Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-05-02
WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE,

WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE.
Madison. April %. There is
no hope for an increase in
railroad taxation in Wisconsin for at
least two years. The assembly Tues
day afternoon did the unexpected and
killed the first of the railroad taxation
bills prepared by the tax commission,
refusing to consider any amendments
or compromise. The measure which
was killed proposed to increase the
license fee from to SO per cent. on
the gross earnings, or some 100000
in all. This action on the part of the
assembly was unexpected because it
was believed that the assembly, being
the popular branch and standing near
er the people, would favor PROPOSE
ton to equalize taxation when it was
backed by the recommendation of the
tax commission. But though Mr..
Hall and Mr.. Dodge ably championed
the peoples cause, the vote was not
even close. The Dodge amendment
was lost by a vote Of SO to SO. while
the Hall amendment went down so to
80
The senate yesterday morning
Killed the Lenroot franchise bill by
vote of 16 to IS. The measure pro
yided that franchises granted to
street railways, electric lighting, gas
or telephone companies should not be-
come operative in any city in the state
until after SO days from the date of it's
passage; and if during that period five
per cent. of the voters demand it the
ordinance should be submitted to the
people and be approved by them be-
fore going into effect. The Portage
levee appropriation bill was the cause
of & spirited debate in which Senators
Martin and Bissell were the principals
Senator Martin believed that there
was a constitutional provision which
prevented the expenditure of money
for such purposes, and therefore he
asked for a preference Of the bill to
the committee on judiciary that this
matter might be investigated How
ever, his motion to rerefer was voted
down and the measure was passed by
a vote Of "a to 5.
Madison, April 24.-The committee
on claims last night reported to
! the senate number of large
appropriation bills and the mea-
sure granting state aid to graded
schools. The university appropria-
lions are somewhat reduced, $3.50, 600
| being allowed for new agricultural
| building, $4,000 for the college of engi-
| neering, both of which are to. be taken
from the general fund. An increase
| in the annual income OF the agricul-
tural college of $4,000, $500 for the
engineering college and $4,000 for the
! college Of commerce is allowed. All
of the latter amounts are to be raised
| by direct tax levy.
The bill providing for the annual ap-
preparation to the normal school fund
was cut from $225,000 to 1925, 900.
/ The appropriation for teachers in
stitutes was reduced from $4,000 to
$4,000, and the bill providing for
state aid to graded schools was cut
from $4,000 to 100000.
An unsuccessful attempt was made
in the assembly yesterday morning to
reconsider the vote by which the rail
road taxation bill was killed yester-
day, the vote resulting 40 for reconsid-
Grafton and so against. The Gavin
architects license bill was killed after
a spirited debate, by vote of SIS to So
The senate at the morning session
passed through long calendar with
out debate. With half dozen dis.
senting votes the senate killed ,&c
Roe bill passed by the assembly defin-
ing drinks which contain one per cent.
of alcohol as intoxicants
Madison, April 25.-The assembly
amendment to the Hagemeister pri-
mary election bill by vote of II to
A. The bill now goes back to the
| senate amended SO as to apply to coun-
ties, cities, assembly and senatorial
district. Those who spoke for the bill
| were Assemblymen Stevens, D. Evans,
Lenroot, Rossman and Sturdevant,
while those who opposed it were
Messrs. Franklin Johnson, Dodge,
Barker and Williams.
At the morning session the bill in
creasing the appropriation to the Wis
consin Horticultural society from
$1,750 to $2,250 was passed. The Bis.
sell bill providing for the appoint.
ment of deputies by county superin-
tendents of schools was passed The
Barker bill prohibiting the marriage
OF divorced persons within a year
after the the decree is granted, unless
they obtain court permit, passed
without discussion.
The assembly passed Ainsworth's
bill licensing peddlers by vote Of SO
to 8. The medical bill with the com.
promise clause admitting the osteo-
paths was passed without opposition,
after the adoption of couple of YER
bal amendments Martins bill pro-
viding that one member Of the board
of university regents shall be woman
was concurred in.
Madison, April 26.-Assemblyman
Frost's mortgage tax bill passed the
assembly Yesterday without Snenrh