Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-16
A DEEP-LAID PLOT
TO. UTILIZE GRAFT INVESTIGA-
TON IN WISCONSIN.


MILWAUKEE, July 1o.-The story of the
graft investigation in Milwaukee, coupled
with the bringing of scores of indictments
against the men who figured in a dozen
deals in which there was a profit to the
once holders. does not have for it's chief in
te1est the conviction Of a set of boodlers,
but deep-laid plot to retain control Of the
state government for Senator-elect La Fol-
iette This in brief is the plan:
Distrlct Attorney +. F. McGovern, who
IS handling the anti-graft cases, is to be
DOOMED IN the next campaign as a second
FOLK. NcGoVern is to try to land in the
graft net one of the big grafters, or more
II possible To do this he will be given
the help of the state authorities and assis-
tant counsel from the office of the attorney
general This assistance will make it more
possible for him to land some of the big
be odlers and in return for this help he
Will be kept in the debt of Senator La Fol-
lette. Thus La Toilette will have a strong
man to place at the head of the state ad-
mln1strarlon, and yet will have such a
hold on his man that the next governor
Will be unwilling to dispute the power of
the new political boss.
A Merry War On.
Meanwhile there is a merry war on in
this state for the place left vacant by La
toilette. James o. Davidson, lieutenant
governor. will retain his office until Janu-
airy l. 1907. Having served two terms as
lieutenant general. he would seem to have
some right to expect promotion, especially
as he will fill the governors chair for
year before he will be forced to give up
his seat. But there are others who want
the job. and who may win. Secretary of
State Hauser is one but the strongest rival
10 MctIOVern is Irvine
man from Superior district who has
served as speaker of the lower house. He
mas the Scandinavians and Germans back
O. MIN, but McGovern has the Irish and
scotch. who will defy any rival to wrest
,he honor from their devotee Gov La Fol
iette Is trying to remain out of this fight
i lor ms place but cannot. so undoubtedly
Govern. ~ "
Preferably Governor La Toilette would be
Tor Lenroot, because Of the great supnort
gwen MIN during the last legislature by the
speaker, but the lack Of an issue on which
10 advance Lenroot Is the chief obstacle
ana this issue is present in the case of Nc
Govern. This is believed to have decided
the sena tOr-elect to espouse the carse or
McGovern. if he is forced by circumstances
TO speak openly on the proposition
Many Strange Turns.
The graft investigation has taken many
strange turns. At the first it was announced
by McGovern that he was going to land
some big politicians. including the leaders
IN the city democratic administration, and
others In the republican camp. OF the fac
ton opposed to La Toilette. His campaign
has been fought in a measure by the anti
La Toilette republicans, because of his re-
fusal to make general sweep against the
grafters 1t Is charged by the anti-La Fol-
lette men that the McGovern graft investi-
cation Is being directed tbo
nents OF the governor. while all arrange
ments are made to set free the supporters
of La Toilette. In support of this argu-
ment 1t is noted that Of the first 1O5 indct-
mentS returned, all We're on the evidence
of two La Toilette Supporters. who con-
fessed under promise Of immunity from
prosecution. Both of the men who told
tales admitted having been the dispenser
OF all the bride money distributed in the
county board. and in several outside deals
and admitted retaining half of the total
bride In every instance for their services
in acting as distributors. Yet these men
have been allowed to go free because they
made 1t possible to prosecute the anti-La
Toilette men with whom they dealt.
This situation has tended to revive In
measure the now almost forgotten fractional
row in the party. There Is another side to
this phase Of the antigraft fight, how
ever, which comes out with the telling of
the McGovern side of the immunity pledges.
He declares that he wants to get the big
men who We're willing to pay for the ia
Vors. BY cOnvicting scores of those who
We're brbed it is believed that evidence
will be secured against the few big graft
ers, who far have not been involved in
the charges. at least nc. officially. To
secure this result wholesale promises of i'm
munity have been made If confessions I'M
pIicated the men sought, but the promises
have so far brought forth no good results.
Mr. McGovcrn however, says that he will
probe every Legislative deal he can touch
until he reaches who Will tell
the story of the big graft to save himself
from prison.