Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-06-12
WORK OF LAWMAKERS BRIEFLY
SET FORTH.
MANY LAWS IN LAST DAYS
Rush of Legislation as Usual During
Final Week of the Seseion-NeW
Statutes of Great Importance
Written on the Books-Mutitude
of Bills Killed.

There have been added to the stat
utes of Wisconsin up to and including
June 8, 292 laws, and before final adj
journment the grand total will prob
ably have reached $50. This esti-
mate is based On the session two
years ago, when 3O1 laws had been
enacted and published up to one week
BEFORE adjournment, and $50 bills
we're rushed through during the last
\ seven days, making a total of 451. OF
the bills already passed and approved
Z by the governor, 229 are general legis-
lation and GO are for specific localit-
les. The number of measures con-
sidered has exceeded any previous
legislature, the assembly having intro
duced 791 bills and the senate 558.
An avalanche of legislation is suggest
ed by the grand total but it's appalling
aspect is greatly diminished by the
bills indefinitely postponed. More
than one-half have been thus inferred,
but even then, there remains a total
sufficiently large to meet the diversi-
fed needs of litigants and their coun-
selors Down-to-date, the governor
has vetoed bills, and % measures
are now awaiting his consideration.
The important enactments we're the
creation of a railroad commission, for
which Governor La Toilette has
worked so zealously; the prohibition
Of cigarets; the Inauguration of civil
service in state offices, a reform that
is expected to increase the efficiency
of the clerical force and remedy the
evil results of political influence; the
establishment of a uniform textbook
law, which is much desired by the
people OF the state, and probably will
receive the approval of the governor.
The Thayer measure, providing that
electors in residence districts may
prevent by remonstrance the granting
of a liquor license and the apprOpria-
ton for representation at the Lewis
Clark exposition were the most impor
tant of the bills indefinitely post
poned. Both had ardent advocates.
The Thayer bill was considered and
recOnsidered and finally killed by one
vote, while four different bills carry
ing an appropriation for Lewis-Clark
exhibit were introduced, each being
rejected by the assembly.
Resume of Legislation.
Railroad rates-Creating an appoint
i've board of three commissioners, the
term of each being six years and one
being appointed biennially, beginning
in 1909. The terms of the first APP
pointments will terminate in 1909,
1911 and 1918. The duties will be
to prevent the imposition of unreason-
able rates, prevent unjust discrimina-
tons, insure an adequate railway SER
vice, prescribe the mode of procedure
and the rules of evidence in relation
thereto and prescribe penalties for vio-
lations Salary $4,000 per annum.
This bill has passed both houses and
is now in the enrolling room. The
governors approval and it's publica-
ton is all that is needed to make it's
provisions operative.
A bill of the same purport probably
more stringent in the section covering
Injunction procee 1ings, was passed by
the assembly but was rejected by the
senate and the measure, which has
now become a law, took it's place.
Bill to regulate time and manner in
which passengers and property shall
be transported was rejected 1t also in
Guided the cent mile rate provision.
Another Of similar character met the
same fate.
Measure providing for the taxation
CT street railways was indefinitely
postponed.
Measure, providing for the transfer
Of cars from one line Of railroads to
another at stations where such lines
connect with or are adjacent to each
other, was passed by the assembly but
was refused concurrence by the
senate.
Prohibiting cigarettes-Makes it a
misdemeanor to directly or indirectly
manufacture, sell, offer for sale, keep
for sale. give away or otherwise dis
pose of, or bring into the state for the
purpose of selling, offering for sale,
giving away. or otherwise disposlng OF
any cigarettes, cigarette paper or
wrappers, or any substitute therefore,
or any paper made or prepared for the
purpose of making cigarettes or any
substitute therefor or for the purpose
of being filled with tobacco for smok-
ing. Penalty for violation, first Of
Tense, a fine of not less than SIS or
more than $50, or by imprisonment In
the county Jail not exceeding 80 days,
and for the second and each subse-
ouent offense. a fine Of not less than
800 nor more than $500 or by i'm
-prisonment in jail not less than 80
days nor more than six months. Law
to take effect, July i.
Firecrackers-Prohibits the manu-
facture or sale of firecrackers contain,