Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-11-04


relationship in that connection. OF course
1t will make no impression on you.' Sic
becker said, Certainly not, l never met
Col. Harshaw personally in my life, and
there is no reason why I should pay any
attention whatever to such printed state
ment.' That is the only conversation
have had with Siebecker in reference to
these cases or anything connected with
them. AS to Harsbaw's opposing mis- ap-
pointment as judge, never heard of it and
don't believe Siebecker ever did, and it
would make no difference to him anyway.
He is not that kind of man"
Mr.. Sawyer replied: "Well, he did oppose
his appointment. OF course l did not know
whether Siebecker knew it or not. don't
know Siebecker; don't think ever saw him
In my life. But want to know what kind
Of man he is"
well, Mr.. Sawyer" said, "you know
Judge Siebecker is my brother-in-law, that
he was formerly my law partner, and you
are likely to get somewhat biased opinion
OF him from me; but will try to say for
him only what I think my attorney in
Madison would say. He is young man,
but strong lawyer. He has had but a
limited experience as judge. Since he has
been on the bench he has made some mis-
1
think not. He is a close student, and does
lots of hard work on his cases. He is a
iberal-minded man, has judicial tempera-
ment, and it is impossible for him to be a
partisan, politically or otherwise, and
everyone who knows him will tell you that
he is an honest man. Now, don't believe
that there is a man at the bar in Madison,
Judge Pinney, who, believe, is one of your
attorneys, or anyone else, who won't say as
much as that of him"
Mr.. Sawyer said: "Pinney was employed
by us to give an opinion in the case, but l
knew you would know all about Judge
Siebecker and I wanted to see you about
him. These cases are awful important to
us in the state and we cannot afford to lose
them. 1t costs me lots of anxiety. don't
want to have to pay (naming a large sum
of money, whether $1,000 or more am
not certain). Now came down here to see
you alone No one knows am to meet you
here. I don't want to hire you as an attor-
ney in the case, LaF Toilette, and don't want
you to go into court, but here is fifty dol
lars, will give you five hundred more or a
thousand q am uncertain which he said9
when Siebecker decides the case right"
l said to him: Senator Sawyer, you can't
know what you are saying to me. If you
struck me in the face you would not insult
me as you insult me now"
He said: "Wait-hold on" I was stand
ing 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
case off the bench"
He said: II did not think you would take
retainer in the case. did not think you
would want to 60 into the case as an attor-
ney. How much will you take as re-
tainerN
l answered: "You have not got money
enough, sir, to employ me as an attorney
in your case after what you have said to
me-"
He replied: "Well, perhaps I don't under
stand court rules. Anyway, let me pay you
for coming down here"
said: "Not dollar, sir" and immediate
~ left the room. think he followed me
out of the parlor and down the stairs, but
he did not again address me, nor did l again
speak to him. passed at once out of the
hotel.
l did not make these facts public, be-
lieving that innocent defendants would
suffer without cause l Immediately dis
closed just what had taken place to close
personal friends, and stated to them that I
believed it my duty to report the matter to
that court before the case was called for
trial. In this did not act without DELHI
Grafton nor without wise counsel subse-
quently submitted a full statement to the
court few days before he announced his
determination not to try the case Very
respectfully,
ROBERT M. LAFOLLETTE.
1t was this interview that caused Judge
Siebecker to retire from the cases which
were then tried before Judge Newman and
judgment secured.
After this interview it is easy to see why
the Sawyer barrel is wide open this cam
paign, and that money talks in a way here
tofore unknown in Wisconsin politics.