The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1915-08-13

Governor I'm Bad"
Madison, Wis, (SpeciaD Governor
d. L. Philip, as anticipated in this
column OF d week ago, is setting the
pace for the les islature in appropria
ton matters.
Administration men in both houses
are Offering amendments calling for
heavy cuts over those recommended
by the joint committee on finances,
which in practically every instance
recommended a substantial reduction.
The position OF Governor Phillip,
whose men are backed by the heads
OF departments who are willing to
consent to heavier cuts than recon-
mended by the finance committee, has
stirred up no end of excitement in the
legislature.
Finance Committee Members Angry.
Members OF the committee say that
they labored hard for several months,
and that the heads of the departments
owed it to the committee to furnish
the same information as to depart
ments needs as is now being furnish
ed to the legislature. Some members
of the committee feel that the heavy
cuts proposed after the committee
made it's recommendations casts
bad light on the committee in that it
carries the inference that a proper de-
gree of economy was not practiced.
The Phillip men, on the other hand,
say that some of the departments
hoped to put the governor Tin bad"
by overlooking the administration
with appropriations. They insist that
the proposed cuts will not hamper
service. The fact that heads of de-
partments consent to the cuts, they
contend, indicates that the amend
ments being offered call for Sound
economy"
Appropriation Is Cut 100000.
One of the heaviest cuts was one of
nearly 100000 over the decrease
recommended by the committee on
finances for the state charitable and
penal institutions.
President James o. Davidson of the
board of control appeared in the as
sembly to speak for the cut of $780,
900. Asked why he had not made
similar recommendation to the COM
mittee on finance, Mr.. Davidson ex-
planned that it was only recently that
he was appointed to the board of
control, and that he did not make up
the budget. He felt certain that under
the heavy reduction proposed that no
state charitable or penal institution
would in any way be hampered. Upon
his recommendation the assembly
voted for the reduction, and the bill
went to the senate where it was con-
Cured in without a change by a vote
of % to 2.
Session May Close Soon.
If the legislature sticks to the job
the session may be concluded in an
other week, that it, practically all of
the work can be disposed of, but the
session would continue as the gov
ernor would have several days in
which to pass final judgment on bills
sent to him by the two houses of the
legislature. Presiding officers now face
the big task of keeping members
OH the job when they are tired OF
their work and strongly disposed to
pack up and go home. Twice during
the week it was necessary for the as
sembly to operate under a call of the
house in order to bring in enough
members to pass on appropriation
bills, which require roll call.
When the members leave Madison
for the weekend recess they dislike to
return. Most of them find so much to
do at home they feel that they ought
to remain there.
State Board of Education Bill Signed.
A notable chapter in the present
session came to close last week
when Governor Philip signed the
Staudenmayer bill, which the legis-
lature passed as a substitute for the
administration bill to create a central
board of education. The governors
plan called for the abolition of the
board of regents for the university
and the normal schools. The Stauden-
mayer bill retains these boards and
provides for an additional board to
bring about correlation in the states
educational system in all matters re-
lating to finances.
With his signature Governor Philip
attached a lengthy statement TO the
bill comparing the measure which be-
comes a law and the one which the
administration proposed The govern
or's statement follows in part:
Phillip Compares Measures.
Bill 262a is in some respects not
as good plan for educational gov
eminent as the central board plan
which was urged before the legisla-
ture, and for which this bill is a sub