ROBERT M. LaFOLLETTE By Maynabd Lee Dagqy ROBERT M. LaFOLLETTE began his political career in 1880. At this time — a year after his graduation from ^ the University of Wisconsin — he made the announce- ment that he would seek the nomination for district attorney of Dane County, Wisconsin. This action, quite characteristic of the young man's elemental honesty and straightforward- ness, was an unconscious foreshadowing of the political meth- ods that were destined to mark a long career. Although only twenty-five, the age when most men are circumspectly apolo- getic, young LaFoUette presumed to seek public office without first asking the consent of the local political boss. This de- fiance of the sacred prerogatives of the boss incurred the active opposition of the machine. But the candidate appealed to the sturdy folk of this his native county. After a campaign during which the machine and the boss were ignored, the young non-conformist was elected by a comfortable majority. His administration of the office was distinguished by its im- partial enforcement of the law against all violators, high and low, rich and poor, influential and obscure. Two years later he was reelected, leading the ticket by two thousand votes. Li these four years of official service, Mr. LaFoUette was subjected to the severest discipline. With an eye single to the discharge of duty, he went about the routine of his daily task, neither fearing the power of the machine nor seeking its fa- vor. The early days on the farm had tested the moral fiber of the boy, for they were days of struggle against poverty; the years in the University had strengthened this moral fiber of the growing youth, who had caught an occasional glimpse of the great world beyond the campus. Now, the mental and moral habits of boyhood and youth were put to a practical trial and they more than stood the test. Li order that every case which he was called upon to prosecute might l>e brought to a final conclusion in accordance with the pro-
