Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-03-12
FROM MADISON.
March II, 1885.

interest. The bill of Mr.. Pierce re-
curing persons about to contract
marriages to first procure license from
the county clerk, was practically killed
in the assembly Monday evening. Mr..
Parish spoke in behalf Of himself and
bachelor members and denounced the
bill and provoked much merriment.
Gov. Rusk forbid any one firing off
cannons in the park because windows
were always broken out of business
blocks and residences and the state was
compelled to foot the bills. Cleveland's
Inauguration was consequently COM
memorated quietly in this city.
Both political parties caucused on
the Friend high license bill Tuesday
evening, but failed to agree on any
definite plan of action. The democrats
are largely in favor of low license
while the republicans as rule favor
high license. 1t is quite evident that
the people expect high license law
from the present legislature and should
it fail to pass such a measure of relief
as will meet this popular demand,
there is great danger that we will be
defeated at the polls two years hence.
The saloons want low license, but they
are as rule almost unit in voting
the democratic ticket. A few Of them
manage to make enough blow about
their republication to scare some of
our republican legislators into the idea
that the party will meet defeat should
they increase the license. Our repub-
lican friends should remember that
two years of experience before the
election takes place, will make the
party solid with the best and strongest
element of voters In the state. The
increased license funds will afford
great relief to the heavily taxed citi-
zens of our cities who bear the burden
of the saloons, and their constantly
increasing wrongs-police and court
expenses. Give US high license.
The law and order league have
"pnlled" the gambling holes of this
city and the court fined one of the
proprietors $3.50 and costs, and the
property ordered destroyed according
to law. Attorney DIN is valuable
man in Madison, and is rapidly grow
ing popular with the law-abiding peo-
pie.
In the assembly the bill appropriate
ing money in aid of the several fairs,
was passed by decisive vote, adding
an amendment, which forbids the state
officers paying said sums except where
the proper fair officers make affidavit
that no liquors were permitted sold on
the fair grounds The societies can
now choose between taking state or
saloon aid. This is good move and
will meet the approval of most people.
The assembly joint resolution relat-
ing to the invitation rendered to the
legislature to visit the New Orleans
exposition was concurred In, and
Messrs. Stanley, Ring and Jones were
appointed committee on the part of
the senate to consider said invitation.
One of the most important bills
passed the assembly on the 9Th. 1t
forbids the sale, distribution or exhi-
bition of obscene, indecent or immoral
printing, engraving or literature.
The Legislative party Thursday night
was a largely attended affair, two
thousand invitations were issued.
Messrs. Harry and David Worthing-
ton and G. 7. Purdy and their ladies
were present. A delightful time was
enjoyed by all.
Senator Ginty's bill appropriating
$4,000 for the erection Of Govern
ors residence, has passed the senate,
by vote of % to S. Such build
ing is necessary.
GEORGE HILEs' SCHEME.
MADISON, March 10-Some rather
sensational proceeding were had, to-
day, in the room of the senate COM
mittee on town and county organiza-
tions, over the bin to organize the
territory formerly included in the town
of Dexter, into town to be hereafter
known as Grant. The bill is intro
duced in the interest of George Hiles
A year ago the County board of Wood
county set aside the town of Dexter,
and appropriated its territory among
adjoining towns. An appeal was
taken by Hiles to the supreme court,
where it was decided that the action
of the County board in the premises
was legal.
Those present with Hiles for the
bill were Messrs. & Q. Nye, G. w.
Briggs, w H. H. Cash, H. W.
Remington, L. 2. Powers, G. O.
Baker, John Bell. Opposed to the