Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-02-10

S-oh- OtneFS TOOK the same position
In voting against confirmation Of the
governors appointment, but the over.
Nhelming sentiment Of the senate was
along the line that Mr.. Alexander is
man whose honesty cannot be cues.
toned, a man whose efficiency is
above debate. The progressiyes on
posed the appointment on the ground
that il was not good policy to name
tive new men to the railroad commits
sion for the reason that it would mean
the reorganization Of the board and
this might be injurious to the public
confidence that is now felt in the state
railroad commission. Senator Boss
hard, progressive, likened a member
or the board to a member of the
Judiciary, and said that unless the
question of honesty is raised II is
Customary to permit Judge to serve
lust so long as he desires. Senate,
scott, progressive, said that the state
is facing a big problem in obtaining
good men to fill public Offices. and
ne felt to surround appointments
with uncertainty would make this a
greater problem.
Politics in Progressive Position.
Men who study handwriting ON the
walls as it develops in a session of
a Wisconsin Legislature are of the
opinion that the position assumed bv
me progressives is not devoid Of mol.
hics. Assuming that in the next two
years the work of the state railroad
commission does not meet with wide
approval, the progressives viii then
DC In position to point to their rec.
ord made when the appointment of
NJ. Alexander came up. Conserva.
yves in the senate are jubilant over
the confirmation of Mr.. Alexander. and
they insist that as time goes on the
wisdom OF the appointment made bv
Governor Philip win be widely APP
preciated.
The vote en- his confirmation fur
nisbea some line on how nolitieal 81
emeats viii line up, witch make flu
ture events in the senate an the more
interesting for the reason that il
iadicate tee the administration is
not Overwhelmingly in control AS
matters Of legislation aro presented
and factional differences become
more marked, there will be bic play
Of politics where the prospects IN
dictate close vote. It means that
the membership of the senate cannot
he classified as purely conservative
ana progressive; it means that the
new classification must be known as
the Independent conservative and the
conservative progressive. as there
viii be switching of votes in both
camps, unless all signs fail.
For One Member Tax Commission.
In the near future bin will prob
ably be introduced to reduce the men,
hership Of the state tax commission
from three members at a salary of
$4,000 a year. to one member at the
same salary. This measure. If it
comes in, will have the support of
Another proposition is under con-
sideration to do away with the state
high commission and have a state en-
gineer and an architect under such
plan all departments including the
state railroad commission. which
from time to time have work for
an engineer, would requisition the
the state engineer for engineering
service when they desired such
service. 1t is pointed out that such
system would save great deal of
duplication of work and would mean
a saving in dollars and cents in sal
aries. The state architect would be
placed in charge of all plans relating
to the remodeling or building of state
buildings. This, too. il is contended,
would be an economical move. II
also is pointed out that it would come
In when the more important admin
istration bills are ready for introduce
ton. The administration forces thus
far have been willing to let the pro-
gressiyes assume the leadership in in
Producing measures. but all OF the i'm
portant subjects OF legislation VIII
soon be before the senate and the
house, as all factions are anxious to
shorten the session as much as pos
sihle Unless the member become
entangled in political matters, the
session is not likely to last more than
FIVE months
Bills For Equal Suffrage.
Two propositions win be presented
to the legislature on the subject of
equal suffrage One will propose
referendum vote on the question. and
the other viii attempt to amend the
statutes to give the women Of Wiscon.
sin the right Of ballot IN presidential
elections. The latter propos. ION is OF
particular interest because the Das5-
age of such bill, providing II were
signed by the governor, would inn
mediately establish equal Suffrage, |
while a favorable vote on the refercn- /
DUN idea would merely cali for an
other expression of public sentiment /
or the subject. State suffrage workers
are here and are calling on members |
OF both houses in an effort to inter /,
est them in the cause. Later in the !
session a sort of suffrage field day !
ujlt no arranged in the assembly /