The New York herald., 1922-11-26
LA TOILETTE AND HIS NEW RADICAL BLOC|New

sick son, Robert. Jr., through long
and critical illness. For days Senator
La Toilette did not leave the bedside
and did not take of his clothes. His
devotion to his son was largely. II not
altogether responsible for the young
mans recovery. He Is row his fathers
secretary.
On account OF his war record II is
doubtful whether La Toilette would
ever be a successful candidate for the
Presidency. HeA has. however. demon
strated his ability to arouse the voters
against his political opponents and in
his own behalf in his own and neigh
boring States before and since the
war.
Was Presidential Candidate
In TsIs-Iozo Conventions
He was a candidate for the Republi-
can Presidential nomination In 1912,
when Taft was nominated and Roose-
velt organized the Progressive party
Some of the prominent Progressives
had previously promised to support
La Follette's candidacy. but they de-
serted the Wisconsin Senator for Col
Roosevelt. He was an aspirant for
the Republican Presidential nomlna-
tion in 1920. and his little bloc OF dele
gates from Wisconsin were the only
members Of the Republican National
Convention that year who refused on
the final vote TO come over TO Harding.
thereby preventing unanimous noni-
nation on the final ballot.
In the recent Congressional cam
paign La Toilette took advantage OF
every chance to attack the Admin
istration and charge It with being re-
dictionary" He made the most OF the
refusal of the Republican leaders to
unseat Senator Newberry OF Micht-
gan. He not only carried on the most
successful campaign of his career In
his own State. but he went over into
nearby States and spoke against Ad-
ministration candidates. His attacks
upon Senator Kellogg, Republican. OF
Minnesota, are regarded as having
been chiefly instrumental In the un-
expected defeat Of Kellogg for res
election.
Openly espousing tho cause OF radi-
calls and insurgents Of every political
stripe. Senator La Toilette flirted with
the Farmer-Labor Party and the Nom
Partisan League. both Of which have
been stirring UP the political sea in
the Northwest and middle Western
States in recent years. He is now
seeking to draw into his new insurgent
organization men affiliated with both
OF these movements.
Those who know Senator La Fol-
lette best, however doubt whether he
will desert the Republican party sand
engage in @ movement for a new
party They say he Is too practical
for that. In recent years he has not
held himself so much aloof from the
Republican leaders Of the Senate. but
has shown himself more willing to
play the game. Curiously enough.
Senator Penrose Of Pennsylvania.
whom Senator ia Toilette had fire.
quently denounced as the worst type
Of political boss, and who once In a
bitterly satirical speech called La Fol-
lette a common carttail medicine ven-
der, became personal. though not po-
litical friends shortly before Penrose
died. 1t was said In the Senate that
Penrose was the only man who could
handle the fiery La Toilette.
Those who do not expect La Fol-
lette to bolt the party think he will
go to great extremes In an effort to
bring the party to his way OF think
ing. and TO increase his own political
prestige. Perhaps he will even be will
ing to see the Republican party de-
feated at the polls next time II he is
not successful in leading 1t by the
nose.