Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-12-07
Stephenson Repudiates
Steffens' Charges.

Isaac Stephenson of Marinette, rela-
tive to the election of Hon. J. C.Spooner
to the U. S. Senate in 1885. The in
terview was so grossly misleading
that Mr.. Stephenson has seen fit to
vindicate Mr.. Spooner from the cnarge
of having secured his seat in the SEN
ate through bribery. In view of the
widespread publicity which was given
the Steffens article by those maliciously
inclined, it is but just that Mr.. Stephen
sons recollections of the matter be
here given as follows.
can article was published in Nc
Clures Magazine for October, 1904,
written by Mr.. Lincoln Steffens, pur-
porting to give some inside facts rela-
tive to Wisconsin political history,
which caused quite a sensation and
much newspaper and other comment.
Some people interpreted certain por-
tiOns Of that article as stating or insin-
uating that many if not all, OF the sup
porters of Senator Spooner were in
fuenced to vote for him by some form
of bribery; | was put in the attitude
of furnishing the information to which
the supposed charge or insinuation
was based
1t is not my purpose to discuss
whether or not the Interpretation
stated can be fairly given to what was
said by Mr.. Steffens, but [ will say, as
strongly as | know how to, that, in
any way, it was not my intention to
state or insinuate that any member of
the legislature was brought to the sup
port of Senator Spooner by any species
of bribery ;iiand that nothing was said by
me to Mr.. Steffens or in his presence
which. fairly understood, would justify
an insinuation that any member of that
leg islature was bribed to vote for any
body.
The national campaign of 1884 was
a hot one in Wisconsin, as elsewhere. |
1t was early realized that the Demo
Gratis had an unusually strong nation
al ticket. The Republicans were anx-
ious to elect Blaine and Logan and a
legislature that would return a Repub-
lican senator. Wigwams were built in
many places, music was extensively
used. there were torchlight process
5ions, and greater number than u.s.
ual Of POLITICAL gatherings and
speeches, and many speakers were
brought here from other states, be- |
sides other legitimate and usual ex-
penses. Such campaign was neces-
sarly costly. With others | contrib
lted to the campaign fund with unus-
lal liberality, but [ do not know and I
have not heard from anyone who pre-
tended to know, that dollar of that
fund was used for anything but legit
mate honorable expenses.
"In that campaign | was candidate |
'or representative in congress from the
Ninth district. and [ was an active
actor in the fight, both national and
state, in the several counties of my |
district | can truthly say that [ did
lot ask or receive any pledge |
Dr. promise from any candidate for
either branch of the legislature that
ne would vote for Mr.. Spooner or any
one else for United States senator. |
aad nothing to do with the campaign |
outside of the Finth district except in
4 general way, but never heard from
any of the Republican managers or
rom anyone pretending knowledge
that any pledges or promises to sup
port any particular candidate for sen
ator of the United States were exacted |
Or procured from Legislative candidates
vote of any member of the legislature
'or Mr.. Spooner as United States SEN
ator was given in response to any |
species of bribery or was controlled or
influenced by dishonorable considera-
lions. | certainly did nothing to in
luce any member OF the legislature in
any dishonorable way to vote for Mr..
Spooner, | was not at Madison at any
time while the senatorial fight was in
progress or in fact, during that session
of the legislature.
Hoping this may be of service in
removing false impression that has
unfortunately gone abroad, I am, with
much consideration, yours sincerely,
"ISAAC STEPHENSON. -
When you want pleasant purga-
tive trx Cha m he rlaip1s and