Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-03-28
Madison March 25th.

@NS 49, A--e1 -
ment of the legislature, but they have
resulted disastrouslv. In spite of the
protest of many members, someone is
allowed to introduce a bill or resolution
every little while. The idea of early
adjournment died out some time ago.
1t has been seen for quite a while that
the legislators would have a chance to
play jokes with one another on All
Fools Day, they will no doubt be here
to crack Easter eggs with each other,
and there is even a possibility that they
can discuss together the yield of early
vegetables in their gardens at home.
Senator McGillivray has worked hard
for his bill for a board of arbitration
and Cancellation, and when it came up
for discussion he defended it in a long
and earnest speech. But it was at last
indefinitely postponed, as recommended
by the judiciary committee. The sena-
tor said that the decision of the Judiciary
committee in such a matter should have
no weight whatever for the committee
is composed entirely Of lawyers, and
since the aim of the bill is to lessen
litigation, they would naturally not be
in favor of it. The senator then made
some rather severe statements about
lawyers IN general. In regard to the
bill, he said that litigation in this state
costs $20,O00,000 every year; that for
the daily pay of court reporters alone it
takes the wages of go men. In the
minds Of a majority of his fellows,
however, Mr.. McGillivray failed to
prove that the proposed change would
lessen litigation. Senators Weeks,
Brown, Spensley, McMullen and others
spoke on the other side, showing that
IN no way, where such a system is in
vogue, and in some of the states where
a modified form Of it is in operation, it
has actually increased litigation. Only
seven senators voted in favor of the
bill. Senator McGillivray has one bill
left which yet fingers in a committee.
1t provides for settlement of disputes
without the expense Of litigation"
The bill for the much-talked-of library
building has not been heard from for
some time; but judging from the recep-
ton which was given the bill for general
university appropriations, the other
Will not be very warmly received. The
general appropriations bill, which the
claims committee considered Just and
fair, was made the special order for one
of the evening sessions last week, when
it was referred back to the committee.
1t is now undergoing a process of
trimming and pruning.
The bill for the geological and natural
history survey, which was referred to
the claims committee, is quietly sleeping
on its merits and waiting to be better
understood and appreciated before
again being brought up. There can be
no doubt but such a survey would be of
value to all parts of the state. In the
northern part it would be of immense
value in developing both mining and
agricultural resources. This portion of
the state got but little attention in the
former survey, and it is thought with
good reason that there may be many
areas and formations yet unexamined
which are likely TO carry good ores of
iron or copper. Its value to the central
and southern portions would be along
agricultural and educational lines. The
topographic maps and study of good
wood materials would be of direct
benefit to thoCe who are seeking better
advantages and cheaper means of
conveyance. The study of means for
protecting our forests, grazing plants,
and fresh water fish, should be sufi-
cient to gain the small appropriation
which the bill asks for.
Slxty~two forindefnite postponement
p against, II absent or not voting.
Such was the result when a vote was
taken Oh AssemblYman Halls anti-pass
resolution, although that gentleman
urged very strongly every argument in
favor of all state officials being deprived
the passes which are now a part of the
perquisites Of office. Mr., Hall was
ably supported by a few of the mem
bers, but the majority chose to believe
that passes are not a bride, but are
given in recognition of the fact that
railroad companies owe their franchises
to the state.
Whether the state needs to have a
census taken every five years, or
whether that taken by the general
government every ten yearsis sufficient,
will probably be discussed before ad-
j~ournment. Mr.. Lambertson has
introduced a resolution for a constitu-
tional amendment doing away with the
five year census, and sinceit costs about
100000, the resolution will probably
receive considerable attention.
The bill for an institution for the
Predetermined has passed the senate
The one by D. O.. Mahoney to elect
county school superintendent in the
spring was killed.