The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-03-06
MADISON CORRESPONDENCE

To THE TINES: The public hearing
on the primary election bill closed
Tuesday evening with lengthy ad-
dress in favor Of it, by Fl. W..
Chynoweth, Ct Madison During
the afternoon speeches in opposi-
ton to the measure were made by
II anry Fink, of Milwaukee, and Il.
Il. Hayden of Eau Claire. The AS
sembIy cham Der, both afternoon
ard evening was crowded to the ut
most, and not since the opening OF
the discu> sion, has there been such
interest shown, as was manifest
during the last day of the hearing.
An enumeration of the argument for
and against the measure will not be
readers are already familiar with
the text of these speeches; suffice to
say that both sides were ably repre-
scented, and everv detail of the pend
ing bill was covered.
Just when the committee will re-
port the bill, at present, is difficult
to state, it may be reported this
week in the lower house; if so the
fight upon the floor will begin in
earnest. That the committee will
offer amendments to the measure,
there now seems but little doubt;
what these amendments will be is
hard to say, as nothing touch
ing this point has gone be-
yond the committee room. Miner
changes will no doubt be suggested
to the sections of the bill that have
encountered the most objections
from opponents OF the measure, and
even from men who are counted as
its supporters, yet who say they
cannot consistently vote for it as it
stands. AS yet | am not willing to
venture any statement as to the
fate of the bill, because as far as l
am able to Judge, majority of the
members of the houses are still open
to conviction and with such a form
mind existing, an opinion would be
nothing more than mere cOnJec
ture I do not believe there is any
doubt but what the members of the
legislature realize the responsibility
of the particular plank in the repub-
lican platform, with reference to
the reform of primaries, and most of
these believe something should be
done toward the redeeming of this
pledge, but the Question is, do we
want the Stevens Bill?" Petitions
for and against the measure are
coming in every day, and the people
thro lghout the state seem aroused
to the Importance of it and are
watching the legislature with more
than ordinary interest. I think l
may say, and safely, that final &C.
ton upon the bill will probably not
come before very late in the session.
Mr.. Lenroots bill proposing a
change in the limit which a mum.
cipality may bond itself in order to
purchase public utilities, was the
principal topic of discussion in the
lower house Wednesday morning.
The bill is IN the form of resolu-
tion declaring for a constitutional
amendment. The assembly judici-
ciary committee reported favorably
upon it, the chairman Mr.. Orion
and one other member dissenting
from the report. The fight upon
the floor resulted in its defeat, the
assembly refusing to order it to a
third reading. Mr.. Rossman, of
Ashland, was one of the support
ers of the bill and made a strong
plea in its favor. During the course
Of his argument he stated that I'M
less the legislature passed the meas
ure, the city OF Ashland would be
unable to purchase it's water plant,
and would be compelled to submit
to the water as now furnished bv
the Ashland Water Works Company,
which is admitted to be the direct
cause OF SO much typhoid fever in
that city. A refusal TO order the
resolution to third reading, means