Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-03-03
east without his approval"

least without his approval"
The speaker was permitted to testi-
fly, leaving the question affecting his
friends open.
In starting his testimony, Mr.. Ban
croft stated that he had been a
friend of Mr.. Stephenson for many
years, supporting him in all cam
paigns.
Relative to his service for the last
primary campaign, he said that a
young man came to him, saying That
he was a representative of Mr..
Stephenson assigned to Richland and
desired to interest him actively in
the campaign. Mr.. Bancroft refused
to make arrangements with the young
man because he was candidate him
self and because there were other
candidates against him. Later he re-
ceived telephone message from the
Milwaukee Office, asking him to come
out there. Mr. Edmonds was out of
town when he visited the office, but
Mr. Puelicher took the matter up
with him, with the result that he con-
sented to do all he could in his coun-
ty Asked by Mr.. Puelicher how
much money would be necessary to
cover the expenses of the campaign
there, Mr.. Bancroft figured that $40
per precinct would be sufficient. AS
there are % precincts in the county,
Mr. Puelicher allowed him $3.50.
1T was expressly understood that
none of this money would be used in
my campaign he continued. Every
dollar of this money was disbursed
by me and a hundred dollars or more
of my own money in addition"
The money received from Mr.. Puel-
icher was not deposited in the bank
nor entered on his books, Mr. Ban
croft explained, because he did not
consider it as his own money. The
money all went to workers. The
only advertising Mr.. Bancroft did
was for Mr.. Stephenson, posting bills.
He did not believe he received any
benefit by representing Mr.. Stephen
sons interests.
Senator Husting cross-examined the
witness.
you opposed investigation, Mr..
Bancroft, didn't you?"
Not investigation, but certain fea
lures of it,
you took the floor against the
resolution for investigation, l under
stood"
my recollection is that the ques-
ton was whether or not we were to
adopt the republican or the democrat
ic resolution. | was in favor of in
vestigation, but l thought we didn't
need democratic resolutions for it.
Why didn't you support Mr..
Stephenson gratis?"
Il did"
with your influence were you not
able to carry on the campaign with
out the $250?'
| 1.-THE managers wanted to spend
$500 l preferred as a friends that
the senator should pay his own ex-
penses. It is necessary if you wish
to enlist men to pay them for their
time
do you think you can divorce your
own candidacy from Mr. Stephenson's
and that the men working for Mr..
stephenson would not assist your in
terests?"
Mr.. Bancroft did not think so.
He did not know whether his nomi-
nation papers were circulated by the
same men as those of Mr. Stephen
son.
Senator Husting called the atten-
ton of the speaker to some $1,000
that was spent additionally in Rich
land Center Mr. Bancroft stated that
he had not heard of 1t. Mr.. Bancroft
refused to answer when asked to
whom he paid the $40 in each pre-
cinct. A vote of the committee was
taken on requiring the witness to
state who those men were. The wit
ness refused to answer even after
the committee by a majority vote re-
quired him to answer.
others Get in the Record.
Mr. Edmonds was recalled after
Speaker Bancroft finished his testi-
mony. The specific account of Mr..
Stephenson continued to be the basis
of examination. AS ON the preceding
day, Senator Marsh took up the ex-
penditures item by item, requiring
the witness to give the persons and
purpose of the payment. Mr.. Puel-
icher and Mr.. Sackett were request
ed to aid Mr.. Edmonds in recalling
the details of the testimony.
Mr. Marsh later examined the wit
nesses on some of the stubs in the
cashiers check book. Mr.. Bray OBJ
jected to it on the ground that It was
tedious. Mr.. Marsh said that he
would have some stubs that might
probably reduce the monotony. Check