River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-03-28
ELECTION TO Be
HELD ON APRIL 26
New Senators and AssembIyman
Will Be Named.
CALL FOR SPECIAL SESSION
Governor McGovern Asks Legislature
to Meet to Consider Ten Specific
Subjects-FIood Situation
Real Cause.


Madison.-A call for special ses-
sion of the legislature, to convene
April 30, has been issued by Governor
McGovern, to enact legislation on ten
specific subjects, among which relief
for Black River Falls and state aid to
improve the Portage levee for protec-
ton of life and property against
floods. Secretary of State James A.
Frear declared a primary election Tor
April 2 in the Fourth assembly dis
trict CMilwaukee) and in the Four
teenth and Thirtieth senatorial dis
tricts, to fill vacancies.
The latter were caused respectively
by the removal of Senator j. E. Lenr
from Appleton to Milwaukee, and the
death of Senator James A. Wright
Merrill. In the Milwaukee district a
successor to Assemblyman Carl II.
Dorner, deceased, must be elected.
The elections will be held on April
26. Nomination papers must be hled
eight days prior to April 2.
The following subjects are to be
considered:
Il. To make an appropriation and
grant relief to the city of Black River
Falls, it's citizens and others in the
immediate vicinity thereof who SUI
fered loss in the food of October 3,
1911. to permit to dam to be built
across Black river at this point, and
to make provision for the construc-
ton of a retaining wall that VIII pro-
tect the city from further injury.
"2. To appropriate money or make
other provisions for the Improvement
of the levee system in and about the
city of Portage in the counties OF
Columbia and Sank to protect life
and property in the valleys OF the
Fox and Wisconsin rivers.
"3. To enact laws for the construc-
ton of dams and the regulation and
development of water powers.
"A. TO amend sections 1868 and 1882
Of the statutes relating to weights
and measures.
"5. To amend chapter 452 of the
laws of 1911 pertaining to public
lands.
"6. To validate elections held on
April 2, 1912, and to amend the prl-
mary and general election laws.
"7. To enact laws relating to asso-
Citations transacting insurance bust
ness on the Lloyd's plan.
"8. To enact legislation relating to
home rule for cities.
SO. To enact legislation relative to
the protection of fish and game.
40. To make an appropriation to
cover expenses incurred by the legis-
lative reference department in prep
aration for and during such special
session"
Governor McGovern in the proclaim
alton for special session of the legis-
latl1re speaks as follows regarding the
situation at Black River Falls:
con October of last year, after a
period of exceptionally heavy rains,
the dams in Black river at Dells, Hat
field and Black River Falls broke in
rapid succession and the tremendous
flood Of water they empounded poured
in torrent over Black River Falls,
sweeping away large part of the
business sections of the city and de-
stroying property worth hundreds Of
thousands of dollars. In response to
an immediate appeal for aid the state
sent two companies of the Third regi-
ment of the National Guard to pro-
tect life and property in the flooded
district and organized an executive
committee to receive contributions
and relieve distress. Under the direc-
tions of this committee work was at
once begun to restore the river to it's
former channel and keep it there and
to rebuild the dam which 1t had been
found necessary to blast out with
dynamite. These improvements are
now we'll under way, the needy and
homeless have been cared for and
plans have been devised for the re-
building of the portion of the city de-
molished by the flood.
There is, however, no legal au-
thority for the construction of such a
dam as the altered situation requires.
Nor are sufficient funds available to
meet the needs of the community.
Before the flood the bonded indebted
ness of the city had reached the limit
permitted by law; now, on account of
the loss of so much assessable prop
erty. real and personal, it finds itself
bonded. far beyond this limit. It's
sewerage system has been destroyed
with consequent menace to public
health, and it may not be able even
to keep open its public schools after
last years appropriations for this pur-
pose will have been exhausted. So