Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-02-06

FULL INVESTIGATION OF IkSUR-
ANCE COMMISSIONERS RE-
MOVAL is ORDERED.
PUBLIC WILL GET ALL FACTS
Resolutions Presented by Senator Bas-
shard Are Passed Without a Des-
sen ing Vote-Principals in Contro-
Versy Must Testify at Hearing.

Madison.-The state senate, by
unanimous vote, adopted resolutions
introduced by Senator Bosshard pro-
viding for a thorough investigation
into the removal of Herman L. Ekern
as state insurance commissioner. Be-
cause of charges that Gov McGovern
acted without Jurisdiction and dis
missed Mr.. Ekern without proof, and
in order to give justice to the latter
and acquaint the public with all facts
IN the case, it is resolved, THAT the
senate do, on Wednesday the fifth
day of February, at 1890 a. m, re-
solve itself into a committee of the
whole for the purpose of making full
inquiry into the matter and report
ing thereon to the senate; that to Sc
cure an orderly and expeditions
course of procedure, the said Fran
els E. McGovern, governor; Harry
Curran Wilbur, complainant; Lewis
A. Anderson, and Herman L. Ekern,
commissioner of insurance, be re-
quested to appear by counsel and to
present testimony; and that the pre-
siding officer of the senate issue sub
poenas requiring the attendance of
the persons aforesaid
Fight on Seat Contest.
The contested election case in
which Ralph H. Smith of Tomahawk
is seeking to obtain the assembly
seat now occupied by Assem- blyman
John O'Day of Merrill bids fair to
become a live issue and bring on
hot party fight in the assembly. This
was indicated when objection was
raised to the consideration of a reso-
luton, introduced by Assemblyman
T. j. Mahon, giving the committee
on elections power to issue subpoe-
mas. That the resolution will be
passed was shown on the vote on the
motion to suspend the rules, there
being 50 yeas and 3S nays. Mr.
O'Day and his friends are perfectly
willing to stand on a recount of the
votes in the district. If the recount
should show that Mr.. Smith received
more votes than Mr.. O'Day, the seat,
my say NOu1u NC SlfSiI up IlC
case has developed into a party issue
Amendment for Drainage Law.
a simple amendment offered to
the general drainage law in the form
Of a bill presented by Assemblyman
Carl Hansen today will radically
change the drainage system of Wis
consin if adopted. It provides that
the cost Of drainage shall be appor-
toned by the supervisors upon the
several tracts of land drained. The
bill provides that the present provi
sions of the general drainage law be
made applicable to lone or more per-
sons whose lands are subject to over
flow and damages by surface water
flowing from the lands of other per-
sons" 1t is claimed that this gen.
eral provision will give a greater
scope of the drainage law and will
bring many under it's provisions for
damages, who now escape.
Present important Bills.
Among the bills presented in the
assembly were measures for the abo-
sity of Wisconsin, giving cities the
right to organize telephone compa-
MES and forbidding the use of white
lead in any form for painting pur-
poses. Constitutional amendment
resolutions were presented to permit.
the creation of a state board of edu-
cation to have charge of all the state
educational institutions, permitting
state loans to individuals for the de-
velopment of farming lands, and to
permit legislation for the abolition
of the office of justice of the peace.
Limiting the length of the SEES
sions of the legislature to 100 days
by constitutional provisions is the
object Of a joint resolution intro
duced by Assemblyman Axel John
son. This joint resolution was intro
duced at the sessions of the legisla-
ture two years ago, but it failed of
passage.
The expected bill prohibiting the
shooting of doe deer in this state
made its appearance when Senator
Timothy Burke, Green Bay, intro
duced bill allowing for the killing
of buck deer only.
To Increase the minimum fee for |
saloon licenses from $500 to $500 in |
all cities and villages having a popu- |
lation of more than 500 is the pur-
pose of bill presented by Senator |
Teasdale
Repeal of the state teachers pen
sion and retirement fund law is
asked in a bill introduced by Senator |
Teasdale.