Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-04-10

expenses Of the board OF control ltisr'
ttitions. Governor LaFOllette has Civ
en- sign that appropriations must De
kept within the revenues of the state
which means he does not wish any eX-
ira levy and also probably mems thal
some corporate tax bills must pass
to provide revenue Naturally the cor
porations fearing increased taxation
favor limited appropriations ana so
are useful influence
New Richmond will succeed In get
ting the state to release some S23,oOo
owed as result of the cyclone of June
H. 1899 The loss (sworn Statmentsl
of property was over $6JOO00 ana the
relief In the neighborhOod of SlOOOOO.
Nearly all the property insured III OLD
line companies, whose policies con
tain provision that when a building
falls except as the result of fire, all
insurance ceases. Naturally there
was no opposition to this claim Of New
Richmond
The university bills are not being
hurried. it being founu that the more
members know Of the institution, the
more they appreciate it and university
appropriations fare best toward the
end of the session. The bill to equip
a $4,000 dormitory for women will do
much to promote fellowship among the
students. There are 53s young wom-
en- attending the university and less
than 100 are housed In ladies' hall and
only sixty-seven in the sorority houses.
Marriage Bin st:u Lives.
The Woodward marriage bill was
advanced in the senate by one major
fty. though, as amended, the certih
cate of one physician ia sufficient to
attest the contracting parties mental
and physical fitness. 1t would be
strange If young man or woman
planning matrimony could t find
some doctor to sign their Ger titicate
so that the bill If 1t becomes law,
win do not more than Inconvenience
pe 5pIe. This Is a marked tendency in
the making of laws. II bill Is I'M
acceptable to the members, In order
to save the feelings of those interest
ed in 1t and on the theory that 1t can
do no harm, the life is taken out of 1t
by amendments and the bill spread on
the statute books.
The corrupt practices act, which
compels candidates for office to list
their expenses, was vigorously attack
ed in the assembly, but the present
law stands. the vote having been 4S
to u. In England. Australia, and gen
orally In this country. this practice of
enforcing publicity on political cam
pafgns is eerrf |. While often the
law Is evaded. yet even the facts of
expenditure given have caused much
discussion as TO the evil of the use of
much money In politics. The present
law Is confessedly weak and perhaps
some day it will be strengthened.
The Hall resolution for a constitu
tional amendment looking to the use
of voting machines. If the people de-
sire them. barely failed I'm the senate
Farmer. Unfriendly q sicyeIists.
The bill providing bicycle side paths
having survived the senate, can hardly
make its way through the assembly
The idea is for those who use the
paths to pay half dollar year into
fund for keeping them In repair and
county commissioners are to supervise
the work Farmers have a strange
antipathy 10 the bicycle and enjoy Civ
ing a sly crack at wheel enthusiasts.
City riders we suspect are not suffi-
GENTLY considerable OF the apple trees,
flower beds and small children belong
ing to their farmer friends when a
wheel ride is projected into the coun-
try.
The Wisconsin river which occasion
ally foods the towns near Portage
viii have $200 spent on levees if the
assembly policy is sustained. Mr.. Gil
man. who lives In Bu:falo county,
| which Is a long ways from Portage,
| said the overture was OF the nature of
a river and harbor bin and that with
Wisconsin once engaged in the expen-
sive business of preventing oyerfiows,
| the treasury VIII soon look like 80
cents. He said the Chippewa river
makes lots OF trouble In his section
and he can see no reason why damage
there should not also be prevented.
Twenty thousand dollars VIII not
make much of an impression on
restless stream like the Wisconsin
and we may expect to hear from Port
age again.
Primary Election in Senate.
A test vote in the senate on the pri-
mary election bill must be conceded
TO mean that the Stevens bill as now
framed. cannot pass that body. This
has been conceded for some time
However, the adoption by the Mime
sofa legislature of a bill applying to
all counties and excepting the state
officers has made strong impression
here at Madison. Two Of the sena-
tors, Mosher and Morse, are well
known to favor modified bill and
there are others OF whom this can
safely he said. The fact Is that
number of members in both branches
have primary election bills In their in
side pocket to be brought out in due
time. Whether the present bin win be
killed and n fresh start made; or
whether the senate win try It's hand
at amending the Stevens bill remains
TO be seen. The great ight will occur
Wednesday event when the matter
comes up as special order
The administration Is likely not am.
bilious to hurry the matter, as II is be-
lieved state sentiment Is rapidly form
ing in favor of the direct vote under
the influence of adoption of primary
election bills by number of states
this winter. Up to this time the rank
and file of citizens away from Madi
son have not been excited on this ques
ton lat least so 1t seems to me- 1t
has not taken hold of their feeling
strongly as do questions OF taxation
But now under the influence of much
discussion il is said that citizens are
becoming much interested and IL this
is so the lawmakers win be happy
only If they can return to their constit-
uents without having affronted them
in this matter of the direct vote In