Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-05-05


Carthy spoke against bills which aim
to abolish his department.
THE fight over the legislative refer
ence library appears to be based on
desire to bring about a change in
the personnel of the department"
said Assemblyman George Hambrecht.
IF there is a desire for a change in
the personnel Of the department you
ought to have it." said Dr. Charles
| Mccarthy. "As head Of a state de-
partment, you ought to have authori-
ty to summon me before the legisla-
ture, and if you felt any lack of con-
fidence in my ability TO fill the job,
you ought to have authority to dis
miss me.
Estate boards and commissions
should not be as they are-without
control. l believe that the legisla
ture ought to have the right to sum
mon and dismiss any member for
cause of any state commission But
so far as the legislative reference Il
brary is concerned, l ask you not to
burn down the barn to kill the rat"
The charge that the reference IL
| brary does not always follow instruc-
tions in drafting a bill, brought a hot
retort from Dr. Mccarthy
Denies Changing Bills.
81 stand ready to make a present
of 500 to any man who can furnish
information to show that my depart
ment has put in bill or taken out Of
bill anything which the author of
the measure did not order"
There has been some criticism of
your personal conduct because you
frequently express opinions" said Mr..
Hambrecht.
81 suppose there has been," replied
DR.. Mccarthy, "but l shall keep right
on expressing opinions"
T. c. Richmond, Madison likened
the department to fifth wheel on a
wagon. He said that it is not nee
essary and that it is a source of ex-
travagance in state government.
Several bills aimed at the legisla
tive reference library are pending.
The administration forces are expect
ed to get back of bill which will not
wipe out this department, but will
limit its activity to the period when
the legislature is. in session. Because
many members of the legislature have
used the library, DR.. Mccarthy has
build up a strong personal following.
and it will be surprising if he Is
eliminated as head of this branch.
The question of equal suffrage has
not been disposed of despite the fact
that the Bradley bill for a referendum
vote in 1916 on equal suffrage was de.
feated. The ballot for women IL
presidential elections and a PROPOSE.
ton to make equal suffrage optional
! with the several counties in the state
still are to be disposed Of. Women
workers have not given up all hope.
although there is nothing in the pres.
ent situation which seems to offer
them much real encouragement.
Wisconsin promises to be one OF
the last states to adopt equal suffrage,
but those who are fighting for the
ballot for women feel confident of
victory. They say the handwriting on
the wall is in their favor, and that
men in public life in Wisconsin will
soon be with them in their fight
Probe Of Prison Labor Advocated.
In the belief that the most difficult
problem presented to the state board
Of control is the proper employment of
prison labor, the legislative investi-
eating committee, in a report to the
governor and the legislature recon-
mended that the governor be empow-
cred to appoint committee of three
to five men to investigate the question
of prison labor and industries. 1t sug-
gests that the committee be COM
posed of a representative of those
who have made a study of the Grim
inal, and manufacturing representa-
tive and a labor representative
This report should be made to
the governor not later than Dec 1,
1916. The report points out that the
population at both the prison and the
reformatory are increasing and that
the problem now involves the reforma-
ton of nearly 1,2OO men and boys.
The state railroad commission
stanGs high with the people of Wis
consin, and efforts at this session to
tamper with the work of this board
have failed. Assemblyman James
Vint, Milwaukee socialist, had three
bills which attacked the powers of the
committee in order to give the city
of Milwaukee home rule in the regu-
lation of public utilities. All three
measures were killed in the house.
One bill was a serious attack on the
public utilities act of Wisconsin.
Continue Fight for Stemper Bill.
Milwaukee is keeping up it's fight
to amend the Baker law, as provided
by the Stemper bill, to legalize about |
200 saloons which were put out of
business by decision of the supreme
oC,1rf Tho Co.