River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1924-07-31
La Toilette Scores
BIaine's Candidacy
Open Letter From Senator's Head
quarters Asks All True Progress
sives To Retire Governor To Pri-
vate Life

vate Life
Following is an open letter sent
out from La Toilette headquarters by
Edwin J. Goss, state president OF the
La Toilette progressive associations:
''This is an appeal to the people
of Wisconsin to save the Progressive
cause. The result OF a quarter Of
century Of sacrifice and labor III the
part of Senator La Toilette and lis
coworkers, is gradually being des-
troyed by John j. Blaine of Boscobei.
In his greed to build up political
machine to elevate himself, John
Blaine has sacrificed the principles
that elevated him to Office. This APP
peal and these charges are based
upon facts, and these facts not only
warrant, but demand his defeat.
Here are some of the facts:
"He drove from him most of the
pioneer Progressives, and surrounded
himself with men and women who
are subservient to him instead of to
the Progressive cause.
Spent State Funds
"He established a vicious principle,
destructive of representative govern
name. He did this not only by up
holding the emergency fund law, but
by intrenching it with judicial rul-
ing. That law permits two state of
ficials to reach into the treasury OF
the state, without a public hearing,
and thus spend the taxpayers money
with the sky the limit.
''The law was passed by reac-
tionary governor, was once condemn
ed by Gov. Blaine, and is now used by
him to spend the public's money
without legislative sanction. Under
that law, he and the state treasurer
voted thousands of dollars for diff
ferent state institutions without the
knowledge of the people or the con-
sent of the Legislature.
"He was responsible for the defeat
cf the water power bill. That hi
was the beginning of super-power
development in Wisconsin. 1t was in
keeping with the Republican plat
form pledge, which declared for con-
servation of natural resources and
which would result in cheaper ele:-
trio current to the home, the farm
and the factory. His floor leader in
the assembly, who was rewarded witt
a lucrative political job, took part
in the assassination of that progress
sive bill.
Promised Tax Improvement
Before he was elected he was op-
posed to a militaristic program. At
ter election he became so milit, .-istic
that he received pu, &C praise at the
hands Of Gen. King.
"The labor program had no sup
port from him.
Before election he promised the
people more equitable tax law. Al
ter election he blew up He blamed
his 1921 failure on reactionary leg
islcture. He blamed his 1923 fail
ure on a progressive legislature. The
truth of the matter is that he new Il
intended to pass a tax law.
IF only small part of the charges
that are made against the Bleine ad-
ministration are true it is sufficient
10 drive him from public Office. II
he were a real Progressive he woul ]
not permit that cloud to hang over
his party; he would invite instead of
fight an investigation Of his admin
il tration. -
"His big achievement has been the
building up of a political machine t.
further his own interests at the ex-
Lense of the people of this state. AS
o failure he has been success.
"To preserve the ideals that Bob
La Toilette gave to the people of
Wisconsin / appeal to true Progre $
s;ves to retire John Blaine to private
6fer