Evening star., 1909-06-06
Senators La Toilette and Ste
phenson to Lock Horns.
WISCONSIN ALL TORN UP
Two Legislative Committees at Work
on Charges.
ASSEMBLY AND SENATE DIFFER
Alleged Unlawful Acts Of State Of
ficials and Senatorial Election to
Keep State Lively.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
MADISON, Wis. June 5.-This summer
will be one of constant war between the
La Toilette and the Stephenson factions
and the bitterness of the conflict Is ex-
pected to far surpass anything in the his
tory of Wisconsin politics. savage as was
the row between the old stalwarts ano
La Toilette This is what the appoint
ment Of an investigating committee by
the assembly actually means. The com
mittee will be empowered to investigate
the conduct Of all the state departments
under the La Toilette regime. particular,
the charges relating to the use OF gams
wardens at state expense to DO poh-ica
work for La Follette's followers
This was the testimony offered during
the legislative investigation of the
Stephenson election. Other charges
equally serious rest against the state in
surance department, and the assembly
committee will look into all these mat
ters. Meanwhile the senate will continue
its investigation of the election of SEN
ator Stephenson and devote it's time to
the work OF various assemblymen for
Stephenson.
There is little pretense In the appoint
ment of either committee or anything
but politics. involving chiefly Senator La
The senate will try to besmirch the op-
position. while the assembly; dominated
by the Stephenson men, will have axes
for the La Toilette henchmen
The resolution calls for board and a
thorough investigation of heads and en-
ployes of any and all state departments
against whom charges of having INDUCED
in corrupt and unlawful acts have been
made. The insurance department is re-
ferred to particularly. The resolution
calls for the investigation OF all unlawful
or irregular acts in this and other depart
ments in the capitol including both pres
ent and past officials.
Resolution Of Inquiry.
The resolution follows: Whereas at the
beginning of the present session Jane.
o. Davidson. governor of the state oi
Wisconsin, transmitted to the legislature
communication in writing and docu
mentary evidence relating to certain
charges filed with him concerning alleged
unlawful acts on the part of the com
missioner of insurance, his agents and
employees, and
Whereas it is recommended in sale
communication that such charges are OF
sufficient Importance to receive consid-
GRAFTON by the legislature of the state
of Wisconsin. the legislature not having
acted thereon, and whereas sworn
charges and admissions have been made
before the joint senatorial primary In
vestigation committee that past and
present heads of other state depart
ments. their employees and agents have
indulged in corrupt and unlawful acts.
using state money for political and par
tisan purposes and otherwise corrupt
ing the electorate of this state. and
Whereas sworn charges and admissions
have been made regarding the alleged
corrupt and unla awful use of money in
securing Offices within the gift of the
people of the state OF Wisconsin,: and
whereas an investigation should be had
for the purpose of ascertainng the facts
with reference to such alleged corrupt
and unlawful acts and malfeasance in
office. for the purpose Of correcting such
abuses if found to exist by proper legis-
lation: therefore. be it
Resolved. That the speaker Of this as
sembly be. and is hereby, authorized and
empowered to appoint a committee to
consist of five members of the assembly
for the purpose of investigating the
charges referred to-"
The charges referred to in this resolu-
ton all refer to Incidents In the time
La Toilette was governor or Immediately
afterward.