Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1917-02-14
WISCONSIN IS LOYAL
BENEATH US TO ASSUME ANY
THING ELSE, SAYS HERALD
CORRESPONDENT.
Especial Correspondence to HeraId)
BY II. b. PIXLEY.

present international crisis in the as
sembly has been the feature of the last
week in the legislature Patriots who
were ready for warm the assembly
clamber-were on their feet early in
the week to defend the flag and pledge
their allegiance to their country, and
the situation reminded one sometimes
Of the professional gentlemen who
stand up when the band plays Dixie"
No one has doubted from the first
the loyalty of Wisconsin. Gov. Philip
did not send a telegram to the presi-
dent, as the governors Of some other
states did, and that gave the critics Of
the administration something to talk
about The governor explained his
position to FRIENDSHIP did not deem it
necessary to reply publicly to attacks
by saying that Wisconsin had dem
Onstrated in other wars that she was
ready at all times to stand by the flag,
and he did not think it necessary to
declare her loyalty now.
Then while the assembly was amend
ing and adopting the NOrdman reso-
luton, the news came that Senator La
Toilette and voted against a similar
resolution in the United States Senate.
The result was that both the governor
and the senator was attacked as lack
ing in patriotism.
When the assembly did finally get
down to business, and just before it
adopted the Nordman resolution, the
senate sent over resolution which
had been introduced by Senator Tim
THY Burke Of Green Bay. The assem-
bly, proceeded to kill the Burke resolu-
ton, and adopted it's own, but not until
it had been amended SO that it declar
ed that while Wisconsin was ready to
stand by the president, she did not
want war until it was inevitable and
could not be avoided
The members of the legislature have
been trying to find way to raise their
salaries, and unless their act is con-
sidered unconstitutional they may sue
ceed Assemblyman Turner of Mil
Waukee, a soc 'alist member, intro
duced an amendment to the revisor's
bill, which is sent in every session to
codify and correct the laws, providing
that each member shall receive an eX-
ira $500 per session for work done as
members Of legislative committees.
He points to a precedent, and as a mat
ter of fact it is not an entirely new
scheme. Several weeks ago members
Of special legislative committees
among them Herman l.. Ekern, Jas.
A Frear and Julius Roehr, received
from $500 to $1,000 extra compensation
for work done on committees. This
amendment, however, takes in the
whole legislature. Those who opposed
it did it for two reasons. One was
that such an act would not stand the
test of courts. The other was that the
members knew that the compensation
of legislator was $500 for the session
when they became candidates for the
office, and they should not expect to
receive more.
In justice to those who favored the
move it must be said that the salary
received by Wisconsin legislator,
who has to live in city like Madison,
which holds the long distance record
for the high cost of living, is joke.
1t has amounted to less than 81 per
day at some sessions, and that is
about what one must pay for ham and
eggs and a cup Of coffee at some Of
the Madison eating places. Even one
heightened meal day will not leave
a legislator in danger of govt after six
or seven months
1t is probable that the amendment
will be killed by the senate. Every
one in Madison, however, wishes there
was a way to give the members of the
legislature more salary.
The women of the state are to have
an opportunity to decide the question
of equal suffrage, if bill introduced
by Senator Reinholdt of Milwaukee
becomes law. 1t provides that an
election at which only women shall
vote be held and that if the majority
favor the ballot then ballot it is. The
bill is said to have the support of per-
sons who oppose suffrage.
Farmers week filled Madison with
visitors, and looms were at premium
Members of the legislature who are in
clined toward agricultural activities
attended many of the sessions and
came away with information which
they say will be valuable TO them.
The first bill relating to education
has been passed by the senate, and, no
doubt will go through the house 1t
provides that the state superintendent
Of public instruction shall have super
visOry powers over the educational
work of state institutions. Other
bills which are designed to aid the
rural schools are in assembly commit
tee rooms and probably will be passed
They increase the aid to country teach
ers, and otherwise tend to build UP
the school in the country. A bill
which will interest many requires GER
tain sigh school qualifications before
a person can obtain certificate to
teach in a rural school,