Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-03-01
CAPITAL NOTES.

1t is the universal opinion that foi
tardiness in getting down to bust
ness, the Legislature Of 1883 is un
paralleled. As a result, we may ex
pect bills to be rushed through with
out proper consideration from now
on, and the session TO close with less
good than harm chargeaDie to It's
account. But about half a dozen
bills have yet appeared before the
governor for approval, and those Of
local character. The six or seven
hundred yet in the hopper, include
everything of any importance, and
all Of them have to be disposed of
within three weeks, unless the SEES
sion is extended TO an unreasonable
length. There can be no dispudng
that the lack is almost entirely with
the Assembly. The Senate calen-
dar is kept clear from day to day,
and that body is constantly retarded
from accomplishing more than it
does because matters are clogged in
the House.
Chief Clerk Carr has been practi
cally deposed. He remains clerk
dc jure, but Roger Spooner is chief
clerk de facto, as the lawyers say.
Careful observers about the Capitol
express the opinion that Carr has
been to some extent made scape-
goat of, upon whom are cast many
reproaches that rightfully should be
borne on other backs. Inefiiciency
in the Speakers chair has been too
much ascribed to shortcomings of
the chief clerk. The importance of
having a chief clerk competent to
prompt an inexperienced speaker is
readily recognized; but the propriety
of having a speaker so thoroughly
competent as to need no prompting
or steering by chief clerk ought
to be as freely admitted Further,
the selection of inexperienced as
sistants to the chief clerk, under
demands Of Democratic members.
should in a measure be considered
in placing the blame for the bung-
lings that have characterized the
tran action Of business in the As.
sembly
Sergeant-at-Arms Kennedy has in
no wise disappointed his friends.
He makes a first class officer, and
with the aid Of his efficient assist
ant, McGinty, runs his department
to the satisfaction of everybody.
Sergeant Kennedy having been cen
eured for his action in relation to
the granting of the privilege to
yend cigars, candy, etc, in the As
sembly chamber, we feel it due to
him that our readers, who embrace
many Of his neighbors and friends,
should be acquainted with the facts
in the case: In accordance with a
long established usage, Mr. Kennedy,
as sergeant, was empowered to grant
the privilege of keeping a cigar
stand in the lobby. A Democrat of
Madison made application for the
privilege, strongly endorsed by Mad
ison people, and Mr.Kennedy agreed
that he should have it. Previous TO
the organization, a one-armed sol
der, employed 10 the Capitol, mad
opened up in the lobby small stock
of cigars, etc, under an explicit I'M
derstanding, that his continuing
there was subject to approval by the
Assembly, OF this Sergeant Ken
needy was not advised at the time he
promised the favor to the other man.
On learning the fact Mr.. Kennedy
expressed regret that he had made
the promise; gave the soldier notice
that he would probably have 10 va
cate, but that he could remain for q
time, and iutimated that something
might develop to enable him to stay
through the session. With the
knowledge and consent Of Mr. Ken
nedy, the soldier and his friends had
the matter brought to the notice of
members, and a resolution was in
troduced and passed before the time
set for removal, asking the sergeant
to allow the soldier to remain. None
were better pleased at this turn Of