Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-02-03
Tense and Drama
tic Action in Joint
Convention
Votes Freely Scat
tered "Pend-
ing" Inquiry

Stephenson $500. ...-........ 90
Necessary to elect ........... 66
B that narrow magin, one vote. d d
Isaac Stephenson fail of reelection to
the United States senate yesterday.
Perhaps no more dramatic scene
ever occurred at a senatorial balloting
in Wisconsin than that at noon when
the two horse met in Joint session.
Isaac Stephenson all out won victory,
$50 near and YET so far
1t vas sensational affair from start
TO fLish, Senator Hudnall leading the
Stephenson forces and Senator Blaine
the opposition. Both were on their
mettle, both were forceful, fearless and
uncompromising. The senators en-
tered the assembly chamber exactly
at Il noon and had seats amid the
marble columns on the west side Ap-
plause greeted their appearance. 1t Is
rare except at senatorial elections
that the two bodies fraternize thus
Speaker Bancroft yielded the gavel to
Lieutenant Governor Strange. There
had been of course the formal crying by
the two ergeant-at-arms, one echoing
the other of the senate's entree, and
the official pronouncement of the same
fact by the speaker. 1t was all stern
solemn, vigorously formal Galleries
were packed. at least 500 spectators,
scores being women, thronging them.
The spectacle was striking,-the n ag-
nifcent chamber was dedicated W tn
stunning effect. Governor Davidson
ioitered at the rear of the hall with
Colonel o. G. Munson, and Judge A L.
Sanborn stood near, Chairman E. A.
Edmonds of the republican state cen
trail committee a little farther away,
and all roundabout were Others OF
prominence.
Journals Compared.
Chairman Strange announced that
he Journals of the two houses would
be read This was done. 1t showed
that Stephenson had received the day
before
In he senate .......... y
In the assembly .............. 90
tIdl u
This is a clear majority of the
whole legislature, CT being an actual
majority but Chairman Strange an
nounced that the order of business
was the placing in nomination of can
didates for United States senator,
This action showed that he had chos-
en- to assume that .he 12 votes in the
senate for Stephenson were not ma
jorijy of the votes cast in that house
in other words. that the 16 senators
who voted present and actually "vot-
ed, thus raising the total voters to a
poin, so high that 10 was short of a
majority
HudnaIFs Protest.
Senator Hudnall here entered
grave protest. declaring that it was
the duty of the chairman to announce
StePhenson's election in view of the
showing of the two journals that the
same person had received a majority
in each house: that the certification
by the chairman and the speaker OF
such election to the governor and sec
etaTy of state was imperative; that
5Aere was nothing further to do or be
done and that any other proceeding
whatever would be void and nugatory
Has that been taken down." he
suddenly asked. taken down by the
official stenographer?
Owning that it had not been he
wanted to know what was the use Of
deliberative bodies if a proper record
was not kept OF the proceedings.
Nh. Mcconnell suggested that under
ne rules motions must be made in
@f.ting.
z made no motion, retorted the
senator. 1T was protest" ZAP
slaUse.)
This little furry over. and he pro-
test being repeated and duly record
ed Senator Owen made a mot on that
he Joint cont enuon proceed to elect
q senator. Sena or Hudnall demanded
q roll-cail on the motion as a roll
"a vas Inconsistent with his protest.
nator Blaihe-'I make the point
81 order that he only business was
yhe election OF senator.
The poin; is absurd, declared Sen
ator Page This is a deIiberative
BODY and members have a right to be
heard. We are here to elect a senator.
q he sure. bus we can discuss matters
before attending TO that business"
senator Owen-"i " thdraw my mo
t!on
You have 10 right to Withdraw
said Senator Page When a motion
Is 70 it becomes the property Of the
h7pse 70 so with as IT sees fit.
BIZ Irg7am aid there was no need
70 rithdraw because. as there had
hen no second the motion realty WAS
r. as ore the house. Mr Hambr ght
else made pa lament ~ posu, and