Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-04-10
Madison, April Z

Eaton came to head in the upper
house of the legislature yesterday
morning when the Cudahy senator
arose to a question of personal privi-
ledge and explained the reasons why
: he should insist upon his constitution
al right of immunity from restraint to
perform his duty as a member OF the
legislature. This was followed by
the introduction of a resolution by
Senator Frear, reciting the Eaton
case and providing for careful in
vestigation by committee composed
of five. senators. The resolution has
particular reference to the so-called
reflections cast by Mr.. Eaton on the
L working habits of the legislature, in
that he testified at his trial that much
: important work of legislation was de-
termined in hotels and wine rooms
over drinks and cigars and at dinner.
Senator Frear accompanied the intro
.duction of his resolution with the
Statement that he was not actuated by
any personal impulse, merely desiring
to clear the senate from what he and
others believed to be wrongful re-
Elections upon the body. He moved
that his resolution be laid over for
consideration until Tuesday. Senator
Eaton had suggested that his state
nient be not printed in the journal,
: but upon the Introduction of the reSo-
hutton he thought that all the matter
presented to the senate should be
printed lit was finally decided that
and that none Of it be printed in the
journal at least until after the hear
. ing Tuesday. This was on the motion
of Senator Hatten, he being of the
opinion that such sensational matter
ought not to be made permanent
record until some inquiry had been
made into it. Senator Hudnall con-
.seurred in this opinion, but on the
vote to lay over without printing,
Senator Eaton answered in the mega
tive. He said after adjournment that
he id not fear publicity and that he
was in favor of making record of all
the matter presented. Senator Mer-
I ton made some remarks to the effect
q that the resolution was not properly
: drawn and ought not to be laid over
or passed in it's present form. Senator
/ Roehr approved the proposition Of
I laying the matter over until Tuesday.
st. Resolution by Frear.
Senator FTear has for weeks been
! active in his determination that the
/ statements made by Senator Eaton on
! trial should not go unchallenged. He
preferred that Senator Eaton absent
: himself from the senate and return to
/ milwaukee for trial on the two re-
! manning indictments, but On the an
nOuncement by that senator of his in
tention to insist upon his immunity
as a legislator introduced the resolu-
ton, which is as follows:
!, Whereas, Senator Barney A. Eaton
was brought to trial on the 18th day
Of March, 1905 by the circuit court
for; Milwaukee county on an indict-
ment for accepting a bribe of 500 as
charged in said indictment, and
~ Whereas, certain testimony was
thereupon offered by said Barney A.
Eaton in his own defense, which said
+ testimony tended to charge the state
senate with improper legislative
methods, extracts of which testimony
! are attached to this resolution and
made part thereof, and
Money for Influence.
ss "Whereas, from his said testimony.
5 hereto attached, it appears to be un-
I disputed that the said Barney A.
Eaton did accept $1OO for the purpose
sepf influencing members of the leg1s-
Stature to vote against bill named IN
! the Indictment and then pending be-
q fore the Wisconsin legislature, and
s., ::sFWhereas, Notwithstanding said tes-
.timony the jury in said action rem
dened a verdict of not guilty of the
offense so charged in said indictment,
and $50
whereas, in his testimony in said
case the said Senator Barney A.
Eaton did further upon said trial
impugn the honor and integrity of his
fellow senators, and did further cast
odium upon the name Of the Wiscon-
sin state senate by his sworn state
ment of legislative methods of said
body, and
) Whereas, two other separate indict-
Inents against said Senator Barney A.
Eaton are now pending in the said
circuit court of Milwaukee county on
the charges of accepting and of solicit
ing a bribe, as mentioned therein,
during the years 1901 and 1903 and
while he the said Barney A. Eaton was
a member of the state senate, and
Immediate Trial Possible.
Whereas, the district attorney OF
said county has announced that he
will proceed without delay to an i'm
mediate trial upon the indictments
pending and has further given assur-