Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-04-02

the uniOnist supporters of the govern
ment will counsel it's withdrawal on
the ground Of unpopularity among the
British electors, who are already
smarting under the burdens of heavy
war taxation.
WISCONSIN legislature.
Madison, March 23.-The legislative
week began with short sessions in
both houses. Each branch had a long
calendar before it, but the absentees
being numerous neither side con-
cluded to work. No bill developed
with reference TO. the supreme court
vacancy, although one was expected
from the senate judiciary committee.
providing that candidates might file
their nomination papers up to eight
days before the election. The state
affairs committee in the assembly re-
ported in favor Of concurring in the
senate bill to establish a system Of
state insurance of public buildings.
Madison, March pa bill which
will multiply nominations for supreme
court justice to fill the vacancy caused
by the death of the late Justice Bar
6een was passed in both houses Of the
legislature under suspension Of the
rules. 1t extended the time for the
filing of nomination papers until
March %, Saturday, directs the secre-
tary of state to certify the nomina-
tons to the county clerks on Monday,
March 80, removes all question Of the
regularity and legality of the nomi-
nations of Judge Siebecker and Viii
liam Ruger and declares the nomina-
ton of Justice Bardeen to have been
invalidated by his DEATH The senate
passed IA bills, the most important Of
which was the tax committee bill to
appropriate $59,7O0 to repay the sums
received by the state under the inheri-
lance tax law which was declared by
the supreme court to be unconstitu-
tional. The Hudnall barber examina-
ton and license bill was on the calen-
dar for killing, but it's life was pre-
served temporarily by a motion of the
author of the measure to refer to the
committee on public health and SAM
tatiOn. The senate received from the
state affairs committee a favorable re-
port on the lOrse-docking bill and an
unfavorable one on the Superior grain
commission bill. The docking measure
was made of no force by an amend
ment striking cut the clause which
makes the possession of a locked
horse in this state prima facia evil
dence that the possessor has locked
the animals tail If the bill becomes
a law conditions viii remain much the
same as now, except that if one wants
a locked horse he may buy one al
ready locked or send his own animal
outside Of the state for the inhuman
operation. There was introduced by
the assembly judiciary committee a
bill of very large Importance, giving
a jury trial to persons accused of vio-
lating injunctions. The Carpenter
antitrust resolution was adopted. It
instructs the attorney general to in
vestigate the suficiency of the exist
ing laws of this state relative to the
control Of trusts and unlawful in
dustrial combinations, and report to
this legislature the result of his ILL
yestigations, and his recommendations
as to needed legislation, if any be nee
essary, to enable the state to ade-
quately regulate and control such
trusts and unlawful industrial comb1-
nations. Mr.. Dudgeon's resolution
for an investigation as to cost of pro-
ductiOn Of crude petroleum by the
Standard Oil company was killed. The
bill mulcting the owners Of steam
boilers to the extent Of more than
$4,000 during the next two years was
ordered engTossed, Notwithstanding an
adverse committee report. It requires
all engineers to pass an examination
and ray 81 to the examiner, then at
the end of every two years to be
taxed to the extent of 81 for renewal
of that certificate Of course the en-
ployer will be obliged in the end to
pay for the examinations. The bill
exempts threshing machine engines,
locomotives and heating boilers. The
Srnalley bill limiting the mill school
tax income to SS50,00o annually went
over. A little fun was had with the
Reynolds bill evoluting into elective
state Offices the positions of bank ex-
aminer, dairy and food commissioner
and labor statistician but it finally
went to a committee. Assembly bills
were passed, requiring owners of au-
tomobiles to register with the secre-
tary of state, pay 81 for certificate,
carry lights On machines at night and
be subject to all local regulations,