Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-01-24

"pernicious lobby" which operated
here two years ago, although the
passage did not deal directly with any
individual or any group. II may be
due. too. to the fact that there is a
disposition on the part of the legisla-
ture to tighten up on the rules relat.
+. ing to lobbying. A resolution is pend.
ing which requires that all state and
federal employees who appear for or
against any measure shall be required
to register with the secretary of state
setting forth for whom they appear.
Assemblyman c. d. Rosa introduced
another joint resolution which caused
an upheaval in the house. Under its
provisions no person directly or in
directly interested in the promotion or
defeat of any bill would be permitted
on the floor of the assembly even when
that branch was not in session. Rosa
said the house at all times ought to be
a place for members to work. There
was exception to the resolution he
cause it would apply to former mem.
bers of the legislature. to the gov
+ =
in fact, to all persons. 1t was argued
that the members would not be per,
mitted to invite citizens to their desk.
The resolution was supported by fifty.
FIVE members, thirty-five votes being
cast against 1t, but was defeated be.
cause two-thirds vote is required un'
. der the rules of the house.
Move to Make Boards Pay Way.
During the week there was con.
ference of legislators on the general
subject of state commissions. 1t has
developed that if the present program
| of commissions is to be accepted as
the permanent policy of the state that
there can be little reduction in appro
| priations unless some new system OF
administration is provided whereby
| the special boards would bring in
some revenue to meet part of the eX-
| pense of maintenance.
Governor Phillip may come to the
| rescue in a special message in which
! he will present TO the members his
! ideas on consolidation of departments
! He believes that state boards like the
| industrial commission which render
| services to large corporations should
| receive fees from the interests they
/ benefit. The fees would be turned
over to fund to maintain these
| boards. By following such a system.
! the governor believes, that appropria-
tons might be cut down.
Under the present plan of operation,
with the special departments reaching
out and taking up new activities, the
| legislature finds il impossible to do
much cutting. unless it is willing TO
tell the boards what they shall and
shall not do.
There is an inclination in some
quarters to do away with several spe-
cial departments in order to return to
the old form Of government admins
tered by constitutional officers. Little
progress in this direction will be
made. however Governor Philip is
advocating economy, but it is under
stood that he would oppose the aboli-
tion of any boards rendering valuable
services He has been in close check
with the work of commissions, and is
well informed as TO their activities,
Aid Northern Wisconsin Development
Very early in the session the legls
lature will consider a concrete pro
gram for the development of northern
Wisconsin. The republican party plat
form carried plank pledging some
legislative action to aid in the devel.
opment of unsettled counties, and
members of both branches seem
friendly to the idea OF lending a help
ing hand to settlers. just what pro
gram will be presented and carried
out, has not been decided upon As.
semblyman John c Chapple Assem-.
blyman A NJ Rogers, and Assembly
man Nordman have already suggested
a single tax as one way Of assisting
settlers. Assemblyman Rogers would
inaugurate settlers Improvement act
| whereby the state would stand the
expense Of clearing land, five acres
to be cleared for a period of three
years. Assemblyman Chapple has not
yet worked out his IDEAS
TWO Plans TO Curb Liquor
Two thoughts on the liquor question
viii be presented to the legislature,
one recommending state wide prohibit
ton and the other stricter regulation.
| Assemblyman William r. Evjue will
soon introduce his bill for a referCn-
| DUN vote on the question Of prohibi-
ton. Several regulatory bills are in.
One provides for state excise com.
mission Of three members TO be APP
pointed by the governor with unlim-
tied power to regulate the liquor buzz
ness.
Thus far Governor Philip has not
! expressed BIZ views. In the closing
paracraph Of his message to the leg
islature, however, ne intimated ,hat he
would send IN a special message on
! brewery regulation.
A very definite dry movement has
been started in This state. Forces
! back of if seem to think that the Eyiue
/ referendum stands an excellent chance
/ of being passsd II is argued that
/ members who are not friendly TO the
dry movement may not be willing 10
oppose q proposition which calls for
an expression Of public sentiment
If the referendum bill fails, &c is Ger
tain That rather drastic regulatory
measures Rill be given serious con
! sheraton