Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-11-05

never heard of it and don't believe Sic
becker ever did, and it would make no
difference to b m anyway. He is not that
kind of a man."
Mr.. Sawyer replied: 'Well, he did
oppose his appointment. OF course. | did
not know whether Siebecker knew it or
not. l don't know Siebecker; don't think
| ever saw him IL my life. But l want to
know what kind OF man be is?''
well, Mr.. Saw yer, said, you know
Judge Slebecker ls my brother-in-law,
that he was formerly my law partner,
and you are likely to get a somewhat
biased opinion Of him from me; but
will try to say for him only what | think
any attorney in Madison would say.
He is young man, but strong law
yer. He has bad but limited expert
ence as Judge. Since he has peen Oh the
bench he has made some mistakes, may
be more than his share. but | think not.
He is close student and does lots of hard
work or his cases. He is liberal minded
man, has judicial temperament, anu it
is impossible for him to be partisan,
politically OF otherwise, and everyone WIZ
knows him will tell you that he is an hon
est man. Now, don't believe there is
a Mao at the bar IN Madison, Judge Pin
ney, who believe IS one of your attor-
neys, or anyone else. who wouidn' t say as
much as that Of him. -
Mr.. Sawyer said: ''Pianey was en-
ployed by US to give an opinion in the
case, but | knew you would know all
abont Siebecker and wanted to see you
about him. Thee cases are awful I'M
portant to US in the state and we cannot
| afford to lose them. It costs me lots of
anxiety. I don't want to have to pay
(naming a large sum of money,
whether 100000 or more [ am no
certain). Now | came down here to
see you alone. No one knows ] am
to meet you here. | don't want to
hire you as an attorney in the case, La
Toilette, and don't want you to go into
court, but here is fifty dollars, will give
you five hundred more or thousand-or
five hundred more and thousand Il am
uncertain which he sald) when Siebecker
decides the case right"
| said to him: Senator Sawyer, you
can know what you are saying to me. II
you struck me in the face you would not
insult ne as you insult me now"
He said "Wait-hoId on" | was
standing up. | replied mo, you do not
want to employ me as an attorney. You
want to hire me to talk to the judge about
your cases off the bench"
He said: 81 did not think you would
take d retainer in the case. | did not
think you would want TO go into the case
as an attorney, How much will you take
as a retainer?'
answered: you have not got money
enough, sir, to employ me as an attorney
IN your case after what you have said TO
me. W
He replied, "Well, perhaps don't I'M
derstand court rules. Anyway let HE pay
sou tor coming down here.
| said: Not dollar, sir and imme-
diateIy left the room. think he followed
me out Of the parlor, and down the stairs,
but he did not again address me, nor did
| again speak to him. | passed at once
out of the hotel.
did not make these facts public, be-
lieving that Innocent defendants would
suffer without cause, | Immediately dis
closed just what had taken place TO close
personal friends and stated to them that
believed it my duty TO report tie matter to
the court before the case was called fol
trial. In this / did not act without delib
GRAFTON nor without wise counsel. | sub
sequently submitted full statement to th f.,
court few days before he announced his
determination not to try the case.
Very respectfully,
ROBERT NJ LA FOlIETTE