Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-03-03
STATEMENT OF
STEPHENSON
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mon y TnsKs.ls 4 speech 70 me coIa.
Hltttes before ne was sworn. In which
he accused the assembly members OF
that body Of calling him In order that
his thunder would be known TO the
Stephenson managers and thus & de
them ia their later testimony. He
also reserved his legislative privilege
TO answer subpoena at such times as
were most convenient to him.
In response to another request from
the committee, that he produce his
documentary evidence to support his
charges. he again refused. saying the
papers were under lock and key and he
could not get them so soon. 1t is pre-
sumad that ne will continue TO refuse
to testify 70 anything material 50 long
as there is sfiil testimony to receive
in connection with Stephenson's ex-
penditurss.
Bancroft Before Committee.
On Friday, Speaker Bancroft, who
had been named as having received
$3.50 from the Stephenson compain
fund, appeared before the committee
and said he would tell what he did
with the money, but he reserved the
right to protect his friends" and would
not give the names Of the persons to
whom he paid such money. This. de-
spite The vote of the committee, 5 to
3. that he be required to answer r
question on that subject.
lie testified however, that he con.
scented to expend Stephenson money
with considerable reluctance, but taat
he undertook to organize Richland
county for Stephenson out OF friend
ship for the 8larinette statesman. He
swore that he had not expended a dol
lar OF the money for his own campaign
for the assembly, but on the contrary
had paid out an additional 800 out of
his own pocket. He had figured that
1t would cost about $40 precinct to
organize Richland county.
Lehr Is Full of Fight.
The attempt of Senator j. e. Lehr,
OF Appleton. to stop the payment of
the expense of the senatorial investi.
supreme court, that body, upon hear.
ing his application for an injunction,
deciding that 1t was within the lati-
tude of legislative activity to lnvesti.
gate anything 1t wanted to, and there
fore it was not within the Jurisdiction
of tie court to call halt to the pres
ent inquiry.
Senator Lehr Immediately made ap-
plicatioL to the Dane county circuit
court and the hearing on the petition
will come up some time this week
From there doubtless 1t will go to the
supreme court, in order that Senator
Lehr may properly make ar effort RI
take the matter up to the United States
supreme court for final adjudication
He asserts the law providing for the
nomination OF United States senator's
by the people is in violation OF the
federal constitution. in that 1t is "cc-
ercion" Of the legislature, which elects
the senators.
Stephenson's Latest Move.
II became known last week thar. an
ticlpating no election by the Iegisla-
ture. attorneys for Isaac Stephenson
have obtained from the chief clerks Of
each house certified copies OF the jour-
mails Of each house of January 26. by
which they hope to show the United
States senate elections committee that
on that date their client received a ma
jority of the votes OF each house, cast
separately.
Advices from Washington, however,
are to the effect that such an attempt
on the part of Stephenson to gain his
seat for the six-year term Is likely to
meet with hard shedding.
Bill to improve Police Service.
Probably no bill introduced at this
session has attracted greater interest
than 81 A, which is favorably recon-
mended by the assembly committee on
cities Chief of Police John T. JAMS
sen, OF Milwaukee, is strong advocate
OF the measure. and his influence is
great It is designed to improve the
police service of smaller cities so that
their department may become a part OF
a comprehensive system being organ
ICED In Wisconsin for the detection OF
criminals
The bill creates police and fire com
missions in cities of the fourth class.
Heretofore these have been In exist
ence only in cities OF the first. second
and third classes The idea is to bring
to an end political influence In the ap.
poiu,ment Of chiefs of police in fourth
class city police departments. By this
method the chiefs would be selected by
civil service.
Liquor Bills in legislature
Some interesting developments have
marked the past few days of the legis-
lature IN The consideration OF liquor
bills Assemblyman Jones. Monroe
county presented bill prohibiting
! free lunches In saloons which was fol-
lowed by the introduction Of a meas
ure by Assemblyman Ingram against
treating ia saloons Both bills were
reDorfad adversely Saturday