Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-03-31
T|LTON LETTER
T|LTS COMMITTEE
ASSEMBIYMEN CHARGE SENA-
TORS WITH SURPRISING 1T
ADvlSEDLY
DECLARE THEM RESPONSIBLE
FOR sTEPHENsoN's ELEc-
TON THIS YEAR.
Madison, March 27.

Stephensons election two years ago,
when Hatton witness worked in
Stephenson's behalf at $25 a day.
The election of Stephenson two years
ago seemed to be connected with
present events and an aSsemblyman,
who is a member of the Legislature
now, was called on the stand. The
assemblyman voted against Stephen
son this year because he knew of Til
tons letter charging that M. c. Ring
offered $1,000 for race to the assem-
bly,. The knowledge of the letter by
the assemblyman which he did not
impart to some members of the inves
tigating committee, brought on hur-
ricane of oratory that kept the court
stenographer going at the rate of sixty
miles a minute.
All this happened after the commit
tee returned from the senate, where
they had heard the arguments on the
passage of the resolution extending
the scope of the investigation. The
man who worked at $25 a day was G.
M. Perry. He was called by the as
sembly side of the inquisitorial body
in accordance with the Bray resolu-
ton adopted Wednesday. Asked how
he happened to be a Hatton man this
time and a Stephenson supporter two
years ago, the witness stated that he
was in spirit Hatton man even at
the election two years ago, but he as
sisted the aged senator at that time
because the term for which he sought
the position was only short one,
and it seemed the desire of the best
elements to give the old gentleman
the honor as a matter of appreciation
for what he did for the progressive
movement in the state Il knew that
he wouldn't do any good in the SEN
ate. but the term was short and | felt
that the damage he would do would
not be of any consequence"
Morgan Pays $25 Day.
Who asked you to work for Stepn-
enson at that time?" Senator Marsh
broke in on Tile quiz.
j. Earl Morgan" the witness re-
Piled
y. Earl Morgan of Oshkosh, the
son-in-law of Mr. Stephenson the
inquisitor pursued.
Yes"
What did he ask you to do for
Stephenson"
Why, he asked me to go to the
capitol and see what | could do for
Mr.. Stephenson
The witness stated further that he
spoke to as many of the legislators
as he could. asking them to support
Mr.. Stephenson for the short term.
He did not remember who the men
were that he canvassed. outside of
his father William NJ Perry, who
represented Winnebago county, and
Charles Neitzel, of the same county.
Mr.. Earl Morgan paid the witness for
his time s25 day
Assemblyman Ingram, who served
in the legislature last session, was in
the room. As Mr. Perry did not re-
member how his father voted, Mr. In
gram was called to the stand to give
the information. Mr.. Ingram stated
that Neitzel and Perry were consid-
cred ION debatable ground They
were Hatton members almost until
the finish, and then changed to Steph-
hofI -
How did you stand on the ques-
tion?' Assemblyman Hambrecht
asked the witness.
Il voted for Stephenson because the
last caucus nominated him. l was
originally an Esch man."
You opposed him this year, didn't
you?"
Yes"
Why did you oppose him this time
Did you think the caucus more bind
ing than the primary election?
Il opposed him principally because
charges We're hanging over him
Knew of Charges.
Asked if he had known of any
charges, he mentioned the letter of
Tilton to Awkward. Mr. Hambrecht
demanded to know why the witness
did not inform the legislature of the
existence of the letter. Mr.. Ingram
said he thought he had spoken to
number of the members about it. S1r.
Hambrecht then accused the witness
of Withholding the information with
some Interior motive From he wit
ness he turned upon the senate men,
bers Of the committee. who, he said
had also known of the letter and had
suppressed it with a purpose Mr.
Bray Joined in the ARRAY, which soon
involved every member of the com
mittee. Mr.. Hambrecht argued if the
examination had proceeded from the
Blaine charges. the letter would have
been reached. Mr. Bray said that the