Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1913-02-07
LESS LEGAL DELAY
NEW STATUTE WOULD SIMPLIFY
MATTERS
WISCONSIN TO LEAD HERE ALSO
Important Changes are Proposed in
Election Laws

Madison, Feb. 6.-The laws de-
lay" has become a by-word in this
country, due to the notorious string
ing out of litigation in American
courts, which, in effect, makes one
law for the poor and another for
the rich. For several years agitation
for briefer and more direct court pro-
cedure has been countrywide, and
reform has been advocated by the
President of the United States, and
prominent judges and attorneys. AS
first step, the Wisconsin Legislature
of 1909 provided for a revision of
the statutes. The first edition of the
statutes under the revisor was deliy.
cred to the members Of the legisla-
ture of 1913 at the opening of the
| session, and has received general ap-
proval. AS this revision progresses,
| it is certain to make clearer to both
| lawyer and layman what is the law.
1t will lessen the amount and short.
en- the time and diminish the ex.
pense of litigation.
Wisconsin to Lead Again
A general comprehensive revision
of court procedure, shortening the
laws delay, is, according to Re-
visor Of the Statutes, L. J. Nash
attempted in bill consolidating and
Il oil NT h. a dft,tn x.sIO -
ing to the circuit courts. The bill
has been filed by the Revisor with
the Senate Committee on Judiciary.
These are among the important new
provisions of the bill;
Criminal cases arising during the
term Of the court are to be placed
upon the calendar of that term, and
other actions may also be noticed
at any time, and after ten days no.
tice shall be placed upon the calen-
dar of then then term of court.
The advancing of causes arising in
one county while the court is sitting
in another county of the circuit, is
facilitated by making every regular
term in each county special term
for every other county in the cir
cult.
The proceedings for change or
venue are simplified, and il is sought
to make fewer changes of venue by
requiring that the affidavit be filed
at the opening of the term.
Two circuit judges may sit at the
same time in the same place, each
with full powers Of the circuit court
of that circuit.
The salary of circuit judges is
raised from $4,000 year and an al
lowance of S400 for expenses, TO
$4,000 and expenses.
A Board of Circuit Judges" is
created and given power to elect and
| fix the salary. of secretary. The
board must meet at least once
year, and the purpose seems TO be
to even up the amount of work on
the calendars of the different judges,
so that unnecessary delay OF cases
may be prevented, and to secure CO.
operation for further reform In pro-
cedure.
Powers of court commissioners are
| increased to include the power to is
| sue writs of certiorari and alterna-
tive writs of mandamus.
A great many changes, the gen
eral purpose of which, according to
Revisor Nash, is to shorten the per-
| iod and lessen the cost OF ligitation.
To Protect Natural Resources
Two important conservation meas
ures have been introduced, one, by
Senator Husting, of Dodge County,
being the constitutional amendment
adopted by the Legislature two years
ago permitting the state to make
internal improvements and the 9TH
er bill by Assemblyman Johnson, OF
Polk County, creating conservation
commission and endowing such COM
mission with the powers OF the state
fish and game warden, the park
board, and the state forestry board,
and abolishing these departments.
20 End Educators War
Consolidation Of all the education
al control In a state board Of educa-
ton is proposed in a constitutional
amendment offered by Assemblyman
Rosa. of Rock County. This amend
ment would abolish the office OF
state superintendent, the university
regents, and the board Of normal re-
gents.
Important amendments to the cleo