Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-21

records of highways il case of the loss
or destruction of old ones. Amending
the laws relating to designations, vacan-
cies and removals from Office in villages.
Repeating certain provisions of city
charters exempting said cities from gen
eral laws relating to registration, and re-
storing the general law to operation in
such cities. After the introduction of
a number of bills the senate adjourned
to Thursday morning at 10 O'clock.
AssENBLY.-The first half hour was
taken up reading circumstances against
the passage of the Taylor bill, and also
against the medical bill; and petitions
were presented for the passage of'the CO.
employe bill and the bill licensing
stationary engineers. The speaker an
nounced as a committee on the part of
the assembly to investigate the state
printing, Messrs. Mccoy, Legler and G.
W. Pratt 4 communication from T. L.
Newton, secretary of the Wisconsin Agri
cultural Society, was read, stating that
the society had resolved to ask the legis-
lature to appropriate to it $1,000 600 for
the establishment of permanent fair
grounds in Milwaukee,; and also an ap-
preparation equal to 10 per cent. OF the
premiums actually paid out by the society
hereafter, in addition 10 the annual APP
preparation of $4,000. Resolution of Mr..
Keogh, that the republican party is
opposed TO the Importation of pauper
labor, and the contract system of convict
labor, was considered. Assembly bills
passed: Permitting the appointment of a
deputy coroner In milwaukee. Toamend
the charter of the city of Milwaukee, re-
lating TO committees. Permitting the
common council of the city of Milwaukee
to appropriate a certain sum to the
assessors of the various wards of MiIwau-
kee. To legalizs certain sewer plans in
Milwaukee. Relating to elections in the
city of Milwaukee. Authorizing the city
of Milwaukee to issue 100000 in bonds
for the erection of a city hall.
THURSDAY, Feb. IA.
SENATE.-A large number of remon-
strances we're offered. 4. ID. K. Thrane,
of Eau Claire, was confirmed as a mem
Der of the State Board of Health. A
large batch of bills were introduced, when
| the senate adjourned until Friday morn
ing.
AssEMBLY.-A joint resolution was
offered by Mr.. Willard providing for a
L
z, in order to allow members to attend
Harrisou's inauguration. Lies over.
Nearly thirty remOnstrances were pre-
sented against the passage of the Taylor
railroad bill; also, six petitions in favor
of the passage of a co-emplOyes bill; also,
six petitions favoring county option
bill; also, one petition for better lien
law; also, one petition for better game
Ioz oil
better inspection of stationary boilers
also, three petitions to amend the medi-
cal bill; also, one petition to repeal GER
tain law relating to the erection and re-
pair of town bridges. long discussion
was had over the proposition TO divide
the county of Ashland and making a new
county. Pending the consideration of
the measure the assembly adjourned uu-
til evening. At the evening session the
same subject was renewed, and after con-
siderable debate vote was taken and the
bill was ordered engrossed and read a
third time by a vote of 81 to 20, and
under suspension of the rules the pill was
passed.
FRIDAY, Feb. Is.
SENATE.-Again the flow of remonstran-
ces against the Taylor railroad bill food
ed the clerks desk. The Hobbies were
well filed, because it had been reported
that the committee on state affairs would
make report on the eden" matters in
northern Wisconsin. In proper time the
report was made as follows: From
authority undOub6ed by US, we are salts,
fed that the reports relative to such
places have been grossly exaggerated.
That houses of ill-fame exist cannot be
denied; but the charges of cruelty on the
part Of the keepers, or previous in
rocence of the inmates, are not sub
Stimulated by any evidence presented to
this committee. An examination of the
statu es will show laws for the suppress
sion Of all such resorts, If they are en-
forced. Th3 enforcement is in the ha-6s
of local officials. as it must necessarily
be. The executive of the state has dill
gently urged action on the part of the
local offic rs. If they have failed, he has
the right, on com plants being made, to
cite any delinquent officer before him to
show cause why removal should not
take place. The records prove that no
such complaint have been made show
ing oonotusively that if ''the dives in
Wisconsin" are any way near as alleged,
the parties affecting to possess
such knowledge preferred to vent that
knowledge in newspapers outsi lie of the
state, Or elaborate it In sensational lee
lures. Had a complaint been made to
the proper authority, your committee is
confident that the late executive, as we'll
as the present one, would have PROM pity
removed any delinquent officer. 1t must
be understood that, in the courts, in or
der TO secure convictions, necessary proof
must be put in evidence, and it is often
difficult and slow procedure to secure
this. Mere allegations are not sufficient.
Nearly all of the recent convictions
of houses of ill-fame keepers were
on com plants made prior to any
allegation of this question; and
those convictions, your committee is glad
TO state, having awakened a general
feeling in the communities affected,
to wipe out and utterly destroy all houses
of prostitution. Under these circum
stances, and in view of the impractical
bility of such a course, we think that a
legislative investigation is entirely un-
necessary. Before closing this report, your
committee would suggest to those social
ed reformers in other states, who affect
such hon ror over sensational allegations as
to the lack of morals in northern Wiscon
sin, that an application of the old adage,