Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-01
SENATE SEAT COSTLY
Stephenson Will Explain Where
the $4,000 Went.
INQUIRY OPENS MONDAY
Investigation of His Election to Be
Made.
SESSIONS IN MILWAUKEE,
Probe Will Be Directed by Subcom-
mittee of Which Hepburn Is
Chairman.
SESSIONS IN MILWAUKEE
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. September 80
Sensations similar to those developed
when the investigation into the cleo
ton of United States Senator Isaac
Stephenson Of this state is begun here
Monday. The subcommittee Of the
Senate committee on privileges and
elections, which will conduct the
probe. is composed of Senators Hey
burn of Idaho. chairman; Bradley or
Kentucky, Sutherland of Utah, re-
publicans. and Paynter of Kentucky
and Pomerene of Ohio, democrats. and
was appointed at the last session of
Congress. when Senator Stephenson
admitted in the publication of his cleo
ton expenses that he had spent $1O7.-
600 to insure his election to the United
States Senate.
Some sensational disclosures are ex-
pected. owing to the activity Of the
large anti-Stephenson element.
Uncle Ike, as Senator Stephenson
is Familiarity known, is apparently not
worrying about the results of the in
veStigatiOn. He freely admits spend
ing the money. but insists that all his
expenditures were we'll within the
limits OF the law.
Clashing Assertions.
The senator's friends state that the
mere fact of his complying with the state
laws and publishing the full extent of his
campaign expenses proves his honesty.
They laud his loyal support of the re-
publican party and recall past elections
when: the Stephenson purse was at the
command of his party leaders.
Those who are of different political
complexion are just as positive that the
senatorial investigation will lead to Ste
phenson's political death. They hint at
sensational disclosures. stating that the
S1O7 900 primary election item is but d
portion of the sum really expended Tor
Uncle Ike's'' election
1t is further stated that an attempt will
be made to show the fallacy of the popu-
lar election of United States senators
through the primary system.
Hoping to Hurt La Toilette.
1t is also said that efforts will be
made to uncover the political past OF
Senator Fighting Bob" La Toilette, who
up to the last presidential campaign had
the support of Senator Stephenson. In
this direction the political enemies of La
Toilette and his progressive policies hope
to injure his prestige and thwart his
rumored intention of creating a split in
the republican ranks in the presidential
struggle of 1912. They claim that the in
vestigation will not be without sansa-
tional developments and assert that Wis
consin politics will receive jar that
will rival the IIormer disclosures
Senator Stephenson is one of the richest
men in the middle west His fortune is
estimated at $2O,CO0OO0. His attitude
has been one of frankness throughout.
10 o6y he eynen6itlIre
100000. but seems inclined to view
it as mere bagatelle.
The senator is over eighty-twO years
old, and has been identified with politics
ever since the accumulation of his for
tune He has always been noted for
his extreme liberality in support of his
party, winning a great many friends
throughout the state.
About thirty years ago he served two
terms In the state legislature and was
later sent to Congress, where he served
six years.
Broke With La Toilette.
Senator Stephenson supported Senator
La Toilette for about ten or twelve
years, while he was making his fight
for recognition before the voters Of the
state, but broke with him about four
years ago. The structure is rumored to
have come about through La Follette's
refusal to stand back OF his ally in his
ambition to reach the United States Sem
ate, as we'll as Stephenson's frOwns upon
La Follettes alleged desire to make the
presidential race in 1908.
When the last senatorial election came
around Stephenson saw his opportunity
in the lately enacted direct election of
United States senators law to crafty his
ambition to reach the United States Sen
ate, and went before the people for ap-
pointment to that body. After his sue
cessful campaign he was obliged by the
Wisconsin law to file an account Of his
campaign expenses. The budget amount
ed to SLOT COO, and its size aroused sus
picion. The succeeding state legislature
ordered an inquiry, with the result that
the United States Senate was asked to
make an investigation.