Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-28

Tribute to the capacity of Mrs. Belle
Case La Toilette is paid by Americans
as death ends the career of the Wis
consin woman who was described by
her husband the late Senator, as the
counselor in his career. She has been
called the founder of the Progressive
movement. Her influence is credited
with the achievements of what Is rec
ognized as the La Toilette dynasty"
though she refused public honors and
gave her life to the home, assisting her
husband and sons.
MRS. La Toilette found full express
sion for her femininity In her home"
says the Omaha World-Herald, adding
that from it sprang an influence of
national, even international impor-
lance" The World Herald recalls that
her great husband credited her with
being the true founder of the Pro-
gressive movement in this country"
The Hartford Times also holds that
her contribution to the cause of
ProgreSsivism and good citizenship was
distinctive far beyond its demonstra-
ton in the family relation" The Des
Moines Tribune Capital refers to her
as IAN important member Of dynamic
dynasty" and constant adviser OF her
husband" with the added estimate:
"She lived to see many OF the once
radical ideas of her husband adopted
and made commonplace. Her infiu-
ence will be felt for long time and
in immeasurable ways, even though she
kept herself constantly in the back
ground"
THE La Follettes were flesh and
blood practitioners of all for one and
one for ALL They epitcmized family,
declares the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
with the further tribute to her quail
ties: Mrs. La Toilette showed Ameri-
can motherhood how to be partner with
her husband and sons in the job OF
conducting the affairs of a democracy.
She made the effort appear so Simple
that 1t required her passing to attract
public acclaim to her achievement" The
Baltimore Sun lauds "a fine and noble
woman who was content TO remain IN
the background. serving not only. as
many other women have. to give emo
tional inspiration, but acute and prac-
tical advice as well" The Sun con-
cludes: 1T is pleasant to think that
her eyes closed for the last time on
scene in which her two sons were bril-
liant leaders in the cause she did so
much to create"
She rose on eager wings" declares
the Madison Wisconsin State Journal,
ito catch in the distance the reflection
of castles and temples in God-made
citadel Of human justice and happiness
She came back to earth to droop her
mothering wings over her own little
brood in the family home at Maple
Bluff. Hers was a greater life because
her cosmic vision could not dwarf her
nesting instinct This We believe, is
the key to the thing which most entities
her to live in history. That thing was
q persistent and brave and intelligent
conservation to a program designed to
bring the influence of the home into
the affairs of government"
She was a woman whose love for
humanity was deep and sincere, and
she had the qualities of leadership,
AYERS the Oshkosh Northwestern. while
the Topeka Daily Capital advises that
when monuments are erected to
American women in politics hers should
rise as high as any" The Rockford
Register Republic believes that there !
was no more politically astute woman |
in the country" and the Yakima Re-
public records that 'she always has |
been given credit for having brought /
her husband to the front and for or
ganizing and operating the machine /
which kept him there for so many /
years The Miami Daily News feels |
that her death removes "one of the (
most effective influences of recent poll
tics" The Worcester Evening Gazette 4
asserts that ''she shared her husbands /
honors and deserved them in her own 1
right
"A well constructed, carefully main
t1insd machine was behind La Toilette"
sta5e5 the New York Sun, land in build
ing and maint nance of this machine
his wife worked long h-urs at toilSome
tas'-s that brought no public recognition /
and left no picturesque memories Mrs.
La FolleBte helped her husband found
his ,.poiitical rularShip of Wisconsin,
nelpsd him e1nsolidate and maintain it.
She lived to see one of naF sons succeed /
hk father in the Senate IF the United
states, the other fellow him in the Gov
srncrship of - state, SnA knew that
he deserved much OF the cf iit for es-
Enlistment CT the dynasty; "a proba- !