Robert La Follette
On June 14, 1855, Robert Marian Fighting Bob La Follette was born in Primrose, Wisconsin, to Josiah La Follette and Mary Furgeson. Mary had been married in 1840 to Alexander Buchanan when he died in a farm accident, before daughter Ellen was born. In 1852, Josiah and Mary suffered the death of their three-year old son, Marian. In February 1856, Josiah died from a combination of diabetes and pneumonia, which deeply affected the family. In 1862, Mary wed John X. Saxton. I have no idea what the X represented. Bob and his siblings had a stepfather who was seventy years old while Mary was forty-five.
As a child, Bob was characterized as a mischief-maker as well as being extroverted and irrepressible. His shyness never stood in his way as he claimed to have made his first speech at school before his fifth birthday. This may have been blamed on Saxton, who wasn’t that kind to the children. John died at age 80, but in a way, he probably was a great influence on Fighting Bob after his childhood.
As a teenager, Bob worked on the family farm as well as going to school. He often journeyed to Madison to sell produce from the farm. In the process he listened to the political debates. It wouldn’t be long before his life would be involved with politics. He attended the Wisconsin Classical and Commercial Academy and then the University of Wisconsin at Madison, working his way through college and law school. He taught at the George School in Madison, published the newspaper of the school, barbered and sold books. There he met Robert G. Siebecker who would eventually marry his sister Josephine and be his law partner. Besides his two sisters, Bob also had a brother named William.
At the university, Bob was still a prankster who was fond of dancing, wrestling, acting, sailing and especially oratory. The President of the university was John Bascom. He became a father figure to La Follette since the latter really hadn’t had one. Bob described John as the guiding spirit of my time, the embodiment of moral force and moral enthusiasm. Dr. Bascom promoted prohibition, the rights of women, social justice, economic cooperation, the unions, and wealth equality. John’s tenure at the school was controversial, including his feud with Elisha Keys of the Board of Regents. In 1886, he resigned from the university. La Follette mentioned the appreciation and inspiration that John provided him at school.
Fighting Bob liked the acting profession but instead settled on law, defending clients and also as district attorney. He became the Dane County District Attorney, which he served for two terms. While at the university he met Belle Case and they married on December 31, 1881 at the Case home. That day, she requested that the word obey be omitted from the wedding vows. They spent their honeymoon in a mansion on West Wilson Street. It was their new home, which they shared with Bob’s mom, Siebecker and Jo. The newlyweds intended it to be temporary, but for nineteen years it became their primary residence. Belle gave birth to Flora Dodge, also known as Fola, in September 1882. Bob and Belle read law books at home together. She would be the first female graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1885. Rather than have a practice, she assisted her husband in his work in law and politics.
In 1885, Bob was elected to the United States House of Representatives where he was in office for three terms. This he followed up by beating Democrat Louis Bromrich on November 5, 1900, becoming the first Wisconsin born governor. To do that, he traveled about 6,500 miles, giving over 200 speeches to 200,000 people in about three weeks. Up to that time, no gubernatorial winner had accumulated a greater majority of votes than he did. Serving there from January 1901 until December 31, 1905, he then was elected Senator from the state of Wisconsin on January 2, 1906, where was in office until June 18, 1925.
La Follette was a workaholic who always wanted to win his cases as an attorney and to see that justice was done. He wouldn’t defend those he saw as guilty, although he did defend a railroad company – I hope that was the right choice. Because he spent so much time preparing a case, he was tired but kept on. At times he would labor on cases that he saw as worthy causes without charging clients. His approach in politics was no different, as his days seemed endless with him not eating or sleeping very much many times. This led to financial problems as well as various illnesses that bothered La Follette. The diagnoses included gallstones, bowel trouble, exhaustion, colds, La Grippe and liver issues. Rest was an antidote to the sickness, which gave Bob a chance to recharge. However, the same old busy days resulted in more health problems for him. Having to rest meant traveling to California and Florida to indulge in the sunshine. It also implied he couldn’t campaign to the fullest, but his staff took over that task and handled it well.
