A committee of investigation was appointed which proceeded perfunctorilly for about a year.

The senator was never expelled but any influence he may have had and any power to hamper the activities of the government, were effectually killed for the duration of the war.

The suppression of the senator did not proceed so much from congress or the White House, as from the press of the country.

Without regard to views or party, the newspapers of the nation voluntarily and patriotically entered what has been termed a "conspiracy of silence" regarding the activities of the Wisconsin senator.

By refusing to print his name or give him any sort of publicity he was effectively sidetracked and in a short time the majority of the people of the country forgot his existence.