River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-01-27
MADISON CoRREsPoNpE NCE.

MADISON, Wisconsin, Jan. "a, 1881.
EDuoRs JoURNAL:-Since my letter
of one week ago the Senatorial ques-
ton has been disposed of, and all who
were on the ragged edge" because of
the uncertainty attached thereto, now
breathe easier. The Keyes and Saw
yer factions each held a caucus on
Tuesday evening, when it appeared
that the latter had secured adherents
enough to effect the nomination Of
their chief, and hence the regular eau
Gus on Wednesday evening was mere
~ matter of form to ratify the views
of Il majority of the Republican mem
beers Of the legislature upon this ques-
ton. On Monday evening the chances
of Reyes and Sawye were conceded
by the best informed politicians and
managers to be about equal, but on
Tuesday Senators Price and Scott,
together with their followers, WHO
had heretofore openly eSp0used the
cause of Reyes, changed front and
went into the Sawyer camp, carrying
with them victory for the 0Shk osh
statesman. Reyes takes his defea
quite philOsophicaliy and does not
seem to harbOr any ill-will toward any
one because of his failure to secure
the Senatorial prize. The Republican
caucus paid Mr.. Reyes handsome and
well deserved compliment by the
adoption of a resolution recommend
ing him for the position of Post Mas
ter General in the Cabinet of Presi-
dent Garfield. 1t seems to be general
~ understood here that Hon. Thomas
b. Scott, of Grand Rapids, will be the
Sawyer candidate for Governor next
fall, though it does not appear that all
who favored Mr.. Sawyer for Senator
are pledged to The support of Mr..
Scott
A bill has been introduced designed
to prevent the double assessment OF
incumhered real estate and to provide
an equitable mode of taxation for such
property. The enactment of law OF
the nature indicated has been advoca-
ted by the JOURNAL, | observe, and is
certainly measure which should re-
ceive favorable consideration at the
hands of law the makers
The attempt to repeal the oil test
law has thus far met with but little
favor and doubt its repeal, or even
modification. A determined effort
will be made to re-enact that fraud
known as the wolf-scalp bounty law,
and its success need not be matter
of surprise.
There will he big fight over the re-
apportiOnment Of the State, if pres
ent indications do not prove de-
ceptive. The members see in the
near future the adoption of the bien-
NAL amendment, which will reduce by
one-half, the number of opportunities
they will have for visiting Madison us
members of the legislature, and they
all want things fixed in such a way as
to best promote their chances for be-
coming acknowledged leaders in their
respective districts. There is hardly
a probability that the Senate district
in which Pierce county now is will re-
main the same, and the politicians OF
our county Will doubtless be content
to be joined with either Dunn or St.
Croix for the formation Of Senate
district.
The legislature evidently is not in
clined to Overwork itself at the outset
rs is evidenced by its Friday adjourn
ment till tonight. When the resolu-
ton limiting the time within which
new business may be introduced shall
have been disposed of work will begin
in earnest. The resolution now pend
ing fixes the limit at February 10th.
and this resolution will be brought mp
on Wednesday. One law has been
through the legislative mill, which
extends the time of the Black River
Railroad Company within which to
earn certain bonds.
The temperance people are rolling
in petitions for the passage oT a JOINT
resolution submitting to vote of the
people an amendment to the constitu-
ton prohibiting the manufacture and
sale of intoxicating liquors, and the
cry is. "still they come. 1t begins
to look as though these petitions will
be needed, Notwithstanding the In
difference with which they have been
heretofore treated. 1 can see no ten
able reason why this question should
not be submitted TO the people who