Evening star., 1918-02-03
INTEREST HERE IN
WISCONSIN ELECTION
Loyalty Issue in Choosing
Successor to the Late
Senator Husting.
PRO-GERMANS AVOIDED
PRO-GERMANS AVG

Wisconsin democrats and republicans
in Washington are awaiting with deeI
interest important developments eN-
pected during the month of February IN
the Wisconsin senatorial situation III
is expected that they will clear the
way toward selection of a successor to
the late Senator Hustins and go far
toward deciding whether that success
sor is to be a loyal American or pro-
German.
1t is a matter of fact that there is
more concern among the Wisconsin men
in public life here, in Congress and in
oficialdom as to whether the next SEN
ator from Wisconsin is to be loyal TO
his country than to whether he
comes to the Senate as a republican or
as a democrat.
Special Session Legislature Called.
The Wisconsin Legislature has been
called in special session to meet Feb-
ruary l9, the call issued by Gov. Phil
lipp specifying that the special session
shall consider his request to give him
power TO make a temporary appoint
ment to the Senate pending the cleo
tions next fall. Under the practice in
Wisconsin. the special sessions are
usually confined to the subject matter
of the call. but the point is to be raised
that the subject of the call being to fill
vacancy. the session may consider
other methods than by temporary ap-
pointment.
1t is agreed on all sides that the SEN
timent of the state is Overwhelmingly
against a temporary appointment and
in favor of the calling of a special cleo
tion. The governor has seen fit to go
contrary TO this generally accepted be-
lief as to prevailing sentiment and
Co. 80 NJ tr,ct taS he.
ing granted power to appoint
Say Legislature Likely to Refuse.
Wisconsin men in Congress say that
the legislature is likely to refuse him
the power requested. What may be done
as alternative is now being discussed.
What is said to be uppermoSt IN the
desire of the larger part of the popu-
lation is that a special non-partisan
primary may be authorized. eliminating
party designation Of candidates. the
TWO men receiving the highest number
of votes to be candidates for election.
BY this means it will be possible. it is
said. to secure show down on the
-clear-cut issue of loyalty and pro-Ger-
manism at the polls
Loyalty Convention Called.
In the meantime the Wisconsin 10y
atty Legion, a body which has large
membership throughout the state. win
hold a convention February II. to give
further impetus to the loyalty and nom
partisan movement. II is expected that
the convention will adopt resolutions
demanding a special election. As these
proceedings will occur prior to the
special meeting of the legislature it is
expected that may serve as a guide to
the legislature of sentiment existing
in the staate. N
Pending decision as to the method of
procedure in filling the vacancy in the
Senate. there is said to be a subordi-
mated interest in the. personality of
candidates. No new candidates have
appeared in the field and there have
been no important developments in the
fortunes or prospects of those who
have heretofore been mentioned as
availables.
Both Sides Want Americanism.
The principal aim of the leaders in
both political parties Is declared to be
to make sure that the candidates
standing the best show Of gaining
election, whether democrat or repub-
Hcan. are 100 per cent American.
Deep humiliation is said to aff1ict the
rank and file of citizens in both par
ties that the impression has gotten
abroad in the country that there is
any possibility of Wisconsin being
classed as disloyal state. and there
is said to be intense earnestness be-
hind their resolution that this mistaken
impression must be removed. and that
party lines viii, If necessary, be OBJ
liberated in the doing of it,