New-York tribune., 1911-10-11
Charges Against Stephenson Put
Up TO State Senator Blaine.
KNEW NOTHING OF BRIBERY
Witness Admits Accusations
Were Prompted by Rumors
and What He Read

Milwaukee, oct 10-The charges that
Tinted States Senator Isaac Stephenson.
~ Wisconsin secured HIS election through
bribery and that he spent slo7, 7a7 corrupt
~ ~ influence voters were put bv the Sen
ate investigating committee to-day square
lv III 70 John blaine. state Senator.
who brought the charges. blaine admitted
ne had no facts or information personally
known 70 him 70 ho true on which 70 sub
stantiate his charges re said that the
charges were based largely on newspaper
editorials, political speeches and hesrsay.
And upon such information YOU were
willing 70 make allegations which might
teopardize a United States Senator, and
which, II proven. might seud him 70 the
penitentiary. is that true7" asked Sen
ator W r. Hevburn. the chairman
Blaine made no answer except that he
thought he was performing a public duty
by having an investigation OF what he said
was current report
DO YOU think that a public dutv-to
bring charges against United States
Senator without facts 10 substantiate
them" asked Chairman Hepburn.
II thought 90" replied the witness.
so when the investigation is begun you
have no facts 10 give 10 this committee
which could he admitted in a court OF law
as proper and pertinent 10 challenge the
validity either OF Senator Stephenson s
nomination or or his election
None, OF my own knowledge"
6aine's Original Charges.
Blaine was on the witness stand practi-
cally all day. II was he who originally
brought the charges in the Wisconsin
Legislature, where two Investigations were
held, one resulting favorably TO the SEN
ator and one adversely. Following the ad-
submitted the question 10 the United States
Senate
Blaines charges, purporting 70 give six
teen specific instances wherein the law had
been violated were. In brief that prior "a
his nomination al the primaries in 1905 Sen
ator Stephenson corrupty spent Sl07, ,793 10
secure his election. The first three charges
pertained 10 the giving by Senator Stephen
son 10 f. a. Edmonds. his campaign man
ager. "a sum IN excess Of Sl06,0co and ape
Iroximating $4,000 u was developed that
tl07, 793 was the correct amount.
How do YOU know TINT this money was
given 10 Edmonds to commit bribery and
10 accomplish other corrupt ends" Blaine
was asked.
81 had Edmondss word that he received
certain sums for campaign purposes. The
words corrupting and bribing electors We're
put to meet the requirements Of the law In
making specific charges in such instances.
You had no facts Of your personal
knowledge upon which 10 base them?'
None
For his charge tnat 1900 was paid n
Roy Morse. of Fond du Lac. Wis. 70 he
used unlavfully. Blaine said he read an
editorial in a newspaper a. Appleton. Wis
That's 2 pretty severe charge 70 base on
an editorial YOU had read You did not
even telephone 70 that editor 10 find out
whether his information was correct said
Chairman Hepburn.
Two charges that money was distributed
unJavfunv 70 voters i'm Grant County and
10 voters In the entire state, Blaine said,
were made on information given him by l.
H. Stevens and o. A. Eastman, but he had
no details
You say that money was paid 70 buy
The votes ~ Democrats
information from Editorials.
That is a general charge. and / had IN
mind various rumors. ] got some informa-
tion out ~ an editorial published IN
newspaper a. Bloomington, Wis.
His Information that stephenson spent
money IN purchase editorial support Blaine
said. was given him ny an editor AT Lam
caster. Wis
G. L. Kingsley former deputy game
warden. testified that in March. leo9. when
the investigation by the State Legislature
vas under vav, he was called 10 Game
Warden Stones home. at Madison.
stone said he had 70 account for I'D
and ne wanted US 70 pretend We had re-
-eivsd part OF it said Kingsley, Stone
had 10 testify before the legislative com
rittee what was done with the money, and
instead IF telling what was really done
NTH r. he wanted TO say We got Il was
On rretend 10 having received go. Johnson
s9so and Richtmann $50 We agreed TO do
This on condition that we would not ne
called 70 testify at the legislative investi-
CATION
Senator Hevburr then read tho proceed
i,qs Of the legislative investigation, ~
ubich stone had testified that he actuaIl'
5id give the money 10 Kingsley. kingsley