Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-01-28


dered. But sometimes motions ar
made and arguments brought up wit
hope of a slight possibility of over
ruling former action. Often the onl
redress is appeal to a higher tribunal
IN this instance the higher tribuna
i the people. My purpose is to argu
primarily to the senate and secondaT
lily to the people.
There have been many delays in
terposed. The effect of these delay.
was to prevent investigation-at leas
so far.
''They say there is politics in thi.
fight. That has a familiar sound. We
know the different ways of evading {
question. The responsibility this
time is with the republican party
You can not take credit for good at
tribute, if you do not do something
to sub tantiate it,
Here the senator quoted the two
cent fare question. He declared that
the republicans defeated the measure
twice. Then when it was finally
passed took all the credit to them
selves.
Take and pa S this resolution he
continued. eff you kill it, You will be
responsible. If you save it you can
go to the people with something sub,
stantial done for them. Remove this
question from politics. Take the SEN
timent of the people as guidance for
your action. Three-fourths of them
demand it. This resolution has been
made not for political reasons but for
moral and civil reasons.
This is not a blow at primary
election law, but a blow aimed at
the abuse of the law. The state is
full of tales of debauchery and cor
ruption charged to the candidate for
reelection. Investigate it. If you
permit the charges of the people and
the press to go unheeded, woe to the
state of Wisconsin. There will be a
good many offices bought and sold in
the state, and the people will have no
redress of grievances. Give the legis-
lature of Wisconsin a chance to follow
up clews."
Here the senator read newspaper
clippings from all parts of the state
You'll never know the truth" he
continued, "unless you seek it. Are
we to feed now at the hands Of ma
mon? i this the beginning and the
end of reform? Have We wandered
for ten years in the forest only to be
lost in it? We have commenced in
the path of constructive legislation.
let us pursue in it. It is straight,
though still rough. Most honorable
men lead us. The test of good states
menship is to do right, even if you
don't want to do it."
Following Senator Husting, Senator
Martin addressed the senate. He OPP
posed investigation because there
were no specific charges preferred
The question to the senator was a
question of principle above party con
sideratiOn but he would not consider
it unless more than within and news
paper c. pings were offered. The
people knew that one candidate was
richer than the others" he declared
IF they chose to nominate him. it is
not for the senate to repudiate their
choice. The people knew that one of
the candidates spent more money for
advertising If they nominated him the
senate should stand by it, 1t was sim
ply a method between the people and
the candidates. Mr.. Stephenson was
chosen overwhelmingly at the primary
election and I am going to vote for
him here"
Senator John J. Blaine followed
Senator Martin. His desk was piled
high with law books and he was
armed with precedents to which he
referred and his specific charges that
he formally preferred. He declared
that the proposition before the house
was whether Isaac Stephenson was
nominated fairly and according to law.
Upon my honor as a man. he CX-
claimed, "aS a member of this senate
I make bold to take as my subject
The Purchase of the United States
Senatorship. In my taking this posi-
ton | propose to show that the nom
ination was procured by bribery and
fraud. Mr. President in order that
my intention be not questioned | pre-
pared a resolution and specific charges
which l wish to file formally"
His resolution was later adopted as
a substitute for Hastings resolution.
Senator Blaine declared that he had
no personal ambition to achieve in
his step except the ambition to learn
the voice of the people.
Did it require a quarter Of mil
lion to pay the personal expenses OF
Mr.. Stephenson" he continued "Or
was that amount necessary for post
age? Was that sum of money neces-
sary to organize a state lawfully
No. | maintain that in this campaign
the manager was given money to use
it unlawfully, to bribe and corrupt
people if they could not be gotten to
vote any other way"
E. A Edmonds, the state chairman,
Senator Blaine charged, received
100000 for an act committed" preVi-
Gus to the election.
IF Edmonds received an unreason.
able sum for his services" continued
the senator, then he was corrupted
under the law"
Senator Blaine declared that one
man could not bring about the con
viction Of a rich man like Stephen
son, but that the whole state would
have to do it. His purpose is to com