The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1897-02-11
STATE CAPITAL GOSSIP
Spooner, La Toilette and the
Leading Law Makers.
THE CORPORATIONS MUST PAY.

to Revise the Statutes-Why Special SEES
sions of the Legislature Are Brief.
Madison, Wis, Feb. 9.-The pressure
for more money for state purposes is
so urgent that it is not impossible some
Of the corporations may be brought to
time by this legislature, notwithstand-
ing the lobby. While the enemies of
the railroads would seem to be few and
impotent from the collapse of the first
assault to abolish the free pass, it was
significant that SO good man as Jones
of Iowa county stood by Hall, the re-
former who used to stand alone. More
over, the governor and state treasurer
need the money. While the railroads
are paying good deal of money into
the state treasury, the big Four"
corporate lions next in order-Sleeping car,
telegraph, telephone and express COM
panies-are confesSedly escaping pref
ty lightly. For instance, the sleeping
cars paid Wisconsin a triffe over $50C
last year, and yet the citizen pays 50
for one nights use of one of the thirty
two compartments in single car. OF
course, it is ridiculous It is said the
state of Indiana has $4,000 from this
source alone. So, too, telegraph COM
panies, which state officials think ought
to turn into the state treasury some
thing like $4,000 or $4,000 a year. es-
cape with small fraction of that
amount. There are a number of bills
already introduced and although the
campaign is started somewhat tardily,
new sources of revenue will probably
be struck in these corporations, for the
Republican managers will dread to i'm
pose q state tax on the people.
Personnel of the the Two Houses.
AS the session goes on, one is more
and more pleased with the personnel
of the two houses. Not only are the
leaders in both chambers clean, intelli-
gent men, but the rank and file are well
disposed and include a good many for
whom political future is assured.
There has been none Of that sly, under
hand bargaining and even brazen ad-
vocacy of bad bills which have been
knC-.>U in the past. One cannot but
feel that if Governor Scofield has the
nerve and command supplemented by
realization Of his opportunity, that
he can put through this legislature al
most any sort of measure he wants.
He could not ask for better body Of
men to work with. Civil service re-
form ought to be an easy thing to ac-
complish with the half dozen leaders
in each house ayowed champions of the
measure. In the Democratic minority
are some men who will stand by wise
reforms.
The governor is always a strong ele-
ment in law making, although he never
shows himself upon the floor. It is the
custom for the executive when he wish
es to see a member to send for him, al
though many of the members haunt the
governors office without being sent for
They are all interested in appointments
for somebody If none are in sight
now, they know others will be before
long. So it comes about, that the mem
bers are very respectful in the presence
of the executive. When he expresses
interest in any measure the member
understands where his path of wisdom
lies. Governor Upham used to boast
that in getting the university historical
library bill through the legislature, for
six weeks all members who had axes to
grind were requested to state their at
titude on that bill.
Congratulations to SpoOner.
Senator Spooner will be in Washing
ton promptly on March 4. President
elect Mckinley has told him there would
be a special session, and it will proba-
bly, be projected into June. The SEN
ator has not yet caught UP with ac-
acknowledgement Of the pleasant things
said and written to him on the occa-
sion of his election. One would be sur
prised at the hundreds Of messages, let
ters and kilograms and conmunica-
tions from across the sea. He tells me
I. o1H 10 hoo 70
his old committee-Claims; nor does he
want to sit as a member of the COM
mon council Of the District of Columbia.
He evidently desires to be in the midst
Of hard fighting at this next session.
The committees of the senate, unlike
the appointed committees of the house,
are chosen by the senators themselves,
through a committee. OF course posi-
tons on this committee are much
sought for because the committeeman
look out to provide well for themselves.
AS the old saying is, tits a poor car
yer who cannot have second joint
Senator Spooner says that the tariff is
perhaps the most urgent matter to Wis
consin men. The tobacco, lumber ard
agricultural interests, and the wool
men have already let him know they
have large hopes Of the new congress.
He will keep his hold on his law prac-
tice while in Washington. During his
first term he was quite free to be
statesman all the time, but he says now
he cannot afford not to practice law
during the vacations Of congress. And
it is doubtful if professional statesmen
would give us any better service. The
senator is guarded as to his opinions
of the new cabinet. He regards Will
lam M. Evarts as the ideal secretary OF
state. It will be remembered he served
in Hayes cabinet. In fact the admira-
ton of Spooner for this veteran is quite
remarkable. He usually goes to see
him when in New York, though he is
80 years old and hard Of hearing. Ev-
arts strength lay in his caution: every
diplomatic move was safeguarded.
Would Adorn the ab.n {.
Senator Spooner has high regard for
Andrew D. White, the ex-presldent of
Cornell, ex-minister to Russia, etc., and
limited that he would adorn MeKinley's
cabinet, if rendered a call. Ex-Presi-
H.