The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-06-30
LA TOILETTE
WAS LIKED BY
ALL SENATORS
Even Lodge Was One of Bob's
Closest Friends; Admired
His Character
BY CHARLES Z. STEWART
NEA Service Writer

Washington, June 30. Robert NJ.
ia Toilette was one of the most pop
u!ar men who ever sat in the United
.hatcs scnatc-among his fellow
senators.
This may seem like a queer thing
to say, considering that he was read
out Of his own party only few
months ago.
TO Judge from the tone Of scna
torial debate in which he took part,
it would be natural for an outsider
to conclude that he was regarded,
except within the small circle of
those who fought under his banner,
ut any rate toward the end of his
Gus old man.
Nothing could be farther from the
truth. Lawmakers who were as far
away from him as the poles are
apart, so far as concerned politics,
personally loved him. They valued
his knowledge, admired his Charac-
ter and gave him full credit for the
highest ability and honesty.
On all railroad questions he was
recognized as perhaps the senate 5
foremost authority-equally so III
tariff matters and to a great extent
on monetary problems.
Occasionally Il new senator ar
rived in Washington, unaware OF the
esteem in which the veteran Wis
consin statesman was regarded and
inclined to look at him askance, but
it never took these juniors long to
discover how high was his standing,
among Republicans and Democrats
alike, at the capitol.
Who would think, now, that La
Toilette and the late Senator Lodge
were the warmest friends?
One of the most dramatic scenes
in the scnate's history followed La
Follette's first appearance on the
floor of the upper house after his
independent presidential campaign
Of 1924.
Senator Mccormick was making a
speech at the time. La Toilette took
his seat directly in the shadow of
the Illinois soon's waving arms. 1t
was somewhat difficult for others to
reach him under the cloud Of this
gesticuation.
lodge lodged about. like ban
tamwcight fighter trying to get past
an antagonists defense, finally
seized his chance, ducked under Nc
Cormick's elbow, as he tossed hand
on -high. and threw his arms about
his. old friends neck.
Then others thronged around. The
Mccormick speech was forgotten
and the orator himself joined the re-
ception committee.
When Lodge left Washington TO
attend last years Republican con
venton in Cleveland, it was known
his. standing with the administration
group Of the politicians was none too
good
IF there's anything the Wisconsin
delegation can do to help you" they
say La Toilette told him, as they
said goodby, "let me know"
a funny offer from the senate's
ultra radical to its ultra-conserva-
tive, and doubtless said more thar
half in joke-but with more than !
little sincerity back Of it, for al
that.
"Thanks," Lodge is quoted as an
swering, "but | don't intend to place
myself in any position where II
need help
The late Boise Penrose, too!
w no tnlnk OF MIN anu Lid FoIicIt'
as friends?
Yet La Toilette, as those wh'
knew him best will testify, really ad
mtted the Pennsylvania. not as ;
machine politician. but for being Sc
frankly himself-no bunk no shan
Just, out and out, himself.
"What will be the political effect
of La Folettc's dcath?' all Washing
ton. is asking. as Progressive-sn
weakened by it,
It's too soon to say The Pro
gressives aren't a hardand-fas
group. Their membership varies.
1t isn't as if a party had lost ;
leader which it can't replace. Pro
gressive-ism may not even have los
vote, for it's on the cards tina
another La Follette-ite will replac
La Toilette himself in the senat
next winter.
Still. a great personality, a grea
strategist, a great champion of tn
cause he stood for has gone.