The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-12-31
Madison Paper Proposes p.
LaFOIIette for Governor;
Ekern for Senate.
HINT SPLIT IN RANKS
Lineup of Slate Suggested Re-
verts to Sidetracking of
Judge Zimmerman.

Phil LaFollette for governor, AT
torney General Herman L. Ekern for
a seat in the United States senate,
and Governor Blaine for the discard,
is the substance of al interesting ar
ticle on state politics published IN
The Wisconsin State Journal at Mad
ison.
The discussion first takes up the
ousting of C. B. Ballard as state treas
ury agent, and the appointment of
Herman Satchjen as district Judge in
preference to Judge Fred Zimmerman
of the Dane county court. The paper
predicts that much larger state po-
litical developments are in the max
ing, and goes on to say:
"a powerful element of the pro-
gresisve upper ten believe that Gov.
Blaine should be eliminated from po-
litical leadership. They do not be-
lieve that he represents the best ira
dition and construction Of progress
sivism. Among these dissenters from
the Blaine leadership are number Of
congressman, and any who have been
prominent in legislative affairs and
political councils.
Little Bob Was Silent.
$50 deeply did many of them feel
on the subject that an effort was made
to induce Robert M. LaFollette Jr. to
renounce Blaine before his senate
campaign last fall. We are told that
Senator LaFollette refused on the
ground that it would be presumptuous
of him to attempt political Dictator
ship at the outset OF his political
career, and the campaign left the inn
preston that Senator LaFollette, Gov.
Blaine and Mr.. Ekern, not in agree
ment upon everything, yet were will
ing to become political bedfellows for
the political strength which each could
contribute to the others.
"But where men are ambitious, a
triumvirate is not safe ground unless
the checks and balance of political
power are so evenly divided that none
dare disturb the equilibrium for fear
it may fall in the wrong direction.
Some man - probably one now in po-
litical life x will eventually emerge
as an acknowledged generalissimo.
Who will it be? Is the fight on?
"The truth will be known, so far
as the immediate present is concerned,
when events disclose whether or not
the LaFollette family or Mr.. Ekern, or
both of them, have taken up the cud-
gel for Judge Zimmerman in the pres
ent campaign. If they accept the
gauge of battle it will be a mans
fight, one that must end conclusively.
May Keep Status Quo.
"On the other hand, if they prove
to have been in accord with the gov
ernor, or to regard discretion as the
better part Of valor, the present stat
us may be maintained through the
1925 campaign.
"There is a significant story afoot
which, if true, may have hearing
in this situation. 1t is that Mr.. Bal
lard, in his rounds as a newspaper
solicitor, is making more or less cas-
ual inquiries as to what people would
think of Phil LaFollette as a candi-
date for governor.
eve are not inclined to suspect Mr..
Ballard of idle curiosity, nor are we
more inclined to accuse him of avoid
ing the counsel of other leaders.
And, of course, it will hardly be sus-
pected that such inquiries on Mr.. Bal
lard's part would be hostile to Mr..
Ekern, now presumably the outstand-
ing progressive candidate for COVER
nor.
What of Mr.. Ekern?
"The question then arises, does Mr..
Ekern think of abandoning this am
bition, and if so for what reason? The
inqairing mind finds itself pursuing
the tread of thought to the point
where it reaches the picture of Mr..
Ekern. as a candidate for the United
States senate against Gov Blaine.
That would be a more or less natural
step in case of an IRE parable breach
between the LaFollette-Ekern inter
ests and the governor. And in such
case a new gubernatorial candidate
would have to be found - why not
Phil LaFollette?
"There's little fact in all this
considerable gossip, and much con-
sequent deduction and speculation.
But underneath it lies a foundation
of divergent views and conflicting am
billions which pave the way inevitably
to struggle for leadership the out
come of which will determine the fu-
ture character and quality of the pro-
gresive movement in Wisconsin"