The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1901-03-15
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
Railroads Send Brilliant Lawyers
to Talk Taxation.
PERSONAL PROPERTY THE sNAG
They Want That Taxed Before Rail.
road Increase Is Figured Out
Compromise the Talk ON
Primary Election.


have at last perfected an organization
to reflect the sentiment of their friends
throughout the state on the legislature.
Every day sees many petitions and it
is estimated that 5000 names have
been laid before the legislature thus
far and the avalanche is just started.
Every one understands that petit
ton does not count for much. The as
sembly clerk, for instance, reads: MIR.
Frost introduces a petition signed by
Robert Roe and 161 others Of Forage
county favOring 9SA URINARY election
IaW.( The 16l other names are new
Ell read and the bulky document goes
to MI. Steiger's committee which has
charge OF J5A and that is an end of
the matter Now this is not much
ten personal letters from Portage cOun-
ty urging it's assemblymen to vote
this way or that would have more eff
feet; nevertheless, even such petitions,
II there are enough of them. remind
the lawmakers that at least somebody
is interested and watching them.
There have been some remOnstrances
against the bill and from how on nc
doubt both parties will work hard at
the game.
Handwriting Has Influence.
1t should be said that the handwrit-
ing OF signatures is studied to some
extent; for instance, the petition that
Isaac Stephenson sent down from
Marinette. headed by his own name,
was commented upon as list Of
names of evidently intelligent people.
A griSt of bad handwriting, on the
other hand, would have less effect.
1t is interesting to note that sixty
members of the assembly have intro
duced no bills, while Mr.. Stevens of
the Madison district, at the capital
and regarded as Governor LaFOl-
lette'S lieutenant, naturally leads with
thirty-tWO introduced. Judge Norton
put i'll twenty-five and Keene of Mil
Waukee came third. In all over $40
bills are introduced in the assembly
Some new ones came in Friday from
a committee. embOdying some of the
labor commissioners ideas.
NO child under fourteen may work
in bowling alley. barroom or beer
garden (under 621A). Another bill
provides that doors of public buildings
shall swing outward; lit is an interest
ing fact that the main doors of the
capitol do not; 619A is bill that com
pelS fre-escapeS on hotels, tenements.
office buildings, ETC., and will make
lots Of work if it becomes a law; while
GOA cOmpels factory arrangements,
builders, etc, to report accidents in
writing to the labor commissioner
Wnusau's Contribution to Senate.
A senator who promises to have an
influential hand in the compromising
OF the issue about primary elections is
"A. l.. Kreutzer of WauGau the head
OF the Judiciary committee and one of
the most promising younger men of
the state Mr.. Kreutzer combines a
number of strong qualities. He is
clever and popular, and incidentally
the Apollo of the upper body; but
with this goes an earnestness and
hrmness when under stress which
make him attractive to citizens. His
position at the head of the judiciary
committee. Notwithstanding the
crush of able lawyers in the senate.
beSpeaks his ability. He is good
talker. has all the freshness and dash
OF youth, tempered, however, with the
perception and judgment of maturity.
lie Is regarded as type-man of the
new empire lowering about and be-
yOnd Wausau and it is altogether
likely lie will figure in future political
combinations in the state. Indeed.
there was little ripple his way the
last time q governor was chosen.
AS to primary elections Senator
hreutZer looks to see a compromise
and occupying a position between fac
lions he is already being consulted by
all concerned
Pet bills That May Bring Fame.
noHA IL
stalled in the senate. Mr.. Overlook
dld wonders to get it through the as
esmbly 1t is his hobby this year, AS
mortgage taxation is Fr0st's hobby and
railroads Halls. and franchises Len
roots. Not few members have some
one bill they work for. not devoid per-
haps of the laudable ambition to be
known i'll history as having achieved
something.
The temperance reform bills are no.
ing kept in the back ground thus far
n bill TO permit pool selling is about
dead. [ see that Minnesota is. gran.
ping with dispensary proposition.
making it optional with counties OurS
Is a good legislature to work with on
REFORM lines. There are Il good many
honest ruraliSts here who are oDen TO
Things OF that sort. while the suspi.
clouS characterS-and there are al
ways 4 few-seem to lack the ability
and Influence of some of their Drede
cessorS. One of the cries raised
against the cigarette bill was that If
might prove Il second Bennett law and
lead to revolution. This bogy man
is always worked as a last resort. and
there are other measures of which if
is said this winter.
Reform a Judicial ISSUE
While we are speaking of reforms.
+an amazing story comes from the
Green Bay section that Circuit Judge
Hastings, who is candidate for n
third term. noble man and perhaps
the ablest of the circuit judges of the
state Che. declined supreme court
judgeship under Upham) is being wor-
ried in his campaign because he is a
son of the famous Prohibtionist. now
in his advanced old age. 1t would
make a stir if such an outrageous plot
should succeed 1t is characteristic of
Senator Hogemeister, the big hearted
brewer of that district, that he ex-