The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1907-01-26
Bureau Under Discussion.

possibilities and utility Of DR.. Nc
! Carthys bureau, known as the legis-
| lative reference library, have been IN
der free discussion among the mem
| bers OF the legislature. About the
! time that the reference library matter
made its appearance, the book OF rules
for the legislature was distributed ana
the members began to consider some
OF the changes. The rules are de-
signed to build up uniform system in
law making, and to prevent needless
and unnecessary reenactments, the
duplication In law, and avoid many
difficulties now encountered by the
legislature. In order to produce re-
suits, the plan is TO authorize com
mlttec on revision with powers, ex-
press or implied, to act in sort OF
supervisory way so far as form ana
not subject matter Is concerned, over
the work Of each session. 1t Is point
ed out that chapter after chapter
amendment after amendment, change
after change, is added biannually to
the great body of the law in this state
and remain a confusing mass until the
statutes are revised at stated periods.
II is pointed out that the revision
committee would greatly simplify the
law making process so far as forms
are concerned and the confusion Of
subjects covering many matters, with
out in any way conflicting with the
members. The duties as well as pow
crs Of the revision committee have
been discussed for some days and con
siderable criticism has been cX-
pressed over the power conferred I'M
der the proposed rules The tendency
has been to confuse the powers and
duties Of the revision committee with
those conferred upon the reference II
brary, and some Of The members ap-
pear to believe that the two distinct
legislative creations are one and the
same thing This had led TO what
amounts to an attack upon the work
Of the reference library and to the
assumption that the legislature might
as we'll adjourn and place the rcspon-
sibllity of logislating upon DR.. Nc
Carthy and his assistants. The pres
Cut status of the matter seems to rest
uuOn the desire of wen informed mem
bcrs to give Mccarthy every possible
assistance In the way of a reasonable
appropriation of from $4,000 to ST.
OOO. and COufiuc the work of the bu-
rcau to purely clerical tasks, such as
drafting of bills and the gathering of
-, IA a.
utilized by them as occasion may re-
qurc in the preparation of bills 1t is
proposed to clearly define the work
and To consider the needs of the bu-
rcau and its growth and progress,
Any attempt made To infringe upon
Legislative functions or to in any way
assume duties not clearly within the
intent of the legislature will be OPP
posed. There will be opposition To the
rules as reported and no doubt they
viii be amended in many particulars
1 insofar as the powers of the rcvi'
sion committee is concerned At the
! present time. the senator's are prCpar'
! ing amendments and it is believed
/ that before the rules are adopted nv.
mcrous changes Will be made Under
/ the rules, bills will he offered and
without reading unless request Is
made win 80 TO the revision commit.
/ tee which reports upon them MS to
form and language hut not rs to sub
4 ioct matter, although Ivy some il is
argued that the committee should also
have the power 70 pass upon the bills
us to their Constiuutionality and con
Met with existing law This how
ever. viii not be accepted If the sen
timrnt of the senators is an expires.
sion When the revision committee
passes upon the bins, they are re-
turned to the house IN which they
originate aud then 80 to the regular
committees for consideration Many
reasons are advanced for the retCn
tion Of power 10y the committee ON re
vision. but the present sentiment APP
pears To Ne that the power viii be
limited II Is argued that II the com
mittcc is clothed with the power leg
tslatiun will he uniform ON similar
Subjects there viii ne no conflicts
rrpcrttious far less confusion and tn
fact. the cuactmruts OF each leCisla
tmc viii be distinctiyrly adaptable TO
tn, great hody ~ existing law whore
now there is much Of confusion II is
Nw proposed to unite the work Of the
legislative bureau and the revision
committee but to keep both separate
and distinct