest degree from
steadfast adherence to the great re-
form principles which he believes in.
No man is more earnestly devoted to
his friends than "Bob" La Toilette.
He loves them devotedly, yet he never
hesitates to part company with, or to
criticize them, if he believes that the
cause of progress in our political and
economic affairs demands such a
course.
have not always agreed with him
on the details of legislation; but am
glad to say that our disagreements
have been rare. It is a delight for me
to reflect that on the great underly-
ing principle of legislation we have
always been in accord.
Reviewing the work of the last
twenty years of all the great Ameri-
can progressive leaders, including
Bryan and Roosevelt, for steadfast-
ness of purpose, consistency of action
and answering devotion to principles
regardless of party expediency, or
effect upon his personal fortune,
Bob" La Toilette stands today at the
head of them all
He will be a candidate for re-elec-
ton in Wisconsin this year for the
Republican nomination, which will,
without doubt, be given him. 1t ought
to be rendered unanimously. In the
recent presidential primary, he re-
ceived 10000 more votes for presi-
Dental preference in his state than
was given any Of the candidates for a
delegate on the same ballot, and a
larger vote than was given President
Wilson in the Democratic primary.
His real fight, probably, will be
in the election where the conservative
element of the Republican party may
undertake to defeat him, as they have
in the past, but the people of Wiscon-
sin, knowing him as they do, having
unbounded confidence in his integrity
and effectiveness as a legislator, will
re-elect him.
Six years, if we remember correctly,
his majority was approximately 100,-
900, We have great confidence in his
success, but in this period of reaction,
when under the guise of patriotic fer
vor special privilege is trying to rivet
its control upon the institutions of the
country, all men who believe in the
progressive principles should take a
special interest in La FolIette's cam
paign and do their best in his behalf.
We should take no chances, for his
defeat this year would be the greatest
misfortune that could come to the
progressive cause.
JOSEPH L. BRISTOW.