Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-10-12
WRITER BARES PLOT AGAINST
LA TOILETTE

which is here with reproduced.
SAN FRANCISCO. Sept 30 "The
story Of the conspiracy Of silence"
against Senator La Toilette is one in
which human interest and heart throbs
are the main Ingredients, said Mr.
Barry in discussing the fight waged on
the senator.
Through culumny, ostraeism
through silence = Senator La Toilette
energies triumphant, with ideals I'M
dimmed, the same dominant-f figure.
"You know the background Of his
story He opposed the war. And
when America was in he proposed, be-
cause America must win, that wealth
be conscripted as well as men.
''And he was charged by his con
feres with treason and for two years,
until finally the proceedings were
cropped. he underwent tortures that
would have crushed less courageous
soul
Senator La Toilette is not accept
ing invitations to rejoin the clubs from
which be was expelled during the time
of darkness.
"Nany believe that the only thing
that enabled La Toilette to pull through
this distressing period was the dis
traction afforded by the illness of his
son, Bob. who is now about 80 years
old. a hkable, fine chap.
"One day Senator La Toilette left
the senate and FOR year and day he
remained at home with his boy. For
year and a day he hardly left his side.
He had a coi in the same room he was
nurse ply stefan and father His alb
sence mon, the senate can be excused
even by his enemies, for he was hope
iessiy IN the minority
"But year and a day after he had
left the senate he returned The seem
will never be forgotten by those who
witnessed it. reporter from New
YORK was there and has described il TO
me
THE senator's seat occupies a con
spicious position on the left hand aisle
in the front row.
"As he entered and took his seat
there was silence Not a word was
spoken. One would have thought I'M
der the circumstances that at least he
should be asked the condition of his
son, whose serious illness he was suf-
fering from spinal complaint was
known TO all,
mot a. word Then suddenly from
way book came below. II was
Boise Penrose
"'Well, La Toilette, you are looking
well And how's your boy 2
''And Pearose came up, grasped La
Toilette by both hands.
1.-THE ice had been broken 10y the
leader Of the herd
The senate practically adjourned
and Sonotor La Toilette was almost in
stantly the center of a crowd which
which shook him by hand in welcome
"But no mention was made in the
press 1t was smothered.
THE proceedings against La Toilette
were finally rejected by vote of 81 to /,
THE old charge was revived against
him in the Wisconsin fight. His an
swer was
81 would not trade my war record
with any one in America.
"But he would not discuss dead is
sues, He told them the issue of the
campaign. Who owns the railroads
the packing houses the government 2
he asked. You voters, or the other
fsllows1
"rhe socalled political aristocracy
members Of the machine who had be-
come important-wa wild.
80 Isn't it he'll that Wisconsin should
be tarred by that awful LaFollette 2?
one man said to me
III listened quietly and / asked him.
Did you ever stop to realize that the
one chance Of your name being men
toned in histoy is that you happened
10 be born in the same state with La
folette
"IIe has always been for govern
ment ownership, but a step at time
Each year he sees some new gain to
sohdfy the process Of the past. He Is
a marvellous lawyer He puts his stuff
over like crack ball player.
"He has lived to see his entire war
time proposals recognized
"He has lived through those years of
nightmare when former friends avoided
him, snubbed him, and that calls to
mind remark that published once
made at La Follette's darkest hour in
1916 If La Toilette lives be will be
acknowledged as the greatest of men
and likely will be president.