Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-06-07

and welcomes capital. Senator WHIP
perman, of Grand Rapids, has con-
servatively represented this desire of
his people to build up their section and
bring in new population.
Even a so-called radical, like Sem
ator McGillivray, has taken the ground
that capital should be encouraged not
discouraged, and Senator Sanborn, Of
Ashland, who Is usually right, while
insisting on reservation of authority
over waterways, pleaded that 1t would
be a mistake to unduly burden enter
prises designed to use the power OF
the Wisconsin and other rivers. 1t is
undoubtedly the beginning OF a dis
cussion TO grow In Importance during
the years, as these rivers become more
densely populated and water rights
more valuable. A number OF individ-
ual power rights have been granted.
Amending the Constitution.
There has been more or less talk OF
constitutional convention, the theory
being that when the present organic
law was drafted the state was small
and agricultural, and new conditions
demand many changes. The lawyers
are generally for the change. con-
stItutional convention Is brilliant ana
interesting session, as those know who
can remember the New York revision
some six years ago, when the brilliant
Joe Choate presided. The members
are elected much as q legislature is
elected, although the dignity OF the
business of making the new constitu-
ton usually brings to the fore the
ablest men Of every community, and
politicians do not get their usual rec
ignition The sessions last for months,
and important principles incite cam
paigns the state over with petitions
and stirring debates on the floor OF
the convention.
The assembly has adopted the call
for such a convention. Meanwhile
there are a number of proposed in
dividual questions of amendment to be
submitted to the people, and others on
which the legislature has not yet act
ed. One requires foreign born voters
to have full citizenship papers. An
other, extending the time In which the
governor may approve bills from three
10 ten days was Donccncurred In by
the senate.
Railroad Legislation.
The. railroad bill will be printed
soon, the passage Of the same being
the occasion OF much good feeling, and
Captain Pliny Norcross of GAINESVILLE,
pronounced stalwart, earned consid-
cradle note by facilitating the passage
OF the act, and klndling political har-
mony rs an early fruitage. There are
individual railroad bills which have
not been disposed of as yet, of much
importance. The 2-cent-a-mlle bill
still HANGS fire, much to the consteT-
nation of the railway representatives.;
and the governor came to the relief
OF an assembly bill reported for non
concurrence but later enacted. This
bill makes it easy to obtain the records
OF railway companies In the effort Of
the stnte to secure back taxes. The
senate balks on the bill changing the
law as to contributory negligence.
Meanwhile the insurance companies
are much worried over some drastic
Legislation one taxing insurance pol
icies, the effect Of which, some say
who are interested. would be to drive
the companies from the state. But
this alarm is frequently raised. Mr..
Fricke, ex-commissioner, Is conserv
alive on questions Of this sort, al
though he has elaborated with Mr..
Host in the latter's reforms. Corpor-
alton men will be glad when this leg
islature has adjourned they say never
before have they been forced to keep
such a watch against what they call
an onslaught on vested interests. New
bills are forever coming in that bring
their highest officers to Madison on
night trains, and the telegraph lines
are kept hot advising them OF meas
ures that demand their immediate Mt
tention.
The Battle OF the Books.
These clashes between important m
terests are amusing to one that sees
the representatives on the ground, and
does not care whose OK ls gored. A
dictionary is a quiet, harmless object
as IL lies on the parlor table; but to
see the fur fly between the high sal
aried gentlemen from Chicago and the
East. who are here representing web
ster's International and "Webster's
Imperial" reminds one of the XII
kenny cats. Every school must have
at least one dictionary. and there are
a good many schools I'm the stae. 1t
seems that the word Webster" has
lost its early significance; copyrights
have run out and you may name your
boat your prize rooster or your die
tionry Webster" If you wish. Under
the present law the International has
the lead; the other makers wish their
books to go on the list so that schools
may use the Jne they elect
Great Lawmaker Dead.