Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-07-08
VOTE-RECORD|NG
MACHINE FAVORED
Assembly Refuses to Kill Bill Ap-
propriating $4,000.
TO BE INSTALLED IN HOUSE
Apparatus Which Was Invented in Mil
waukee Has Been Approved by
Committees of Congress
Enaross Trespass Bill.

Madison.-A mechanical chief clerk
Of the assembly in the form Of
an electrical vote-recording appa-
ratus was favored in the house
when it refused to kill the bin appro-
priating $4,000 for its installation in
the assembly chamber. The machine
was invented in Milwaukee but has
never been installed in any legisla-
ture, although twice approved by COM
mittees CT congress for installation
IN the house of representative. As
semblyman Hambrecht argued that
considerable time would be saved by
this electrical apparatus. CTetney Of
Iowa claimed that it was measure
in favor of economy and retrench-
ment. Assemblyman Carl Hansen Of
Manitowoc opposed the bill, saying
he did not see why it should be tried
out in Wisconsin first A motion to
indefinitely postpone the bill failed by
a vote of SO to SO and the measure
was then engrossed.
Although d bill of a like nature has
been presented in the past five leglsla-
lures, the assembly for the first time
saw fit to engross a measure prohibit
ing trespassing on railroad tracks. The
bill, which was fathered by Assembly
man Hambrecht of Grand Rapids,
makes trespassing plisdemeanor pun
ishable by fine of $50 Hambrecht
said that of 10000 people killed an
nually on railroad tracks in the United
States or in accidents, 5000 we're tres
passers. He declared that the bill
would have a wholesome effect and
that similar statutes had been enacted
in European countries. The bill was
opposed by the Socialist contingent
on the ground that it would be used
as a pretext by railroad companies
to defeat claims for damages as re-
suit Of accidents.
Much to the surprise of many mem
bers, the assembly reconsidered the
vote by which it killed the Grell bill,
to legaIize the manufacture of skim
milk cheese in Wisconsin.
AssembIyman Grell claimed that his
measure was one of the most meritor-
ious that had been presented at this
session of the legislature, and that 1t
would result in the manufacture of
product valued at upwards of $4,000
900 annually which is now wasted.
Assemblyman O'Brien of KeWaunee
county claimed that the reputation
of Wisconsin for quality in cheese
making would be ruined with the pas
sage of the bill Assemblyman Spoor
of Green Lake county said that Wis
consin would lose its rank as a cheese
maker as soon as the law was placed
on the statute books. After the vote
had been reconside1ed the bill was en-
crossed.
The assembly also concurred in the
senate amendment to another bill by
Grell specifically designating the char
acter of the reports which must be
filed by municipal utilities operating
in cities of the fourth class. The bill
to appropriate $4,000 to John A. Ayl-
ward and M. B. Olbrich for legal
services in defending Insurance Com
missioner Herman L. Ekern in the
custer proceedings brought by Gov
ernor McGovern was laid on the table
after a call of the house and bitter
legislative fight. Assemblyman Bud
long of Marinette said that If this bill
was passed he would introduce a reso-
luton calling upon the attorney gen
eral to begin an action against former
Governor McGovern to recover $3,325
out of the state treasury as money
paid to lawyers in defending his side
in the Ekern-McGovern controversy.
Not vote was cast in opposition
to the confirmation of Michael J.
CIeary of BlanchardvilIe to be COM
missioner of insurance to succeed Her
man L. Ekern. The Progressive-Re-
publican group improved the occasion,
however, by offering a statement as
a testimonial to the valuable work of
the retiring commissioner during his
six years service, and deplored the
political necessity for change in the
office. Insofar as this might be con-
strued as a criticism of the admins
tration, the statement was Gisapproved
by Senators Bray and Ackley. 1t
was admitted, however, for incorpor-
alton in the senate journal
The senate nonconcurred in the Bud
long bill which sought to allow per
sons not attorneys to hold the Office
of county judge in all counties. At
present they may do SO in counties
under $4,000 population. The senate
passed bill @ppropriating s12,660 an
nually for the Office Of the revisor OF