Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-01-27
BOARD RULE BILL
IS INTRODUCED
Commission Form of Government
for Counties Sought.
SAYS 1T WOULD SAVE MONEY
Johnson's Plan for an Investigation
Of Various State Departments,
Looking Towards consoIida-
ton, Is Delayed.

Madison.-That the counties of the
state may be able to abandon the
present county board system and
substitute a commission form of
government for counties, Assembly
man ]. r. Beckwith OF Barron county
has introduced a bill in the legisla-
ture which will leave it to every coun-
ty outside of Milwaukee to determine
this question at its option. This meas
ure has been before several recent
legislatures and has at times passed
one house and been defeated in the
other.
1t will save the counties consider
able expense" said AssembIyman
Beckwith. 1T will center the du-
ties upon three or five men. will
give more efficient administration
and at less expense. This bill will
permit US to apply the Galveston city
plan of saving money to our coun-
ties"
Assemblyman Axel Johnson. Turtle
Lake, one of the Progressive-Repub
hcan leaders, lad his plan for an i'm
mediate investigation of the various
state departments, board and commits
sions looking toward consolidation,
delayed in the assembly in order to
give the house more time to consider
the proposition. The Johnson resolu-
ton provided for a committee of five
members from the finance committee.
three assemblymen and two senators
to make the investigation. Assembly
man Carl Hansen, Manitowoc, was OPP
posed to its immediate consideration
and Assemblyman George P. Ham
brecht, conservative Republican floor
leader, asked that it be laid over for
further consideration.
Assemblyman Joseph Donnelly, Mil
waukee, is opposed to the distribution
of the legislative report of the vice
committee, which has just been sent
to both houses of the legislature. He
has introduced a resolution asking for
the suppression of the report on the
ground that it contains statements
that are immoral
Governor Philip has sent to the
legislature the following appointments
as members of - legislative commit
tee to visit the charitable and penal
institutions of the state: Senators
Plat Whitman, Highland, and w. w.
Albers, Wausau, and Assemblymen
Carl Kurtenacker, La Crosse; Charles
Lentz, Mayville; Frank L. MCGOWAN,
Endeavor, and Frank B. Metcalf, Mil
waukee.
After a spirited debate the senate
laid over the confirmation of the ap-
pointment of Carl D. Jackson, Osh-
kosh, presented by Governor Phillip
as a member of the railroad commits
sion to succeed John H. Roemer, re-
signed, until next week. Progress
sive Republicans and Democrats
pleaded for postponement of action,
and against the personal wishes of
Senator w. M. Bray, Mr.. Jackson's
fellow townsman. The proposal to
lay over for one week came from Sen
ator Skogmo, Progressive Republican,
and was supported by Senator Bichler.
Progressive Democrat. Senator Burke
deprecated any fight, but the move to
lay over was finally carried.
Senator Monk presented a resolu-
ton for daily sessions of the legisla-
ture, after January 25. except on Sun
days and holidays.
That better care may be given to
the 5000 crippled children in the
state, Senator J. e. Cunningham of
Beloit has introduced a bill appropri-
ating $4,000 for the location of a
home for crippled children.
I'VE have laws for the caring of
hogs, diseased chickens and the care
of CATTLE said Senator Cunningham,
''but we have no laws to care for the
1000 deformed {, udren, whose life
could be made happier by such an in
stitution."
Senator Cunningham has also intro
duced q bill providing that the state
shall compensate those farmers
whose cattle have been destroyed by
foot-and-mouth disease. The measure
is broad IN scope and so framed that
in the future II any disease is deemed
virulent by the live stock sanitary
board and the constitutionally elected
state officers, requiring that the herds
be destroyed. the state shall compen-
safe for the animals without waiting
for a direct appropriation from the
legislature. Under the Cunningham
bill the farmers will also secure pay
for the destruction of other property.
barns, grain, fences. etc, that had to
be destroyed in an effort to abate the
plague.
Praises State University.
Before an audience of students and
faculty members that thronged the au-
ditorium of Agricultural hall David F.
Houston, secretary of agriculture,