The sun., 1917-11-23
L0YALISTS FEAR
TO TEST VOTE
IN WISCONSIN
PrO-Germans Open Terrific
Fight to Name Husting's
Successor.
LA TOILETTE Is LEADER
Seek to Force Governor to Call
Legislature to Order Spc-
cial Election.
LA TOILETTE Is LEADER
Special Despatch to THE Suv.

Special Despatch to The Suv.
MADISON, Wis. Nov. 22.-The German
and pro-Ge.man elements Of Wisconsin,
which are as strong to-day. II the truth
be admitted. as they have been at any
time since tie United States entered the
war. are making 9 terrific drive to name
a successor 20 the late Senator Paul o.
Husting.
Marshalied by Senator La Toilette.
they arc concentrating on Gov. Philip
to call a special session Of the Legis-
lature for the purpose Of ordering a spe-
cial election for the vacant Senatorship.
They are working boldly and shame
lessly. and one Of the apparent results
OF their manoeuvring 10 that tho Gov
ernor. sorely beset, IL hesitating as to
what to do. The indications are that he
will endeavor to let matters drift until
the regular election next fall.
But there are confusing phases Of the
situation-a situation which is about as
much up in the air as any political
situation could be. Philip, who has
displayed some tmorousness over the
power OF the German vote. had planned
to call a special session Of the Legis-
lature TO enact a law that would permi.
him to appoint a successor to Senator
Husting. to hold ONCE until the regular
election Of the fall Of 1918.
Opposed BY All Factions.
But when that plan was announced
there was q hue and cry from all sides
not only from the La Toilette pro-
Germans. who demand instant action.
but from the loyalist elements, the Wis
consin Loyalty Legion and the Wiscon-
sin Patriotic Press Association. The
La Toilette pro-Germans are convinced
that II a special election for Senator
Hustings successor were held at this
time they would be able to put over
their man. 1t Ia probable that Gov.
are talking about.
On the other hand, the loyalists are
averse TO have Philip on the appoint
Ing. even temporarily. because they look
askance at several Of his appointments
and to his former attitude on the arms
embargo question. He appointed tho
wife Of Victor Berger to the State Board
OF Education. and he was hot against
the sending OF arms and ammunition to
Germanys enemies.
The loya!ists have long memories. and
they would little rather have a tempo
rary Senator appointed by an Executive
with a slightly different record They
say openly that Gov. Philip makes a
great paratle about home defence and
the honor OF the State. but that he Ia
careful to do nothing whatever that
would offend the powerful German vot-
ing element. On this account the 10y
atty Legion and the Patriotic Press As
soc:ation have adopted resolutions which
echo the pro-German demand for a spe-
cial election. They believe they can
whip the La Toilette pro-Germans at
the polls. Other people are not so sure
Governor May Run Himself.
Meantime, the Governor sits In the
executive offices and bites his lip, for
he is in the tightest place politically
that ever held him. There Is more than
a suspicion that he would like to go to
the Senate himself. and that he Is trying
so to jockey events. after old fashioned
political methods. that definite action
can be postponed until next fall when,
perchance, he might have a first rate
chance himself In the crowd OF squab-
bling aspirants or these there are
eight or ten.
Next to himself. Chief Justice Winslow
or Charles A. Van Hise. president OF
the University Of Wisconsin. Is sup
posedly the Governors choice for the
honor. The strongest Of all the pos.
sibilities Is Representative Irvine L.
Lenroot. who has won himself a place
In the hearts Of thousands that pre-.
viously opposed him because Of his
starch Americanism and Of his courage
In turning against La Toilette. But II
Is said here with a show Of authority
that Lenroot hesitates to risk his chances
for the Speakership Of the House on a
possibility of success In the Senatorial
canvass. Friends Of Guy d. Goff, a
Milwaukee jurist are pushing him for
the place. Unquestionably. ex-Gov
Francis F. McGovern. the Progressive
leader. will be a candidate.
There is no doubt that the La Fol
lette forces will get back OF some can
didate quite satisfactory to La Toilette
and to the pro-German sentiment
throughout the State. The talk Ii thai
Theodore Kronsage would be satisfac.
tory to La Toilette and to this element