La Follette was a progressive Republican who represented the people, always fighting for what was right. The citizens of Wisconsin appreciated him and he took stands against corporations, monopolies, the trusts, racial discrimination, the Ku Klux Klan, World War I, the League of Nations and anti-Semitism. He was unsure of the prohibition question but voted for it in 1917. He advocated women’s rights and the rights of the farmers. He voted for the Force Bill, which gave voting rights to African Americans, and the Interstate Commerce Act, for regulation of the railroads. Bob favored a tax on oleomargarine, protecting the dairy industry of his state. He probably didn’t know about its harmful effects. La Follette was a huge part in bringing to light the Teapot Dome Scandal during the administration of Warren G. Harding. It looks like teapots are always causing trouble, even in the twenty-first century. Politicians could travel with free passes from the railroads, but Bob paid his own way. He took the passes, never used them and just filed them at home, so as not to show that he hadn’t used them.
Another reason for La Follette’s illnesses came from his speaking engagements, which were colossal. He spoke for hours, intent on covering as many arguments as possible. He had a great sense of humor but only used it when speaking in Wisconsin. He didn’t believe that any politician should be a wit, leaving that to Mark Twain. Belle appreciated this feature of her husband at home, but was annoyed when Bob was portrayed as being grim and too serious. Nevertheless, even the Democrats recognized him as someone who made grade points as a speaker, which they found difficulty in refuting.
Because of his beliefs, he had many enemies in Congress. When war was brewing in Europe in the early twentieth century, he vehemently opposed the United States entry into the fray. He saw it only as a way for the banks and industries producing weapons salivating over how much money would result from joining in the fighting. This didn’t sit well with President Woodrow Wilson and many others in the country. He was looked on as a traitor and being pro-German, with insults and threats tossed against him. Fighting Bob was considered to be the most hated man in the country. His attitude was one of reason, especially with the country not wanting to be involved in the war either. Many citizens changed their minds with the ranting of the warmongers in Washington and the irresponsible press. Then the country entered the war. Only Senators Asle Gronna, Harry Lane, George Norris, William Stone and James Vardaman joined Bob in opposition to it.
One of the measures that La Follette always wanted was for corporations and the wealthy to pay their share of taxes. With the country in Europe fighting the war, he opposed the issuance of war bonds since they would force the workingmen and -women to pay for the conflict. He proposed an amendment to the War Revenue Act for a 76% tax on war profits and also a war tax, war income tax and war tax on tobacco, distilled beverages and cigars. This action would save the country by paying now rather than in the future for WWI. Though the amendment failed by a vote of 15-65, it led to many reform measures later.
Because of his actions, suggestions were made to toss Bob out of office. The situation may have deteriorated even more when La Follette opposed the League of Nations and the peace treaty when the war ended. He surmised that people in Europe and Russia needed food and aid but didn’t receive it from the treaty or League. He advocated peace and reconciliation instead of a group that seemed to be preparing for more wars with their union. Despite the complaints, the senator wasn’t kicked out of politics and after a while many people in Congress realized that he had done the right thing. He soon won back the confidence of the people in the nation’s capital and remained a senator.
In 1924, Bob almost ran for president for the Federated Farmer-Labor Party. With Communists in the party, Bob then considered his chances with the Republicans. In Cleveland, his garnering a mere 34 votes at the Republican Convention to 1,165 votes for President Calvin Cooledge edged him toward the Conference for Progressive Political Action (CPPA). He presented a platform of eleven planks – the Republicans had rejected them – including housecleaning of the executive departments, fair compensation for veterans of the war, election of the president by the people, a Great Lakes waterway to the sea and federal income tax reduction for small businesses and the individual. The Democrats had settled on a compromise candidate from Wall Street, John W. Davis when Alfred E. Smith and William G. McAdoo were deadlocked. La Follette was a great choice between what some called two colorless, time-serving political straddlers. Felix Frankfurter said the two have nothing to offer for 1924; they have no dreams – except things substantially as is. Frankfurter added that the people behind the Independent Party are, at least, struggling and groping for a dream.
The campaign was a tough one with a few obstacles in the way of La Follette and his running mate, Democratic Senator Burton K. Wheeler. Organization was a problem even though the party had great support. Another big concern was what had happened before and would do so many times after: voters can’t vote for the third party since they feel that the candidate couldn’t win so they didn’t want a wasted vote. If enough people voted their conscience instead of having that defeatist attitude, the party would win. La Follette gave some great speeches but on election day, he came in third behind Cooledge and Davis, collecting thirteen electoral votes but only 17% of the popular vote. His showing as an independent was the third best ever.
