The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-04-04
SEN. STEPHENSON II
IS EXONERATED

WASHINGTON, d. c., Special
Senator Isaac Stephenson, of Wscon-
sin. is entitled to a seat in the Senate.
in the judgment of a majority of his
colleagues. The Senate late yester-
day afternoon, by a vote of 40 to 81.
decided that the charges of corrupt
methods and practices by which the
oldest member of the Senate is alleged
TO have secured his election were not
proved, and that the Senator is en-
titled to retain his seat.
Twelve Democrats were recorded as
voting in favor of Senator Stephen
SOL. and other Democratic senators
contributed to the result indirectly
For example. Senators Bailey and
Poynter were paired in favor of Mr.
Stephenson, and Senator Tillman and
Senator Taylor permitted Republican
senator's who were paired with them
TO break the pairs and vote for Sen
ator Stephenson. Senator Tillman
was absent on account Of i'll health,
and Senator Taylor is supposed 10
be dying at his apartments in Stone
leigh Court.
La Toilette Votes "No."
Senators Martin and Swanson. OF
Virginia, were absent and not paired.
Senator La Toilette, of Wisconsin, who
has not been seen in the Senate since
the incident at the Periodical Publish
ers dinner in Philadelphia. glided
quietly into his seat just before the
was called recorded himself in opposi-
ton to Senator Stephenson. Every
progressive Republican voted against
Mr.. Stephenson. and three regulars
Joined them-Smith and Townsend, of
Michigan. and Jones, Of Washington.
The vote came at the end of a day
OF very earnest debate for and against
Mr.. Stephenson. Senator Pomerene,
of Ohio, who condemned Mr.. Stephen
son for his large expenditure of
money, but who Joined in the report
generating him from the charges of |
corrupt methods and practices" led |
the debate in favor of Mr.. Stephen
son. Senator Sutherland also spoke |
IN favor of Mr.. Stephenson, while |
Senators O'Gorman, Lea, Kern. and |
Cummins spoke in opposition Sen |
ator Newlands made a brief explana-
tion of why he felt impelled to vote |
for Mr.. Stephenson. He declared that |
the acts complained of were commit
ted four years ago when standards of |
political morality were not as high,
he said, as they are today. Senator |
NeWlands amused some of his col |
leagues when hc declared that SEN
ate should not apply the standards of |
today TO acts that were committed |
four years ago, before the public con-
science had become so thoroughly |
aroused.
Stephenson Overcome
The Senate met at IL O'Clock and |
proceeded Immediately to the con-
slderation OF the case. 1t was a little |
after 8 o'clock yesterday evening when |
the vote was taken. Only one roll |
call was had. BY the defeat of SEN
ator Jones substitute last night and !
the withdrawal by Senator Works, of |
California, OF his proposed substitute !
the question REQUIRED on the adoption |
of the report Of the majority of the |
Committee on Privileges and Elec- |
tons.
Senator Jones substitute, as we'll as
that of Senator Works, although word |
ed differently, both declared the seat |
to be vacant.
Senator Stephenson sat during the |
entire debate in the Senate, but left |
room just bfore the vote was taken |
Members of his family sat in the SEN
ators' reserved gallery and heard the |
words Of praise and condemnation. |
Senator Stephenson seemed very much |
affected by the debate and was al |
most overcome by his victory. An
Other Interested listener to the debate |
was Senator William Lorimer. He is
not very regular in his attendance on
The sessions of the Senate, but since
the stephenson debate has been un-
der way he has been constantly in
attendance, apparently much interest
ed.
Frequently the case involving his I
title to his seat was referred to in the
debate. Senator Poindexter, Of Wash
ngton, was called to order by Senator
Hepburn because he had referred to
Senator Lorimer's election in uncom-
language.
Applause GreetS Result
the announcement of the result of
the vote was received by an unusual
demonstration of applause frorn the
galleries. Vice President Sherman
promptly rebuked this manifestation