Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-02-24
Declares Agents Hand
die His Money as They.
Thought Best
McGovern Makes Expli.
cit Report of His
Campaign
Madison. Feb. II.


vestigating committee yesterday had
four of the candidates before il, and
the major facts of how the money for
campaign purposes had been dis
bursed we're revealed. Senator
Stephenson, leading republican candi-
date. occupied nearly the entire time
OF the morning and afternoon SEES
sions.
The investigation yesterday took on
a wider scope than was originally
intended The plan was to secure
merely the names of the managers
and the conditions under which these
had worked. But details as to now
to before the day was over. Beyond
the fact that large sums Of money
had been uisbursed in the leading
candidates primary campaign, no
sensational disclosures were made.
Spent $11 1,3s5.49.
The money spent by the Marinette
candidate. according to a supplements
ed report produced at the investiga
ton. reaches the tota' of Sill, 3S5.49.
There were no conditions imposed
on my managers" the senator stated
as to how the money should be
spent. They are all honorable men,
and l felt safe in depending upon
their discretion. 1t was understood
however. that they should keep with
in the bounds OF the law" The SEN
ator could not account for the differ
ence between the sum of $107. 1906
as given in the report to the secre-
tary of state and the figures of SILL
3S5.49 as shown in the statement pro
duced yesterday,
Nearly all of the details that the
committee desired to have, Senator
Stephenson left to his managers to-
supply. The persons to be examined
today are Neal Brown, democrat, W.
Fl. Hatton and S. A. Cook, republicans.
Managers of the campaigns will not
be called for until Thursday.
The agents on whom the burden
devolves as to how the money was
spent are e. A. Edmonds, chairman
of the state committee; ]. H. Puelich
er, of the Marshall C Illseley bank OF
Milwaukee; Redmond Sackett of
Berlin, now at Washington, and }.
A. Van Cleve, of the Stephenson
BANK. Senator Stephenson ayeTed
that he placed his campaign funds in
whom his managers could draw fol
expenses. Mr.. Edmonds had genera
supervision of organizing the forces,
while Mr., Van Cleve served as the
financial link between the Milwaukee
banker ard the Marinette aspirant for
reelection.
Senator Stephenson, about eight
years 0. age. answered the questsc
put to him in a low, almost inaudi'
BILE voice. The questions frequently
had to be repeated to him once or
twice before he could make replies.
His chief attorney, Mr.. Hyzer, often
quoted the words of the investigators
and assisted the senator in finding
the proper papers asked for.
Paid in Large Sums.
The moneys paid out in the primary
campaign were mostly in large sums.
The replies as to dates were fire.
quently indefinite. Senator Stephen
son assorted chat owing to the vast
amount of business that he has to at
tod IN H. could MT :, ralIae+ some
facts or never had entered into the
nature of them. There was no agree
ment between him and his managers
as to how much they were to receive
for their services. A check for So
900 in Edmonds' name was the only
compensation he is said to have re-
ceived A similar check made out TO
Sackett was the salary receired by
him
Senator Marsh, the chairman of the
committee, conducted the examina-
ton.
Senator Seemed Sensitive.
Senator, you were one Of the can
didates a. the primary last summer,
asked Senator Marsh.
Il was" replied the old gentleman.
Do you recall when It was you an
nouneed your candidacy"
Last June"
And the wheels of the inquisition
We're set into operation. z A. Ed
monds. the candidate declared, dis.
charged the duties Of campaign man
ager entirely He himself had done
very little campaigning.
Were you in the state during the
timer"
The senator said tha' he was and
that he visited seven o the counties.
He visited these. because it was
rumored that he was 90 old to be
out and he appeared there to di
prove the reports. The seven coun-
ties he visited we're NIarinette, Ra-
cine Kenosna, La Crosse. Rock
Waukesha and Winhebago. He also
visited Milwaukee he admitted later
Il was here tina. the senator fired