Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-03
BUTTONS ALSO WERE DEAR
Autographs Also Helped Eat Up
$107,793 Campaign Fund.
NONE WENT FOR CORRUPTION
Senatorial Committee Hears How
Politics in Wisconsin May Be
Made Expensive.

MIL w Al Is EE. WIS. OCTOBER 3.-1nat
the $107.193 which was expended by
United States Senator Isaac Stephenson
in his campaign for nomination at the
primaries was used legitimat tely for
brass bands. Autographs. buttons and
other campaign advertising. and was
not employed corruptly. was the gist
of testimony given today before the
senatorial investigating committee.
The committee which is investigating
charges that Mr.. Stephenson procured
his seat in the Senate by bribery and
other corrupt use of money examined
Z. A. Edmonds, manager of the Ste
phenson compaign in 1908. Mr.. Ed
monds described in detail the method
of organizing in the state.
Knowing that the senator was de-
sirous of reelection, and fearing the
opposition was strong. the witness said,
a thorough organization was formed.
Nominated in Primaries.
This resulted in Mr.. Stephenson's
nomination at the primary and his cleo
ton by the legislature the year fol-
lowing. The thoroughness of the cam
paign explained the large amount of
money spent, Edmonds said, but all of
it was for the nomination and none Of
it for the election by the legislature.
Taking up the individual expense ac-
counts of c. c. Wayland, Appleton. Wis.
and A. r. Armes of Madison, Mr.. Ed
monds said all of them had complied
with the law in filing their accounts.
Edmonds said none of the campaign
workers rendered a detailed report OF
their expenditures, and no such report
was required of them.
nn - hot I'm In o
the law, you required no detailed report
of the moneys spent in Mr.. Stephenson S
behalf?" asked Senator Atlee Pomerene.
I'VE never required a report from
them
No Place for Poor Man.
1t was pointed out by the witness that
with 300 precincts in the state there
were S.966 republican party organizers.
This was intended to show, he said, that
Mr.. Stephenson's expenditures per capita
were not excessive. There was keen conn.,
petition among the republican candidates
and Mr.. Stephenson had to work hard
to get out the voters to insure his nomi-
nation, the witness said
"A man has to be ready to spend a
couple of hundred thousand dollars to
get the senatorial nomination in this
state. Isn't that sO?' asked Senator
Sutherland.
well. if he hasn't got the money he'd
better keep out of politics." responded
the witness. 1t was pointed out that in
some counties Senator Stephenson spent
an amount equal to s. a vote.
Did you notice any evidences of pros
perity after this money had been handed
out to the common people?" asked Sem
ator Hepburn, the chairman.
Il was too busy to observe" replied
q "a
the 'half-breeds' were determined to
beat u.s."
What do you mean by 'half-breeds? -
Call Them "Halfbreeds."
Half breeds in Wisconsin are what We
call the followers Of Senator La Fol-
lette or the republicans who are not reg
ular AS soon as they forsake the regu-
lar republican party for Senator La Fol-
lette they are called 'half-breeds.'
j. H. Puelicher, cashier of a milwaukee,
bank, who was custodian of the Stephen
son campaign fund, explained that a
voucher was always given when the man.
ayers drew for money. He was on the
stand when the noon recess was taken.
Eight witnesses were summoned today
to appear before the senatorial COM
mittee. The witnesses include the men
who acted as Stephensons campaign
manag gers in the primaries in 1905. when
the senator received the nomination
which led to his election by the legis-
lature in 1909.
Men who were state officers at the time,
and who are charged with having re-
ceved sums Of money to carry on the
campaign, also have been called.
Senator May Be Recalled.
1t is likely that Senator Stephenson
will be recalled to explain further his as
sertion that he expended S1O7, 1913 without
knowing in detail just where the money
went
Charles E. Littlefeld. counsel for the
senator. who maintains that there is
nothing to investigate and that the sena-
torial inquiry will result only in speedy
termination, announced that the defense
will court the widest scrutiny into the
charges.
THE more We investigate the less there
will be of the charges, he said. for
these charges have been scattered broad
cast over Wisconsin for the last two
wears. and not a private individual or a
public official has seen enough In them
to start prosecution
Grosscup Soon to Resign.
CHICAGO, October Judge Peter S.
Grosscup, who has announced his inten-
ton OF resigning from the United States
circuit court of appeals, today said he
las 6anr in he,