The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-03-06
MADISON CORRESPONDENTS,
The End Approaching-Th Railroads
The Religious Liberty Bill ~.
Passed the Senate The
S New County Miscef-
q lane0ns Matters. 81

MADISON, February 27.-This, the
last week of the session but one, has
been tull OF business with our law
glvers and a great deal of work has
been mplished-more, in fact, than
during any previous week of the SEES
sion. And thus is usually the case with
our Legislatures. No sooner has the
time for final adjournment been fixed
upon, than a noticeable increase in
regular attendance ON daily sessions re-
suits, and deeper interest is maqifest-
ed In pushing work. Consequently
there Is usually more accomplished in
the two last weeks of the session than in
any three or four weeks preceding
The final adjournment resolution, which
fixed TIE 25th ult. as the last day of the
session, has been reconsidered and the
time extended to the 4th prox. This was
absolutely necessary, as the business on
hand couldnotpossibly have been closed
out by the former date, while this ex-
tension affords ample time in which
to finish the labors of the session With
out unnecessary haste. And here /
might, We're | SO inclined, indulge in a
short hom;ly on the benefits realized
from our system of paying our legisla-
tors salary instead of the per diem
formerly allowed, but the reasonable
length OF cur later sessions and the
comparatively small amount of unnec-
essary and frivolous Legislation enacted,
IS sufficient commentary on the wis
dom OF the change, and I forbear. The
all-absorbing
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
and indeed, ! may say of the session,
has been, What shall be done with
the railroads. The companies, as
have already informed you, desire at
least modification of the present law,
and during the week have had a large
lobby here in their interest. While
all admit that some other adj
| ditlonal Legislation is necessary-either
an entire new law, or a modification of
the present statuJe-still all are at a
loss as to what course to pursue to ac-
cemplish the' desired end. And, to
make confusion worse confounded, F."
the railroad commissioners themselves
are III as bad muddle as everybody
else. A majority of the board. Messrs.
Hoyt and Osborn, have agreed upon a
bill and presented it to the legislature.
Mr.. Paul, however, dissents. The bill +.
as regards limitations, is nowise differ
ent from the Potter law, the rates re-
naming the same. 1t simply gives
power to fix the actual valuation of
railroad property in order to determine
the earning for each road, and fixes limi-
tations within the given 10 per cent.
10 this end it is necessary to have the
actual gross earnings of each road.
The bill provides for this, by sworn
statements. Hoyt and Osborn ex-
planned and advocated their bill before
the House on Friday, and a motion to
refer 1t to special committee was
lost An evening session was held
| for its further consideration, and
substitute was finally adopted in
the shape of Mr.. Quimby's amendment
to the Potter law, and at the closing of
this letter, II P. NJ, the Assembly is still
in session, filibustering on a motion to
order to a third reading. In the Senate
the Quimby bill has been ordered read
third time
| TIE WISCONSIN CENTRAL.
| The action of the Assembly towards
| the Wisconsin Central Il. r. Co. has
not shown that the feeling towards rail
roads is very favorable On Wednes-
day morning the bill to extend the time
OF the exemption of lands along the
line, from taxation, for five years from
1876 came up and was defeated. An
amendment to extend the time for three
years, was then put III, and also defeat
ed, and the whole bill was then laid on
the table. 1t came up gain by recon
slderatlon, in the evening-and was
again defeated.
THE IMPEACHMENT.
The Judiciary Committee have held
regular sessions for the purpose of tax
ing testimony in the impeachment case.
No mixing can be obtained as to the
drift of the testimony taken, but /
doubt if it will be found of sufficient
Importance to bring the Judge before
the Senate. 1t seems now as if the at
tempt to impeach will fail at this s@
sion at least, and if not entirely aban-
doned will go over to the next. CT re-
qulre an extension of this session.
RELI IIoUs LIBERTY. Y
The bill allowing religious liberty in
the State penal institutions has passed
the Senate, where it occassioned a long
debate The bill has more especial re
ference to the Waukesha Reform
School. Some time ago reports were
circulated that the Superintendent of
that institution refused to allow Catho-
lie priests to ofliciate there. This of
course aroused the ire of the clergy of
that faith. and through their efforts the
bill was framed and presented. 1t is
said, however, that there were no
grounds for the complaint, as perfect re-
hgious freedom is tolerated in the re-
form school, as well as all other public
Institutions of the State.
TAYLOR COUNTY.
The Senate bill creating a new county,
to be called Colby, out of portions Of
Lincoln, Clark, and Marathon, was kill
ed, but in it's stead, the Assembly has
passed a bill erecting the county of
Taylor out of Clark, Lincoln, Marathon
and Chippewa. Little opposition was
made to it, 1t will form part of the
thirtieth Senatorial district, and with
Chippewa, will compose new Assem-
bly, district
OTHER MATTERS.
Ihe memorial to Congress regarding
the Wisconsin and Fox river improve
ment, asking the Government to push
forward the work of constructing canal
from Green Bay to the Mississippi Cat a
cost of from 100000 to $4,000, 0OG)
has passed both Houses in order to
reach Congress before adjournment
The bin compelling county treasurers
in the counties having a valuation of
$50, 0O0, 900 to deposit the funds of the
county. has passed the Assembly.