Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-12-21
THE LEGISLATURE.
IN THE ASSEMBLY.

The good faith of members in the lower
house of the Legislature in introducing
joint resolution providing for an inveStiga-
ton OF the affairs of the railroads and in
Surance companies of the state was qUeS-
toned during a discussion OF the measure
on the floor on the 18th. The resolution was
finally adopted by a viva yoce vote, after
an amendment was offered by Mr.. Con-
land to extend the time fer the submission
of the report of the investigating commit
tee to February 1, 1907, instead of Novem-
Der 1, 1906.
The Assembly on the 18th passed a bin
providing that the old license fee system Of
taxing railroads shall stand in case the
supreme court declares invalid the ad val
orem tax law passed last winter.
The Assembly on the 18th killed two
bills providing for a change in the form OF
ballot. The Mary Ann bill, providing
for the expression of first anu second
choice for candidates at tie primaries, was
killed Tuesday night in the Assembly. The
Social Democrats amendment to the cap
itol bill providing that all labor employed
on the new structure shall work but eight
hours day, was adopted by the Assem-
bly,. Speaker Lenroot, a candidate for gov
ernor. brought in minority report favor
ing the measure.
The Assembly on the 14th defeated the
Mary Ann bill, which provides for first and
second choice in the primary election. An
attempt was made also to save the ballot
reform bill. On motion of Mr.. Potter,
Democrat, the vote by which the Massa-
chusetts ballot bill was killed was recon-
sidered, but it ayailed nothing, for it was
killed again beyond resurrection by tie
sembly by vote of 80 to 26 reconsidered
it's adverse vote of Wednesday on 10A, the
Roycraft ballot bill, to permit him to Of
eeF an ma cb ME- f+ fS airca ct qba
top Of party columns, but reduced the size
Of the ballot from 80 to % inches in length.
Mr.. Roycraft explained the substitute and
Messrs. Warner, Potter and Aldridge op-
nOSpd RV q ROV-
craft amendment was voted down. The
vote then reverted to the original BILL
which simply removed the circle from the
top of the party column. 1t was defeated
by a vote of % to 81. bill empowering
the railway commission to fix joint rates
where railroads fail or neglect to do so was
an investigation of the university went
through without a roll call with practically
no opposition. The Potter bill for the re-
peal of the law providing for the Dunn
pocket ballot and coupon voting system
was passed without opposition, as did the
bin to restrain railroad companies from
commencing suits against the state until
all taxes levied and assessed against them
are paid The Metzler bill providing for
the appointing of election inspectors and
clerks in February and the Thomas bill pro-
hibiting any candidate getting more thar
10 per cent of the voters of his county on
his primary election petition, went through
unopposed, as did 12A, requiring that law
suits over railroad taxes be tried in the
l.
opposed the Senate bill for new state
capitol. He saw in it the beginning of the
end of n $10000,000 building. By a vote
of IS to 10 the Senate bill authorizing a
temporary transfer from the general fund
TO the university fund income TO tide over
the present stringency was passed. Mr..
Everett strongly opposed the Potter amend
ment for repeating the present fishway law.
He had an amendment to the present law,
leaving the placing of fshways to the judg
ment of the commission, and permitting APP
peals to the courts. The Potter amendment
was voted down, 65 to 10. His amendment
for hearings in county seats then came up
and was adopted A to 40. The Everett
amendment then went through and tie bin
the bill making the payment of dispute
state taxes a prerequisite to suits for the
return of said taxes with provision for
their repayment by the state If the taxes
were declared illegal. The bill providing if
this bill should be held invalid the penalty
of the nonpayment of taxes was also passed.
The Assembly completed the work of the
special session at noon on the 18th and
adjourned until noon Tuesday, December
10, giving the governor the customary
three days for considering bills. 1t con-
Cured in amendment to the bill making
payment Of taxes prerequisite to railroads
going into court to set aside any assessment
made. The Senate having refused concur
renee to eight hour day in building the
its position on the, proposition after long
debate The capito. building bill and uni.
versity investigation bill were then con-
CURED in. The Assembly concurred in the
Senate substitute for A unanimously. 1t
makes payment by the railroads of their
taxes q prerequisite to going into court to
set aside assessments The Assembly gave
the railroads fifteen days within which to
pay taxes before beginning suits, while the
Rogers amendment to ga, which provides
that ward chairmen shall recommend cleo
ton officers, was concurred in, and IA, re-
lating to primary elections, the word
knowingly" was substituted for twillful-
Iv