Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-05-26
WILL SUMMON LEGISLATORS
WIEN PRIVILEGE CANNOT
BE INVOKED
NEWSPAPER MEN TESTIFY TO
ookAcHowskrs STORY OF
$500 OFFER.
Madison. MAY 20.

preliminary report and recommends
ton which was drawn yesterday and
which will be submitted today is fav-
Orably considered by the senate.
The report recites that the com
mittes has been hampered in its
work by the absence from the state of
witnesses whom it considers import
ant. The report prays for authority
to summon and examine witnesses
after the close of the regular session
for as long u period up to the special
session as the committee may deem
necessary.
The senate taday undoubtedly will
grant the committee all its wishes
and the continuation of the session
OF the investigating committee beyond
the regular session of the legislature
probably up to the special session,
seems to be assured The committee
is confident that it will have the pow
er to summon members of the assem-
bly, after the close of the regular SEES
sion as their legislative privilege ex
pires fifteen days after the session
closes.
The opinion OF the attorney general
regarding the inquirr of the commit
tee as to whether members of the as
sembly are justified in claiming legis-
lative privilege for cause of disre-
garding the su5poenas OF the commit
tee, is still pending. 1t is thought
however. that Attorney General Gil
bert will sustain the assembly mem
bers in their claim that they are priv
ileged to disregard subpoenas. The
opinion is expected today.
The committee heard entertaining ex-
pert testimony yesterday on political
conditions. Henry F .Cochems, Peter j.
Koehler and William l.. Essman, all
seasoned campaigners, were the ex-
perts. Mr.. Koehler and Mr.. Essman
discussed local conditions in Milwau-
kee while Mr.. Cochems devoted his
testimony to the methods of the can
didates for congress.
Assemblyman Twesme told about
his campaign in Trempealeau county
Three Legislative correspondents of
Milwaukee newspapers occupied the
witness stand yesterday afternoon and
told about an interview with Assem-
blyman Domachowski regarding the
story, that he had been offered $1,000
by the Stephenson people to stay out
OF the joint session. The last witness
was Senator Pearson who confirmed
their testimony.
William Essman, former campaign
manager for Mr. McGovern in Milwau
kee county, was the first witness at
the opening Of the afternoon session
of the investigating committee. Mr.
Essman testified regarding election
method I'd practices in Milwaukee
county and declared that the election
inspector was a very powerful factor
to be taken into account in close cam
paigns. He said he knew that paid
election inspectors usually carried
their precincts for the candidate whc
hired them.
The talk that is going around OIL
every election day III Milwaukee, thai
the inspectors are carrying the cleo
ton for the candidate who hires
them, III generally true" he said,
w. w. Powell. legislative CORES
pondent OF the Milwaukee Journal
was then called to the stand. He was
asked to tell what he had heard con
corning tie statement made by As
semblyman Dcmachowski on the da!
OF Stephenson's election that he ant
other assemblymen had been Offered
money to stay out of the joint session
and make possible the election.
"Domachowski told us several times
tn. day. when pressed by the CORES
pohdents. that he had been zap
preached bur would not state an.
amount" said Mr.. Powell.
"He didn't act as if it were joke
AT that time He was very much il
ernest. and took out his handkerchie
tc mop his brow
Mr.. Powell stated that P. J. Wat
rous and Winter Everett, Milwaukee
newspaper correspondents, and Sens
tors Pearson and Hardwood wer'
also present when Domachowski wa
interviewed concerning the offer.
when you questioned him abou
this, you say the perspiFatlon SUM
out on his forehead"
Yes, sir, so noticeably that We re
mark ed about it at the time"
The witness saio he got his hrs
information about Domachowski'
story from senator Pearson. who wa
told about the $500 offer by Donna
ch,vs ski himself. 1t was to Assem-
byn.an Zimmerman. however tha
pomachowsat first made the safe
ment
When did this take place.
"On the same day that Senate
Stephenson was elected, immediatel
after the election"
Mr.. Powell testified that in cor
vers alton with . number Of men. 500
after the Domachowski story bega
to ~ no.sai around the capitol, som
81 whom ~~-e Stephenson men. il va
uggested mat the story might be trut
and that one man raised the quest.o1
What would YOU say if DomachowsA
had solicited money To stay out2"
T. watroas. on being called
Uea stana eestifeS that be was pre-
4at during the interview with Dom