The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-05-12
ADJOURNMENT
IN THREE WEEKS
That Is the Present View
of the Situation at
Madison.
AGREEMENT ON RAIL WAY BILL
Action of the Senate Committee
Regard ed as LaFoI.
lette Victory.
Measure Provides for Three Appoint
i've Commissioners as the Gov
ernor Has All Along In
sisted Should Be.

4
sisted Should Be.
! Madison. May 9-This week and
two more weeks will probably con-
clude the session If so, it would
make the date about May 26. Nothing
but hard work will make this possible,
and even then it will be session OF
unusual length. In 1903. the date was
May II. In 1901, the date OF adj
journment was May Is. In 1899 May
4. In 1897 there was a special session
for statute revision, with recess in
jected. that makes comparison difficult.
j But in 1895, adjournment was April
20; 1893, April 2O-in fact, one re-
views the history of sessions in vain
to find session so long as this prom
Uses to be.
/ The weather at Madison is delight
full and with the lakes to enjoy, OF
course, the life of the members is
pleasant enough: but they are eager to
be home to attend to their own affairs.
The legislators have an occasional
base ball game at the university to
attend. Governor 'LaFollette is fond
of this sort of thing Then, too, there
is ''the biggest mule on EARTH on ex-
hibition in town. The animal is not
more interesting than his owner, a
genial southerner. who says his peo-
pie would blush to have him in the
mule exhibition business, but he does
enjoy seeing peoples eyes stick out IS
they take in the proportions Of his huge
freak 1t is said there are other big
mules in the south, though no one sees
the Madison exhibit without marvel.
He weighs 1900 pounds when in con-
dition.
Exclusion of Eaton.
Senator Eaton's case is disposed OF
by practical exclusion, though he says
he will seek reelection at the hands
of his constituents next fall This may
be merely Il token of courage
The big bills, which have been de-
layed. are now being taken up in
= earnest. The railroad bill is now
! clearly outlined, the senate commit
tee having agreed on a measure-both
(, factions. Their bill is different from
the assembly bill, but the fact that
there is agreement in the senate is
regarded rs pointing toward a law
and the establishment of a railway
commission. although no one may safe
ly prophecy what will happen. There
! of tn
Governor LaFollette's future He will
be pleased with vigorous measure OF
control Among the theories is one
that he will himself ask to go on the
commission as a member of it with the
intent of making a record in COM
polling railroads to obey the law. This
would be an unusual thing for a man
to do who has a senate seat at his
disposal but the fact that the rumOr
finds credence shows how much at sea
we are as to the governors plans.
Senate Reports Railway Bill.
This railroad bill, on which the SEN
ate railroad committee has agreed,
provides for three appointive commits
sioners (as Governor LaFollette has in
sisted) who are to have six year terms,
at $4,000 per year. The bill is less
drastic than the assembly bill. The
railway company makes the rates and
files full information as to the same
with the commission. Ten days no
tice must be given of proposed in
crease. Complaint must be made by
an aggrieved party before the commits
sion takes action. 1t holds a hearing
and fixes new rate If the commits
sion thinks the railway rate too high.
This new commission rate goes into
effect twenty days later. If either
party is dissatisfied with the decisions
said party may begin action in the
circuit court of any county in the
state, and an injunction may be issued
preventing the rate from going into
effect pending the determination of the
action in such court.
In drafting the bill. the committee
has consulted many persons DR.. Ely
was clOseted with Chairman Hatten
for some hours, and Professor Gil
more, of the law school, proved very
useful on the legal side.
i There has been some complaint by
Stalwart senators who have called in
railway representatives and been anx-
ious to treat all interests with great
fairness, that the latter clsm all and
more than they are entitled to- Human
nature is ever al work.
The New Capitol.
Some very big matters must be dis
Iposed of quickly, if at all-for in
stance. the building of new capitol
The purpose is to authorize a moder-
ate appropriation toward new build
ing. but the senate passed bill, by
vote of IA to u, the other day, per-
hitting the people to vote on location,
together with another bill empowering
that city to make over site to the
state. Bills of this sort must not be
taken seriously like corset bills and