Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-03-24

money in La Toilette campaigns than
did this time,'' he said
did you get the money from La
Toilette for these campaigns?'
NO" he laughed good naturally,
..he hadn't any"
Regarding newspaper advertising,
he said that he didn't consider it le-
ultimate. He considers workers re-
ceiving money for work at the polls
as nefarious.
Il wish there was law passed to
make it penal offense,' he said,
for man to offer money or receive
money for going to the polls or for
working at the polls
There is no question about the
fact, the witness gave it as his opin-
ion, that there was more representa-
ton of the people at the primary this
last time than previously. why, |
remember when" he said, three OF
us would get into caucus and sign
mans credentials as candidate for
a position"
He didn't believe it proper for state
employees to participate in politics at
the expense of the state. He should
at least pay his own expenses" he
said. 81 was inspector at one time
and travelled around the state too for
campaign purposes"
How do you reconcile your opin-
ions with what you did,
81 did it because I was ordered by
my superior officer"
who was your superior officer?"
Governor La Toilette"
do you know whether Mr.. La Fol-
lette knew about you spending mon
ey in his behalf?"
Il never told him anything one way
or another"
do you think he knew about it-
Il believe he did"
He said further he was out on po-
litical trips for Mr.. La Toilette in con-
nection with his inspection trips.
Now, as a matter of fact, were
those inspections mere excuse?"
well, felt a little guilty and did
inspecting" the witness laughed.
did you spend much money I'M
those trips?''
Now you must remember l spent
my own money"
WAS there any fund placed in
your hands?"
NO What l spent was on my own
account, voluntarily | spent my
own money and / am glad I did it. l
believe La Toilette is the right man.
Ekern Gives Views and Experiences.
H. l.. Ekern followed Mr.. Russell.
Mr.. Ekern was secretary of the head
quarters working for La Follette's
presidency. A check for $1,000 was
received by him from Senator
Stephenson as contribution to the
expenses of the Wisconsin delegation
of the national convention in Chicago
last spring. A second cheek for ST.
900 was given Mr.. Ekern by Senator
Stephenson in Marinette also for the
general campaign Mr.. Ekern re-
ceived $500 for his services and ex-
penses from the La Toilette presiden-
tial campaign. The $4,000 from Mr..
Stephenson was only small portion
of that fund
For the senatorship he supported
Mr.. Hatton, but he never, he said, re-
ceived money from Hatton
Il want to say that l never re-
ceived a dollar for my candidacy from
anybody" he said. Mr.. Ekern was
a candidate for the assembly when
he was working for Hatton.
Mr.. Hamprecht leading Mr.. Ekern
into post primary expenditures, Sen
ator Marsh objected to it on the
ground that members of the commit
tee had previously limited the investi-
cation to go to the election, although
he personally had wished to go be-
yOnd that. Mr.. Hambrecht with
drew his questions Senator Husting
moved that the committee be allowed
to go into the senatorial election.
That was declared out of order, the
assemblymen Directing that the res
olution limited them only to the pri-
mary. Senator Husting changed his
motion to read that it is the sense of
the committee to have the legislature
extend the scope of the committee to
include investigation of the election of
the last senator. Mr.. Bray moved
an amendment that the legislature be
asked to appoint another committee.
The amendment and motion were
both lost.
Asked if he advertised Hatton as a
La Toilette candidate, Mr. Ekern
said he did not. The only thing that
might have left an impression that
Hatton was a La Toilette man. Mr..
Ekern stated, was his argument that
Mr.. Hatton was man that would
serve Senator La Follette's mission
most
Regarding the canvass of Mr. Hat
ton in Trempealeau county Mr. Elk
ern said that he did not think any
money was spent there. Mr.. Ekern
and other friends workeS gratis for
the senator. Mr. Ekern stated that