New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09
La FOllette's
Sky Is Still
Stormy
ENAToR la TOILETTE holds the


preaching Senatorial election is coming
on. and throughout the Middle Northwest
lie Is also I'm the limelight in Washington,
where the Senate committee is consider
ING charges against him, based on his
"seditious" speeches, which may even yet
result in his expulsion from the Senate
la Toilette is a figure Of national impor-
lance II is, perhaps, not too much to say
that, in a way, he typifes, to the popular
Iaind. from Maine TO Oregon, all the
various elements that are opposing them
selves 20 the war. And, in addition 10
,his. he embodies the feeling Of discomfort
among those who are, perhaps, not active
lv disloyal. but dissatisfied with economic
conditions and seeking a new way out OF
the morass Of difficulties that have arisen
rot merely from the war, but also from
permanent underlying Industrial agri-
cultural and social complexities.
II the press Of Wisconsin, and also OF
the whole Middle Northwest, accurately
reflects public opinion La Toilette is cast
for the "heavy villain Of the piece; but
It is also true beyond a doubt that he has
q very large personal following, not only
in his own state, but throughout the Mid
ole West-a following which continues to
regard him rather as the hero.
Wisconsin is the storm centre. The
death Of Senator Paul o. Husting raised
The problem Of selecting his successor and
has brought TO a focus the question: rs
Wisconsin loyal?" The situation is badly
mixed. As the law stands Governor
Philip Of Wisconsin has no power
of appointing an interim successor to
Senator Husting. The alternative plans
brought forward embodied either a special
election OF a special session Of the Legis-
lature which should be asked to give the
Governor power of appointment. The
press of Wisconsin is now unit IN de
handing a special election. And as the
La Toilette forces feel confident Of their
strength. they have also joined in that
demand But there is a suspicion that the
Governor who is perhaps ambitious to
succeed Husting himself, would prefer to
leave the post vacant until the next gen
eral election. when he would himself be
candidate.
Senator Husting stood squarely for
everything that La Toilette and his mixed
crew Of followers oppose. The issue Is
clearly marked as between those who OPP
pose the war and those who uphold the
President and the rest Of the nation IN
IT'S vigorous prosecution. 1t is to be noted
that the cleavage is not distinctly along
old party lines. 1t was said by one of La
Follette's sympathizers that the farmers
Of Wisconsin were not going TO vote either
a Democratic or Republican ticket any
more. but were insistently demanding a
new party. There is a strong movement
toward uniting these Heterogeneous ele-
ments under the label of Socialism, but
many. including oldtime Socialists, re-
card this as a form of camoufiage.
What the result will be, if 1t comes to
vote in Wisconsin, is much in doubt Both
sides talk confidently; the press is almost
a unit against La Toilette, aside from the
few organs owned by him; but there re-
mains the uncertainty as to what the
great bulk of the foreign born or sons OF
foreigners will actually do. 1t must be
remembered that there is very heavy
percentage of scandinavian as well as
German population not only IN Wisconsin,
but in Minnesota and Michigan, and even
Illinois. This element is, for the most
mart. silent. Each side claims it, but no
one can tell what it may do
Naturally feeling runs high. Perhaps a
good straw TO show the direction of the
wind is found in the recent action Of the
Board of Supervisors Of Clark County,
visa county that has hitherto been
hearty in support of La Toilette and
which contains a very large German
American population. This board passed
a resolution, phrased in vehement terms,
demanding the resignation of La Toilette
at once on the ground that his disloyal
speeches had caused great injury not
only to the nation in general but 10
Wisconsin in particular. IL also prohib-
tied any public exhibition Of his picture
or of any Of his literature upon the walls
Of the courthouse or any public buildings
under the boards control.
Neither side has yet put forward a can
didate for the empty Senatorship. The
withdrawal Of Mr.. Lenroot, who was OBJ
yiously the strongest anti-La Toilette
possibility, is due partly to his feeling
that his candidacy might draw old party
lines too sharply, and partly 70 the belief
that he is too important where he is, in
the House, TO admit Of his resignation.
But it is not so much matter OF indi-
yidual candidates. as Of underlying prin-
- ciples.
At this writing 1t is unknown what the