The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-17

especially il the war In Europe comes
to an end. 1t may reasonably he ex
pected that when the war is over there
will be a reaction in business and
some re-adjustment of our economic
conditions will take place There is
reason to believe that during the per-
iod of REIMBURSEMENT work will become
scarce and laboring men will be seek
ing employment.
The Protection of Fish and Game.
Our fish and game are a natural re-
source that deserves the attention of
the legislature. The gradual diminu-
ton of game birds must be apparent
to every observer. There is also
noticeable decrease in the number of
deer that are now seen in the woods
by hunters as compared with former
years. The necessity of better pro-
lection admits of no argument We
cannot hope to preserve our game
birds by declaring an open season each
year, and throwing the entire state
open to the hunters. The control of
open seasons, except for migratory
birds, should be placed in the hands
of the Conservation Commission, in or
der that it may be regulated with re-
gard for the supply which is fire.
quently affected by weather and other
natural conditions. Zones or reserya-
tions should be established of suitable
size where the shooting of game birds
is at all times prohibited. Such a pro-
vision should also be made for the pro-
lection of deer. In order to carry out
this plan, l recommend that the in
come from the sale of fish and game
licenses, and whatever other income
the commission may have from our
wild life, should remain in the state
treasury to the credit of the commits
sion as a fund for it's use.
Tenure of Office of Governor.
l believe it to be clearly in the inter
est of the people that the term of office
of the governor be four years instead
of two years, as the constitution now
provides. | also recommend that the
secretary of state, state treasurer and
attorney general, who should consti-
tute the governors cabinet, be appoint
ed by him instead of elected as the
law now provides. Under our present
system Of biennial elections, the COVER
nor and the officers whom | have
named are obliged to devote too much
time to politics.
The needs of our state government
may be compared with those of large
business. 1t is not engaged in money
making but has all the functions to
perform that come to a well organized
peoples government. The governor is
the responsible head and the people
will do well for themselves If they will
give him an opportunity to study, with
out interruption, the details of govern
ment, and make such improvements in
the interest of efficiency and economy
as any good governor will wish to
make if he is given the time that he
needs to make the necessary investiga-
tons.
If he desires to be reelected, he
must devote practically the entire sec
ond year OF his term to his campaign.
This necessitates long periods of alb
sence from his office. In fact, it makes
it impossible for him to give the atten-
ton to the states affairs that he
should. Furthermore, the expense con-
nected with the campaigns is too great
in fact much greater than the salary
which the office pays justifies. This
feature l regard as of special import
ance to the people for the following
reason: Under the primary system it
is necessary for the candidate for gov
ernor to make a statewide campaign
for his nomination. If he is nominated
he must again make statewide cam
paign for his election. The law per-
mits him to spend $4,000 for the two
campaigns, which is a small amount
when we consider the fact that we
have 100000 men in the state who are
qualified voters. A poor man will be
unable to meet these campaign expen-
ditures with his salary and have any
thing left for his living expenses. The
result is, that he cannot aspire TO the
office unless he is willing to accept
campaign contributions. which no gov
ernor should do
The argument which I have pre-
term for the governor applies with
equal force to the secretary of state,
the state treasurer and the attorney
general Furthermore, these officers
come to the capitol as part of the state
administration, of which the governor
is the responsible head. They should
be the governors advisors and should,
therefore, represent the same political
views as the governor. 1t is decidedly
injurious to the state government and,
therefore, loss to the people If any OF
the departments are opposed to the
governors policies and engage in poll
teal schemes to make his administra-
ton unpopular with the people.
Finally, wish to remind you that it
is the desire of the people of the state
of Wisconsin that your body and the
governor protect them against reckless
extravaganza and that we will not in
crease the burden of taxation beyond
what it is necessary to do to give the
people an efficient government. | also
hope that you will be impressed with
the suggestion that you SO arrange
your work that you will be able to ad-
journ at an early date and in that man
ner comply with the general public de-
mand for a short session.
Canvas Pipe for Ventilation.
For ventilating in places where
blasting is being done there has been