The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1917-03-09

the right to express themselves on
question of large public interest.
Speakers came here from every Sec
ton of the state to show that there
is a 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 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 Liquor.
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 I'M
less the amendment were with
drawn.
Two measures are now before the
assembly on the question Of salaries,
One is by Assemblyman w. A. Camp
bell and proposes an increase from
$500 to $1,000 in the compensation
paid by the state to it's lawmakers. AS
semblyman Charles Hart, Oshkosh, in
troduced the other proposition in the
form of a joint resolution.
Harris resolution provides for an
nual sessions of the legislature, the
members to receive $40 per day for
not to exceed $500 per annual session.
He proposes to 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
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 c.
Owen is running against Justice r. D.
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 constitutional
amendment for 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 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 flu
ture is expected to announce a new
plan with respect to state commits
sions, a 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 will 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 will, In all probability carry the
suggestion that business concerns
which receive direct dement's 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-