The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-05-13
THE LAST DAYS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

longest sessions as we'll as one of the
best sessions ever recorded for the Wis
consn Legislature. Considerable criti.
cism has been offered upon the long
session, but it must be borne in mind
that several weeks from the opening on
the llth day of January were devoted
entirely to the selection of United
States senator. As soon as tins matter
was settled the important bills, anti
pass, insurance tax, and several others
proposing to revulutionize the methods
OF railroad corporations, not TO speak of
the appro priation bills, had TO be passed
to different cOmtnittees, discussed, acted
""nu, re-referred, amended by Assem-
by, concurred in by the Senate or
amended, or possibly refused. This
process requires time, and in view of
the many important bills we feel that
the members aid remarkably we'll to
bring things to a finish when they did
One OF the largest bills passed was one
on banking methods, regarding negoti-
able paper, Introduced bv Speaker Ray,
of the Assembly, from La Crosse, and
covered III pages of parchment paper
when enrolled for fling with the Secre-
tary of State. This bill was one of the
last passed by the Assembly and conse-
quently Kept the cOpylsts busy, the
force under the uperintendencv of Mr..
Chas. W. Blay, of GAINESVILLE. Wis, work
ing several nights until midnight, and
Wednesday until o'clock in the morn
ing. The appropriations were very
generous for our state institutions. Ev
cry one seems proud of them, and
anxious to improve them, and recOg-
niZing this sentiment the Iegisl tture
voted liberal amounts TO all feeling that
no criticism could justly or honestly be
made IN the face of the loud demands
OF the people, and while the state tax
will necessarily be somewhat larger 10
meet the needs. A considerable sum
will already have accrued from the ad-
vance on insurance companies, brought
about 10y the Orion bill, which. in some
parts is considered by those most cap
able OF Judging to be a good thing. but
needing modification in many places,
which it viii doubtless receive at the
next session. With the exception of
receiving reports of committees in final
matters the last two or three sessions
were given over to speech making ami
good time generally. The reporters
and pages held forth for a short space
of time, and personated the members
whose chairs they occupied, emphasize
ing any little peculiarly of speech or
manner of the person represented. The
speakers, chief clerks, and sergeant-at-
arms of both hOuses were suitably re-
membered with tokens ami words of
esteem, and in most appropriate
speeches returned their thanks.
A few evenings before the adjourn
ment the principal social event OF the
session was given, the regular legisla-
tive ball, which was held III the i'm
mense gymnasium of the university.
The affair heretofore has always been
ovcrcrowded, but this year under the
porters, Assemblymen Nandercook,
Mcleod, McGrath, and one or two Of
the senators, the number Of gucst,
was limited, and the result was one of
the prettiest as we'll as the most delight
ful parties possible. Clauder's full or
chestra, OF Milwaukee, one Of the finest
in the state, furnished the music, W hich
certainly went a long way toward max
ing the affair great success. The great
building was most artIstiCaI!v draped
with bunting and the stars and stripes
were everywhere in evidence, while
palms and other beautiful plants parti-
ally hid the musicians from view. Fully
two thousand people were pres INT dur
lag the evening, and one and all com
mended the committee on arrange
mcnts for the success vi and ENJOYABLE
manner in which it was conducted.
, During the last two weeks of the ses-
sion, after few warm showers, MadI-
son became especially attractive, the
trees, already budded. sent forth their
leaves and blossoms, the lawns were
green and ready for cutting, the lakes
were sparkling ike diamonds, and
everything WAS beautiful in the fresh
ness o! early summer, But in spite of all
this, enjoying, too, as We did, every
moment of the life and work among our
legislators, it seems good to be back
again in Superior, the city We are al
WAYS proud to call home. To those who
+, cured the position for us We return
our heartlest thanks, and trust that no
word of dissatisfaction or criticism may
be offered from those above US which
! may ever cause them to regret their
| Kindness.