Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-03-12
STEPHENSON IS
ELECTED SENATOR
CHOSEN TO SUCCEED HIMSELF ON
TWENTY-THIRD BALLOT CAST
IN JOINT SESSION.
NOTABLE POLITICAL FIGHT
Three Democrats Stay Away from Cham
Der and Thus Allow Republicans to
Gain Majority Of One Vote.
SHOUTS AND CHEERS AFTER VOTE.

MADISON, Wis, March 4.-[Spe-
cial. l-Senator Isaac Stephenson was
elected for the six-year term in the Unit
ed States Senate this noon. The vote
was 63 out of the 1913 voting This was
the twenty-third JOINT convention.
auguration day gift. It IS the gift Of
three Democrats. These three Demo"
Gratis are:
John T. Farrell, representing the First AS
| sembly district Of Milwaukee county. +,o
Sixth Assembly district of Milwaukee
county.
s. A. Towne, representing the Second AS
sembly district of Sank county.
All three of these Democrats Farrell,
Ramsey and Towne are in Madison to-
day. Ramsey, Farrell and Towne all
were in the Assembly chamber thiS morn
ing. Ramsey and Farrell were in the
Assembly parlor not more than 2OO feet
from their desks when their names were
called. Farrell was in his seat even
while the names of the senators were
being called. AS the vote was being
taken Ramsey and Farrell were in the
Assembly parlor talking to a represen-
tative OF Isaac Stephenson.
By aDsenting themselves from the
Joint convention they pulled the total
attendance down to point where sixty
three votes for Stephenson would be
majority of the total vote cast.
There were seven other absentees: Six
of them were paired as follows: Ran
dolph and Daub, Scott and James, On
stad and Peterson.
James Fenelon Of Fond du Lac coun-
ty is, sick. He has been a consistent
Stephenson voter.
Rejoicing in Chamber.
Stephenson's election, coming as it did,
at the psychological moment, even as
new senators at Washington were being
escorted to the vice presidents desk on
the arms Of their colleagues, brought
rejoicing in the Assembly chamber as
the vote was announced. Like an audi
ence at joust in days Of chivalry, men
rushed about in confusion shaking hands
and INDUCING in partial embraces. Even
those who have been against Stephenson
from the first rushed to the side of Ste
phenson men and congratulated them.
All were glad that the fight was over
and that the Legislature could quit its
''fooling away Of time" and get through
with it's business unhampered by fac
tional fight.
Aside from the fact that today's joint
session resulted in the election of Ste
with dramatic climaxes. The change
of Assemblyman Towers into the Ste
phensOn column was one. His change
incidentally would not have elected. 1t
was the absence of Ramsey, Farrell and
Towne that did it.
Dorner Is Threatened.
Then there came the calling of the
name of Assemblyman c. Ell. Dorner,
representing the Fourth Assembly dis
John J. Esch. AS his name was called
he rose with two sheets of paper in
his hand. They were letters of a nature
that cannot be printed. Both were writ
ten on stationery of Milwaukee hotel.
They made the ridiculous charge that
erection and threatened exposure if he did
not vote for Stephenson. Mr.. Dorner
did not read the letters, but in a spirit of
irony he voted for the writer of one of
them and later displayed the letters to
those who asked to see them.
The third feature of the joint conven-
ton was the speech of Lieut.-Gov. John
Strange following the announcement of
the ballot. Laboring under the intense
emotion of which Mr. Strange is known
to be subject in exciting times, he bent
over the speakers desk. He began by
thanking the assembled members for
their courtesy to himself and for their
efforts to conduct the proceedings in
dignity and good order. The sarcasm
was so apparent and patent that some
of the members laughed while others
figuratively hung their heads. AS Mr..
Strange talked his face flushed and tears
were visible. His voice choked with
emotion, and it was only with the great
est effort that he was able to make him
self heard Putting luminosity aside and
turning to the theme of the peoples
good he spoke of the possibilities for
progressive legislation and admonished
the members to go forth from the joint
people and to keep their hearts and
minds free from anything but the high
est motives and desires.
81 trust as we go out of this chamber
it will be with the determination to con-
serve the highest good of the state"
Strange's remarks. AS he left the desk
there were apparent signs of intense
emotion. Mr.. Strange left this noon for
Oshkosh.
Congratulations for lie Roy.
AS If it were known that Stephensoa
would be elected this noon every iHch
of space at the side Of the chamber was
occupied today and the galleries were
packed as they have not been packed
Men and women applauded when the
result was made known, their excitement
being intensified as Clerk G. E. Shaffer
read the list of those voted upon, be-
ginning with Sherburn M. Becker and
ending with Stephenson: There were
about thirty names IL lAe lst:
Edward W. LIE Roy of Marinette,
who has been floor manager of the
Stephenson campaign from the first, was
showered with congratulations after the
vote this noon, members of all factions
descending upon the young assembly
man from Stephenson's home town:
From the first Mr.. LIE Roy has looked
| after the senator's interests On the, floor
| and the success of the election is at
| tributed in large part to him.
Henry Overlook, who has been here
since the converting of the Legislature
heard the final result and then went to
his hotel. Under e. A. Edmonds he has