EGBERT M. LaFOLLETTE 295 to the subtleties by which insurgents are usually brought into line with things as they are. The leaders of the senate were not in harmony with the radical sentiments of the people. These leaders regarded the new senator as a disturber of sen- atorial tradition who must be speedily and eflfectually silenced. Every effort was made to negative his influence. He was given appointments on committees where he was afforded little opportunity to exercise the expert knowledge gained through years of study and practical experience. He was made to understand that no consideration would be given to any measures he might introduce if they contained ideas that might interfere with the party program or threaten party dis- cipline. During the debate on the regulation of interstate commerce, an incident occurred which illustrates the attitude of the lead- ers of the senate and reveals the uncompromising courage of this tribune of the people. The incident is thus described by Senator LaFoUette : ^ ^ I had not been speaking more than ten minutes before I found myself without any Republican col- leagues to listen to me, aside from the presiding officer and the Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Kean, who seemed to have been left on guard. I understood perfectly well that I was being rebuked. It was not altogether because I was a new man in the Senate, but I had no sympathy, no fellowship, no welcome from the Republican members of the Senate when I entered. I knew that I was familiar with my subject. I had studied it for several years. In Wisconsin it had been the one subject, above all others, which had been discussed, investi- gated, and legislated upon. I knew that things had been done there in a fundamental way, and that I had been a part of the doing, and I felt that my experience should be of some value to the country. So I could not help saying :
- *Mr. President, I pause in my remarks to say this. I
cannot be wholly indifferent to the fact that Senators by their absence at this time indicate their want of interest in what I may have to say upon this subject. The pubhc is interested. Unless this important subject is rightly settled, seats now tem-
