Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-02-21
WISCONSIN SOLONS.

.
A bill providing for the repeal Of the
corrupt practices act, the law which re-
quires all candidates for Office in Wiscon-
sin to file statements of their campaign
expenses, was introduced in the Assem-
bly, ON Tuesday by Mr.. Spratt. He claims
that the law has proved practically q
farce in operation. The first hearing on
the primary election bill was held before
joint meeting of the committees on
privileges and elections. Dairy and Food
Commissioner III. G. Adams opened the
argument for the bill in a carefully pre-
pared speech. Internal Revenue Collector
Monahan prefaced his argument against
the bill with the statement that there was
absolutely no truth in the report that the
federal officials in Wisconsin are making
a united fight on the measure.
Both houses of the Legislature had
long calendars Monday night, but got
down to business and dispatched them
quickly. The most interesting thing in
either house was the Introduction Of
pure beer bill. 1t came from Mr.. Fene-
Ion in the Assembly and it provides that
the brewers must label their barrels, kegs
and bottles so as to show whether the
beer is made of barley, corn or rice. The
following bills were passed: Relating to
discovery of property by court proceed
ings; making uniform administrators and
executors bonds; adding to duties of the
secretary of the State Board of Agricul-
ture; relating to investments by domestic
life insurance companies; making uniform
line of publication in administration of
estates.
Two matters of more than ordinary in
serest were sprung upon the unsuspect-
ing Legislature Wednesday morning. One
was a bill by Franklin johnson in the
Assembly fors the establishment of the
initiative and referendum, and the other
was a joint resolution by Senator O'Neill
.ooking to increasing the salaries of mem
GERS of the Legislature from $500 to ST.
900. Mr.. Johnson's bill is a modification
of the Populistic idea. 1t provides that
when 5 per cent of the voters petition for
it any question must be submitted to the
people fer approval, and that when po-
litical conventions make the same de-
mand the questions must be SO submitted.
Senator O'Neil's joint resolution is for
legislative amendment to permit the in
crease in members salaries. 1t gives the
members 10 cents per mile for travelling
expenses as at present and fixes the sal
airy in lieu of all perquisites, which is the
provision now in force. Mr.. Spratt In
troduced another bill providing for the
taxation of mortgages where the money
is loaned instead of at the place where
the lender resides. A joint resolution
was adopted by both houses by rising
vote paying high tribute to the late ex-
Senator T. d: Weeks, former president
pro tenn of the Senate.
Assemblyman Roots bill permitting
cities to issue bonds UP to 10 per cent OF
their assessed valuation for the purpose
of acquiring water, works, electric light
or street railway plants brought out the
biggest debate of the session in the AS
sembly on Thursday. 1t was finally adj
vanced to third reading by a vote of % to
a. The Senate concurred unanimously
in the memorial to Congress urging leg
islational amendment providing for the
election of United States Senator by di-
rect vote of the people. Another marriage
reform is provided for in bill intro
duced in the Assembly by Mr.. Barker,
divorced people from marry
ing within a year after the divorce IS
granted.
Senator Roehr introduced a bill in the
Senate Friday morning which vests great
power in the Milwaukee executive and
gives that official the right to appoint all
the city officers except the comptroller,
who is 60 be elected by the Common
Council. The officials appointed by the
Mayor are to hold Office during good be-
havior. The bill is understood to be a
League measure. 1t would do
away with the election by the people of
all the city officers except the Mayor.
The appointment of George &. Cooper OF
Black River Falls as State oil Inspector,
to succeed DR.. III. B. Tanner, sent to the
Senate by Gov. La Toilette, was con-
frmed. The term expires April /, 1902
Mr. Cooper is editor of the Black River
Falls Banner.