The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-10-24
LkFOLLETTE'SAN
INSPIRING STORY
Ambition, Fidelity and Hon.
esty Principal Factors
in His Success.
BY FRED L. HOLMES
Newspaper Correspondent and Mag
azine Writer.

azine Writer.
The career Of Robert NJ. LaFollette
is an inspiring story Of success due to
heroic efforts and faith in ones self,
combined with answering devotion to
principle. Before he entered the SEN
ate and thus became a prominent ma
tiOnal figure, he had already done a
notable work.
Born June IA, 1866, in Primrose,
Wis, of acknowledgement and Scotch
Irish ancestry, he is a product of the
people and knows as a part Of his life
their point Of view.
At eighteen he left the farm to OBJ
tain a~university education. He earned
his way through the university.
On graduation he studied law and
In seven months was admitted to the
bar and Immediately elected district
attorney of Dane county. He made
such a remarkable record in his first
term that he ran 1900 votes ahead OF
his ticket in the next election and was
the only Republican on the county
ticket reelected.
Youngest Member Of Congress.
Entering the house of representa-.
tives in 1885 as it's youngest member
LaFOllette, by the sheer force Of his
gifted personality, soon became
member of the powerful ways and
means committee, Of which William
Mckinley was chairman. Before his
service ended in 1891 he was a nation,
al figure by reason of his stand fOI
the rights Of the Indians, his fight fOl
legislation to prevent the fraudulent
sale Of oleomargarine for butter and
his conspicuous service in the prepa-
ration and passage of the original in
terstate commerce act and the McIzin.
ley tariff act.
From 1891 to 1901 LaFOllette held
no public Offiee, but labored incessant
ly to break the power Of the machine
which then completely dominated Wis
consin. In 1900 he was elected gov
ernor. LaFollette was governor OF
Wisconsin from January, 1901, to Janu
airy, 1906 He was the first native-bOrr
| governor Of the state and possibly the
/ youngest man elected to that Office up
! to that time. His administration not
only began with the new century, but
marked a sharp departure in policies
and practices from previous ones. II
turned from the past to the future
His Legislative Achievements.
AS governor, LaF'Ollette was not
Only an administrator Of great abili
ties, but he was also the resourceful
and inspiring leader in bringing about
remedial legislation demanded by the
new spirit Of the time. A survey Of
some Of the more outstanding 1egis
latiOn of his period as governor
shows:
LaFOllette largely brought about the
abolition Of the railroad pass in Wis
consin.
He secured the enactment Of tn,
law requiring railroads to pay taxes
on the valuation of their physical prop
erty at the same rate as other prop
erty In the state.
LaFollette secured the passage o
the law creating the railroad commits
sion Of Wisconsin, which provided 70
/ AuC p4lg S1Oo1 NdludI4Ou VI Tie Id1lIOdUs
gave the commission power to regu
late rates and charges and saved t
the consumers Of Wisconsin 100000
year
LaFOllette secured the passage o
the corrupt practices act, designed t
purify caucuses and elections.
This brief survey Of his STEWARDSHIP
as governor Of Wisconsin may b
taken as an earnest Of the lines Q
policy he would follow If chosen a ns
TONS executive. His recent platfOrr
suggestions are in line Of greater res
ulation Of monopoly, Of a larger voic
Of the people IN their own govern
ment, Of old-fashiOned honesty and il
tegrity In administration Of affairs, {
higher ideals in public service.