What is the significance of robert la follette

Robert La Follette developed his fierce opposition to corporate power and political corruption as a young man. Affiliated with the Republican Party for almost his entire career, La Follette embarked on a political path that would take him to Congress, the governorship of Wisconsin, and the U.

His support for progressive reforms, rousing oratory, and frequent clashes with party leaders earned him the nickname "Fighting Bob. Born in Primrose township, Dane County, in , La Follette worked as a farm laborer before entering the University of Wisconsin in For nearly ten years, La Follette traveled around the state and spoke out against crooked politicians, powerful lumber barons and the railroad interests that dominated his own party.

Elected governor in , La Follette pledged to institute his own sweeping political reforms. Until that time, candidates listed on ballots were selected by party leaders in private caucuses. Drawing on the ideas of other reformers, La Follette pushed the legislature to institute direct primary elections to let voters choose their own candidates.

He supported measures that doubled the taxes on railroads, broke up monopolies, preserved the state's forests, protected workers' rights, defended small farmers and regulated lobbying to end patronage politics. La Follette worked closely with professors from the University of Wisconsin to help the state become "a laboratory of democracy.

Senate in , La Follette had become a national figure. Formal studio portrait of Belle Case La Follette wearing a black lace dress. This photograph was taken about , the year in which her husband, Robert M. La Follette, Sr. It is probably a dress that she wore to official parties and gatherings in the capital. In Washington, La Follette pushed for the same kinds of reforms he had promoted in Wisconsin. He often spoke at length on the corruption of government and the abuse of industrial workers.

Or is this country dominated by forces that thwart the will of the people and threaten the very principles of representative government? La Follette. In the opening lines of this speech, La Follette stated: "Good government, then, can only be secured through good nominations. The nomination of weak, or unscrupulous men results in a weak or dishonest public service.

The best means of insuring the nomination of the best men becomes therefore the most important question of representative government. La Follette noted in the opening paragraph of the speech: "Deeply impressed with the honor, I accept this nomination, with gratitude for the great confidence it implies and with a profound sense of the high obligations it imposes.

To the platform adopted here, I promise loyal support and devotion. For years I have with others advocated these principles and rejoice with you to see the republican party pledged to give them the force of law. Speeches and campaign scrapbook of Robert M. La Follette, , including speech regarding the Philippine Insurrection and the election of In his September speech that refers to the Philippine insurrection, La Follette stated, in part: The Philippine question is not one of abstract speculation and theorizing.

It is a question of what was and is. Certain events transpired that placed upon this nation unsought responsibilities. How have we met them? Have we been cowardly, have we ignored precedent, violated law, our obligations, or the principles of our institutions?

The democratic platform says that we have. Remember that this charge is against a republican administration; that hostility to all forms of oppression and despotism has ever been the fundamental idea of the republican party; that its immortal leaders, Lincoln and Grant and Garfield and Sherman and Conklin and Blaine and Harrison, in civil and military life, dedicated their services to building up and maintaining the republican party in the cause of human liberty and to preserve and perpetuate this republic.

He did not manifest ambition for military glory, or a greatly increased army. Sustained by a republican Congress, with rare dignity and patience he endured the abuse and taunts of the opposition aided by a few sensational republicans statesmen, because he would not at once plunge this country into a war without precedent and without preparation, the complicated results of which no human wisdom could forecast.

Governor Robert M. La Follette's inaugural message to the Wisconsin Legislature, January 10, Module Highlights continued. Speech by Governor Robert M. La Follette's speech to the alumni of the University of Wisconsin, June 19, Midway through this speech, La Follette stated: "I do say that the student should never be permitted to forget while here, that he is primarily training for the duties of citizenship, and that when he goes out, whatever may be his occupation or profession, it should be as one who has enlisted for life in the service of the state.

La Follette speech to the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, June 4, , delivered at Marshfield, Wisconsin La Follette began this speech as follows: "I cannot tell you how deeply I am impressed with the significance of the fact that this is the Sixth Annual Conference of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.

I count it a special privilege to be with you on this occasion and to express on behalf of the state the interest its citizens feel in the work you are doing. Proclamation by Government Robert M.