"A STORM OF POLITICAL CONTROVERSY"

'FIGHTING BOB' LA FOLLETTE LOSES LAST FIGHT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 18, 1925, Senator Robert M. La Follette,* one of the most powerful speakers of his day, passed away from heart failure "induced by a general breakdown and attack of bronchial asthma."

The Evening Star reports the Wisconsin senator had contracted a severe cold "several weeks ago."

"To the last," says the Star, 'Fighting Bob' "insisted on cheerful reports being given out as to his illness."

The Star says Bob La Follette was "a storm of political controversy for more than a quarter of a century."  The Senator's remains will be transported to Madison, Wisconsin for burial.

Robert Marion La Follette, Sr. (1855-1925) was born in Primrose, Wisconsin & was educated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison & the University of  Wisconsin Law School. 

RLF was a Republican most of his life, but ran for POTUS as a Progressive.  He served as United States Senator for Wisconsin 1906-1925.

SOURCE

"La Follette Dies Of Heart Failure After Long Fight, Cheerful To Last," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 18, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Robert M. La Follette

Recording a Radio Speech

1924

National Photo Company

Library of Congress

"LEADERS WARY ABOUT 3RD PARTY RUN BY LA FOLLETTE"

COOLIDGE GAINS DELEGATES, GOP LEANING TOWARD PROGRESSIVE PLATFORM AT CONVENTION

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 30, 1924, The Sunday Star reports that President Calvin Coolidge "gained some delegates last week."  The President's current total is "up to 246."  N.O. Messenger writes that Mr. Coolidge will "yield another crop" of delegates in the week ahead.

Messenger reports that Republican party leaders are now leaning toward a "pronounced progressive platform" to be adopted at the forthcoming national convention scheduled to begin June 10, 1924. 

The leaders are concerned about Senator Robert La Follette*'s threat to run on a third party ticket "if the republicans do not...write a platform of progressive nature."

*Robert La Follette, governor of Wisconsin 1901-1906, announced his candidacy for POTUS on July 3, 1924 & pledged to break the power of monopolies.  RL won 16.6% of the popular & electoral vote in the Election of 1924.  Coolidge was elected POTUS in his own right.

SOURCE

"Platform For Coolidge Now Engrosses Leaders," by N.O. Messenger, The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., March 30, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

 

Time Cover

Dec 3 1923

Time Magazine

"BECAUSE OF MELLON'S VIEW ON TAXATION OF WEALTH"

SENATOR LA FOLLETTE CALLS FOR SECRETARY MELLON'S RETIREMENT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On November 5, 1921, Senator Robert La Follette* (R-Wisconsin) called for the retirement of Secretary of Treasury Andrew Mellon because of his attitude toward "taxation of wealth."

The Senator said Secretary Mellon had declared that wealth could not be made to bear its share of the cost of government.

Senator Boies Penrose** (R-Pennsylvania) came to the Secretary's defense by saying that "all prominent economists" were in agreement with that argument.

JFK+50 NOTE

Andrew Mellon served as Secretary of the Treasury 1921-1932 under Presidents Harding, Coolidge & Hoover.  AM favored a policy of reduced taxes and a reduction in the national debt.

*Robert La Follette (1855-1925) was born in Primrose, Wisconsin & earned his B.S. at the University of Wisconsin.  RL was a member of the US House of Representatives 1885-1891, Governor of Wisconsin 1901-1906 & U.S. Senator 1906-1925.

**Boies Penrose (1860-1921) was born in Philadelphia, PA & served as Pennsylvania's U.S. Senator 1897-1921. 

SOURCE

"Senator Demands Secretary Mellon Give Up Treasury," Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 5, 1921, Chronicling America, www.loc.gov/ 

   

 

Senator Robert La Follette

(R-Wisconsin)

1924

National Photo Company 

A SKUNK WHO OUGHT TO BE HANGED

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2463

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY ACT ENACTED 100 YEARS AGO

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 100 years ago today, October 6, 1917, the Trading With the Enemy Act became law giving the President of the United States the power to oversee or restrict any and all trade between the U.S. and its enemies in wartime.

Public Law No. 65-91, Section 5b states...

"The President may investigate, regulate or prohibit...export or earmarkings of gold or silver coin or bullion or currency, transfer of credit in any form..."

Also on October 6, 1917, Senator Robert La Follette (R-Wisconsin) defended the right to free speech in wartime in a three hour address on the floor of the United States Senate.

La Follette, who was one of six senators to vote against U.S. entry into World War I, was called a "skunk who ought to be hanged" by Theodore Roosevelt.

SOURCES

"Senator La Follette defends free speech in wartime:   October 6, 1917", by Andrew Glass, October 6, 1916, www.politico.com/

"Trading With the Enemy Act", www.criminalgovernment.com/

Robert La Follette, Sr.
National Photo Company
Library of Congress Image

GEORGE NORRIS III

August 24 & 25, 2012

GEORGE NORRIS III

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Today we continue our report on Senator John F. Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize winning book, "Profiles In Courage."  

JFK's book highlights the stories of eight United States Senators who risked their political careers to pursue justice.

In the introduction to the Memorial Edition, Robert Kennedy writes:

"Courage is the virtue that President Kennedy most admired.  That is why this book so fitted his personality, his beliefs."

                     JFK Library Image

The title of Chapter VIII is George Norris.

JFK writes that in addition to the overthrow of "Czar Cannon," the other "struggles" that are noteworthy in the political career of George Norris include his support of AL SMITH for President in 1928 & his filibuster against President WOODROW WILSON's ARMED SHIP BILL in 1917.

Wilson requested the authorization to arm U.S. merchant ships in response to German unrestricted submarine warfare.

Despite the overwhelming vote for the authorization in the House of Representatives (403-13), there was "determined opposition" in the Senate from a small group of senators led by BOB LA FOLLETTE* & GEORGE NORRIS.

*Robert La Follette (1855-1925), born in Primrose, Wisconsin, graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1879.  He served in the US House of Representatives & US Senate.  He was Governor of Wisconsin 1901-1906.

In 1924, La Follette ran as the Progressive Party's candidate for President of the United States.  He won 17% of the popular vote & carried Wisconsin's 13 electoral votes.

          Bob La Follette with Family
                  February 25, 1924
           Library of Congress Photo

JFK writes that Norris feared that 'Big Business' was 'driving the nation into a useless, bloody struggle.'

To block authorization, a filibuster would be required.

Although the filibuster was a success & the bill was not passed,  President Wilson announced that he already had the executive power to order the arming of merchant ships WITHOUT congressional approval.

Among the criticisms of the senators who opposed the President was this editorial comment in the NEW YORK TIMES:

"The odium of treasonable purpose will rest upon their names forevermore."

Despite the criticisms, George Norris's "fame & political fortune multiplied."

In 1928, Norris, "a Republican, a Midwesterner, (&) a Protestant," gave his support to Al Smith, a Democrat, an Easterner & & a Catholic.

This 2nd struggle also ended in failure for Senator Norris as Republican HERBERT HOOVER won in a landslide.

But George Norris didn't see it totally as a failure.  As he later confided to a friend:

"It happens very often that one tries to do something & fails.  He feels discouraged, & yet he may discover years afterward that the very effort he made was the reason somebody else took it up & succeeded.

I really believe that whatever use I have been to progressive civilization has been accomplished in the things I failed to do than in the things I actually did do."