Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-03-27
M'GOvER||AM CALLS
SPECIAL SESSION
Governor Asks Legislature to
Convene April 80.
WILL CONSIDER TEN SUBJECTS
Relief for Black River Falls and
Portage to Be Taken up-Water
Power Problem and Primary
Elections included.

Madison. - Governor McGovern
called a special session of the Wis
consin legislature to meet in Madison
at 3 o'clock p. m. on April so to con
slider and act on the following ten
subjects of legislative business:
4. To make an appropriation and
grant relief TO the city of Black River
Tails. its citizens and others in the
immediate vicinity thereof who suf-
fered loss in the flood of October 6,
1911, to permit TO a dam to be Duiit
across Black river at this point, and
to make provision for the construc-
ton of a retaining wall that will pro-
teet the city from further injury.
80. To appropriate money or make
other provisions for the improvement
of she levee system III 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.
%. 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.
90 To amend chapter 452 of the
laws of 1911 pertaining to public
lands
IS. To validate elections held on
April 2, 1912, and to amend the pri-
mary and general election laws.
a. To enact laws relating to asso-
Citations transacting insurance bust
ness on the Lloyd's plan.
IS. To enact legislation relating to
home rule for cities.
80. To enact legislation relative to
the protection of fish and game
10. 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-
lature speaks as follows regarding the
situation at Black River Falls:
period of exceptionally heavy rains,
the dams in Black river at Deils. Hat
field and Black River Falls broke in
rapid succession and the tremendous
flood of water they empounded poured
in a torrent over Black River Falls.
sweeping away large part of the
business sections of the city and de-
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
lions of this committee work was at
once begun to restore the river to its
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 Tor the re-
building of the portion of the city de-
molished by the food.
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 viii nave been exhausted. So
an insistent call has been made for
state aid Whether there should be
an appropriation of public money
for any of these purposes is a ques-
ton the legislature alone can decide,
but ii is quite clear that to postpone
the consideration of il until the next
regular session will be almost equiva-
lent to refusal to tender any assist
ance whatever