Evening star., 1909-04-11
DAVIDSON GOT MONEY
Governor Put Game Warden's
Fund in His Bank.
NOT USED IN CAMPAIGN
Says He Did Not Know Its Source
and Was Cautious.
$1,000 LAID ON HIS DESK
Asked About It, But Was Told Not
to Ask Questions-Investi-
cation Ordered.
81 200 LAID ON HIS DESK

MADISON. Wis. April 10.-Gov. James
o. Davidson was a witness today before
| the legislative committee which is inves-
| tigating United States Senator Isaac Ste
phenson's primary campaign.
Gov. Davidson gave his version of the
| observation-disclosures campaign fund
story which came out in the testimony
of Chief Game Warden j. w. Stone be-
fore the investigating committee last
week.
The governor denied having knowledge
as to where the $1,000 came from. He
said he deposited the money to his open
account.
Asked If he spoke to Stone about the
money after receiving it, Gov. Davidson
said:
well, met him once, but do not say
positively that 1 did speak to him.
IF that money has been collected from
the wardens," said the governor. Il am
anxious that every dollar should be re-
stored to them. I am perfectly willing
to leave 1t with you gentlemen 10 dis
tribute.
Il never authorized any one to solicit
campaign funds for me. never asked any
one in the state for help since l was
governor. and l emphatically told the
game wardens in my Office a year ago
tics. because they were all under the
civil service"
Told Not to Ask Questions.
The governor said that while he (Da-
vidson) was in his Office one day talking
with a gentleman, Game Warden Stone
came in. left some papers and an en-
velOpe and walked out without saying
word.
II found afterward," said the govern
or, that there was money in the en-
velope."
vl,sJn afS xIA
ernor, "he laid another envelope on my
desk. I supposed there might be some
money in it, and I said to him, Stone,
what does this mean; what Is 1t for, and
Of the Office, saying Don't ask any ques-
tions'
Il sent for him to come to the Office.
and he happened to be out each time.
That Is as far as know"
Gov. Davidson said that Stone twice
visited his office, leaving $1,000 the first
time and 500 the second time. Asked
what he did with 1t. he said:
"The money laid there a while and then
deposited 1t In bank. ] had some money
on deposit there
The governor said It was q big surprise
to him when the matter came out In the
investigation that there had been money
contributed him that way. Not cent OF
the 81, 200 was used in his or any other
campaign.
Gov Davidson explained that the mys-
terious way of handing the money to him
kept him from using II.
At the conclusion of the governors tes-
timony he was told that IL he would
sign a voucher he could get his witness
money.
II don't want any money. I want to
contribute this to the state"
Game Warden Edward OConner told
Of a conversation in which Game Warden
Stone said the governor had told Stone
You boys are doing too much"
In reply to his inquisitors Gov David
son said he thought it was demoralizing
the way money had been spent and that
law should be enacted limiting expendi-
lures and the purposes for which money
could be spent.
He thought. however. that 100000
could be sent legitimately by q sena-
torial candidate IL he were very careful.
Resolutions were adopted providing for
the investigation of all game wardens
under this and previous administrations
with a view of collecting states money
Illegally spent: also that state employees
under civil service who did political work
in the recent campaign be certified to the
| attorney general. governor and civil ser
vice commission.