The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1910-01-27
WILL CANVASS MEMBERS
Feared That Special Session Would be
Utilized Largely for the Advance
nlent of Political Booms Of Candi-
dates at States Expense.


euss the prospects of special session
of the legislature or to make public
what his intention might be. Sena-
tors and assemblymen, however, be-
lieve that there will be special SEES
sion and this opinion is generally ex-
pressed in state house circles.
Before the last legislature adjourn
ed, it should be remembered that a
resolution was adopted providing for
an extra session This resolution car
ried with it a program of unfinished
business and plan of work resulting
in the appointment of the various
special committees Of the legislature.
The business of the session had been
so impeded by the long continued SEES
sions Of the senatorial investigating
committee that the members deemed
it wise to defer action upon many i'm
portant propositions until the special
session. The statement made by
many members is that Gov. Davidson
approved of this plan and the specific
declaration follows that whatever the
views of the governor may be at this
time, as to the possibility of securing
legislation worth while, under exist
ing political conditions, his failure to
call a special session will be regarded
as a violation of an agreement entered
into at the last session.
1t was asserted by one OF the sena-
tors who is in Madison this week that
Gov Davidson was frequently consult
ed about the proposed plan by different
members acting individually or as
committees of the different political
factions. Just before the close of the
last session, this senator asserts that
Senator Marsh and Assemblyman Bray
waited on the governor as representa-
tives Of the investigating committee.
An understanding was then reached,
the senator asserts, which resulted in
the postponement of action upon the
report of the legislative investigating
committee and carried with it the
plan submitting the various bills re-
suIting from the work of investiga-
tion to the special session. This sem
ator cites other instances of like
character to show that the governor is
practically committed to the extra SEES
sion program, and further claims that
the special committees win have their
reports ready to submit to the COVER
nor within adequate time to permit of
action on his part.
The plan of securing the signatures
of members of the legislature to a
petition asking Gov. Davidson to call
the extra session, has been suggested,
but it is unlikely that such a step will
be taken. 1t is suggested that the
legislature In the resolution adopted
for special session has already
spoken. Further, that the appoint
ment of the special committees and
their work during the recess has been
according to a program of action gem
orally accepted. What the various
committees have done is known in
part, whatever views may obtain as
to the necessity of the legislation pro-
posed. If any result is to be secur-
ed from these activities, it must come
through the calling of special ses-
sion While it is possible that Gov.
Davidson may think differently now
than he did when the legislature, with
special session in prospect rushed
business to a close, it is not believed
that he will ovorturn what is said to
be an express as we'll as an implied
understanding with the legislative
branch
Accepting the conclusion that there
Will be special session, it will be as
q sort of installation of what promises
to be one of the hottest political cam
paigns Wisconsin has experienced, the
superheat and turmoil of the past de-
cadc fully considered even. To as
sumo THAI there can be other than a
fractional legislative lineup presumes a
miracle-working wonder not likely to
be witnessed. The senate is CONTROL
ed by the LaFollette Republicans, with
the aid of Democrats and a Socialist
The assembly majority may be called
administration, applying this term tC
distinguish those Republicans who
heretofore have opposed LaFollette
programs in whole or in part. 1t is
known that some of the recommends
tions made by some of the special com
mittees depart widely from existing
laws and in this view, the issues in
volved will be projected in politica
way in spite of anything that can b.
done. The advocates of these vari
Gus propositions may be sincerely hon
est seeking remedial legislation along
the lines of investigation, but tht
temptation as well as opportunity tx
play the political game is too big t,
be resisted.