Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-04-11
WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE.

was up before the judiciary committee
on Thursday Of last week. Mr.. Cady
made the opening argument, it being
of course, in favor of the bill. He
cited the committee to other states
that had similar law only more
stringent, and in al made an able
argument for his bill.
The opposition was represented by
several cOl0red gentlemen from differ
ent parts of the state: the first to
speak however, was cOlOred attorney
from Milwaukee who stated that he
had practiced law in the city of Mil
waukee since 1891 and that he knew of
Is mixed families in the city, forty Of
which the woman was white. and five
that the husband was white and
among the As families, but one have
had any difficulty.
In conclusion he said, that he was
sorry to learn that the author Of this
bill was Republicans; a party to
whom the colored people owed so
much.
At Fridays session the bill was
reported withOut'recommendatiOn, the
committee being evenly divided.
Considerable amusement was INDUCED
in on the floor of the assembly at the
expense of the author, after which on
motion of Mr.. Cady the bill twas defer
red for a few days when he would
argue its merits on the floor.
The committee on public health
and sanitation to which the dancing
masters bill was sent reported back a
substitute. 1t provides that before
any one can give lessons in dancing
license must be procured from the
county clerk. The applicant must
prove that he is competent to teach
and have good moral character: fine
from S25 to $50 or three months in jail.
WhitSon and Esau diSsented from
the bill, which is approved by Willott,
Spratt and David Evans Jr.
Bill 306a, providing liquors for min
ors was reported adverSely-WhitSOn
and Evans Jr.. dissenting.
The bill provides for bringing
within the law delivery of liquors to
children on orders of parents and in
other cases. The bill was lost.
ASA, A bill relative to insanity aS
cause for divOrce-made discussion in
the assembly at Saturday mornings
session. The bill provided that after
tive years insanity proved in court,
divorce could be secured. 1t came
mendatiOn, tine committee being
evenly divided.
Judge OrtOn began an attack on the
bill. He said the states of Washing
ton and Arkansas alone have such
law. Arkansas has the provision of
five years residence. The present law
nulllt1eS the marriage contract
where either party was insane before
ms pfsIO Crn. tinl
insanity. Wisconsin passed a similar
law in 1881; repealed it the next year.
This bill is worse: it makes ne men
tion of incurable insanity, it Says
nothing of support of divorced
who has been unfaithful to her
marriage VOWS. The great legislator
spoke with much feeling, but in good
control.
Mr.. WhitSon said he introduced the
bill at request, but cited it's merits
David Evans Jr., cited case on a
farm next to his-a young widow with
children whose husband is hopeless
| wreck in the Oshkosh asylum. She is
linked to dead man, she can have no
love or sympathy for him.
Mr.. Barker of Milwaukee said that
lninety-nine of every hundred families
in the state would tell their represent
ativeS to vote against such bill.
Mr.. Barker outlined his own case
what if he should desert on such
| ground the mother of his children who
had given the best! years of her life
| to his home.
| The bill was defeated y to I. One
| of those who spoke for the bill, David
| Evans voted against it,
Not long after the. assembly began
| business Saturday morning, there was
the usual struggle on the part of the
| members to get home for Easter
Sunday. Mr.. ROssman who lives in
Ashland, could not get back in time
| for Monday morning session, but
could get here Monday evening, Mr..
Barlow of Juneau county took strong
ground for a Monday morning session
as did David Evans, while others
| worked against it.
The outcome was Monday morning
session at 1890 a. m.
Differences Of opinion in regard to
the time for final adjournment are.
Third HOuSe-July t.
Second House or ASSembly-May Is.
First House or Senate-May 4.
A resolution was offered in the
senate to the effect, that the legisla-
ture adjourn sine die on the 4th day
of May, but said resolution was laid
on the table realizing that the work
could not be completed at that time,
as most OF the more important
measures before the legislature are
yet to be considered and acted on.
A MEMBER OF THE THIRD HOUSE.