The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1908-11-26
First Fight in the Legislature to
Be On Question of Steph-
enson's Campaign Bill
SENATOR MAY HAVE BIG FIGHT
Members Of the Legislature Favorable
to the Senator Expect OPPOSE
ton to Seek to Secure
His Defeat

Tt begins to look as though the first
fight in the next legislature would be
pulled off Immediately after the open
ing over the question of an investiga-
ton into the expenses Of candidates in
the primary election. While all the
candidates will be included, it is well
understood that the investigation will
be aimed really at Senator Stephenson,
who is charged with having spent from
quarter to a half million of dollars
to get the nomination for United States
Senator, which under the state law is
equivalent to an election. The radical
La Toilette men are determined that
it shall not be SO this year, if they can
help it. Whatever the amount the
senator spent, and it probably is
not a fifth of the estimates, it
is too much in their eyes.
The legislature meets the second
Wednesday in January, which will be
Jan. IS. The first vote on senator will
have to be taken the second Tuesday
after the opening of the legislature.
This will be Jan. rs. Between these
two dates much may happen. That a
hot fight will be precipitated right at
the opening Of the session is assured
| The ultras~will introduce resolution
| calling for an investigation as to the
expenditure of money in the primary.
This will be> introduced in the senate
for the reason that if supported by the
Democrats and the one Social Demo
crat, the ultras will have a bare plu-
rality On proposition for an in
vestigation and a prospect for trouble
among Republicans, it is believed the
ultras will have the support Of at least
two Democrats and the Social Demo
crat. In such case they would be able
to pass the resolution. That it would
pass the assembly is doubtful. Tt can
not unless the anti -LaFollette men
permit it for the reason that they will
have a majority Of three to one in the
assembly on any question which the
ultras may bring up.
Tt is probable, however, that a point
caucus will be helu by the Republicans
for the purpose of deciding on matters
Of policy, and legislative action. There
is no question but the ultras will
spring the investigation proposition
there and will be voted down. It also
is believed that they will bolt the
caucus, at least that is the feeling now.
This will, of course, bring on a bitter
fight. Should the caucus decide that it
is not necessary to make an investiga-
ton, it is looked upon as probable that
the assembly will turn the proposition
down when it comes from the senate,
providing the radicals can succeed in
getting it through the upper house.
That will settle the matter and Sena-
tor Stephenson will be elected, unless
complications not now foreseen are
brought up. It is not believed for a
moment that the radicals will rest easy
with a defeat in the assembly. They
will try to find some other way by
which the election Of Senator Stephen
son can be stopped. That they can do
this is doubtful. But it will all make
a beautiful fight, while it lasts, and
serve to enliven the opening days of
the session which otherwise might be
tame and uninteresting.