Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-03-10
EASTMAN SLIPPED
UP AS WITNESS
FAYETTEVILLE POLITICIAN GIVES
EVIDENCE BEFORE sENA-
ToRIAL VOTING.
DENIES CHARGES OF BLAINE,
BUT coNTRADlcTs
HIMSELF.

tician, was brought in yesterday as
witness at the investigation. He de-
MED charges made by Senator Blaine
and was in turn contradicted by w
C. Cowling, who succeeded him on the
stand. His own testimony, too, did
not tally, and many complications
evolved about him.
Senator Blaine furnished the infor
nation that Eastman switched from
Cook to Stephenson after mysteri-
Gus meeting held with one of Senator
Stephenson's agents. Mr.. Eastman
admitted that a meeting was held in
the office of w. A. Ellis, but denied
that he received money from the
Stephenson fund He changed to
Stephenson because he thought Cook
had no show" Blaine stated that
Eastman after the conversion plucked
off some Cook votes for Stephenson.
Mr. Eastman stated that such votes
were gained by moral persuasion
only. He also denied that he urged
the Boscobel senator to pull off the
Investigation, but later admitted that
he did tell him the investigation was
farce.
Mr.. Cowling testified that Mr. East
man was purported to be a Cook man.
The records of his submanager, Mr..
Orbit, show that Eastman received
s37 of the Cook fund. 1t was report
ed to Mr.. Cowling shortly before the
primaries that Mr. Eastman had been
lost to the Stephenson forces.
Mr.. Eastman was placed on the
stand by the assemblymen, who stat
ed they wanted to place him as he
requested to be permitted to return
to his business. This was In the
morning After the election of Mr..
Stephenson, the senators made a
move to have Stephenson's expendi-
lures gone into before the other can
didates were investigated. While the
legislature had elected the senator,
they argued, congress ought to know
the facts of his case before it seats
him. The move was made by Sena-
tor Husting asking to subpoena
twenty Stephenson witnesses. Mr..
Bray made counter move to sub,
poena twelve additional men
A blaze of oratory followed. Sena-
tor Marsh rebuked the assemblymen
of the committee for doing their ut
most to suppress facts the Stephen
sons campaign while the baI1oting
was going on, and expressed his dis
appreciation of the legislature elect
ing Stephenson before the committee
has completed its work. Several
days ago I stated that I had enough
confidence in the judgment of the
legislature not to elect Stephenson
prematurely I want to state that |
have changed my view"
Mr. .Cowling started a detailed testi-
mony of the money expended in the
Cook campaign.
More From Mr.. Lush.
Mr.. Lush was recalled to the stand
when the session opened. Mr.. Lush
testified that Mr. Hatton had no coun-
W organization. 1t was impossible for
them TO organize the state with all
the competition in the field. They had
men at some polling places In many
instances friends pledged themselves
to take care of the polls for Mr.. Hat
ton, but on the day of the election
they appeared for other candidates.
Mr.. Lush testified that Mr.. Hatton
and he talked over political and socio-
logical conditions. Mr.. Hatton be-
lieve in purse politics. He despairs
the conditions of men paying for DO.
litical workers. He didn't believe in
paying for advertising.
Questioned if Mr.. Hatton was a La
Follett man, he said there was moth
ing to Indicate that he was. He spoke
with Mr.. La Toilette and the senator
confessed to him that he was taking
no part in the campaign. Whether
Mr.. Ekern was connected with the
campaign, he did not really know. He
was at the office once or twice. the
witness said.
are farmer rather than a book
keeper?"
That was figure of speech"
What do YOU mean?~
= mean | am not an expert account
anti did not have any cashiers
checks, Doodle envelopes or any
thing ef that sort !"
Doodle envelopes he explained
were envelopes in political offices
where Importers would be given
chance to draw money from
Eastman Was Cheap.
o. a. Eastman was the next witness.
Mr.. Eastman is OF Plattevi,le He
has known Senator Blaine for many
years. he said
He testified that the money he, had
received from the Stephenson fund