River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-01-22

existing throughout this state presents
subject calling for prompt legislative in
qury with fun exercise of the large pow
ers granted to legislative committees. Such
inquiry should be conducted with view
to ascertaining what, if any, combinations
within this state, or agencies of combina
lions organized outside the state compel
thousands of our citizens to suffer from
lack of fuel which is furnished in album
dance to other citizens, although a prices
unreas onable and unwarranted under nat
ural 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 victimized, by conspiracies of men with
in as well without the state l believe
that the powers Of the state are ample to
enact and enforce laws to prevent repeti-
ton of the offenses in future, even if those
who are guilty cannot be punished under
existing laws for present wrong-doing
Il 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 a.
shall promise most efficient remedy for the
existing evils without hampering Iegfti-
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 sub
ject in other states, l desire to emphasize
for your attention the Importance of pro-
viding 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 elsewhere 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"
A considerable section is devoted to the
public schools. in which the governor urges
the reorganization of the work in the dis
trlct schools, and in this connection he
says;
This ds practical age. The demand is
Tor the things most needful. Make the
training in the district school of so great
practical value that it will enforce itself.
Teach some things that will have daily
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 self-enforcing compulsory law
respecting attendance. This suggestion
was made in the message two years ago
1t is urged at this time upon your favora-
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 a new
limitation put upon city indebtedness. In
GUIDED in his general recommendations is
one asking for the passage of such laws
as VIII 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
tion 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 inro
law during the Is years last past in the i1l>
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
wishes and with the interests of the pub
lie. But that system of lobbying, more
reprehensible in its character than has vet
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
81 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 [ urge
upon your consideration the enactment OF
law that shall make it an offense, punish
able by the heaviest money penalty, and
by imprisonment as we'll 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"