Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-03-07

to be heard IT the next meeting OF the
committee. The audience at the first
meeting was friendly TO the bill, and
the chairman permitted unlimited
latitude for applause, Women in the
gallery waved American flage when
the speakers seemed TO drive home a
good point for the bill.
Without exception, the speakers con-
tended that the issue is not one Of
prohibition, but whether the people OF
the state shall be granted or denied
the right TO express themselves on a
question of large public interest.
Speakers came here from every sec
ton of the state to show that there
is substantial demand for The refer
endum. The threat was made by w. T.
Evjue, author of the bill, and other
speakers. that political graves would
be dug for the legislators who failed
to support the measure.
It is understood that when the bill
comes up in the assembly that an
amendment will be offered which
would make the vote on p dry Wis
consin except that it would permit the
sale of drinks not containing over ten
per cent of alcohol. In other words,
the proposition would be to permit
the sale of beer and light wines and
prohibit the sale of whisky.
Hull Favors Referendum on Liquoe.
During the hearing, Secretary Of
State Merlin Hull came out for the
referendum on the ground that the
question is In politics and will not be
taken out of politics until the people
have been given chance TO settle
the matter He expressed his belief
in the referendum idea on questions
of big public interest.
The legislature has struck clear
sailing on the issue of raising the sal
aries of members Of both houses. The
revision bill known as IS. dealing with
appropriations. has been relieved of
the salary increase amendment. the
administration having made it clear
that the bill would not be signed IN
less the amendment were with
drawn
Two measures are now before the
assembly on the question Of salaries.
One is by Assemblyman ". A. Camp
bell and proposes an increase from
$500 TO $1,000 in the compensation
paid by the state TO its lawmakers. As.
semblyman Charles Hart. Oshkosh, in
troduced the other proposition in the
form of a joint resolution.
Harris resolution provides for an
nuaI sessions of the legislature. the
members to receive $40 per day for
actual attendance. the total amount
not to exceed $500 per annual session.
He proposes 10 wipe out the provision
of the present law which says that the
lawmakers shall not accept stationary
and postage from the state. These ar
ticles are not furnished to the mem
bers. but Hart does not believe that in
accepting them the legislators should
be placed in the position of violating
the law.
Whether the Campbell bill, the Hart
resolution or some other salary pro.
position is passed in the house is a
| matter of speculation, but there is lit
| tie speculation on the proposition that
the lower branch of the legislature
will vote for some kind of salary in
crease bill. The members seem to be
pretty generally agreed on the ques-
ton that they are entitled to more
| money.
Supreme Court Contest Warns UP.
The contest for the supreme court
in which Attorney General Walter G,
Owen is running against Justice R. D.
Marshall is attracting statewide inter
est Both candidates have filed their
nomination papers. Two former mem.
bers of the supreme court-Dodge and
Barnes-give their Endorsement TO the
reelection of Mr. Marshall, whose
friends refer to him as probably the
most industrious member of the Wis
consin supreme bench. Mr.. Owen is
very widely known and the contest
will be watched with close interest.
Assemblyman Kent. Milwaukee So
cialist, has introduced a constitutional
amendment for a state printing plant.
Opponents of the bill are using the
argument that the State of Kansas
has such a plant which the printers Of
that state are fighting to prevent the
plant taking over a large part Of coun-
ty printing. Wisconsin printers will
fight the Kent resolution on the
ground that the Kansas plant threat,
ems to interfere with the printers of
that state.
Governor Philip in the near fu-
ture is expected to announce new
plan with respect to state commits
sions, subject which he has studied
since his first election as governor.
Administration leaders have reached
the point that they understand that
unless the big commissions can be
made to produce more revenue or
their activities curtailed it viii be
next to impossible to save taxes so far
as the special boards are concern
ed
Two or three of the commissions Of
major Importance render large public
service TO big corporations, and the
plan win, in all probability carry the
suggestion that business concerns
which receive direct benefits ought to
pay for the benefits received, the mon.
ey to be used to carry on the work of
the commissions. Further consolida-
tons of boards may be recommended.
but the principal point under consid-
Grafton is to make the special boards
sources of greater revenue