Evening star., 1925-09-13
Talk With Confidence.


Wilcox and his supporters talk with
confidence Of carrying the State where
the regulars have indeed a better or
ganiZation to get out their votes than
for many years. But it is a fact that
stalwart leaders in the State will
count as a victory a defeat in which
wilcox loses by no more than q, 900
votes.
La Toilette victories in the past
have been so overwhelming that a
small margin against the stalwarts
would be regarded by them as a sign
that conditions are changing rapidly
and that they may expect to come into
power again.
Some of the most optimistic La Fol
lette people are claiming that Bob,
Juniors, vote will be as great or
greater than the vote cast for both
Wilcox and McGovern.
McGovern Lost Chance.
II former Gov. McGovern, who is a
third candidate for the Republican
ferently, he would be the most formid-
able candidate in the field today AL
though he was at outs with Senator
La Toilette, dating from 1912 when he
supported Roosevelt, McGovern re-
fused to support Coolidge in the cam
paign last year. He stayed out of
that campaign. He refused to stand
strongly for the Coolidge administra-
ton this year. and the stalwarts
would not permit his selection by the
Oshkosh regular" convention as the
torial nomination. He has been con-
sistent, and as a consequence he is
going il alone" Had he been the
choice of the Stalwarts, with the
strength he has among the Progress
sives he might have been unbeatable.
Even now his vote may be g. surprise
There are many of the Progressives
who feel that Bob" La Toilette, jr.,
has done nothing vet to deserve a
nomination and election to the Senate
of the United States. The highest re-
ward for public service which may be
given by, the people Of State.
New Fight Looms.
What will happen if La Toilette gets
the nomination?
Wilcox is slated to run then as an
Independent candidate in the election
September 90. He will fight through
to the finish. Much will depend upon
the size of the vote cast for La Fol-
lette, for wilcox and for McGovern
in the primaries. If La Toilette has
actual election is probably all over
but the shouting. But II his lead over
Wilcox is small, and McGovern gets
q good sized vote, then much will de-
pend upon where the McGovern vote
goes. Both sides claim they will get
it. If 1t divides evenly there would
be no chance for the stalwarts to beat
La Toilette.
La Follettes youth is the principal
thing mitigating against him. That
and the fact that he has never before
held public office. His father began
as prosecuting attorney for his dis
trtct. He went to the Legislature and
to Congress, and served as governor
before he was elected to the Senate.
The fear is that many OF the old
La Toilette voters will stay away from
the polls, not being willing to vote for
young La Toilette. On the other hand,
some Of the stalwarts who dislike
Wilcox may take the same course.
The vote may not run much more
than 100000 or 10000, though poten-
TALLY the vote is 100000 plus.
Explains His Stand.
McGovern, who has been criticized
because he would not abide by the
decision Of the Oshkosh convention,
tells in q whimsical way why he de-
clned to be bound by the action OF
that convention, and announced prior
to the convention that he would not
be SO bound.
II was told" he said, ''by a man
who knew absolutely what he was
talking about that the Oshkosh con-
ventton would never agree to unite on
me as the candidate for the Repub-
lican nomination. I can still see a
grave when it lies open before me-"
Mr.. McGoyern also insists that the
Oshkosh convention II only q means