Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-03-24
WANT QUIZ SCOPE
INCLUDE ELECTION
SENATORS SEEK POWER TO Ex-
ANIME METHODS AFTER
PRIMARY.
RussELu SAYS PEOPLE SECURE
REPRESENTATION BY
NEW LAW.
Madison March II


Tha. the scope of the investigating
committee be extended TO include the
last senatorial election came up yes
terday at the investigation as unob-
trusiyely as it was unexpected. AS
semblynlan Hambrecht led off Mr..
Ekern, witness on Hatton's conduct,
into expenditures after the primaries.
Senator Marsh objected to the pro
ceeding on the ground that similar
testimony had been excluded on the
argument that the resolution circum-
scribed the extent of the probe to be
up to the election primary.
81 do not wish to exclude any tes-
timony," declared the chair. only as
a matter of fairness / shall have to
object to it. On previous occasion
it has been objected to to have testi-
mony admitted in regard to facts aft
er the primary election. In view OF
that | shall not consent to the ad-
mission of the present testimony.
Personally l wish we could have gone
into the methods leading up to the
senatorial election"
Mr.. Hambrecht withdrew his question,
but Senator Husting moved that the
witness be permitted to give the tes-
timony asked for by Mr.. Hambrecht
and that post primary Information re-
lating to the senatorial matter be al
lowed from all witnesses. Mr.. In
gals objected to the motion on the
ground that it was out of order, as
the resolution under which the COM
mittee is operating limits the investi-
CATION to the primary. Senator Hust-
ing modified his motion to read that it
is the sense of the committee to ask
the legislature to extend the scope OF
the investigation to include the last
senatorial election.
Assemblyman Bray would not agree
to Senator Hastings motion because
he thought the committee would not
want to spend a year on the probe.
He moved an amendment to the eff
feet that another committee be APP
pointed for the election quiz. The
amendment was lost, Senators Marsh,
Morris, Assemblymen Bray and Chap
pei voting for it. The Husting mo-
ton was lost. Senators Marsh, Mor-
ris, Hus ting and Assemblymsn Ham
brecht supporting it.
The question of interrupting the
Stephenson inquiry was not permitted
to rest. Assemblyman Bray moved
that the sergeant-at-arms be sent out
to find Hatton wherever he might be
in the state and serve subpoena on
him The senatorial contingency re-
fused to permit anything that would
break the continuity of the quiz in
progress.
81 feel earnestly that the investiga-
ton should at this time be concentrate
ed on Stephenson's campaign" Sena-
tor Morris said. Large amounts OF
money have been used. A blanket
rests over $4,000 in the Marshal &
nsley bank that We want to uncover
Legislators had been engaged in his
campaign. The imperative thing in
my mind is Stephenson. Stephenson
bought the senatorship with money
a place he could not have been elect
ed to if it had not been for Wellens-
CARDS vote"
H L. Extern, called to the commit
tee by the assembly side of the table,
any money in Trempealeau county in
which he had worked for Hatton. All
the friends of Mr.. Ekern worked
gratis. Regarding two checks for ST.
600 each from Senator Stephenson
the witness testified that that was
sent to the presidential headquarters
of La Toilette before the national
convention in Chicago. AS to the
moral Interpretation of the primary
law. Mr. Ekern believes that it is inn
bly, to be placed in charge of sena-
torial funds. as the incentive is
strong to mix interests
Mr.. Russell of the adjutant gener-
ais office MADE a full confession of
all the expen ditures incurred by him
and the methods used. 1t was of the
most frank Kind of testimony thus far
offered He admitted intermingling
accounts, but stated that he wished
it were made a penal offense to pay
workers or to receive money for get
ting out election voters to the polls.
He agreed that the primary election
law makes representation of the people
possible. why. 1 remember occa-
sions when three of us fellows would
get together in caucus and certify the
nomination of candidate" Mr..
Russell has been in politics for 40
years
Mr.. Russell continued his testi-
mony In the afternoon. He said he
had spent his money in this cam
paign as he had always done. He
has been in politics for 40 years. He
found that money helps in bringing