Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-07-12
Resume of the Work of the Wis
c0nsin Legislature.
OVER 500 BILLS GET THROUGH
Number Introduced Fell Only a Little
Short of 2,o00-some of the I'm
portant Measures Enacted
into State Laws.

ing which time the attendance in both
houses remained good and interest in
ali measures continued keen, the Wis
consin legislature of 1911 completed
ito work, fulfilling, almost to the letter,
practically every pledge made in the
platform of the Republican party. The
legislature was in the hands of the
progressive" element in the Republi-
can party, and the session Is eonSid.
cred one of the most constructive
epochs in the political history of the
state.
Oh the total number of bills intro
dnced, which fell only little short OF
1000, considerably over 500 new laws
were written into the statute books
The greater portion Of these were en-.
tirely new laws. while the remainder
amended existing statutes. The more
important measures enacted may be
briefly summarized as follows:
Providing a graduated income tax.
Workmen's compensation act, the
administration of which is left in the
hands of q commission
Stringent corrupt practices act.
Revision of election laws, providing
for first and second choice in the pri-
mar
Control of wate;powers by the state.
providing for franchises for limited
period.
Proposed amendment to the consti-
tuition providing for initiative, refer
endum and recall
New laws relating to good roads.
providing for system of continuous
highways.
Home rule for all cities; law relat-
ing to commission form of government
strengthened.
Record breaking appropriation for
the state university; acquisition OF the
Stout Manual Training and Domestic
schools at Menonlinee, coupled with in
crease for university extension de-
partment, under which the continue
tion schools will be furthered
Better laws relating to public
health pure food laws kept intact.
Hours of labor for women limited
20 So hours per week; s hour work at
night and 10 hour work for days.
State board of public affairs created
toAinves irate into the states fnan.
cial and accounting system; also sub
ject Of cooperative trading, high cost
OF living. etc.
OF all the platform pledges of the
Republican majority, the proposed
change to apply the ad valorem sys-
TEN Of taxation TO all public utility
corporations not already taxed in that
manner alone failed of passage
While the debate on much OF the
constructive legislation taken up by
the legislature was sharp. the session
came 10 a close with a remarkable
loyefeast OF political parties Mem
bers OF both houEes buried the Ratchet
and the final hours of the session
were marked by general rejoicing
Members of all parties rubbed ell
bows and paraded the corridors of the
statehouse singing songs
While the Legislature failed TO create
a text book commission in the inter
est of uniformity of text books, It
appointed a committee 20 investigate
into the alleged hold up prices" for
text books to which cities of this
state are forced to submit because of
the book trust. This committee is
not permitted to spend more than So
900 TO cover the expense OF the inyes-
tigation.
It was a source of disappointment
that the legislature did not pass a
law prividing for the election of
United States senator BY direct vote
of the people. Such a measure was
introduced as a result Of the opposi-
tion of certain progressive Republi-
cans. who insisted that member of
the legislature should retain the right
to support a party nominee for United
States senator.
JOINT RESOLUTIONS.
Joint resolutions memorializing con.
sress TO do this, that or the other
thing were exceedingly popular
Among those adopted were the fol
lowing;
Memorializing congress TO open M
the Alaskan territory and the coast
wise trade.
MemOriallZih congress 10 prOteC'
she state of Wisconsin against contri
button; to camraign funds rem Ear
ties in other states.
Memorializing congress TO grant th'
state Of Wisconsin the Oneida IndiaI
school.
Memorializing congress to amend
she constitution to provide for thu
election of United States senator b,
she direct vote Of the people.
MemOriali2ing congress to grant q
Alaska a territorial form of govern
nent.
Asmorializing congress TO call al
interstate conference relating TO uni
form fish and game laws.
TAXATION.
The new graduated income tax Law
s enc of the biggest accomplishment
Of the legislature Because Of tn,
stand-pat position taken by the assem-
by the legislature passed the incom