The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-31
POLITICS PLAY A
PART AT MADISON
Clans Lining Up for the
Coming Presidential and
State Campaigns.
MAY SHELVE BLAINE
(By Associated Press Leased Wire

BY Associated Press Leased Wlre)
Madison, Wis-While the legislature
has been grinding along over its bust
ness, under the surface of activities
here, politicians say that there have
been developments that will have
marked effect on presidential delegate
elections next April and on the general
election primary two years hence.
Already the board of directors of the
LaFollette Progressive association has
held meeting, elected new officers and
adopted a new constitution preceding
an active campaign for membership to
swell its ranks before the LaFollette-
for-President boom, anticipated by all
factions here, gets under way. This
meeting, those in attendance say, con-
sidered the 1924 Wisconsin elections
as we'll as the presidential contest.
AThere is talk among the Progressive
Republican members of the legislature
who have openly opposed Gov. Blaine,
that they will have conference before
adjournment of the legislature to de-
termine the course to be followed be-
fore the next political campaign. Speak
er John L. Dahl of Barron county is
one of the leaders of this. group.
Conservatives Busy Too.
The Conservative Republican legisla-
tors are planning their future activi-
ties, but have not as yet considered
the larger problems involved in shap-
ing their course in the next election
campaign, their leaders report. They
say that they are waiting until the
present legislative session ends before
commencing any general preparation
for opposition to the Progressives.
The LaFollette Progressive associa-
ton elected Harry Sauthoff, former
secretary to Gov. Blaine, to be the new
secretary of the organization. Col.
Sauthof resigned as executive secre-
tary after some months during which
he was seldom at the governors Office.
According to a statement issued af-
ter the meeting, the board of directors
of the LaFollette organization an
nounced that it would undertake an
active membership campaign, but was
not intending to promote the candidacy
Of any individuals for Office
The other group of Progressives
headed by Lieut.-Gov. George F. Com
ings, Speaker John L. Dahl and Sena-
tor H. J. Severson, announce that they
are planning to consider the 1924 CUB
ernatorial election. These men are
said to be in close touch with the lead
ers of the LaFollette Progressive asso-
citation.
Believe Blaine a Candidate.
It is generally accepted here that
Governor Blaine will be candidate fol
reelection to third term as governor
at the 1924 primary. Whether ne will
have opposition within the Progressive
Republican ranks will probably be de-
termined ct conferences here before
adjournment of the legislature, some
Of the leaders say. ~
According to legislators the present
session will develop few issues upon
which Progressives can base their next
political campaign, unless tax bill is
passed. The passage of compromise
| tax plan, they say, will give the gov
ernor little political prestige since the
measure he drafted and sponsored was
sidetracked by a conference of Prog
ressiye senator's.
FetOes May Point Policy.
There is a belief expressed by sew
eral members that the governor will
stress the large number of vetoes he is
making of bills passed by the legisla-
ture and of economy. For this reason
much interest is being shown toward
appropriations recommended by the
finance committee. 1t is also accepted
that the governor will stress prohibi-
ton enforcement in the coming cam
raign.
Lieut.-G Comings is stressing the
National Guard as a political issue of
Importance. He has urged complete
abolition of the states military organ
ization and has opposed the governor
in his stand for $255,0OO annual ap-
preparation to the guard. In a state
ment the acknowledgements declared
that the administration could not JUS
tify it's attitude.
The Conservatives plan to let the
record of the assembly and the various
| outbreaks within the Progressive ranks
stand as an issue before the people.
They say that they expect to let the
voters determine whether they want a
senate like the 1928 assembly, with a
governor to sign the measures an as
semblage of this character would pass
Just what their future plans call for,
however, the Conservatives say that
they are not ready to make public. 1t
is their belief that the months remain
/ ing before the presidential delegate
elections will afford developments upon
which they will enter the next cam
paign.