The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1909-05-07


chairman of the Republican state CEN
trail committee and manager of Isaac
Stephenson's campaign, was in con-
tempt of the senate in falling to re-
spond to a subpoena issued on him
April II.
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 a day, when
he proceeded to Washington Not hav-
ing returned Friday, the committee
carried it's grievance before the senate,
which, after some debate, voted to as
sert it's dignity by holding him in con-
tempt
Saturday the committee spent in
Milwaukee examining the books of the
Marshall & Illsley bank The purpose
of this action is to ascertain, if posi-
BILE, the disposition of some $4,000 of
the total of SLOT 500 spent by Stephen
son, which has in no way been ac-
counted for by Stephenson or his man
ayers.
Senators Not Satisfied.
While the joint committee was in
session it had access to the stub book
showing all cashiers checks issued to
Chairman EdmOnds, J. FL. Puelicher or
r. H. 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 eAssemblyman J. E. 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, at which Stone and sew
eral deputies framed up a story that
several deputies were to admitreceiv-
ing money they in fact had never re-
ceived, Thomas admitted being in the
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 was in hurry
to catch a train and that he thought !
he 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 PROPOSE
ton 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 it would be small business for
the state to 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 and furthermore that no more
franchises should be granted hereaft.
er without some provision of state pro
lection and compensation.
1t was contended that this was one
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