Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-02-24
LEGISLATIVE MATTER OF
INTEREST TO OUR READERS

MADISON, Feb. 21.-The most i'm
portant work before the legislature
may be summarized as follows:
Railway legislation. the new capitol,
the university and other state insti-
tuition appropriations, amendments
to the primary election law, changes
in the county board system, the Tor
rens law for real estate registrations,
legislative sanction of a system of
water powers along the Wisconsin
river, the esta ablishmeBt of Wisconsin
grain inspection at Superior, and
changing the insurance laws.
Many important changes in exist
ing laws, or new laws, are contem-
plated in the enormous total of over
eleven hundred bills that have been
introduced at this session, but the
measures that will occupy most of the
time of the two houses are covered in
the above list.
Leading all other subjects is that of
the regulation of the railways, and
beginning with today the so-called
administration bill will hold the
boards for at least ten days in COM
mittee bearings. As seated in this
letter last week the bill then briefly
outlined will have to be amended in
some radical directions before it can
go through. The cou mittee has
invited the railway people to be
present, and assures all interests that
there shall be a fair and full hearing
of all sides.
The indications are that there will
be no settlement of the railway
question by the 4th of March, when it
was expected that Gov. La Toilette
might be called to Washington, in
the event of an extra session Of the
national senate. There is nothing to
hinder the governor from putting off
the taking of his seat in the senate
until next December.
What will be done about the new
capitol is an uncertainty. One thing
seems about settled, and that is that
it will remain in Madison. Oshkosh is
getting lot of advertising, and many
people are having much fan out uf the
effort to put the seat of government
in Oshkosh. Milwaukee is in earnest
about trying to secure it, and with its
large vote in the legislature and
strength outside, it could make a
formidable showing. The question
is rather, shall thesstate build new
cap. tol. what shall it cost and who
shall be in charge of it? There is a
strong sentiment among members
that half million dollars spent on
the old building would give magni-
ficent structure. one that would do
the state for quarter OF century.
A very large sum is asked for the
several penal and other state institu-
tions and their requests are well
backed up. The state university has
made wise move in asking for two
fifthS of mill tax. The university
is growing SO rapidly that it must not
only have more support but that
support must be assured in order to
plan future work to the best advant-
age. The tax is SO small that it
would hardly be felt by property
owners, and its adoption would avoid
the necessity of the university coming
to the legislature every two years.
The great Wisconsin university should
no longer be compelled to live from
hand to mouth"
The primary election law is to be
amended in some respects. 1t is
hoped that some improvement in the
monster ballot will be affected. OF
course, the introduction of voting
| machines will sooner or later simplify
| voting.
! Superior is to have the Wisconsin
grain inspection, aud that city ought
to be happy, provided the law turns
out as its friends expect. Two years
ago the railways and elevators made
a great fight on the measure, but this
year there was not the least opposition
to it.
! AS the railway rate and regulation
bill will attract so much attention, it
/ would be we'll for the people of the
state to get copies of it and study its
provision. AS already stated, it is
the most advanced legislation ever
/ proposed of the kind.
i The editors of the state held their
annual meeting here last week. The
attendance was large and much
business of interest to the fraternity
was transacted. On Wednesday even
ing the Forty Thousand club and
citizens of Madison gave the visiting
newspaper men and the members Of
the legislature a banquet. Ovel
seven hundred guests were present
and the event was the most Succe SSfu
one of the kind ever known in tht
state. There were addresses by Gov
La Toilette, President Van Hise
Senator Whitehead and Ex-GoY
Hoard aud others.
Nearly three hundred farmers art
here attending the winter school al
the agricultural college. This feature
is growing in popularity. Among tht
farmers are men grown gray in theil
work. but ''never too old to learn.
1t is most interesting to look in upor
these young and old students at theil
lectures and experimental work.