Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-02-21
MADISON INFORMATION.

the desk of the chief clerk in each
branch of the legislature on the
last day for their introduction
last Tuesday-was enormous. AS
is also a usual thing, an evening
session was necessary to get
through all the business which the
day required.
The number of bills now on file
is I,Io5. So there is after all not
so very much difference between
republicans and democrats in some
respects. You know it was pre-
dicted that this would be a conser-
vative legislature; that there would
not be a headlong rush to introduce
new measures; and yet the number
of bills is only 10 less than were
introduced two years ago. Oh
the number stated, 4Io are in the
senate-the largest number that
body has had to consider since
biennial sessions came into vogue;
in the assembly there are 6o5-the
smallest number since the change.
Though the total number has
varied but little during the five
sessions under the new system,
the present aggregate is a little
smaller than any of them. These
figures do not, however, include
any dead heads,"-that is, mere
titles which can be made use OF
later in the session in case any one
wants to introduce a measure,-so
that the actual number is as large
as at any time previous, if not
larger. Then again, bills may be
introduced after the time limit by
unanimous consent; one legislator
has already had this privilege
accorded him.
Now that the legislature has
gotten its material to work upon it
can get down to actual business
Now it is that the orator will be
heard pleading eloquently for the
passage of his pet measure; now il
is that the lobby, the so-called
"third-house" is beginning tc
throng the Legislative halls and
explain to the solons personally
and in committee just why certain
measures should Or should not be
voted for. Now it is, if ever, that
the railroad pass will begin to cir
c%ulate, as the companies see the
legislators coming to consider the
advisability of compelling the sale
Of transferable mileage books at
ten cents a mile, and the many
other measures relating to railroads
1t seems quite certain, though.
that the roads will adhere to their
rule, and trust solely to their
argumentative powers and the
good sense of the lawmakers.
Through the efforts of senator
Baxter another bold steal and
open violation of the law on the
part of the recently defunct
administration has been brought
to light. AS usual it was a money
affair-a scheme to get a little
more into the treasury, to make
up deficits in other directions, no
doubt. The facts of the matter
are that the state has been loaning
out its trust funds to school dis
tricts at rates varying from 4 to 7
per cent. whereas the laws of 1893
determine that all such loans shall
be made at the uniform rate of 4
per cent. In pursuance of a
resolution presented by Mr.. Baxter
last week, the state treasurer and
the secretary Of state have sub
mitted a report of all loans made
since the passage of the law. This
report shows that one loan has
been made at 7 per cent, IA at 6
per cent, 20 at 5 per cent, and
only II at 4 per cent. Mr.. Baxter
has introduced a bill to have all
interest thus paid in excess of 4
per cent credited on future pay
ments.
Jerre Dobbs will not be legis-
lated out of his office as labor
commissioner if the senate
judiciary committee can help it.
The bill to reorganize the depart
ment and make the office an
elective one, and to provide for the
appointment by the governor of a
head to the department now, will
be recommended for indefinite
postponement. There are before
the legislature several bills for the
formation of new counties; also
for the establishment of municipal
courts in several counties, whether
or not any or all of these changes
are needed is an open question,
the democrats however are not
slow to express an opinion that
they are merely to get partisans
into office, Or to give official print
ing to party journals.
Though there were a few i'm
portant bills brought in during the