Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-05-05

chairman Of the Republican state CEN
trail committee and manager of Isaac
Stephenson's campaign, was in con-
tempt OF the senate in failing to re-
spond to a subpoena issued on him
April 70.
The paper was served on him at APP
pletion April II. but instead of coming
TO Madison to testify he remained In
that city three days. then went to Chi.
cago. where he remained day. when
he proceeded to Washington Not hav-
ing returned Friday. the COMMITTEES
carried its grievance before the senate,
which. after some debate. voted TO as
sert its dignity by holding him In con-
tempt,
Saturday the committee spent in
Milwaukee examining the books OF the
Marshall G. Illsley bank The purpose
OF this action Is to ascertain. II possi-
Bile. the disposition Of some $4,000 of
the total of sI07 500 spent by Stephen
son, which has In no way been ao-
counted for by Stephenson or his man.
ayers
While the joint committee was In
session II had access to the stub book
showing all cashiers checks issued tc
Chairman Edmonds. j II Puelicher or
II, II. Sackett, but the senators consti-
tuting the present committee were not
satisfied and wanted to go further
They were prevented in this, however.
by the assembly members of the COM
mittee.
During a brief session Friday after
noon AssembIyman j. z. Thomas. OF
Waukesha, illuminated his former tes-
timony somewhat and incidentally
contradicted SOME of it. Asked re-
garding the meeting in Game Warden
Stones house, atswhich Stone and sew
eral deputies framed up" a story that
several deputies were to admit receiv-
ing money they in fact had never re-
ceived. Thomas admitted being in tho
room with the deputies Previously
he testified that he had been talking
to Mrs Stone and her daughter while
the meeting was on. Friday he said
he thought they were in bed at the
time.
Thomas denied, however, the testi-
mony Of Wardens Kingsley, Johnson
and Richtman that he took part In the
conversation and even assured the dep
uties that the arrangement was proper.
when the committee endeavored to
cross-examine him at length he exer-
cised his legislative privilege. refusing
to answer He said he vas In hurry
70 catch a train and that he thought
be might" be back next week and
again take the stand
Water Power Franchise.
The event Of the week In legislative
circles was the debate by the senate
on the water power franchise proposi
tion which was waged all day Wednes.
day The issue was over whether or
not TWO corporations should be grant
ed extensions for their dams. One
party In the senate took the position
that II would be small business for
the state 70 deny these extensions.
while the other stood out for referring
these bills with all others Of a like
character to the special committee ap-
pointed to report on the question TO
the special session TO be held next win.
ter md furthermore that no more
franchises should be granted hereaft,
er without some provision Of state pro.
lection and compensation.
II was contended that this was ons
OF the great questions before the peo.
pie and demanding the most careful
consideration. Leading the fight for
the granting Of the franchises were
Senators Brazeau and Bird. while Sen.
ators Gaylord Husting and Blaine led
the opposition. BY a close vote it was
finally decided TO send these bills to
the special committee and thus was
Of for this session all pr0po.
CONTINUED ON PAGE EIcHT)