Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-04-12
INSISTS ON HIS CONSTITUTIONAL
IMMUNITY.
FREAR WANTS HIM TRIED
Introduces Resolution to Have Inves-
tigation of Whole Matter Unless
Indicted Senator Will Take Leave
Of Absence and Stand Trial on the
Two Remaining Charges.


Eaton came to a head in the upper
house OF the legislature yesterday
morning when the Cudahy senator
arose to question of personal priv
ledge and explained the reasons why
he should insist upon his constitution
al right of immunity from restraint to
perform his duty as member of the
legislature. This was followed by
the introduction of a resolution by
Senator Frear, reciting the Eaton
case and providing for a careful in
yestigation by a committee composed
of five senators. The resolution has
particular reference to the so-called
reflections cast by Mr.. Eaton on the
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
/ duct ION 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-
I Elections upon the body. He moved
that his resolution be laid over for
consideration until Tuesdav Senator
Eaton had suggested THAI his state
ment be not printed in the journal,
but upon the Introduction of the reSo-
luton he thought that all the matter
presented to the senate should he
printed Ii was finally decided that
the matter be laid over until Tuesday
and that none Of it be printed in the
journal at least until after the hear
| ing Tues day. This was on the motion
OF Senator Hatten, he being of the
opinion that such sensational matter
ought not TO be made permanent
/ record unit. some inquiry had been
made into it. Senator Hudnall CON
CURED in this opinion, but on the
vote to lay over without printing,
/ Senator Eato. answered in the mega
tive. lie sa:d after adjournment that
he id no. fear publicity and that he
was in favor of making record OF all
/ the matter presented. Senator Mer-
t tor mauo some remarks TO the effect
] that the resolution was not properly
/ drawn and ought not 10 be LAID over
or passed i'll its present form. Senator
Roehr approved the proposition of
laying the matter over until Tuesday.
Resolution by Frear.
Senator Frear has for weeks been
active in his determination that the
/ statements made by Senator Eaton on
/ trial should not go unchallenged. He
I preferred met Senator Eaton absent
himself from the senate and return to
Milwaukee for trial on the two re-
naming indictments. but en- 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 bride of 800 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 a part thereof and
Money for Influence.
Whereas, from his said testimony
hereto attached it appears to be un-
disputed that the said Barney A.
Eaton did accept 500 for the purpose
of influencing members of the legls-
ature to vote against bill named IN
the indictment and then pending be-
fore the Wisconsin legislature, and
Whereas. notwithstanding said tes-
timouy the jury in said action rem
dened a verdict Of not guilty of the
! offense so charged in said Indictment
and
Whereas, in his testimony in said
case the said Senator Barney A,
Eaton did further upon said trial
lmpugn the honor and integrity of his
AGllth SEudlOlSt anu ulI Aul thVA SetH'
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
ments against said Senator Barney A,
Eaton are now pending i'll the said
Ircuit court of Milwaukee county on
he charges of accepting and of solicit
ing a bribe, as menuoned therein
during the years 1901 and 1903 ant.
while he the said Barney a. Eaton was
member OF the state senate, and
Immediate Trial Possible.
Whereas, the district attorney ii
said county has announced that he
viii proceed without delay to an i'm
mediate trial upon the indictments
pending and has further given assur'
/ ances that said trials can commence
on or about she 10th of April. 1908
ana
Insists on Immunity.
/ Whereas. it Is now understood that
5he said Senator Barney 4. Eaton will
Insist upon his legislative exemption
f,om criminal proceedings during the
present SESSION of the legislature. and
Whereas. said Senator Barney A