The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-06-18
AGED LEADER
SUCCUMBS TO.
LONG ILLNESS
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to support him and then becominI
the Progressive candidate himsel II
| and again in 1916. In each conven
ton La Toilette had the support o.
a small but intrepid bloc Of delegates
as he did in the 1920 and 1924 Re
publican conventions when he re-
ceived handful of votes, although
not formally placed in nomination.
Fight on Trusts
Nominally member of the Repub.
lican party, Senator La Toilette was
best known for his leaning towar I'd
progressive or radical policies and
for his life -long fight against trusts
and monopolics. Throughout his pub
lie life he was continually at odds
with his party leaders and most Of
his associates-an insurgent Of insur-
gents--in his home state and in the
national capital.
La Follcttc's insurgency reached a
climax in 1924. His followers in Sen
ate and House, dcfying Republican
held the balance Of power. The re-
port was prevalent that although he
had been desperately i'll he would
seek the presidency as an independ-
cnt or us the head of new party,
but the Senator himself steadfastly
declined to disclose his intentions.
The Republicans in convention at
Cleveland having selected Coolidge rs
their standard bearer after rejecting
the platform demands of the Wiscon-
sin delegation, La Follette's adhcr-
ents issued a call for a convention in
the same auditorium several weeks
later. Urged by delegates to this con-
ference that he accept their endorse
ment as a presidential candidate, he
sent word in a message which bcrated
both the old parties that he would
enter the field as an independent.
Declaration of his candidacy came on
independence Day with the Dem
ocrats in their New York convention
still balloting for a presidential NOM
inee.
Paired With Wheeler
His decision injected him into the
campaign as a full-fledged candidate,
with Senator Burton X. Wheeler. a
Montana Democrat, as running
mate, and President Coolidge as his
Republican opponent and John w.
Davis, his Democratic opposition.
Born on farm near Madison, June
Ii, 1855, La Toilette was a contem-
porary of Cleveland, Harrison, Nc
kinley, Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson and
Harding. as we'll as Gear" Reed,
James G. Blaine and Mark Hanna.
In stature he was a figure to at
tract attention. His build was short,
heavy and exceptionally strong, with
broad chest, wide girth and pow
erful arms. He wore high, heavy
pOmpadour above decp-set, sharp
blue brown eyes with overhanging
brows; and had broad, high fore
head, prominent aquiline nose and
mobile mouth.
In public address. Senator La Fol-
lette's delivery was dynamic and dra-
matte always, with violent gestures
and penetrating voice. When he
warmed to an oratorical effort, he
had habit of tossing back his pomp-
adour with quick, sharp jerk Of
the head and running his figures
through his thick locks. His speeches
often lasted for hours, especially
during his filibusters in the Senate.
reared In Poverty
Senator La Toilette derived his
name from ancestral stock of French
Huguenot refugees. His Kentucky
father, Josiah La Foleltte, and his
m othcr, Mary (Furgeson) La Toilette,
were pioneers in Wisconsin, where
they went from Indiana Their chill
dren were reared in the face of pow
erty, but all wqte able to attend the
rural schools.
Robert was admitted to the Uni
verslty of Wisconsin by special waiv-
er OF entrance charges. He soon at
tanned prominence in dramatic and
debating classes, and also as editor
of the college magazine. After his
graduation, he was called upon to
support his mother and sister while
teaching country school and study
ing law. He was admitted to the
bar IN 1880 and soon entered politics
as candidate for prosecuting at
torney. Despite the opposition of
what he termed political bosses and
he was elected and subse
quently reelected. Again over the op-
position of party leaders, he was
nominated and elected to the Forty
ninth Congress in 1884, becoming at
70 years of age the youngest member
of the House.
He was appointed to a place, or the
Ways and Means Committee by
Speaker Reed, and worked with Will
liam Mckinley, then a member of the
same committee. in framing the Nc
kinley tariff law. His first speech in
the house was against "pork barrel"
river and harbor appropriations, and.
by blocking or amending bills spon-
sored by the leaders. he early ciassi.
fled himself as an "insurscnt."
Elected Governor
Elected Governor of Wisconsin in
1901 on reform platform, he
launched fight against railroad in
fiuence in state politics. and also led
the movement for the direct primary
law, adopted by the Wisconsin ieRis
iature in 1904. He was elected to the