River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-02-08
GOVERNOR Phillip
WARNS LOBBYISTS
Third House" Annoys SolOns
Sen. SkOgmO Introduces
Important Bills
STATE LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Open Season Introduction OF
Bills Closes Feb. IL

Madison, Wis, Feb. 4-One of the
marked features of this session of
| the legislature thus far has been the
absence of lobbyists. During the
opening week of the legislature
Governor Philip in his message
warned the lobbyists against any
such pernicious activity as they had
INDUCED in two years ago. While
more lobbyists have registered thus
far this season than two years ago,
they have been absent from daily
sessions of the legislature. APP
parently they appear before COM
mittees aud leave town Immediate
ly. This is what the law contem-
plated. Up to Feb. l SIS lobbyists
had registered as compared with 26
up to Feb. l, 1915. Two years ago
at the close Of the session the rec
ord showed that total of $40 lob
byists had registered. The govern
or was correct in his warning TO
lobbyists, and his view is reflected
by members of the senate. Some
two weeks ago the assembly defeat
ed resolution which would bar
lobbyists from the floor of the house
at any time. They became so act
i've, however, last week around the
assembly, that Assemblyman Carl
Hanson in public speech on the
floor of the house served notice that
he wanted them to stay out and
leave the members alone. This was
Immediately followed by the rein
PRODUCTION of resolution by AS
sem5lyman Arnold G. Otto of Mil
waukee, which will bar lobbyists of
the privilege of the floor at any
time. The reintroduction of this
resolution has thrown a scare into
the lobbyists and they have disap-
peared. 1t will probably be enact
| SO 11CO law Wy CAN
Senator Geo. B. Skogmo of River
Falls has introduced several i'm
portant bills during the past week.
First Of these provides for a refer
endum on the whole subject of wo-
man suffrage in the November cleo
ton of 1918. The second provides
that the standard weight of a loaf
of bread shall be one pound. This
will forever put an end to the short
measure is enacted into law. The
third measure by Senator Skogmo
provides that dependent children
under the age of IA years shall be
granted aid under the Mothers Pen
sion Law While this bill seems
simple in it's statement, it carries
with it great possibilities. At the
present time under the present law
tle children of divorced mother
cannot receive aid under the Moth
ers' Pension law, nor can the chill
dren Of = Widower, no matter how
good his home may be, receive
such aid. The Skogmo bill would
extend it to all who need it and are
able to furnish a more satisfactory
home for the dependent children
than could be expected of an insti-
tuition.
Senator Bray has introduced a
bill which will be given public
hearing on Thursday of this week,
which would legalize the holding of
party primary conventions. The
measure provides that a party pri-
mary convention shall be held by
each party on the second Tuesday
of July. Delegates to this conyen-
ton are to be elected in April by
the people, each party being allow
ed one delegate for every 200 votes
which the party cast for governor at
the last general election. The meas
ure will meet some opposition; it
may be defeated. although it is
backed by many of the administra-
ton leaders. 1t is viewed by the
as the first attempt TO
break down the primary law
Governor Phillips recommends
ion of council plan of government
(continued IN nape Al