The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-01-12
ANOTHER SENATOR
PUT UNDER THE
MICROSCOPE
Stephenson, Wisconsin, Charged
With Corruption
COMMITTEE FILES REPORT
Alleges Violation Of Election Laws
and Illegal Use Of Money in
Legislature

Madison, Wis. Jan 12.-Just as the
United States Senate is on the eve of
deciding whether the faint of bribery
In the case of Senator Lorimer Of
Illinois invalidates his title to the
seat he now holds charges are for
mally filed here alleging that United
States Senator Isaac Stephenson
owes his place 10 corruption and
other practices contrary to the laws
Of Wisoonsin--practices to which, it
is said, he gave countenance and aid.
In long statement filed with Gov
Francis h. McGovern yesterday, a
special investigating committee Of
the Wisconsin Senate of 1909, which
is also minority of q Joint election
investigating committee OF the two
houses of the legislature Of the same
year, declares.
The findings OF the committee are
that the nomination In the primary
and the election to the United States
Senate by the Legislature of Isaac
Stephenson OF Wisconsin is null and
void on account of attempted bribery
and bribery, corrupt practices by him
self and by his campaign managers.
| agents and workers and Of violations
Of the laws OF Wisconsin defining and
Furnishing offences against the cleo.
tive franchise.
The committee recommends that q
| copy Of this report be certified TO the
United States Senate by the governor
and the legislature with the request
that that body investigate the man
ner and means by and through which
Isaac Stephenson secured his election
to the United States for its action
| thereon.
The report is signed by Lieut.. Gov
Thomas Morris and Senator Spencer
w Marsh (Republicans) and Senator
Paul Husting. (Democrat1 The two
Republican members OF the commit
tee are members OF the la Toilette
wing of the Republican, party, and
Senator Husting calls himself pro
gresslve Democrat
In the 1909 Legislature charges
were made against Stephenson by Ia
Toilette followers, after the primary
election had given Stephenson a bis
plurality Four candidates we're be
fore the primary--Mr. Stephenson, S
A. Cook, Congressman and mem
Der OF the old ring; F. Il. McGovern
the present governor. a La Toilette
follower. and W. II. Hatton, also 9
La Toilette man. Stephenson. &C
cordng 10 his filed statement. spen
100000. Cook and Hatton about $50,
900 each. and McGovern $4,000.
In the detailed arraignment which
preceded the committees finding, Ser
ator Stephenson Is charged with VIC
lating the statute which requires an
account under oath Of campaign ex
pendtures to be filed. II Is furthe
charged that he violated the Law
which prohibits any one from con
trlbuting money 10 assist candidat,
for the legislature residing OUTSIDE
Of the district In which the contribu
tor resides.
That the civil service law OF thi
state was violated when he caused L
be paid money which the evidence
shows was paid to State Game Wal
den Stone and L. b. Dresser. thel
president OF the board Of control
That he gave sum OF money TO
supporter OF McGOvern for Unite
States Senator such supporter after
ward switching to Stephenson, ant
that he paid large sums Of money &
others which was afterward used b.
them TO induce other persons {
assist IN procuring his election.