After the election, Bob was still a senator and up to his old progressive ways. He was still looking out for the underdog, but he was tired and suffering from the stress of the campaign. In the early part of 1925, he was struck with a few heart attacks, with pain medication and nitroglycerin given to him. June 14th was his 70th birthday. Four days later, with family gathered around, he died. His daughter Fola noted his passing was mysteriously peaceful for one who had stood so long on the battle line. It was estimated that 50,000 people honored him as he lay in the rotunda. Reverend A. E. Haydon eulogized:
We shall remember him as one who in a cynical age loved and kept the faith in humble men and women – as a leader of dauntless courage. Bob was remembered as one of those great souls who has made the planet different and better; one of those great spirits who has turned the current in the direction of the ideal dreamed by all the prophets of the ages. The flame of the spirit has passed, but the memory of that magnificent courage, standing loyally in the face of loneliness and isolation, will remain as a challenge to youth in America down all the future years.
Lincoln Steffens mentioned that La Follette was a victor, one of the very few; his life is a success. Tributes were sent by dignitaries from Japan, Mexico, India, Ireland and England. The family received messages of homage and sympathy from numerous people, including Eugene V. Debs, Jane Addams, Helen Keller, William Randolph Hurst, Clarence Darrow, William Jennings Bryan and Calvin Cooledge. Appreciation of his work was acknowledged by foes as well as friends. The House of Representatives displayed respect by its early adjournment and held memorial services, as did the Senate. Housewives, laborers, farmers and numerous citizens expressed great love for La Follette, with one person calling him our greatest American. He inspired me as no other man ever did.
A decade later, Republican Senator James Watson would emphasize that many of the points in La Follette’s 1924 platform as an independent could be found in the New Deal of FDR, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Wagner Labor Relations Act, the elimination of child labor, agricultural programs, the Securities Exchange Commission and progressive income and tax schedules. Russ Feingold used the La Follette legacy as part of his reelection bid in 1998. In the campaign, Russ said:
Now we have the chance, one hundred years after the great Fighting Bob La Follette, to send a message to Washington. Out of the Upper Midwest will come political reform, will come political changes, will come the principle of one-person / one vote-again.
Senator John F. Kennedy chaired a committee in March 1959 that voted La Follette along with John Calhoun, Henry Clay, Robert A. Taft and Daniel Webster the five greatest members of the Senate. The newsletter of the National Governors’ Association placed La Follette at the top of the list of the top ten twentieth century governors in 1982. In 1986 he was fourth on the list of the greatest senators surveyed by college professors. Bob was not without faults, but his accomplishments were a great example of what a politician should be. Madison Capital Times editor John Nichols offered that Bob was the most courageous political leader this nation has ever produced.
After his death, many carried on in the La Follette name, including Belle Case. She and Bob were extremely devoted to each other throughout their lives. Bob’s wife continued in politics along with sons Philip and Bob, reforming the Progressive Party. Phil was elected Wisconsin Governor and Robert La Follette, Jr. took his dad’s place in the Senate. The latter’s grandson, Bronson La Follette was the attorney general for Wisconsin in the 1980s. Family cousin Douglas La Follette is one of the founders of Earth Day, who at the time was serving as secretary of state. He acknowledged the influence that Fighting Bob had on him. He wasn’t the only one and today there are many more politicians who model their lives on the great progressive.
When Belle died in 1931, the New York Times said she was perhaps the least known, yet the most influential of all the American women who have had to do with public affairs in this country. Belle was one of the rare characters in the history of motherhood and citizenship, according to Senator Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan.
Fighting Bob won’t be forgotten. Cousin Chester La Follette’s portrait of Bob can be found in its rightful place in the Senate. There are two statues of him in the Old House Chamber, now known as National Statuary Hall. Housed in the University at Madison is the La Follette School of Public Affairs. La Follette House is an undergraduate residence hall at the school. Robert Maple Bluff is the seat of the Robert M. La Follette House, a National Historic Landmark. As you might expect, you can find Robert M. La Follette High School in Madison. The rotunda of Wisconsin’s Capitol has a bust of Fighting Bob. You can read more about this great politician in Fighting Bob La Follette: The Righteous Reformer by Nancy G. Unger.