Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-28
Madison. Feb &c.

Madison, Feb &c.
The primary election bill will pass
1t will pass in substantially its
present form"
There has been no talk or thought
OF compromise, and there will be no
amendment or substitute accepted
which will materially change the prin-
cipal provisions of the measure. The
Stevens bill will stand upon its own
merits"
No man in the republican party is
better qualified to speak authoritative
ly regarding the sentiment of the leg
islature upon the primary election bill
than the author of the above state
ment. And while these are extremely
sanguine utterances, there are many
things to indicate that they are in the
main true. Those most deeply inter-
ested in the passage Of the bill display
no anxiety over the many rumors of a
close vote in the assembly and of alb
solute defeat in the senate. Said one
of the chief supporters of the meas
ure: "Of course we hear a great deal
of talk about what this senator thinks
or what that member has said, but
when we run all these rumors down
we find that in almost every instance
the legislator has been blowing both
hot and cold. That is he has been as
Paufs definition said, all things to all
men, With the friends of the bill he
has been for it, and with its enemies
he has been against it. We are not in
the least concered about these fell
lows. They may talk on all sides of
the question, but they can vote but one
way. When the measure comes up for
passage in the senate, it will not make
much difference to the senators wheth-
er the platform said recommend
or demand. They will not haggle over
such fine points, but will decide to
give the administration a fair show
and accordingly will cast their vote
for the bill
This is the statement of a man who
IS in a position to know just where the
bill stands and how much and what
support it will command. But for
the opposition, there is no one who
can speak with the same authority or
give so definite statement of the sit
uatiOn in the Stalwart camp. A sena-
tor who is a thorough-going politician,
says: Il hope that the bill will come
into the senate in such shape that |
can vote for it. | want to vote for it
and will if | can consistently. | do
not want to be accused of attempting
to block Legislation. In fact, do not
believe that there is any disposition
on the part of the senators to buck
the administration. | think the feel
ing is to avoid a wide breach in the
party over this or any other measure.
The theory of primary elections is
correct; so is that of the referendum;
the question is about the practice. |
have lots of confidence in the people"
close vote in the senate is expect
ed by every one. The division is too
nearly equal to be entirely comfort
able for some of the Weakened ones,
and they are already explaining that
they may not be able to be present on
account of pressing business matters.
possibility of a tie vote. In that event
the responsibility would fall upon
Lieut.-GOv. Stone, who would cast the
deciding ballot. When asked what he
would do in the event of such a turn
of affairs. the presiding officer of the
senate promptly replied that he would
do his duty without fiinching Il am
not anxious that such an emergency
should arise but if it does | shall not
be absent simply to avoid the respon-
sibility."
How will you vote?" was asked
81 shall vote right" he replied, "and
if you are satisfied as to what is
right, then you know how I will vote"
Take the senate over and there is
little Outspoken and organized Opposi-
ton, though there are some we'll de-
fined rumblings of discomfort which
may gather strength as the time for
action draws near. But at present the
balance of sentiment in both houses is
for the bill, though the noise is against
it,