Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-02-07


leave this board as an independent
body. After hearing the opinions of
several authorities, the Governor has
decided that the warden of a peniten-
tiary should not be a member of the
proposed parole board. but he is still
puzzling over the proposition of plac-
ing the work of the board in the hands
of officials whose time and attention
are required largely for other matters.
Through the good graces of the
Ncounty treasurer of Cook County. State
Treasurer Len Small was able to meet
the January pay roll of state employees
last week, but the state treasury is
again as bare as the cupboard of
Mother Hubbard of childhood lore.
The 100000 Of state funds turned over
to Treasurer Small by the Cook County
official gave the former s470000 with
which to meet a pay roll totaling $780,
600, and there will be nothing further
available for persons holding claims
against the State until more cash is
raised
There is still something like $500, 900
of state funds in the hands of the Cook
County treasurer and further efforts
will be made to recover this money in
time to meet the February payroll, at
least so far as 1t relates to the salaries
of employees. Outside of salaries, coal
bills and a few other pressing ac-
counts. no attempt will be made to set,
tie accounts until the new taxes begin
to come in next April.
Members of the Legislature are feel
ing the shortage of cash as keenly as
some others. Under ordinary condi-
tions, the lawmakers would have re-
ceiyed their total salaries of $500
each Immediately after the session was
organized. AS a result of the lack Of
funds, only $3.50 has been paid to each
assemblyman, the $500 applying to the
salary account and the $50. covering
the statutory allowance for stationery
and ineidentals. The State still owes
its legislators 100000, with no pros.
pect of cancelling the obligation before
the middle of April or possibly May.
The two big constitutional PROPOSE
tions are scheduled for consideration
this week. The constitutional amend
ment resolution, submitting to the
voters of the State the proposition of
extending full suffrage to women, will
be acted upon in the Senate while the
House judiciary committee is wres
Ting with the other measure proposing
an entirely new constitution.
1t is taking the highest order Of
diplomacy on the part of the two sui
frage Hobbies to keep their wires from
getting crossed. Representatives OF
the Illinois Equal Suffrage League
headed by Mrs. Grace Wilbur Trout,
are urging the adoption of the consti
tutional convention resolution. The
other lobby, headed by Catherine
Waugh McCulloch, is striving for the
adoption of the resolution granting
full suffrage to women. Mrs Trout
and her associates believe the women
stand a better chance of getting full
suffrage through a constitutional con
vention and a new constitution than
ment to the present constitution with
only the men voting on the proposition.
Mrs. McCulloch is just as firmly con.
WINGED that the constitutional amend
ment is the surest way of success.
Since both forces are aiming at the
same objective. but by different routes,
there have been times when clashe,
and breaks were as threatening as in
our national relations with Germany
And some of the unfriendly legislators
have shown a disposition to add to the
complications by casting monkey
wrench into the machinery whenever
opportunity offered But up to the
present time the women have handled
the situation with admirable tact
While working primarily for her own
plan, neither is antagonizing the
others, and each has emphasized the
fact that if her own plan fails she is
ready to lend hearty support to the
other.
The judiciary committee of the
House viii take up the constitutional
convention resolution tomorrow after
noon. Friends of the measure expect
its opponents to start their fight in the
committee, but are anticipating no
trouble in getting a favorable commit
tee vote on the proposition. They are
not so sanguine, however, of the fate
of the resolution on the floor of the
House
The resolution went through the
Senate two weeks ago with only one
dissenting vote, forty-six of the fifty
one senators voting for it. Opposition
to the plan has been concentrated ID
the House and its most ardent advo
Gates are not at all certain of its fate
A two-thirds vote is necessary for
House concurrence in the Senate reso-
tuition and it has always been a diff
cult matter to round up 102 House
members in support of a proposition
to which such keen opposition has
developed.
Plans have been completed for the
program of school legislation to be
urged by the legislative committee OF
the Illinois State Teachers Association
and bills covering the subjects are
ready for scrutiny of the assemblymen
Legislation asked will include voca-
tional education; permitting school
boards to use their revenue either for
education or buildings. as they see fit; |
permitting the election of teachers.
pri n cipoto aud r74naripfapdop+r sor