Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-03-09
GOSSIP FROM MADISON.
Weed and Jacobs the Only Dem.
ocrats Among the Senators.
LEGISLATURE A TALKATIVE ONE.

Yet-Dennett and Others in the Very
Able Senate -Lnshing the Anti-Pass
Law into Shape Ex-Governor Peck's
Chat with IA Boy-Notabies Before the
Committees.
Madison, Wis, March 7.-Politics cut
no figure in the Wisconsin senate at
present There are thirty-three sena-
tors and only two OF them are Demo-
crats-Weed, the Oshkosh lawyer, and
Jacobs of Beaver Dam, Both were
elected for the first time in 1898.
Weed defeated ex-speaker Buckstaff,
which shows he must have a hold at
home in a district supposed to be Re-
publican. He is making friends, too,
at this end. He is IS years old. His
father fell in the war The son gradu-
ated at the state university, and the
more Of such there are the easier run
the appropriations for the big school.
Weed was one OF Governor Pecks
"Colonels" and has been city attorney.
He defeated Buckstaff by 1873 votes The
other Democrat, Jacobs, has a private
library. and is prominent among the
Germans. He has been active in the
German National bank Of Beaver Dam
and has always taken kindly to politics.
In 1899 he was chief clerk of the gen
eral land office in Washington. In fact.
he has seen considerable of this coun-
try for he was a worlds fair commits
sioner and Hoke Smith sent him to Ok
lahoma in 1893 to open the Cherokee
strip He has been delegate to all sorts
of Democratic conventions.
Kipon Man Rules the Senate.
The position of senator carries no
more salary than that Of assemblyman
but 1t lasts four years 1.-TWO sessions)
and so nets 81 600. The lieutenant gov
ernor usually presidcs here, but as Mr.
Stone has been busy taking care of the
governors office. Senator Thayer has
welded the gavel. Senator Thayer is
an instance Of n man who, by courtesy
tact, and moderation, gets along in the
world. This Is the second session he has
been chosen president pro tenn, and
he conducts affairs in a business way.
He Is nm eX-lumbcrman, and now a
stock raiser Of Itipon, quiet, polished
we'll dressed man and very popular
Like nearly all these legislators, he has
cut big figure at home as town and
county chairman. served term In the
assembly and this Is his third term III
the senate.
Treasurer Dnyidson's Ambitions.
There are a number of people who
want to be governor The list numbers
about a dozen now The latest Is State
Treasurer Davidson, the merchant of
Soldiers Grove, who, with Alley Peter
son and Bank Commissioner Kidd are
politically conspicuous in the Kickapoo
ha prntria III I'hinn rnpinn
Naturally. Mr.. Davidson's office has It's
share Of LaFollette men. The attorney
generals office, which has the same fla
vor, Is In close touch with the govern
or's office, as it should be while these
prospective laws are being considered,
and my rural friends who may be still
shouting about the great revolt Of 1898
would be panied, l fear to see the au-
burn locks of Attorney General Hicks.
the Oshkosh Methodist, mingled with
the premature white hair Of Jesse Stone,
as they hunt for unconstitutionality in
some bill; or see the giant frame of AS
sistnnt Attorney General Buell. closeted
with Private Secretary Anderson. the
bird lover and authority on Turkish
baths
No. II there Is still n war OF factions,
we don't know 1t here.
A Maine Mans Success.
But, speaking OF governors prospec-
tive Senator Fred bennett has "A good
start His furniture factory (Which led
the world in making rocking chairs)
has burned down in Port Washington,
but he will build again. bennett looks
like Sol Smith Russell; dresses like n
gentleman; makes excellent speeches,
and has n bedrock character. He Is a
very happy combination. He is
Maine man, Ike Senator Withee and
Speaker Ray. He was born at the foot
of Moosehead lake. where Mt. Kineo,
the famous resort. Is located. He came
to Shehoygan as an infant. He hustled
in agricultural implements for many
years. but since 1856 has built up bus
mess that employees 400 hands. bennett
knows state affairs thoroughly. having
been chief clerk OF the senate about
centennial time. and for ten years be.
fore held Clerkships of one kind and an
other about the legislature. He has a
popular way with him. He undoubted-
ly will keep going up the ladder OF
politics.
Brains In the senate.
IT takes three assemhlymcn to make
senatorial least. the proportion is
that under the hig white dome. And
unVuestiunably the senator's feel their
Importance. AS II rule the senators
are better fed, better dressed, more
commanding and withal ADLER than the
asscmhlymen. or course. | mean as n
body The Wisconsin senate Is Il strong
body of men and worthy of admiration.
The average up ability and character
is high.
This is II talking legislature, and with
the three weeks broken up by the sena-
torial fight. things may he said to he
moving slowly. II is true there were
200 fewer bills introduced at this
session than in 1877, but each morn
ing. after meeting at 10 O'Clock and
! listening to the chaplain and the
rollcall, there is usually some bill that
| provokes debate and good part of
the time M to about 1880 is given to
"tnlkee, tal<ec" This IS n good thing
when the object sought is ventilation Of
! measures. but members. especially the
new ones, are anxious to get IN the