The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-05-19

it, they Will get it, Whether the peo-
pie of the state under a commission
will receive the benefits they expect
is another question. 1t has been stated
that even if the rate on sugar, for in
stance, Chicago to some Wisconsin,
point. is cut 20 per cent, the consumer
will save but half a cent on fifty
pounds if the benefit is handed on to
him.
The minority bill, introduced by
Senator North, is the Democratic
measure. it's distinctive feature being
the election Of commissioners, as in
Iowa The bill will have some Repub-
lican support, and gives promise Of
some good debating.
Civil Service in the Balance.
Civil service, which has been ap-
proved by the assembly, has yet to run
the gauntlet of the senate, where it
has hardly been discussed even in con-
versation. The bill provides for the
retention of the present staff of office
holders in the state, though they must
undergo a non-competitive examina-
ton. Naturally there is some fractional
objection to this, though the principle
of permanent tenure is conceded. One
argument being used against the bill
is that in Democratic Milwaukee, de-
spite the local civil service system,
very few, if any, Republicans get ap-
pOintments. The rule is for the COM
missioners to send up three names Of
those who have passed examinations,
from which choice is made by the ap-
pointing power.
Capital City Attractions.
The weather is very beautiful in
Madison. Fishing is now allowed in
the lakes, and the solons may occasion
ally be seen trolling for pickerel. The
university offers concerts and some
social functions, and there are always
lawmakers in the opera house when
anything is going on there. Attentions
have been shown Judge and Mrs. Ker-
win, the former being the new
supreme court justice. The wife
ception to the lady the other
afternoon. It was notable affair, but
when the rain came up the spectacle
of hundreds of brilliantly gowned and
hated ladies vainly looking for cab
and rushing for street cars and shelter
was amazing.
Senator Rogers, the Milwaukee
board of trade man, has made hit
with his speeches at the dinners of
the Madison Park association and Of
the Forty Thousand club. The SEN
ator is as quick as steel trap, witty
and earnest. When in conversation he
gets so interested that he gestures in
unconscious earnestness.
New Capitol Likely.
The subject of the new capitol is
attrac citing more attention, and it is not
unlikely that the proposal of struc-
ture to cost $2,4OO,OOO will be ap-
proved, and an initial appropriation
made. This will please Madison,
which breads to have the matter left
| open to a day when someone other
| than Madison governor may be in
| in the chair To an onlooker the re-
! paired building might seem adapted to
uses, but the big storm of the other
evening showed how flimsy it is, for
! the rain came in through the roof
| and wet many of the desks and their
| contents.
The temperance bills drag sadly, be-
| ing laid over repeatedly, and so
| diligent is the brewing and liquor in
| terest that it is very uncertain
whether any real restriction worthy
the name will be imposed. 1t the
measures cannot be defeated outright,
the effort will be to delay them to the
conclusion of adjournment when inter
est is lost, or to amend them into
futility.
The old soldiers are interest in the
Vicksburg memorial Wisconsin had
| seventy commands on that field, more,
l believe, than on any other field in
the civil war. Senator Villas had Gen
eral Grant as his guest for days in
| Madison about 1874 and the general
said that he regarded that as the great
est Of his victories. Wisconsin already
| has memorials at Vicksburg, but the
aim now is to place monuments on the
| location of each command together
| with a Wisconsin monument overlook
| ing ALL Senator Bird is much inter
ested in this bill, and hopes the COM
| mittee ON claims will make an initial
appropriation this year. Senator Bird
| Is a persistent man. His victory over
| the cigarette is followed by the sue
| cess of his forestry bill, which sets
up a commission permanently, with
Mr.. Griffith as chief forester. The lat
ter is az practical and scientific man
In the new profession, graduate OF
Yale, one of Clifford Pinchot's prOteges
Telephone Fights Now in Senate.
The telephone fights have been many
and are not yet over. The independent
companies have got their two big bills
through the assembly and will have
no less task in the senate. These bills
compel connections, one line with
another, and prohibit charging lower