The Washington herald., 1909-02-28
FIGHT Is EXPECTED
La Toilette to Oppose Steph-
ens0n's Credentials.
SENATE MUST DECIDE CONTEST
Certificates of Election OF the Wis
eOnsin Senator Arrive In wash
fngtOn. Containing Certified Copy
OF Journals of Both Houses OF the
Legislature Taken Separately.

A struggle is expected this week in the
Senate over the credentials Of Isaac
Stephenson. Senator from Wisconsin. who
is claiming his reelection as the result
OF the first days bal!oting IN the legisla-
ture. when he received majority Of the
votes Of the two houses voting separately.
he has never since received q majority
in the joint assembly. BaIioting has con-
tinued on successive days.
Senator Stephenson claims he was elect
ed by the action Of the houses voting
separately the first day. IN this claim
he says he is backed by the best legal
authority in the Senate
Credentials Arrive.
" r Wheeler. United States attorney
for the Western district Of Wisconsin,
arrived in Washington yesterday after
noon bringing credentials on which Nj
Stephenson viii ask that he be sworn in.
The credentials consist not Of the Ger
tifcate Of election in usual form. but
a certified copy OF the journals OF the
two houses OF the Wisconsin legislature
taken separately. This certificate from
the clerks Of the two houses is re-en-
forced by certificate from Gov David
son. Of Wisconsin. that the clerks who
signed the first certificate are the duly au-
th0rized officers.
Mr. StephensOn's credentials viii prob
ably be laid before the Senate bv the
Vice President. as Il is assumed Senator
la Toilette would not submit them On
the contrary, he wiz probably interpose
an objection 70 their being received.
Il IS expected that the credentials, after
being submitted, viii be referred to the
/ Committee on Privileges and Elections.
[ There was q quiet conference in the Sen
/ ate Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tons yesterday afternoon
/ The presence OF ex-Representative
/ Charles L Bittleheld. Of Maine. started {
/ report that was current around the Sen.
7 ate that Mr. Stephenson had retained Mr
/ Littlefeld and Senator Foraker. OF Ohio
I as his attorneys TO defend him against
the attacks Of Mr.. La Toilette after
/ March 4. for II Is conceded the case vii
I be stubboTnly. contested and probably Ions
4 drawn out BIr. Stephenson denied las
night that he had retained counsel
Similar action 10 that taken By NJ
/ Stephenson vas had IN the case of D.
Poat, Of Delaware, some years ago. H,
/ presented the same form OF credentials Il
/ lieu OF the governors usual certificate o.
/ election. On this the Committee on PTivi
ieges and Elections. OF which William z
( Chandler. OF New Hampshire, was chair
man. reported that Mr.. Du Pont was en-
/ titled TO the seat But the Senate refuseS
70 adopt this view.
La Toilette Il TnsfE1enf
Senator La Toilette Is insistent that h,
/ colleague must purge himself Of tn
charges OK corrupt use OF money befou
he can be sworn in. Formal cha-ges
against Mr.. Stephenson. preferred by
member Of his own party in the legis
lature. are pending, and Senator La Fol
Iette insists these should be disposed @
and then vote taken in joint assembly
By his sworn statement OF expenditures
] made in accordance with the requirement.
OF the Wisconsin statute. Mr.. Stephenson
expended over S1oo,oGa IN campaign ex
I ueuses