Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-08-04
LEsorHY AsD usclRrAIs roR ruruRE

The legislature is much like a cat
with nine lives, and it is difficult to tell
when life is extinct. Adjournment was
fondly Predicted month ago, yet the
end is not IN sight, and at the best it is
certain this week and next will be con-
sumed. If it extends that long 1t will
chen Just have lived the same length of
time as the session of two years ago.
The work is practically cleared away
with exception Of the big appropriation
bills, and contention on these may
lengthen the session for some DAYS. The
governor apparently has got a long
knife for the purpose of disemboweling
every money bill sent to him thai is
considered extravagant and not neces-
sary. The fellows who want to see the
session heightened to an unusual time
and large appropriations piled up, for
the purpose of political capital in fu-
ture campaigns, have left no trick of
political art uncultivated. They say
''see Philips long session and appro-
priationsl We told you so. These
are the very members of the legislature
who have planned to make big appro-
priations and have a long session.
cite sample of this work, which hap
pened last Thursday: The finance COM
mittee bill recommended for passage
for support of the board OF control,
which manages the charitable and pen
al institutions, carried an appropriation
of 81, 495, 4S6, The governor thought
it too much, and in consequence Speak
er Whittett offered an amendment to
pair the bin $500, 000, The matter
caused so much discussion that ii was
considered wise to call in members OF
the board and ask their judgement-if
they could conduct their department
with the S400, 900 pruned. President
]. o. Davidson and Secretary Tappins
appeared before the assembly in open
session and told the members that they
could and would manage board affairs
without impairment of efficiency if the
appropriation was so reduced. Not
withstanding this frank statement on
part of the board, twenty three mem
bers voted to force the $500, 600 into
the appropriation. And true to his
economy record, the member from YER
non county; Mr.. Rentz, was one OF the
twenty-three. That is fair index to
what is purposely being stacked up for
the people of Wisconsin under the false
guisc of '.progressiveism." That is
not what the people expected of the
legislature, but the game of politics
has been strongly played. Instead of
playing the political game Governor
Philip is determined on a program Of
business and will most likely bring re-
suits for taxpayers with his official
axe. the veto power Every day from
now to the close of the session will be
| important and every interested proper
ty owner will do well to keep an eye
out for results.
By practically a unanimous vote the
| legislature refused to grant railroads
an increase in Wisconsin passenger
| fares from two to two and half cents
! per mile. Pegs
Senator Benefits bill which sought
large reduction in state expense by
dispensing with services of two mem
| bers of the tax commission, was killed
in the senate. Also his bill removing
from the board of university regents
the president of the institution, was
defeated in the senate.
The bill which vibrated between the
| two houses for some time, with amend
ments and cross amendments, direct
| ing that the probate court Of Vernon
county should hold monthly sessions at
Hillsboro, LaFarge and DeSoto, was
finally passed in the form of an amend
Inent to the general law giving author
ity to judges to hold court in ouch plac-
es, outside of the county seat, as they
may determine and order. | presume
the purpose of the new enactment
means that wherever necessity and ex-
pediency may direct, special court sit
tings will be held. in the discression Of
judges, if provision is made by courts,
boards or otherwise for added expense.
n ~