The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1911-01-27

Wisconsin. The title of the joint res
olutiOn was innocent enough but some
one dug up the document and the re-
port is out that there may be far
reaching motive back of it.
AS the resolution applies to the
county option situation in Wisconsin,
for instance, much can be predicted
in the way of interest. If the COM
mittee on rules reports favOrably up
on the joint resolution the question
of county option could be referred to
the people. There exists no doubt
concerning the ability of the county
optionists to secure the requisite Ten
per cent vote. Under a provision of
the resolution the legislature has the
right to pass the law submitted and
give force and effect to it at once or
to pass it subject to ratification of
the majority of the people at the next
election Whether, in fact, the reso-
luton is designed to cover the county
option question cannot be stated, but
it fits the circumstances and situation
so we'll that there is q suspicion that
there is something in it more than
a general plan to cover the question
of initiative and referendum
The primary law was adopted in
that way. The legislature submitted
the law to vote of the people and
then it was adopted by ratification.
\ i X
One of the big events OF the next
few days before the Wisconsin legis-
lature will be the reelection Of United
States Senator Roberl M. LaFollette
and the appearar &c of Mr. LaFollette
to deliver a speech of acce,T ance
While there is not a shadow o,
doubt concerning the reelection of the
senior senator nevertheless there is a
certain romance and general interest
in an event of this character AS a
matter of party principle, the Demo
Gratis will remain in line for candi-
date of their own, Congressman c.
H. Weisse of Sheboygan Falls, but
it has been intimated that the So
cialists have half promised to join
with the Republicans in casting a
vote for Mr.. LaFollette
X X ].
Another matter of Importance for
the coming days of the session is the
senatorial investigation that may be
conducted to determine whether or
not United States Senator Issac Ste
phenson committed bribery in secur-
ing his seat in the national body
The report of the senatorial commit
tee charging bribery will be certified
to the United States senate and it is
fairly possible that the same question
may be made the subject of a special
investigation by the Wisconsin Iegis-
lature. The handwriting on the wall
points to such an investigation
\ J. X
When it comes to a matter of leg
islative dignity and discipline, Speak
er Ingram is boss" in every sense of
the word The best a lobbist can do
is to hide behind one of the many
marble pillars in the assembly cham
Der, and he has to be mighty care
full that Mr.. Ingram does not catch a
glimpse of him. All legislative en-
ployes have been instructed to keep
the chamber floor clear of visitors and
guests No one is permitted to &C
to the desk of a member during a
session, and even the newspaper men
were warned about having outside in
terests. Last session two men Sc
cured seats in newspaper row. on
their word that they represented GER
tain papers. 1t developed, however,
that they were present as lobbists Mr..
Ingram has placed the scribes upon
their honor and each man has been
requested to sign document giving
his name and the paper he represents
The speakers TRADE against the liber-