The Washington herald., 1909-03-03

The first clash IN the Senate over the
credentials Of Senator Isaac Stephenson,
Of . Wisconsin. came yesterday. when
| Senator Nelson submitted a bundle OF
papers to the Vice President. saying. as
he did so that they were certified rec
ords OF the journals OF the two houses
Of the Wisconsin legislature OF the day
on which the first ballot for Senator was
taken, and when Mr.. Stephenson received
a majority Of the votes cast. the houses
voting separately.
Senator Stephenson makes the claim
that he was elected Senator on that day.
although he has not at any time received
/ a majority OF the votes cast on any OF
the ballots taken in the joint assembly.
The papers we're allowed to lie on the
Vice Presidents table, and VIII bs print
ed for the information Of the Senate.
Ia Toilette Makes speech.
Senator La Toilette made a brief state
ment Immediately following the submis-
sion Of the papers. in which he clearly
indicated his opposition 20 the course
that had been taken by his colleagues.
and stated that further certified records
would be brought on and submitted to
the Senate, which would cast some doubt
on Senator stephenson's claims Of cleo
ton.
Just what course Mr- stephenson's
friends in the Senate intend to take IS
not clear. but it is certain that no action
can BE taken until after l2 o'clock to-
morrow
TWO courses are open to them. The
Senator may present himself at the Vice
Presidents desk on that day prepared
10 take the oath OF Office. but II he does
50 upon the credentials submitted to-day.
his right 20 take the oath viii be chal-
lengeG
The other course opened to him. and
the one that win probably No followed.
will be for one Of his friends 20 ask for
the reference Of his credentials 20 the
Senate Committee OF Privileges and Elee-
tons for a report
Mr.. Stephenson's documents were
brought 10 Washington Saturday by
William r. Wheeler. United States at
torney for the Western district Of Wis
consin. senator Stephenson had several
his colleague. Mr.. La Toilette.
Mr. Stephenson asked his colleague as
a matter Of courtesy 20 formally submit
the papers 20 the Senate. Senator Ia
Toilette declined 70 do 80 unless he was
permitted 10 accompany the act by a
statement Of what he conceived % be
the real situation in the Wisconsin legis-
lsture
Stephenson In Conference
Senator Stephenson took the matter IN
der sdvisement and had another long
conference yesterday. IN which he urged
Mr- Ia Toilette 10 content himself by
merely submitting the document Senator
Burrows. chairman of the Committee on
Privileges and Elections. also had a talk
with Senator Ia Toilette in which he
pointed out 10 him the usual course IN |
such matters.
The senior Senator declined TO accede |
10 the programme outlined for him 10 &C.
cept on his own terms He reminded Sen
ator Stephenson and Senator Burrows
that an unusual situation existed in Wis
consln. which cast serious doubt upon
Senator StephensOn's claims TO the seat.
He declared also that the certified rec
ords brought On 20 Washington did not
convey all the information as to what
took place IN the legislature on that day. |
He told his colleague that there was no
occasion for undue haste IN the matter. !
and intimated that his course suggested /
sharp practice.
Finally Senator Stephenson decided to |
enlist the Offices Of another of his col !
leagues. and Senator Nelson agreed TO act (
e~v- oil f14k 4<-E
I'll the matter had been submitted. when /
he asked permission TO make a statement. |
He said:
''Mr President. All that I desire 10 /
say in this connection is that I am In /
formed that the purported certified copy |
OF the proceedings in the Wisconsin leg
islsture with respect to the election Of |
a United States Senator to succeed the |
junior Senator from Wisconsin does not /
contain all OF the proceedings OF the /
legislature with respect 70 that matter. /
and that in due course the full proceed |
ings OF the legislature Of Wisconsin anG /
OF each branch Of the legislature will 4
be presented 10 this body for its con-
sideration. I deem t proper 70 add that /
it Is claimed that 10 election has yet
transplTed to choose a United States /
Senator TO succeed the junior Senator /
from Wisconsin. Mr.. President deem |
II pertinent TO add thst-I offered to /
present the papers offered by the Senator |
from Minnesota. and stated 70 my col |
leagues that in presenting them I should |
add this brief statement
Statement Not Satisfactory.
1T manifestly was not satisfactory that
this statement should be made in connec-
ton with the preseutetton Of The usperS
I deem It just 10 both branches Of the
legislature Of the State OF Wisconsin that |
the statement which I have submitted /
should be made in this connection.
The legislature Is stiIl meeting, as I /
understand, at 12 o'clock OF each day. |
and voting upon the election Of a United l
States Senator An investigation is in 4
progress in that body upon specific 4
charges made, and a full report Of the 4
proceedings cannot be transmitted until 4
the investigation is concluded. and such /
action as the legislature may take upon /
It completed"