Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-06-16
ELECTION BILLS
PASS SENATE
MEASURES INTRODUCED BY IN
VESTIGATfNo COMMITTEE RE-
cEIvE FAVORABLE ACTION.
SENATOR HUsTINe PRESENTS
SILL LIMITING CAMPAIGN EX-
PENsEs OF CANDIDATES.
Madison, June 10.


by the senatorial investigating com
mittee furnished sufficient material
for fireworks that prolonged the SEES
sion of the senate last night until i,
was time to sing Aud Lang Syne.
After the adoption of amendments
and warm discussions the bills were
passed and will be messaged to the
assembly today. The measures are
6d-s, relating to corrupt practices
in primary and other elections.
602s. relating to assistance to voters
in marking ballots.
603s, relating to corrupt practices at
primaries and general and special
elections.
604s. relating to publication of elec.
ton platforms by the state.
Senator Husting also introduced his
bill which limits the expenditure of
money in campaigns to the following
amounts:
United States senators $500. con
gressmen $1,000 governor 80 500.
other state officers $4,000. state SEN
ators $500, assemblymen $3.50.
The bill relating TO corrupt prac,
tlces in primary and other elections
met with practically no opposition.
1t provides that any candidate for
nomination for a public office who
fail to comply with any provisions OF
law requiring the filing Of statements
| OF campaign expenditure, shall not
be entitled to have his name placed
on the official bellot.
The first warm figh, OF the evening
came on GOES. This BTn forbids
election inspectors, clerks or ballot
clerks from marking ballots for per
sons who can neither read nor write
and provides punishment by imprison-
merit in the county Jail not less than
one month or more than one year or
in the state prison for a period of not
less than one year or more than
three years In the discretion OF the
court. Senator Husting made the
statement that evidence was given
before the investigating committee
that in Milwaukee last fall election in.
spectors received money from candt
dates for the mark ng of ballots for
ignorant voters. He said that the
purpose of the Australian ballot sys
tenn will be defeated IL this sort o.
thing is allowed to go on.
Senator Burke declared that there
Is q worthy class Of people who arr
not familiar with the English Ian
guage and that they should be al
lowed to ask for assistance in thu
marking OF their ballots
Senator Husting replied that M
foreigners with any ability wonld ash
an inspector to mark his ballot. HI
said that under the presen
law inspectors can become the tool
OF candidates and deliver whole pre-
cincts over to them.
Senator Bodenstab spoke In behal
of the ignorant voter. He declare,
that in some Of the precincts in MI
wakee county half of the voters d.
not understand how to operate tn
voting machine. Voters there ge
puzzled because they have on'y on
minutes time to exercise their frar
chise. He said that because thing
| Were wrong In some of the precinct
y 1t vas not fair for the senate to al
sumo thar all election inspectors ar
dishonest. Those citizens who are III
} able to mark a ballot or operate
machine deserve assistance. he said
Senators NJ tin and LOckney at
yanced arguments favorable to tn
bill On the call of the ayes and noe
+ the measure vas passed by the follow
= ing vote;
q Ayes-Senators Bishop. Blaine, Dor
aid F'ridd. Lakewood, Husting Krun
: rey. Lockney. Marsh, Martin Morris
Owen. Pearson, Randolph, Sanboru-
i IS.
Noes-Senators Bird. Bodenstal
= Burke. Fairchild. Hudnall, james
Lehr. Page, Stout. Whitehead Wrigt
Ill
Cuts Out Brass Bands.
/ When 603s came up for consider
= ton Senator Whitehead asked Senate
Marsh If under the provisions of tn
bill a candidate for public Office or
y campaign committee would be pr
5 hibited from hiring band, and qua
z tet or bring in a speaker from outsic
" the STATE. Senator Marsh replied
z the affirmative.
Senator whitehead took eXceptiO
70 that section which prohibits pc
sons, on the day Of any primary {
ection, 10 ask. solicit or in any maj
4. Ter try 10 induce Or persuade an
voter to vote for or refrain from vo
>, ing for any candidate Or the candidat
= or ticket 81 any political party or 0
:, gauizatlon, or any measure submit
=. I'D 70 the people, or do any mannf
y 81 political service for any candidat
political party Or political organic
! ton. and stamped II as IN impositC
!, land a fraud Ha said this would pr
p vent q man from giving 70 vct'
any information whichever even in b
esn home. He said since the pa
z2ge ~ the primary law voters ha'
been h the dark and have gone fro
house 70 house and Office 70 Office
seek information Under the prov
SONS OF this Dill. be declared. 1t y.