The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1909-03-12

lionaire, mot more than half that,
said Mr. Cowling.
Stephenson Elected Senator.
A number of elements combined to
effect the election of Isaac Stephen
son on the twenty-third ballot on
! Thursday, although it was apparent al
week that it would come sooner CT
later. The principal and immediate
! cause, however, was the absence, With
out leave, of Assemblymen S. H. Far
| rell and Thomas Ramsey, of Milwau-
Sank county-all Democrats. For their
action they were the same evening
/ read out of their party by the re-
naming Democrats of the legislature,
at an indignation meeting.
| Following was the result of the final
ballot: Stephenson, 63; Brown, {;
Esch, Z; Cooper, 5; Rummei, 4;
Strange, 4 Estabrook, 4; Kindlin, 3;
Kalaher, 2; Sanborn, 2.
One each--Becker McGovern, HoT
man, Hughes, Webb, Lenroot, Ban
croft, Reichert, Cleary, Kelly, Hoyt,
Neitzel, Kull, Husting, Lockney, Nc.
Cornell, Donald, Bichler, Hoard,
Morse, Cook, Owen. Total, 1913; neces-
sary to choice, 62. Changes
left Governor Davidson for Stephen
son.
/ Absent or paired-Randolph James,
Daub, Farrell, Fenelon, Onstad, Peter
son, Ramsey, Scott, Towne.
! A formal protest against the certifi-
cation of Senator Stephenson's esec-
ton was entered upon the record by
/ Senator John J. Blaine, of Boscobel,
who filed the specific charges against
the Marinette millionaire, but the GER
! tificate of election nevertheless was
| signed by Governor Davidson and
Lieutenant Governor John Strange and
sent to Washington.
Roethe Raps University.
! One of the features of last weeks
session of the legislature was the
speech by Assemblyman HI. E. Roetha
of Fennimore against the extravaganza
of the University of Wisconsin. He
said that instead of establishing a
number of new departments, course
Ill SCOuOAIy NC
His argument was based upon the fact
that it was his duty to protect. the
/ taxpayers.
. 81 think the appropriations are alto
gether too high and public money Is
spent in too lavish a manner" said
Mr.. Roethe. II think too many laws
are passed, that too many boards and
commissions are being established and
too many useless Offices created"
He startled the legislators by intro
ducing a bill to abolish the office Of
fish and game warden, oil inspector,
supervisors of assessment, county SUI
pervisors of highways, jury commits
sioners, fire marshal, board of imlni-
grafton, waterways commission and
civil service commission.
While it is not thought these laws
will be repealed his action has had a
pronounced effect upon the legislature
in that the expense of many of these
departments will be curtailed by legtszs
7lative enactment. Indirectly it has led
to an announcement by the secretary
of state that unless the So 900 900 of
appropriation bills pending before the
legislature are defeated. the state will
face a heavy state tax.
Free Lunches in Saloons.
After a close contest the Wisconsin
assembly last Friday decided to retain
the free lunch counter in saloons.
Assemblyman Jones of Sparta declared
! that the abolition of the "free handout
system would lead to better class
of saloons in the state, and exhibited
to the members a petition signed by
5000 saloOnkeepers, asking that the
bill be passed. Assemblyman Bickler
! of Ozaukee characterized the bill as
, foolish legislation" 1t was defeated
by a vote Of "A to &c. The Ingram
bill to prohibit treating in saloons suf-
fered a similar fate.
A special session of the Legislature
| next January to take up the questions
of income tax, workingman's insur-
ance, state aid to highways and guar
anty of bank deposits now seems as
sured. Last week the steering commit
tee of the legislature reported a reso-
luton in the assembly, which was
passed. and will come up for passage
in the senate on Wednesday this week,
which provides for the appointment OF
four special committees to consider
, the questions to be taken up at the
special session. Little opposition hav-
ing developed, the resolution is prac-
! tica1ly sure of passage, and it having
ithe tacit consent of the governor will
be adhered to by him. These COM
nittees are instructed by the resolu-
ton to make the most thorough in
vestigatioI possible. The committee
on state aid to highways, it is planned,
shall hold meetings in every county OF
the state and have interested farmers
come and give testimony as to the
best way cf improving the highways OF
the state.
But in spite of the determination to
have special session it seems alto
eefher nr;;babIe there are so many