Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-03-28


Immediately after the opening prayer
in the Senate by Rev. James ID. But
Ter the other morning ne was presented
with large bunch of roses from the
Senators, the occasion being his ninetieth
birthday. Lieut.. Gov. Davidson made a
neat speech of presentation which was
feelingly responded TO by the clergyman.
He alluded to the thorns on the roses
and referred to the work of Botanist
Burbank of California who by expert
menting had transformed the useless
thorny cactus of the western plains into
Il useful thornleSs food for man and
beast All true reformers," he couclud-
ed, ARE those who truly reform" At
the conclusion of his speech the members
of the Senate passed around to the
Speakers stand and were presented to
the venerable clergyman.
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1t is not impossible that there may be
reaction against the new capitol. When
t lie plans of the commission were made
public the people of the State were
frightened and quickly put the $1,000
600 to S10000,000 capitol idea on the
shelf and spoke for repairs on the pres
ent capitol to cost about 100000 or
S60O,0O0. Now there is quite senti-
ment growing apparently against throw
ing away money on this old shack and
spending a modest slm comparatively.
S2,500,000 or $3,000,000, for new State
house. Senator McGillivray. the hero of
the old fight, has proposition to build
one wing at time for the next eight or
ten years, at the end of which time the
State would have Il good capitol and
never feel the burden.
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Henry Hagemeister of the committee
on claims is receiving congratulations for
having saved the State about $4,000.
He opposed and killed measure two
years ago to pay a percentage on all
claims to be secured for the State
against the national government. The
balance due the State was only a few
thousand dollars, it was said. Mr. Hage-
meister smelled Il mouse aud killed the
bill. If it had passed, he says, ii would
have cost the State about $4,000 in
stead of about S2,700 or so which it has
paid in salary for those Interested in
getting the claims put through.
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The corn shredder bill is dead. After
considering it for several hours at two
different hearings, Mr.. Chandler. who
introduced the bill, said that there was
nothing to it anyway, but that the uni
versity professors who had worked up
the statistics in regard TO the number
of accidents from the corn shredder
wanted him to introduce it because one
of his hands had been ground off by
one years ago and the slump would make
a good argument.
The shower of petitions and protests
in regard to the anti-cigarette bill and
the local option bills and contributory
negligence bills has ceased. but is fol-
lowed by hurricane of petitions and
protests for and against the fraternal
insurance bills which have been intro
duced. 1t seems that a concerted move
ment has been made to have every lodge
in the State express its views on these
measures.
1t is likely that the State can get the
asphalt pavement around Capitol square
this coming summer, an improvement for
which it has tried for years. The prop
erty owners ION the square" have al
ways blocked the proposition heretofore.
Now they are getting a bit scarey be-
cause of the talk of moving the capitol
and they show indications of wanting
to do the right thing.
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The bill approved by the Assembly
committee on agriculture to MAKE State
aid to county fairs uniform and definite
is measure to check the tendency of
county fairs to become mere speed
events. 1t provides that one-half of the
premiums shall he for races and one
half for exhibits and displays The State
is to give 40 per cent of the total
amounts OF the premiums.
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Il never knew of such a backward
session." said one of the old members.
The committees don't seem to want to
get to work at all and there is no excite
ment or interest in the session so far. I
suppose that it is on account of the
freight rate commission. When there is
dog fight on the corner no one wants
to go about his business until he finds
out which dog got licked ~
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A bill has passed the Assembly fixing
the size of the cranberry barrel at 100
quarts. Heretofore that package has
contained 40 quarts and the dealers
claim that it has worked discrimina-
ton against them in this State inasmuch
as the barrels from other States contain
only 100 quarts.
81 have won a hat at every session of
the Legislature for the past eight or ten
years." said Game Warden Overlook.
There is always someone ready to wa
ger that it will be a short session, but it
never is" Bets are now being offered
thas it will be June / before adjourn
ment is taken.
Gov. La Toilette is chafing under the
delay in getting down to good hard work
He wants the Legislature to get busy
and get through and is Disguised with
the legislators for their sloth.
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The argument of the railroads why the
State should not make them carry pas
sengers for cents a mile fiat rate is
that 45 per cent of the passengers ride
for that or less now.
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Each one Of the Senator's has received
a 5-pound bag Of sugar made at the
beet sugar plant at Menomonie Falls.
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The Senate rebuked DR.. Osler by rails
ing the age limit for jury service from
60 to 60 years.
Punishment for Their Folly.