The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-07-01
NORTH DAKOTA
AND WISCONSIN
IN LIMELIGHT
Political Attention of y. $.
Conferred on Two States as
Result of Deaths
m FDWT,: MURPHY


Political attention of the nation
today was focused on two western
states, North Dakota and Wisconsin
The passing Of Senator Robert NJ
La Toilette. progressive chiettaiI
and Wisconsin political dictator fol
upwards of quarter.century. ha:
rrcclp'tated a crisis in Badger poll
tics IN all respects similar to The
situation in North Dakota growing
out of the death of Senator f.. +
Ladd, liberal CHAMPION
Events of the next few weeks ir
both states will have an important
bearing on tho future Of the pro.
Ercssive cause throughout the middle
west.
The La Toilette movement in Wis,
consin viii undergo n complete
transformation. Governor John J
Blaine, leader ot the dominant fac.
ton in the progressive party at the
time Of the death of La Toilette. has
taken up the reins Of the La Toilette
movement. He will for the present
fill the dead liberals shoes.
Young Bob Is Active
Robert NJ. La Toilette. Jr., chair
man of the Republican state execu.
tive committee, i the nominal head
of the party. During his fathers
declining years. he had large part
IN the affairs Of the Scnatorf who
was forced to forcgo detail work be-
cause of failing health.
The future Of the La Toilette
movement in Wisconsin is in jeop-
ard% as 4 result of the death
Of the founder Of the party. Senator
La Toilette had drawn to him a ma
tlon wide personal following and it
IS doubtful if any progressive cap
tain can hold the allegiance of this
far-flumg support.
In Wisconsin, the party has been
haraSScd by factionaI strife for
years. The commanding personality
of the late Senator had always been
able to harmonic these warning
groups when the occasion demanded.
Without the unifying force Of Ii,
F"ll'ttc'S presence. there is danger
Of disintegration within the ranks
Of party.
Big Fight Looms
IF the faction headed by Governor
Blaine retains its hold on the pro-
grcsSivc organization. il will not b"
without a sharp struggle. Both
Ekcrn and Robert NJ. La Toilette. Jr.,
loom as contestants in the battle for
control Of the party.
The younger La Toilette today
finds himself in peculiar position
IN his own state. His long associa-
ton with his father in Washington
has made him national figure, but
long absence from Madison has pre-
vented him from gaining a personal
retinue available in aiding him to
capture leadership in the forthcom-
INK contest for power.
Novelist Considered
hn"'her outstanding progressive
who may come to the front within
the next few months Is iona Gale,
th" novelist. She has been factor
in progressive politics for a number
of years, and as member of the
board Of regents of the University
Of Wisconsin was instrumental in
obtaining the nomination Of Or.
Glenn Frank, editor of the Century
Magazine, recently elected president
Of the Badger University.
DIR. Frank. who had attained a
reputation as Il liberal. is not def
initcly associated with the La Fol
lcttc progressive movement. His
advent in Wisconsin may be the be-
ginning of a career as a prOgrc ssive
champion.
The Wisconsin progressive party is
in fluX Whether the movement will
survive the death Of its spectacular
leader will be decided within the
near future.