Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-01-12
Assembly
Madison, Jan. 10.

Such will almost certainly constitute
the organization of the two houses of
the 44th session of the Wisconsin leg
islature which opens at noon tomor-
row. The senate arrangement is iden-
teal With that of two years ago, and
that of the assembly the same with the
exception that Mr.. Ray is to succeed
Speaker Buckstaff of Winnebago us
speaker, the latter gentleman not be-
ing a member this year There is lit
tie or no opposition to the senate slate
at least none of a formidable char
acter had developed last night. Lieu
tenant Governor Stone, who was a
leader in the assembly at the last ses-
sion, will of course be the presiding
officer OF the house of lords, Mr.. Thay-
CT merely occupying the chair in mis-
absence. The Fond du Lac gentleman
is understood to be willing to continue
as president pro. tenn. and there is no
disposition TO disturb him.
The situation in the assembly is by
no means as free from complex feat
ures, though the trio given above was
of success. Mr.. Ray will be speaker,
and that, too, by the unanimous vote
Of the republican assembly caucus, I'M
less present indications are deceptive.
Had Jesse Stone remained in the as
Sembly Mr.. Ray would at least have
had opposition, unless the amiable
WatertOwn gentleman was as perverse
to his urgent friends as was the case
two years ago. Then he might prob
ably have had the speakership, but
his ukase early put a quietus on any
such movement in his behalf. The up
shot was a pretty contest in which Mr.
Ray became a Warwick by making
Buckstaff's success possible. Now, all
is an open pathway for the La Crosse
luminary. John NJ. True of Baraboo
has many cordial friends among the
members, and had canvass been made
by him could no doubt have polled
much strength. As it is he will be at
the head, probably, of the committee
on agriculture, and a member also of
the committee on education. 1t would
be unfortunate for the state for him
not to have an influential voice on
both those bodies. From present ap-
pearances, Mr.. True will not be
averse to aiding in making Rays cleo
ton unanimous-a very handsome
compliment indeed for that worthy
gentleman.
While Mr.. NOVEL; is easily in tAe
lead for chief clerk of the assembly, he
in bo Of u
Frazier of Waukesha. The fact, how
ever, that Mr.. Pettibone, slated for
sergeant of the senate, is also from
Waukesha. initiates against the
chances Of other citizens of that bail
iwick getting big plums at this pics
ing. MIR. Frazier will probably bob up
smiling in some good berth under the
chief clerk, if he fails in securing first
place. The same happy fate may like
wise await Robert Odell, Milwaukee
newspaper man who would not object
to being chief clerk.
If Mr.. HGmbright should perchance
slip cog III his calculations, then the
sergeant OF the assembly will be either
j. H. Agen, member from Superior
wv JNo40 dS5O anu SoIlduL O1u SUI
der and popular fellow generally, J.
b. Johnson, Of Grant, assistant ser
geant two years ago and an assembly
man in SO, Or b. G. Wolter Of Apple
ton, who made many friends during
his term as scion at the last session.
The present outlook favors Hambright,
with Johnson for assistant sergeant
alarms. The postmaster of the as
sembly is an appointee of the sergeant,
and his identity is as yet an enigma.
However. a hero of the Cuban war is,
according to rumor, a strong probable
ity.