Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-03-25
PRIMARY ELECTIONS
The Senate Preparing to Modify
the Bill on Thurs
day Next.
CONTROL OF FREIGHT RATES
Big Crowd Of Directors from All Over
the State Influence the Law
Makers Against 1t.

Makers Against 1t.
Madison. March 24-The death OF
Judge c, V. Bardeen. broke the legisla-
ture up in his honor, Friday morning,
/ and the members went home over Sun
day. without doing business ON that
day. He came to Madison in 1898
from Wausau to succeed Justice New
man, deceased, and quickly won
place in the hearts Of the people by his
democratic ways As for his scat on
the bench, having served seven years
as circuit Judge at Wausau, there
never was any question about his
ability at this point lie was an es-
pecial friend q Senator Kreutser, of
Wausau. VINO with \. l.. SanbCrn,
neighb0r in Madison, will look after
his business affairs. The doctors
cheered him up and gave hope to the
public, but the judge told his inti-
mates that lie knew he was growing
weaker each day and must go He
was unconscious for some hours be-
fore his death. n kindly way Nature
has OF lowering the ven In most cases.
He leaves three children, son,
daughter, married to Maurice John
son, young manufacturer of Madi-
son, and an 11-year old daughter. The
remains were crematcd at Milwaukee,.
Supreme Court Matters.
Judge Bardeen's reelection for the
full term Of 10 years, comes up April
next. he being the only candidate.
His death makes the matter of a prop
er choice ON such short notice diff
fcult, but the representatives of the
State Bar asso ,iation are working on
it aud with III, cooperation of Gov.
LaFollette, no unubt IA suitable noni-
nee will be offered the people to vote
for.
More Judges N ,eded.
Following on this vac lncy, the adop-
ton of the constitutional amendment,
increasing the bench from five mem
bers TO seven, VIII necessitate the Sc
lection of two more judges. They will
not be selected at the same time, but
even If they were, there is abundant
material in the state.
The constitutional amendment can
hardly excite any opposition at all
and every one viii vote for 1t except
those who take n grim satisfaction in
voting mo- on every proposition of
this sort. There is no question that
the bench is cruelty overworked.
Every state with one exception Mich
iganl in Wisconsins class of popu-
lation has more than five judges to
hear final appeals.
Mr.. Babcocls Mission.
Tht presence of Congressman Bah
cock in town excited soGe comment.
1t is understood that the state sena-
tors and others who do not relish the
full primary election bill have long
been annoyed by the uncertain and
non participating attitude of the Wis
consin delegation in Washington and
insisted that they bear part of the
load of opposition The congressman,
as a rule, are satisfied with the pres
ent system of nonin tion and know
not what luck they would have il
delegates were abolished and every
citizen had a direct vote Neyerthe-
less, the congressman have studiously
avoided mixing up in the fight and
now that the primary election bill has
passed the assembly and is before
the senate, the situation is acute.
On the one land. the passage Of the
bill may entrench n faction: and, on
the other hand, if the people get an
idea that they have not been fairly
dealt with, through the defeat of a
reasonable measure, they may feel
disposed to punish somebody. And
no one has more at stake or should
bear more Of the responsibility than
the delegation at Washington; and Mr..
Babcock Is here as their representa-
tive The bill comes up in the senate
Thursday of this week, and we shall
soon know to how wide an area the
principle Of the direct vote viii be
applied.
Sentiment Modified.
The so-called stalwart senators
have conferenced on the bill. indeed
are talking over constantly the shape
in which the measure should be put.
As time goes on, the original enthusi-
asm for the full bill is abated in
more quarters, and the few who
strenuously claim it rest their main
argument on the platforms OF 1898
and 1900 and say the people want
the whole thing / DO not look to
see this bill passed in its entirety
however. There IS danger that in
the quarreling that may cnsue. no
agreement can be reached, in which
event, some think Gov. LaFallette win