The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-02-06
THE STATE CAPITOL
A NeWSv Letter From the Seat OF
Government.
THE PRIMARY BILL IS STUDIED
A Good Deal of Interest Manifested i'm
the Measure.-The Cook and Van
dercOOk Contest.-Other
Matters at Madison
Special Correspondence 60 THE TIMES.

! Special Correspondence co THE TIMES.
The one question uppermost in the
minds of Wisconsin law makers to-
day is the primary election bill in
troduced last week into both houses
OF the Legislature. Whether or not
the exact bill as proposed by Mr.
Stevens in the Assembly and by Mr..
Miller in the Senate will receive the
sanction of majority of the mem
bers Of beth houses is question.
Certain 1t is however, that the un--
dercurrent of legislative thought
and gossip, over heard in the Hobbies
and corridors of the Capitol, impress
one with the fact that the members
are interested aud are working, and
that they favor some sort of legis-
lation which shall correct present
evils under the existing nominating
system. They are showing will
ingness at least to work, and every
member is giving the measure fair
and earnest consideration. A large
majority of the members of both
houses, spent Saturday and Sunday
at home, interviewing their constit-
uentS relative to the measure. eX-
pressing feeling that in the solu-
ton OF SO important a question they
should at least be heard. It may be
said, and safely think, that the
assembly seems quite favorable to
the proposed law. Not so much is
heard In the senate, IS that side of
the house is composed Of men nat
urally more conservative, and they
are not SO free in expressing opin-
ions. On the whole [ think friends.
OF the measure have ample cause for
rejoicing The bill is certainly
gaining ground.
The most important business on
the assembly calendar this week
will be the settlement of the Cook
Fandercook contest, from Marathon
county Cook received the election
certificate from his district, his
majority being four votes. Wander
cook contests the seat on account OF
certain irregularities which he al
leges took place in the election. 1t
was argued before the assembly
committee on privileges and election
last week: the committee reported
in favor Of Cook, the report being
based upon an opinion in the case
+ ndered by Attorney General
Hicks The matter comes up for d
settlement at Wednesday mornings
session, and while the prevailing be-
lief is that Cook will be seated, Van
dercook has friends in the assembly
and fight is expected.
AnC Their mathr that has received
some attention the past week is that
of shortening the legislative session.
While this is subject that comes
in for it's share of discussion at the
beginning of every session, it has
during the last few days taken on a.
new phase. A plan has been pro-
posed which IN the mind of the
author bids fair to bring about the
desired end 1t has been proposed
that in the future that all bills
to be introduced into the legiS-
lature be sent to the Secretary
OF State fifteen or twenty days be-
fore the opening of the session; an
unbiased committee is to consider all
bills and to reject those Of little or
no Importance, the remainder to be
in readiness for submission to legis-
lative committees as soon as
they have been chosen. Whether Or
not the proposed scheme would
bring ABOUT the desired result, of
course, is matter OF conjecture
The plan has in it features both
desirable and undesirable.
BERT S. OSCAR.
Madison, Feb. 4th.