Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-06-10
TO PROSECUTE ALL
COMMISSIONERS
ASSEMBLY PASSES RESOLUTION
iNsTRUcTING ATTORNEY GEN
ERAL TO BEGIN ACTIONS.
HULL PROPOSES TO STOP INvEs-
LEGATIONS AND CALL GRAND
JURY.
Madison, June Z

The assembly passed late yesterday
afternoon a joint resolution offered
by Mr. Ingram instructing the attor,
ney general to begin and prosecute
actions against the present and all
former insurance commissioners and
the sureties on their official bonds,
receiving any fees or compensations in
addition to the salary provided by
law, and that at least one Of said &C
tions involving all questions, includ-
| ing the right to the retention of fees
for the valuation of policies, be
brought to trial at the earliest pos
sible time.
Before the measure was passed Mr.
Cleary presented an amendment,
which was adopted, striking out the
phrase stating that the sub-commit-
tee has filed a report in which the
questions raised by said charges are
fully disposed of, referring to the in
vestigation of the department of in
surance.
When the Stack resolution prOvid-
ing for an investigation of state Off
GERS and employees against whom
charges have been made was reached
Mr.. Ingram presented a substitute
The measure, after reciting that
the senatorial investigation had deveI-
.Oped testimony indicating that the
governor and game Wardens received
campaign money, makes provision for
the appointment of a special commit
tee to investigate conditions obtain
ing in the recent primary election
Mr.. Hambrecht spoke briefly for the
original resolution, pointing out that
in it the special committee is vested
with broad powers to investigate all
state departments. The Ingram res
olution, he said. ignores the insurance
department and simply provides for
continuation of the senatorial primary
investigation.
Mr. Hull opposed any further inves-
tigation He thought the state need
ed a grand jury if anything.
Mr. Ingram argued that the Stack
resolution could only have one effect,
of preventing the attorney general
going into court and prosecuting an
action in accordance with the evil
dence unearthed in the insurance de-
partments by the special sub-commit-
tee
Mr.. CuIbertson favored the original
resolution.
Mr.. Barnett thought the state had
INDUCED in enough investigation.
The Ingram substitute was rejected
by vote of 43 to 50.
Mr.. Ingram moved the indefinite
postponement of the Stack resolution
declaring it is not strong enough.
Mr.. Cleary said the resolution was
not aimed at the insurance depart
ment alone but provided for an inves-
tigation of any and all state officers
or employees who may be under a
cloud as a result of charges preferred
against them.
Mr.. Hughes asserted that all these
investigations appeared to be political
moves between opposing factions in
the republican party. For years, he
said, this state capitol has been hon
eycombed with corrupt practices.
Indefinite pOstponement was voted
down. "a to %, and the measure was
then passed. The house refused to
reconsider the vote.
Mr.. Ingram presented another reso
to start suits against all insurance
commissioners of the state who may
have retained fees collected from life
insurance companies which should
have been turned into the state treas
Jury.