New-York tribune., 1918-03-05
Party Conference In Wis
consin Rejects Ex-Gov-
ernor McCovern
Three-Cornered
Fight To Be Made
Resolution Is Adopted Re-
buking La Toilette for
War Attitude

MILWAUKEE, Wis, March 4.-Con-
gressman Irvine L. Lenroot, of the
11th Wisconsin District, tonight was
indorsed as the Republican candidate
for United States Senator at the pri-
mary election on March 49,, by a Re-
publican conference which met here
to-day. The vote was Lenroot. 81; for
mer Governor F. E. McGovern, As, and
Governor Philip, /.
Both McGovern and Lenroot had filed
their signed petitions with the Secre-
tary of State, and it was for the pur
pose of avoiding three-cornered con-
test that to-day's meeting was held.
James Thompson, of La Crosse,
known as the La Toilette candidate,
will seek election at the primaries. The
vacancy to be filled was caused by the
death of Senator Husting.
The conference adopted resolutions
condemning Senator La Follette's atti-
tude in the war and indorsing President
Wilson's conduct of the war.
Three to Enter Primaries
The Endorsement of Lenroot followed
stormy session, marked by the ap-
pearance of Mr.. kcGovern, who an
nounced that he could not abide by the
decision in event another candidate
was indorsed. His decision means that
all three candidates-Thompson. Len
root and McGovern-will go into the
Republican primary.
McGovern will be virtually free
lance candidate. He asserted that, as
he was the first loyalty candidate to
announce his candidacy, it would be
unfair for the conference to expect
him to abide by its decision if another
candidate was endorsed.
A fight resulted over the resolu-
tions. The McGovern people favored i
resolutions that demanded that only q
candidate be indorsed for United!
States Senator who had not publicly
advocated any of the following:
First, that American citizens should
be limited or restrained in their righ.
to travel on the high seas;
Second, that an American embargo
on the expectation arms and NUM-
tions should be declared;
Third, that if the United States
should go to war warfare should be
limited to redressing our own special
grievances without respect to world
conditions.
Fourth-That America should make
grievances were rlghted.
Minority Report Rejected
The minority report was promptly re-
jected by the resolutions, was reoffered
to the committee and, as finally adopted
by acclamation, read, in part, as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That this conference of
loyal Republicans of the State of Wis
consin unreservedly pledges its undi-
vided and whole hearted support in
everything looking to the vigorous and
unrelenting prosecution of the war to
successful termination, and to the
President and government of the United
States in their efforts to this end; and
be it further
Resolved, that this conference cor
demns the course of Senator R. NJ La
Toilette relative to the conduct of the
present war, and that it censures him
for his failure to support the govern
nent in this supreme crisis of the
country.
Resolved, that we recommend tt
the Republicans of the state of Wis
consin that that candidate who shall
become the choice of this conference
shall have the united and earnest sup
port of the party at the primary te
be held March 19, 1913"
During the course of the convention
and previous to the appearance befor;
the gathering of McGovern, Telegram
was read from Congressman Lenroo
declaring his Willingness to abide b,
the result of the conference