Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-12-20
Madison. Dec. I3.

That the university is to be sub
jected to a thorough investigation by
a committee of the legislature consist
ing of two senators and three assem-
blymen was decided UPON by the as
sembly judiciary committee yesterday
and reported last night. A subcom'
mite of that committee, consisting OF
Assemblymen Smoker, Huber and Led
VIVA, was appointed to examine into
the question of the right of the legis-
lature to take this action at this SEES
sion. The committee reported that
such action if based upon the sub
jects mentioned in section 46S of the
laws of 1905 would be within the call
ana proper for the legislature to take,
Upon this recommendation and after
some discussion the following resolu-
ton was adopted:
The Resolution.
Resolved, that a committee, com
posed of two members Of the senate
and three members of the assembly
be appointed to make full inquiry into
the condition. affairs, management, ex
penses and needs Of the university
with reference TO any amendment
which may be germane 10 chapter
46s OF the laws of 1905, or to any sub
ject mentioned therein or pertaining
thereto. il being the intention hereby
to give To such committee the fullest
power and authority and rot to limit
IN any wise the extent and mah1er or
its inquiry.
THAT the university authorities are
hereby directed TO furnish TO said com
mittee such stenographers, elertlE and
assistants as the committee may select
ana require.
That such committee is hereby 70.
quired to report to the Governor IN full
uron said matters with its recommen,
dations thereon, on or before the frs,
dry Of November, 1906
That the said joint committee. aRt
a majority of the members thereof. arc
hereby invested with plenary power TO
perform and discharge tho duty by
this resolution enjoined, and in the ex-
ercise OF such power among other
things they may, by subpoena issue
over the signature Of the chairman or
acting chairman of said committee and
serve in the manner that circuit court
subpoenas are served, summon ana
compel the attendance OF witnesses,
and the production of all books, papers
documents and records necessary or
convenient to be examined or used by
them as evidence. They may also
either as committee or through q
proper person authorized by them ex.
anime all books, papers, documents
and records of the university or any
other like institution. and may do all
cher things which may, to them, APP
pear to be necessary or convenient 20
make full examination and investiga-
tion. as directed herein.
The committee shall also have
power. among other things. by ans
member thereof TO administer TO PEE
sons brought or appearing before them
as witnesses all necessary oaths.
Such committee may moreover OK
erclse all power provided by law or
this resolution at any time prior 10 No
vember /, 1906, whether during the
session Of the legislature or other
wise
Caused by the Furry.
The furry which has been on be-
cause of the university finances have
made it probable ever since the open
ing OF the session thu IL a resolution
10 investigate the university would be
presented it would pass the ass emily.
There was no opinion to the contrary
in the committee yesterday II was
unanimously in favor of the inyestiga
ton After the subcommittee present
ed its report, former Assemblymau
Vandercook made the statement that
In 1903 the legislature had appropri
ated $4,000 10 the university for his
purpose of erecting a building to be
used for instruction in agricultural
mechanics. He said careful search oi
the university grounds failed to re
veal the presence of any such build
ing and the appropriation. he said
had been exper led Assemblymar
Cleary wandered in and reiterated
the statement He also said that ht
had been given TO understand that tn,
university had beer extrayagant il
the purchase of cattle and that ther'
were 100 things in connection with tht
management which needed an inves
tigation. He intimated that he has
no faith in the management and tina
the affairs of the Institution SHOULD
receive a thorough airing.
There was no dissent in the commit
tee from the opinion that their
should be an investigation. The lis
cussion was confined to the legalit!
of the proceeding.
Not Founded in Fact
The statement that the universit!
had received an appropriation for .
building, spent the money but did no
have the building to show for this
money was received with surprise. I
was thought that there must be foun
dation for so broad a statement Al
examination Of the law. chapter 81
of the laws of 1908, showed, however