The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1899-04-07
GOSSIP FROM MADISON
Difficulties in the Way of Sup.
pressing Evils of Lobby.
SOLONS MUST HAVE ALL THE FACTS


Sugar-Room for Thirty Beet Sugar Fac
tories Our Paper Mills Using $4,000
900 of Wood Annually-The Christmas
Tree Custom a Menace to Forestry
Catholics and Hospital Establishment.
Madison, Wis. April 4.-The senate
has passed an anti-lobby bill. and no
doubt it will become law. 1t bears the
name of Senator Roehr, the German
lawyer of Milwaukee. 1t is an honest
attempt to meet the party pledge in the
Republican platform, but that pledge
was to abolish" the lobby. The lobby
cannot be abolished because the consti-
tuition guarantees the right of petition.
Moreover. there is legitimate lobby.
The women who want the ballot or
representatives of their sex on the board
of control; and Secretary Willis of the
Y. M. c. A. of Milwaukee, who comes
here every session to work against race
track gambling in behalf Of the 100000
young men of the state-all these are
lobbyists. So. too, are General Wink
Ter and ex-Judge Dwyer of Milwaukee.
eminent names in Wisconsin jurispru
dence, and Ex-Governor Peck and ex
Attorney General Mylrea, all here
working to protect the great North
western Mutual Life Insurance Co. of
Milwaukee against the effort to raise
it's taxes from $34 GOO year to 1920, 900.
Pinching the Corporations.
They failed, by the way, Cat least the
assembly has voted the increase); but
this is bad year for corporations.
Tax reform is in the air. Sleeping car
and express companies; also freight line
and car equipment companies must pay
an aggregate of perhaps $4,000 a year.
whereas before all but the sleeping car
companies wholly escaped, and they
paid only $500 year.
The railroads too, will likely be
squeezed some more, although the ag-
gregate tax from them is now $780,,
GOO, about one-third of the cost Of run
ming the commonwealth. The telephone
companies pay about $4,000 each, and
the reformers think it should be more.
No wonder the best talent in the state
is engaged to come to Madison to set
forth the claims of various interests.
Lobbyists Must Register.
The Roehr bill asks only that persons
who appear before committees or work
otherwise (Which refers to private ar
gument and corridor and hotel chats)
register with the secretary Of state.
Lobbyists must enter opposite their
names the number and title of every
measure concerning which they are en-
ployed, also the name, occupation and
address of the employer: and they must
file written authority from him. Thirty
days after adjournment the employer
must file a sworn statement of all
moneys expended.
Of all our legal representatives the
permanents and most interesting are
Ring of Clark county, who has been in
the state senate esq and in the assem-
bly, CS9); and George Wiswell, formerly
sheriff of Walworth county, now of Mil
waukee. The former represents the
Northwestern road before committees
on all bills affecting that corporation,
and the latter the ST. Paul Mr.. Ring
is large, fine-looking man, always
faultlessly dressed, and an excellent
speaker. Mr.. Wiswell has less polish,
but a more genial way. Both are Of
old Wisconsin families and back of that
choice New England stock. Both of
them have children-each three daugh-
tiers. Mr. Ring graduated at the uni
versity law school in 1873, and when he
went to Neillsville to begin a successful
practice the place had only 500 people
and no railroad. He has a fine stock
farm as side issue, and his brother
runs the local paper In 1892 Mr.. Ring
went abroad in a government capacity.
He has been delegate to national con-
ventions; he is one of the high-rank
Masons and belongs to the Unitarian
church.
Famous Negro Song.
Popular George Wiswell was probably
made" by song-"Old Shady"
Then away, away,
Can't stay here no longer.
Away, hurrah! for Use going home"
His father was farmer and Elkhorn
bank president, dying in 1888 George
was in the hardware business for ten
years, and in 1886 elected sheriff It
was he who broke up the brush hunt
ers'' in Hurley county. He has always
been an active Republican and once in
a campaign he was called on for a song.
His mother had been a musician of note
and Mr.. Wiswell inherited a remarka-
bic throat. He gave them "Old Shady"
1t was so good x nearly broke up the
Since then he has scarce been
in a public gathering without being
called on for the song. The great sing
name escapes me-who made
fame rendering civil war songs, once
told friend that Wiswell's rendition of
"Old Shady was infinitely finer than
his Mr. WisweH is in demand as a
of national conventions. He
has been assistant sergeant-at-arms
in the conventions at Minneapolis C92);
ST. Louis C96). His highest public Of
flee was marshal of the eastern district
of Wisconsin under Harrison He is
building a handsome home in Milwau-
kee.
The gentlemen have comfortable
rooms in the Park hotel, and evenings
knots Of friends can often be found en-
joying the good cigars.
Beet Sugar Bounty.
1t looks as if the farmers might carry