Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1917-01-10
PROHIBITION REFERENDUM MAY
RECEIVE CONSIDERATION OF
LAWMAKERS.
CONTINUOUS SCHOOL LAW
TO BE STRENGTHENED
(By r. B. Pixley, special correspondent
to the Herald.)

(By R. B. Pixley, special correspondent
to the Herald.)
Madison, Jan. 8.-Education,
highways and primary law are
likely to be paramount issues
of the 1917 legislature, with the
question of a referendum on
state wide prohibition to inter-
est those who are affected by it
and those who want to make q
political issue of it.
In the order of their Importance TO
he state, however, they probably are
named above. The laws concerning
education will interest every taxpay
9r from a financial standpoint, and
every citizen from the standpoint Of
the future welfare of the state.
Although the recommendations of
Gov. Philip which will be expressed
in his message are not known in de-
tail, it is known that he will advo-
cate the strengthening of the laws
which affect the rural school and those
touching the continuation school prob
lem. His ideas on these subjects will
be awaited with interest by the mem
bers Of the legislature.
Highways of the improved sort are
costing the state great deal of money,
and not all of them are considered
worth the money. Ways to make bet
ter roads will be sought, and ways to
raise money for them will be another
consideration. 1t is probable before
the legislature gets through that the
method of collecting taxes and their
disposition will be somewhat altered.
and the good roads" idea will be
somewhat responsible. One thing is
certain Gov. Philip will not be in ia
vor of taxing the people much more,
even for this recognized benefit.
The primary law will come in for
serious consideration, and members Of
10th parties will have suggestions.
This legislature will not repeal the
aw, but it may amend it. In any event
he proposals will be accompanied by
discussion from both sides Of the
house in both senate and assembly.
A fairly good guess would be that
he plans which have been suggested
TO so change the law that the voters
would have to declare their intention
when voting in the primary as to part
les, which is in vogue in Illinois and
some other states, and the plan to
amend the law so that the people
would hold the platform conventions,
before the primary, will stand the best
chance of passing. 1t is known that
both will be advanced, with many sup
porters in both houses.
The statewide prohibition referen-
dunn plan will be in early, and it will
have it's ardent supporters. 1t is prob
able that the vote on this bill will be
divided by districts rather than part
les or factions. Some members al
ready here have expressed themselves
for or against it, and all have declar-
ed that they would vote as believed
their districts would vote, and not be-
cause Of any personal position.
X
At the time this is written, three
days before the legislature meets, it is
certain that Lawrence G. Whittet will
be elected speaker Of the assembly,
and Charles e. Shaffer chief clerk, but
no one knows who will be elected SER
geant-at-arms Of that body Thomas
G. Cretney, member of the 1915 as
sembly, and William A. Irvine, SER
geant-at-arms of the same session, are
the likely candidates, and the result
will not be known until after the re-
publican caucus.
In the senate Col. o. G. Munson Of
Viroqua, will be made chief clerk, but
there also the sergeant-at-arms post
is in doubt, with Fred E. Andrews,
who held the job two years ago, and
Charles Crotty of Tomah, the candi-
dates to date Both will have strong
support.
The budget for all state institutions,
including institutions, has been COM
pleted by the state board of public
affairs. 1t recommends appropriations
of about $2S0OO,0OO for the next two
years, which will be less than the es-
timated income. If the legislature
keeps within the recommendations It
is likely that there will be no taxes
for general state purposes, and if it
reduces the amounts still further some
of the mill taxes may be RENTED.