Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-04-01
! ISSUES At MADISON.
Bicycle Baggage and Railway
Passes the Chief Ones.
WHEELMEN A POWER IN POLITICS.


Whichever Candidate They Choose Elk
Senator villas Appears mt the Capital to
Plead for the New Library Building
Members Who Have No Weight In tho
AssembIy-Ra In Salary.
Madison, Wis, March 30.-The bicy-
Gle baggage and the railroad pass mat
ters are the chief issues just now be-
fore the legislature. The former IL one
on which hundreds OF thousands OF men
have set their hearts, and It's eventual
defeat may cut more figure In politics
than even n moral issue. or course,
there IL self-interst In 1t. The bicycllst
has to plank down quarter every time
he goes away with his wheel and a
quarter every time he comes back.
These wheelmen over the state are not
"cattle," as the politicians are wont to
call ignorant voters who throw their
hats up for Barrabas or any one else
that tickles them today and who
slaughter some favorite. They are the
best young men Of the community, and
to them IL added many older men. For
instance Judge Romance Bum OF the
federal court has been riding his wheel
all winter whenever the snow would
yield an inch: and Judge Wlnslow of
the supreme bench and the hedgehog
were taking headers about the same
time. Now, while the splendid cohorts
OF enthusiastic bicyclists back Of such
men are not going to make the carry
ing free Of bicycle the only issue In an
assembly election. the hustling young
men who command wheeling clubs In
the cities and towns undoubtedly can
hereafter turn tremendous vote to
whatever candidate they please.
Senators Knew II.
And the senators knew this too. OF
course, the question of whether rail-
road company should be obliged to car
~ cverybody's bicycle free any more
than his carriage IL debatable one.
Some OF the senators honestly take the
ground that II liz not a fair exaction.
But others were led to II by favors from
the railroad company, or at least per-
suasions: and there were two senator's
who were pledged to the wheelmen to
vote for such measure These gentle
men didn't like to go on record little
bit. and sent an embassy to Whitehead
asking him not to force ayes and nays;
but he did, Even when the bin was
killed some OF those who voted to kill
II FASTENED to the leaders OF the cru
sade and gave assurances OF support on
the reconsideration. The house has the
same bill and It IL the belief under the
big white dome that any measure that
the corporations don't like that can he
ynt hn ,.IIJ :, 81
sailing In the house. Mcssra. Hall.
Flett, and Davidson will lead for the
wheelmen in the house
villas ut tho Capital.
lex Senator Villas put In nm appear
ance In the capitol the other day. Az
u rule our local big guns' don't show
themselves much there. Senator Spoon
or probably didn't visit the building
once month Mr.. Lalfollctte IL never
seen there except ut receptions In the
executive chamber. Horace A. Taylor
III an exception. and Is often the center
of a crowd listening to his wit and ~.
litical wisdom. Eek Senator Villas never
goes unless he has business. Even the
governors slip quickly into their Offices
and stay out of sight unless perhaps
to be closeted with the attorney gen
cral. Not once did Upham visit either
house or senate when In session, though
Sconeld did allow himself II few min
utes In the senate the other day.
AZ matter of fact Il governor could
well put In three weeks Mt the begin
ming Of each session Watching the de-
liberations of the legislature. one can
thus get the measure OF the men AS In
no other way. The old saying that APP
pearanCcs are decelvlng Is fallaCy If
Il means that every man does not strike
about his proper place In the estimation
OF his fellows. II Is wonderful for in
stance, how this assembly IL graded
down In the minds OF observers. The
reporters took ballot the other day
as to the dozen most able and useful
members" and making allowances for
the desire ON the part of some to ad-
vertlse their personal friends, the llsts
were very much alike, Two unprciu-
diced observers reported the Identical
same twelve,
Arc Kept Well Posted.
While the official and political leaders
are not apparently Watching the doings
of the two bodies, It must not he sup
posed they do not know what IL going
on. The man who hurrles To the gov
ernor's office, for instance. with the re-
suit of n critical vote IL surprised to
find consultation already ms to the
next step, Louis was not sooner in
formed M to the revolutionary leader
ship Of Mirahcau In the states general
Governor Scuficld wns active as n sem
ator and he displays much care IN look
Ing over the bills that come To him.
Apart from those he has vetoed over
IA dozen have been quietly sent back
by him to the members Interested for
corrections and changes; ana these have
been amended on reconsideration hy
both branches. | understand that tho
governor leans on Chief Justice Cassoday
and thereby displays Il wisdom that
some of the governors predecessors
might have anticipated Judg,, Casso-
day was shrcwd man IN politics al
ways, and he Is the most upright and
sane man that one could find These
qualities make strong combination
His simplicity IL beautiful Not long
ago ] saw him IN front OF tho capitol
discussing Il matter Of riparian rights
with Il citizen who isn't even on the
tax roll. With his cane the Judge ex-
planned the points involved. tracing the
water course on the sidewalk mud lnnE