Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-03-05
LEGISLATIVE DOINGS.
1Ry our own correspondent ]


Madison, March 3d.-The special
order last Tuesday morning was the
consideration of the bill appropriate
ing money for the rebuilding of
Science Hall and the erection of
buildings for gymnasium and a
chemical laboratory. Col. Villas
made a lengthy and interesting
speech in its favor, in which he
pointed out many reasons FOR the
passage of the bill, and drew to the
utmost from his renowned supply Of
eloquence. Other speeches were
made by Messrs. Norcross, Bruell,
Adams and Parish, in favor of the
appropriation. The Hobbies and gal
leries were crowded with listeners,
nearly the whole force Of University
professors and students being pres
ent. The speakers were enthusias-
tically applauded. Three amend
ments were offered and defeated,
and the bill passed the assembly I'M
der suspension of the rules as re-
ported by the committee. The total
amount Of the appropriation is
S237, 900, besides $4,000 insurance
money received for Science Hall.
The Senate, it is hoped, will take a
more economic view of the matter.
Up TO the time that Science Hall
was consumed nobody heard of its
being so miserably insufficient for
the purposes Of the State, as Col.
Villas would now make appear. The
destroyed building and equipments
cost about $4,000. Suppose the
people now donate $l50,0bo to re
build and make it as nearly fire-proof
as practicable, and allow the $4l,
600 insurance money to be used for
wouldn't that be liberal,
under the circumstances 1t seems
so from our standpoint, and we con
cur with those who hope that the
Senate will see it so likewise.
The champions of the large APP.
for Science Hall are
specially opposed to the establish
ment of a separate agricultural col
lege, and boast that they bave the
latter enterprise smothered under
the immense proportions of the
former. We are not prepared to
give unqualified endorsement 70 the
separate college scheme, but GER
tainly hope it will be disposed of
on its merits, and not defeated be-
cause of too great extravaganza in
building up the already richly en-
dowed university.
It's notorious fact that of late the
State Agricultural Society has been
managed by a few politicians in the
interest of the democratic party.
In addition its management has be-
come yearly more expensive to the
state. 1t appears by actual figures
that the society draws annually, di
rectly and indirectly, from the state
treasury, about $4,000. Many farm
ers are dissatisfied with the returns
for this outlay, and this dissatisfac-
ton is no doubt partially expressed
in some measures before the legisla-
ture. Among these is a bill provid-
ing for a Board of Agriculture of
five members, to be appointed by
the governor and confirmed by the
senate. Said board to have a secre-
tary at $500 per year and the
members to be paid for attending
sessions, not to exceed in any year
thirty days, at s. per day. Said
board to discuss all questions per-
tanning to agriculture in it's various
branches-stock breeding, care aud
treatment of the same, etc, and dis
ceminate such information as they
may gather for the benefit of the
farming community of the state.
Under the lead of Clinton Bah
bitt, the political secretary of the
State Agricultural society, a desper,
ate effort is being made to defeat
this bill, and through the democrat