Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-02-24


not be depended upon for truthful &C
counts, he believed, in the greater
number of editorial Offices.
Several Of the assemblymen TOOL
the ex-senator in hand for a cross ex
animation after Senator Husting lief
OF the direct inquiry. Assemblymar
Hambrecht was the first one.
DO you believe. Senator" he asked
that 30 days are enough TO tile an ex
pense ACCOUNT"
The ex-senator declared that he had
filed his, but that il later developed
that it had not been in its completed
form.
Asked for an Interpretation OF the
primary election. he said that ii was
an opinion of the people The plural
ity of a party primary candidate he
thought was the determination of the
party's final choice of a candidate
He thought the legislature would &c
cept such a man, barring irregulari
ties"
Considering the moral duty OF the
Legislators as distinguished from the
legal. what view devolves upon the
Legislators to accept regarding plural
ity OF candidates."
The natural drift is towards direct
election of senator's bs the people. The
view for the legislators o take would
be that which would admit the plural
ity candidate. There must have been
a sentiment for this when the direct
primaries We're established.
Assemblyman Whitman wanted to
know if the legislature was allowed
the prerogatiye OF Judging when the
plurality was MOI affected by "irregu.
larities."
Senator Hatton here admitted that
the primary did not perhaps anticipate
such developments.
The question of primary elections
came in rather late, he said further
No fair discussion upon it could be
had. 1t would have been much better
if there had been time for deeper
study of its principles.
The next question was whether he
would have filed his supplementary &C
count. if the investigation had not de
veloped.
4 believe that the purpose Of the
law" he continued. is 10 have as
wide publicity as possible The sup
Elementary statement would have
been filed even if this investigation
had not been ordered "
Asked if he paid MIR. Lush for the
managing of his campaign he referred
10 the last item of 81 200 in his al
fidavit. THE last payment Is for
I.ush's services" he said. He wrote
me that all matters were wound NJ
and I settled for his personal services
His letter gives a complete account
of all the moneys he received and eN
pended. Referring TO the insignia
canoe Of the remuneration he said
when man is interested in a prln'
ciple. he will give a great deal OF ms
time in working for it. Nh. Lush
worked for the small compensation
because he was willing TO work Tor
my good and for the good OF the
state. had many friends VINO
worked without any reward,
When asked what he thought
would be the effect Of a man SPEND
ing 100000 on primary eiechol'
he said
"Tbe influence of spending $500,
600 would be detrimental. There Ii
propriety in everything certain
amounts are legitimate and proper
Certain other amounts might be le
Ultimate but improper. 1t would
be against public policy to approve
fhe practice Of spending vast sums OF
money for primary candidates..
Mr.. Hatton would not say definitely
what he would consider proper
amount to disburse.
The area of the state Is 10000
square miles" he said. 1T would
reouire a considerable amount OF
money to r,vch all voters. II really
depends upon how a man spends his
money that moral grounds are
touched It's difIicult to state what
a reasonable amount would be-
Mr.. Would 100000 spent
as carefully as 100000 be reasona
ble?"
Mr.. Hatton-"I wouldn't ike "a
pass Judgment or personal matters
| don't want TO say anything tha
might be construed unfayorably with
reference to candidates that are be
ing investigated.
Mr.. Bray-"1f you were f:e times
as rich as YOU are. would you coTsid
or five times $4,000 reasonable 10
spend on the primary campaign?
Mr. Hatton refused to consider thr
question, laughing good naturediy
Mr.. Ingalls-"Can you draw any
line as to where candidate may
stop in newspaper Advertising
Mr.. Hatton-"It's "A question wheth
or the paid use OF papers Is to the
best interests of the people, The
daiiies are sources Of information
IIts doubtful whether newspapers re
celying money in campaigns couC
give fair news. Individual opin' or
might be suppressed where the bus
mess Offices are interested in th'
cash value of Che news columns"
Mr.. Ingalls-fYou don't want TO b.
understood that YOU did not use new