The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1909-01-29
STATE EYES
LEGISLATURE
One Effect of Resolution by
Senator Husting.
UNITED STATES SENATOR

Important Matter Now Before the Leg
isIature for SettIement-Attorne
General Gilbert Recommends Leg
islative Investigation of the State In
surance Department-Sen James
Relates Some Thrilling Experiences
New Form of Government.
Madison, Wis, Jan. 26.-This is the
day when, under the constitution, the
two houses of the legislature must
begin balloting for United States SEN
atOr Under the practice each house
votes separately at noon the first day
and jointly at noon each day there
after until there is an election. In
Difference to the Democrats, both
houses met at 8 o'clock this morning
that there might be some blowing off
of steam on the resolution for an in
vestigation of the amount of money
expended by the candidates in the sem
atorial primary election, which was de-
manded by the Democrats in joint res
olution presented last week in both
houses.
This resolution was the cause of a
call Of the house in the senate, brought
about by Senator Husting, and which
was in force for over twenty four
hours, but failed to produce the result
desired, that of putting each member
of the senate on record on the investi-
cation proposition.
While Senator Husting did not sue
coed in doing this, he perhaps accom-
plished the end desired in creating a
dramatic situation and focusing the in
tereSt of the state upon the legislature
and the enormous amount of money
expended in primary campaigns of the
state at the present time. 1t is doubt
full ii he hoped to get the senate to
vote for an investigation, but wanted
to have an opportunity to embarrass
the party in power and finding that
an opportunity for speaking would pre-
sent itself today thought the occasion
then as good as any, since there
seemed no apparent likelihood of there
ever being any serious danger to the
reelection of Senator Stephenson.
Insurance Investigation.
In connection with this subject of in
vestigations it is interesting to note
that Attorney-Gen Gilbert has rec
commended a legislative investigation
of the state insurance department, fol-
lowing charges filed by M. w. Waite,
formerly deputy insurance commission
er, who was deposed by the selection
of former Speaker H L. Ekern on
January l. Governor Davidson will
transmit the documents to the legis-
lature later in the week in the form
of special message.
Early this week Assemblyman Frank
Hammill Of Superior will introduce a
resolution for a constitutional amend
ment to limit the length of the ses-
sions to one hundred days.
AS a result of an investigation he
has discovered that the members of
the legislature do not begin active
work until spring makes its appear
ance He abhors loafing legislators,
and as an indication of the amount of
work that can be done in short time,
cites the fact that 125 bills were passed
in two days at the session of two years
ago. Senator Sanborn would limit ses-
sfons to one hundred days by legisla-
tive enactment. AS a result of a reso-
luton presented by him last week
joint committee has been appointed to
devise means to expedite business.
The preliminaries of this committee
program provides that individual mem
bers cannot introduce bills after Feb
ruary 6. Committee bills under the
plan will be received two weeks later
if germane to the subject for which
the committee was created. His plan
would close legislative business April
s. A special session Of the legislature
is being already advocated. The sub
jects of industrial insurance, state aid
for highways and the income tax may
be investigated by committees and con-
sidered at a short session called by the
governor in about a year.
Commission Form of Government.
Among the III bills already drafted
by the legislative reference library at
the requast Of the legislators is a bill
to give wisconsin cities the option Of
adopting the commission form Of gov
ernment now in operation in nine diff
ferent states. So favorably has the
plan been received In Madison that
meeting Ct citizens has been called for
this evening to banquet and discuss
the ACCESSIBILITY of asking the legisla-
ture to pass such a law. The plan was
defeated two years ago when presented
by Senator Noble. but further expert
ence with the system in the country,
and particularly at Des Moines. has
created more sentiment for it.
The bill will provide for the adolf
ion of the present common councils
and the election at large of five com
missioners who act in both legislative
and executive capacities 1t also pro
vides for a recall if any member is IN