The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-06-02


measures disposed Of. The wealth is
so attractive that it is difficult to get
full committees for work in the after
noon, and the university athletic events
have much to offer. But the officers of
both senate and assembly are growing
sensitive as to their efficiency in the
disposition of business, and within
two weeks, and probably less, the leg
islature will adjourn sine die.
Songs of Norway.
Speaking of diversions, those of Nor
wegian blood had their time when the
singers from the fatherland sang in
the gymnasium. There were nearly
$50 auditors present from Mt Horeb,
a place over twenty miles away. There
is a good deal of patriotic sentiment
among these people,; perhaps there
would be among any nationality far
from home and stirred to the depths
by rousing songs familiar to ones
childhood
There will be no legislative ball this
factional feeling has so shattered
social lines that it is an effort to feign
real cordiality for any length of time.
Chief Clerk Marsh is the first to re-
ceive token of regard from his as
sociates, in the form of handsome
chair, and Chief Clerk Eaton Of the
senate has a watch. Other gifts will
follow--sometimes the watches and
gems are quite costly. The session
has been such long and expensive
one that the fountains of generosity
may be somewhat chillier this year.
Even the Milwaukee Socialists, whose
organ paper bewails the loss of prac
tically all it's measures, are reported in
favor of increa sing the salaries Of
members from $500 to $1,000. Daily
sessions will be held until adjourn.
ment.
The Railway Bills.
The assembly has made tritiing
changes in the rate commission bill,
which will be readily accepted by the
senate. One of them, for instance, al
lows minor officials Of the commission
to do outside work-and thus piece out
their salaries. The governor will
promptly nominate three commission
ers and, Of course, we are eager to
know what kind of men will be chosen.
1t seems to be conceded Labor Com
missioner Erickson will be one or
them. The commission once in opera
ton, its chief value will be in abating
discomfort 1t is doubtful if the rank
and file Of us will know. by any
marked reduction in prices of COM
modities, that anything has happened!
But the distrust and suspicion born Of
secrecy and unqualified power will be
relieved, for there is appeal to the COM
mission And. if the commission
comes under the power of the rail-
roads, as has happened in some states,
the people will demand effective Of
ficers and get them by pledging legisla-
tors
Thew grows better and slowly in
a republic. The people, by the tedious
legislative methods, are able to abate
evils. The Australian ballot was a
great victory-since then, in Wisconsin
and generally. we hear little or moth
ng about cheating at the polls. The
anti-pass law put an end to an i'm
mense amount of bitterness and sus-
picion. And now people who think
their freight rates are too high have
method Of redress of their own
making. a
Capitol Stays in Madison.
The furry as to the removal Of the
capitol was never very serious to those
on the ground, who know how loyal
Governor LaFollette is to Madison and
how uncongenial it would be to him
to have the business of the state done
at Milwaukee. where some of his most
influential enemies are located. While
at this writing the deathblow has not
yet been given to the referendum prop
osition, the senate Has for a second
time recalled the bilIs after passing it,
and veto by the governor will not
be necessary to make Madison happy.
In fact, it is doubtful if the legisla-
tors. had in mind more than a scare
to Madison citizens, who delay in
building new hotel and who have
puttered around in the matter Of
properly paving the streets about the
capitol. The lesson will not be lost on
them. The capitol building project has
taken the shape of an initial outlay Of
S64O.CO0 for the west wing to be built
first with view of building that
shall ultimately cost $4,000 though
appropriations by successive legisla-