Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-01-24

stltutlon of the direct system of making
nominations for the delegate method, he
may now feel THAI he is relieved from all
responsibility upon that question. This pro-
posed legislation comes to you from the
hands Of the people, the sovereign author
ity of this commonwealth after repeated
adoption, approval and ratification, with
all the sanction in effect which q specific
referendum could carry with it,
Under the heading, combinations in
Restraint of Trade" the governor urges
legislation that will regulate the trusts do
ing business in the state OF Wisconsin, and
says that ito assume that a remedy cannot
be provided in legal form and manner is to
admit the failure Of government" Con-
tinuing the governor says:
The so-called antitrust law of Wscon-
sin is an act without force or effect under
existing conditions. 1t applies only to cor
porations organized in Wisconsin. There
are no trusts Of the first class native to this
state ct few states perhaps suffer more
directly through the influences of these
artificial monopolies uf trade than our own.
The state law gives us absolutely no pro-
lection against corporations organized out
side the state, yet depending for their prof
its upon tribute eXacted from the people of
this and other states by disregard or abuse
OF the common rights IF our citizens under
the common law.
In my judgment the coal famine now
existing throughout this state presents a
subject calling for prompt legisla tive in
qulry, with full exercise of the large pow
ers granted to legislative committees. Such.
inquiry should be conducted with a view
TO aScertalnlng what, if any, conf inations
within this state, or agencies of combina-
tons organized outside the state compel
thousands of our citizens to suffer from
lack of fuel, which is furnished in album
canoe to other citizens, although at prices
unrea Sonable and unWarranted under nat
uraI trade conditions, even after making
full allowance for necessary shortage in
coal on account of the miners strike last
year. If the citizens of this state are be-
ing Vlctlmized, by conspiracies of men with
In as well as without the state, l believe
that the powers Of the state are ample to
enact and enforce laws to prevent repet-
ton of the onenses in future, even if those
who are guilty cannot be punished under
existing laws for present wrong-doing
/ renew the recommendation made to
the legislature two years ago for an entire
revision of the laws relating to this sub
ject, and the enactment of such laws as
snail promise most efficient remedy for the
existing evils without hampering legiti-
mate individual enterprise, or taking from
capital reasonable returns to which it is
fairly entitled when invested in business
In consideration Of the experience and ex-
amples afforded by legislation on this SUBJ
Ject in other states, 1 desire to emphasize
Tor your attention the Importance of pro-
Vldlng most specifically the form and man
ner OF enforcement Of such laws as YOU
may enact for the prevention of illegal
combinations within the state, to restrain
the operations in this state by such combi-
nations organized elseW here, and for the
punishment Of violators of such laws An
examination of legislation of this charac-
Ter IN the several states affords evidence
that prohibitory laws are most abundant,
but that the most Of them are found lack
ing and inefficient through failure to pro-
vide means for their enforcement, or to
prescribe suitable penalties for their viola
ton"
considerable section is devoted to the
public schools. in which the governor urges
the reorganization Of the work in the dis
trict schools and in this connection he
says:
This is practical age. The demand is
for the things most needfu Make the
training in the district school of so great
practical value that it will enforce itself
Teach some things that will have 6aily
application to the life upon the farm Add
elementary training in agriculture and do
nestle science. Compel the teaching of
these practical, valuable branches and you
Will nave q Sef-enfOrcinS compulsory law
respecting attendance. This suggestion
was made III the message two years ago.
1t is urged at this time upon your fayora-
bic consideration"
The remainder of the message is devoted
to the condition Of and legislation needed
by the various state institutions and to
the urging Of legislation that will afford
better protection to railway employees; to
the necessity Of a revision of the banking
laws; to the possible need Of legislation by
the larger cities of the state, and new
limitation put upon city indebt edness. In
Guided in his general recomme ndations is
one asking for the passage Of such laws
as Will minimize the evils Of the legislative
lobby, and of this the governor says:
Assembled in your legislative capacity,
every interest affected by legislation pro-
posed or pending is entitled to be heard.
Private citizen or public-service corpora
ton, each should be afforded opportunity
to lay before the legislature every fact and
offer every argument. But the legislature
should not be unmindful Of the boast made
In the railroad lobby two years ago, fol-
lowing the defeat of the railway taxation
bills, that: No bill had been enacted into
law during the Is years last past in the in
terest of the people when objected to by the
railroads and at the outset should pass
such measure with respect to lobbying
as would stand upon the statute books a
perpetual challenge to that claim.
Il am not unmindful of the fact that
members Of the legislature are the agents
of their constituents; that they must ever
be ready to be made acquainted with their
wishes and with the interests Of the pub
lie. But that a system of lobbying, more
re preheNsible in its character than has yet
been suggested to the public, has been
maintained about this legislature for many
years is we'll known to every man in public
life. That is is desirable to put an end to
this evil, all Will agree. That it is possible,
all should be anxious to demonstrate
Il desire to be distinctly understood as
faVoring the fullest and freest public
discussion before committees, and, under
proper regulations, before either or both
branches of the legislature by individuals
or the representatives Of interests affected.
or which claim to be affected, in any man
ner, by proposed legislation; but l urge
upon your consideration the enactment OF
a law that shall make it an offense punish
able by the heaviest money penalty and
by Imprisonment as well for any lobby
agent or lobby representative employed
and paid for his services by Others to at
tempt personally and directly to influence
any member Of the legislature to vote for
Or against any measure affecting the in
terests represented by such lobbyist
Ancient Legal Statute.
The provision of the Virginia code