Our land = La Nostra terra. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 191?-1913, 1913-03-01
MADISON NEWS

I Madison, Wis. Feb (Specl all - Ely
voting Overwhelmingly against drawing
the teeth from the senate rule which bars
lobbyists from the floor Of the senate,
that body Of the Wisconsin legislature
continues to conform with the plan fer a
+ people representing body outlined in
the early days Of progressivism in this
state.
In view Of the fact that the attempt to
restore lobbyists to their old-time free
dom was started as the result Of sn ef-
fort to waive the rnle to permit Harry W
Bolens, former mayor Of Port Washing
ton, twice repudlated candidate fer Lieu
tenant Governor and ayowed stalwart
to enter the chamber, the retention of
the rule in its Iron clan entrlty IS of
more than passing importance.
Mr.. Bolens. who has been actively en-
gagged about MadIsca as ioboysist. was
invited On to the floo. of the senate by
one Of the Milwaukee mon partisan,
members. He was Immediately requested
to leave by Sergeant at Arms Lecht and
complied with the request This pa-tcl-
paed the fght for modification Of the
rule.
The friends Of the rule maintained that
even now the senate chamber was the
only haven to which legislators could flee
to avoid button holing by lobbyists. The
rule was restores by vote of % to
Since the employees Of the legislature
have been put under civil service the le-
gislative cost Of bills has been reduced
from S44 SIS to s5255 The efficiency Of
the employees has also increased remark
ably.
The daily cost of legislative employees
in this state is s5I5 per day. mach less
than in other states.
The senate judiciary committee IS ever
alert to consider ways and means Of
shortening the tine OF otHtigaton They are
+ consulting with emminent juvists Of the
state upon this matter including judges
of the supreme court.
In order to reduce the work Of Judge
Stevens in the Dane county circuit, Sen
ator Huber has introduced a bill creating
the twenty first circuit 1t being the duty
Of the circuit Judge for Dane county to
take care Of the state cases, and abun-
dance of extra work devolyes upon him.
The legislature should not be criticised
for the great number Of bills that come
before It. The greater portion Of this le-
gislation comes from constituents As
matter Of facts great number Of legis-
lators have introduced no bills of their
own. A member really owes it to his cor
stituents to introduce any bill they re-
quest. Such bills are often offered by re-
+ quest if the member does net wish to ia
ther them.
Senator Ljnley is the author Of joint
resolution asking the railroad commission
to make an investigation as to how much
( freight rates would have to be raised to
permit charge Of one cent per mile for
/ passengers. He recites that cheap rail
road fares is an essential factor N de-
/ veioping education.
1 The senate on Thursday again set it's
/ foot down upon the practice Of lobbyists
entering the senate chamber even when
( the senate is not in session. Perhaps this
( IS why the senators lojter about the cham
Der. as It is the only safe retreat around
the capltoI for them to keep away from
oyer-anxious lobbyists
If bill introduced BY Senator Teas1ale
becomes e law, automobiles will pay Ii
oense fee in proportion to their rated
/ horsee power. Because the heavy autos do
the most damage to highways, this plan
is said to be meeting with considerable
favor.
Excise bills viii arrest the attention Of
this legislature for considerable time.
as many amendments to the excise laws
have been introduced. These bills usually
bring sharp siashes between friends and
enimies of the measures
Now that the bills are practically all ia,
the legislature will get down 70 work ard
committee hearings viii be held daily.
There IS talk Of night sessions in order to
give members all day to committee work
Such Is usual procedure
a Kindness 70 the Fish