The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-03-20

That the state may it it chooses
adopt the machine method of vot-
ing; not the machine in the ordin-
airy sense of the word, but the plan
In vogue in Rhode Island, Con-
neticut, Mass achuoetts and some
9th r eastern states. The firm
manufacturing the machines have
had one sent to Madison and it is
now on exhibition at the capital,
where the members can better
judge as to it's practica bility. It is a
huoe box like arrangement, and re-
sembles very much the ordinary
election booth; but one large ticket
is used and in voting you simply
press a button which registers a
cross after the person S name for
whom you wish to vote. It is claim
ed that within twenty minutes after
the polls close the result can be an
noupced, no matter how large the
vote may be. The price Of the ma
chine is $500; while somewhat ex-
pensive, the people of Massachusetts
claim that in two years the machine
has paid for itself in money saved in
carrying on elections since the old
plan was discarded. Mr.. Hall is
very active in his advocacy of the
scheme, maintaining that in time it
would save the state an enormous
amount of money andfurther that it
would make intimidation and fraud
much more difficult, than under the
present system. Assemblyman
Kate in answer to Mr. Halls re-
marks in favor of the resolution
stated: 'The entemen of the AS
sembly will note that for once the
member from Dunn is advocating d
machine. " If it passes both houses,
the resolution must be ratified by
the people and the legislature two
years hence.
A bill providing for the appoint
ment of at least one woman on the
University Board of Regents has
been ordered TO third reading by
the Senate.
AssemDlyman Stevens informs me
that as yet no definite information
can be given Out regarding a report
from his committee on the primary
election bill 1t was expected this
week, but recent development is
point to the fact that action will be
deferred as long as possible. l un-
derstand amendments have been
proposed and favorably acted upon
by the committee; what sections of
the bill these amendments cover,
none but members of this body
know Petitions for and against
the measure continue to come
The taxation measures have not
yet been reported; they may come
this week, possibly not until next.
Mr.. Hall, the father of these bills is
preparing an argument and it is safe
to say, that when they do come it
will take two or three days to dis
pose of them. While an unfavor-
able report is looked for from the
committee, Mr.. Hall is regarded as
authority on taxation in the legisla-
ture and he may succeed in getting
the bills through the assembly, re-
gardless of the action of the COM
mite. He has fought these same
measures in previous sessions and
will continue to do SO, as long as he
is in the legislature.
Senator Russell's educational bill
which provided that no person
should teach longer than three years
on third grade certificate and the
placing of the graded schools under
state supervision has met with con
siderable opposition from people en-
gagged in educal ioral work through
out the state The clause limiting
the life of third grade certificate
has been stricken from the bill. The
portion with reference to the plac-
ing of the graded schools under
state supervision, will likely pass.
The state superintendent according
to the bill is to appoint inspectors
for that purpose. The measure pro-
vides for an annual appropria ton
of $4,000.
The legislature adjourned Friday
until $50 o'clock Monday evening.
The next week or two will probably
/ see the beginning of evening SEES