River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-02-18
WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

of distributing them among the proper COM
mittees and arranging for systematic work took
upmost OF the time after Wednesday night when
new business was shut off. There are about 100
less Hills to be considered this year than at the
90 session but the fact that there are no dead
head bills this year makes the task before the
lawmakers fully as arduous.
The business-like message from Gov. Seofeld
on the state finances brought the members to q
sense ofrealizing that some action was necessary
to relieve the strain on the treasury. The
message announced that a deficit of s24l. $50
existedin the general fund of the state treasury;
not a matter of recent occurrence, but has been
tided over and increased for several years. II
is further stated that the present cash balance
ofs49,o 900 on hand is made up of money advanced
by the railroads on their taxes and by over
drafts of the state AZ the BANKS. OF the amount
advanced by the railroads the Milwaukee paid
$4,000; the Omaha $4,000 and the northwestern
100000, none ofwhieh is due for several months
Besides this the states account is over drawn at
one ofthe banks $4,000. The total deficiency
in the treasury, the governor states to he over
$4,000. A levy Of two-ffths of a mill direct
tax upon the assessed valuation of 1897 and 1888
is recon mended. Gov. Seofeld stated that
$4,000 state money was tied up in the banks
which had failed and suggested that better
security be secured for deposits.
An important bill, (No. So 81. by Senator Mills,
will soon receive committee consideration. 1t
is intended to regulate the nomination of candi-
dates and in effect viii apply the Australian
system to caucuses It is proposed that there
shall be held primary meetings for the purpose
of nominating ticket TO be voted for at the
caucus; names may be suggested by anyone at
tending the primary meeting and written upon
a slip of paper. put into box and drawn from.
The name coming out first will be put at the
head of the ticket, and the second will be put
second, ETC., until all the names proposed are
drawn. This list will be certified up to the
secretary of the county committee Of the
political party represented by such preliminary
meeting. The ticket for the caucus will
contain all the names proposed. and the voting
ct the caucus will be on the Australian
system. the voter marking and voting the
names of those whom he would have for
delegates. The laws of registration and
penalties for Illegal voting will apply the same
as at an election.
Several corrupt practices acts and bills to i'm
prove elections have been introduced, but the
most important comes from Senator Davis (Ne.
1863 s.), who last week introduced a sweeping
civil service measure. The measure is to pre-
vent corrupt practices in elections and to limit
the expenses of candidates; making il necessary
for them to file a statement of their campaign
expenses with the secretary of state. 1t also
prescribes the sureties of candidates and COM
mittees. These bills are not as likely to pass as
Senator Nj s. bin because the reforms they
seek to effect are too radical and sweeping
However there is 10 doubt some legislation in
this line will be passed.
The expected bill on church taxation has
appeared bu' does not aim to tax all church
property. Sc tor Devos of Milwaukee intro
dueed the bill and 1t provides that churches
having over $4,000 worth of properly shall be
taxed.
Assemblyman Sweeting offered joint resolu-
ton asking that the Marquette statue be recalled
and one of Jerry" Rusk or Gen. Fairchild be
substituted. The preamble of the resolution
stated that Marquette was more an historic
figure than representative citizen of the state
Another measure which may cause some strife
is that offered by Assemblyman Tucker (No.
45i a., from Winnebago county. 1t is intended
to cut of state aid from all schools where the
teachers wear the garb of any sect or society or
where sectarian instruction is given. The
measure is aimed at parochial schools.
An effort is made by Assemblyman Thomas to
compel the 500 railroad which runs through the
northern part Of the state to reduce passenger
fares to cents per mile. The road now charges
four and the bill (No. 1872 az, to reduce this
rate came in with Wednesdays rush.
Senator Baxter has presented bill mo. 337 81,
to obtain better telephone service for the state
1t compels long distance telephones to connect
with local exchanges thus preventing dis
elimination by the long distance company.
Senator Mills has come to the front with a
worthy measure (No. 277 ST. which every
farmer will approve. He seeks to make the
commission merchants of the larger cities Of the
state responsible for goods shipped them. The
bill prescribes penalties for the Misrepresentation
of moneys received from the sale Of grain and
other farm produce by agents who sell OH COM
mission.
Senator bennett has produced bill NO. 3o3
So, which, from the fact that II proposes to
revolutionize the educational supervision of
of the state, will be sharply opposed. One state
board of education is proposed to carry on the
work now under the direction of the university
regents and the normal school regents High
schools would also come under the proposed
state board, but Senator bennett says II would
not IN any way conflict with elective education
al officers.
Senator Burke introduced bill No. s4s s.,
to repeal the law creating the Office of deep
waterways commissioners. It will be remem-
oered that this Office was lobbied through in
1895 by F. A. Flower but afterwards the
governor turned him down and appointed Z. C.
Dean Of Racine TO the sinecure.
Assemblyman Clason has printing measure
OF Interest to weekly papers before the lower
house. Itprovides that city council proceedings
in cities under 6. 600 shall be printed, and fixes
the rate at $40 q column or so cents a square.
The bin to remove the capital to Milwaukee
was introduced by Assemblyman Peterson, but
1t was considered by the legislators as q joke
and no serious consideration is given IL unless
1t Is by the Superior Assem- blyman who proposes
to offer an amendment moving It to West
Superior instead of Milwaukee.
Assemblyman Hurd has two measures worthy
of mention. One Is q well-drawn anti-ci gazette
bill and the other relating to patent medicines.
The latter provides that the formulate under
which patent medicines are made shall be
printed on the label accompanying them. The
anti-cigaIette bill requires dealers to take out
heavy license.
The bicycle baggage Law which requires rail-
way companies to carry bicycles as baggage
when properly packed Ia being strongly sup
ported By petition. The repeal Of the Sunday
closing laws is calling out numerous petitions
in opposition to the move.
joint resolution by Senator Stout asked
that Gov. scofeld set apart May Is as q day TO
celebrate Wisconsln's 50 years OF statehood.
Just what Liliuokalani expects to
gain by hanging around the White