Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1918-02-06
LEGISLATIVE LETTER
r. B. PIXLEY DISCUSSES POSSIBLE
LEGISLATION TO BE TAKEN
UP-A WAR LEGISLATURE

Madison, Wis Nineteen subjects
are to be taken up at the SPECIAL SEES
sion Of the legislature which has been
called by Gov Philip TO begin Feb
10, nearly all having a direct relation
to the war. Since the regular session
adjourned additional emauds have
been made upon the state which are
taken care Of by bills which will be
introduced. The 1918 special session
viii be a war legislature.
From a political standpoint the bill
giving the governor the right to ap
point a United States senator to serve
until the general election in Novem-
Der will cause the most interest The
bill will be presented TO the legislature
by the governor as practical way of
settling this much discussed question.
The decision, however, is to be made
by the legislature.
One Of the acts which will have no
political significance and be of highest
Importance will be the bill to provide
for raising funds for the continuation
of WiscOnsin's part in the war. The
state has already expended, for the
United States government, about $780,
600, which came directly out of the
general fund. This money is to be
returned at some future time but
meanwhile the state must keep it's
general fund supplied 1t is known
that the governor has considered the
borrowing Of money for this purpose,
the bonds to be paid at maturity, so
that the state will have no war debt
as it has carried since the civil war.
The details of this bond issue or other
ways in which to raise the funds are
to be threshed out by the legislature.
Gov Philip does not believe in rails
ing the tax rate at this time.
There will be bill to amend the
present drainage laws which has been
drawn after work by special legis
ture passed such a law, but it was
found to be imperfect when there was
no time to amend it. The most of the
work having been done, this bill will
occupy little of the time Of the speci-
al SESSION.
The number of county agricultural
representatives may be increased, if
a bill which has been prepared is
passed. The last legislature created
this officer by the bill fathered in the
senate by Senator Cunningham. Be
cause Of the work demanded by war
conditions the bill may be extended to
other counties.
At the last two sessions Of the legis-
lature Assemblyman Henry Grell Of
Johnson's Creek has introduced a bill
to permit the manufacture of branded
skim milk cheese. The measure was
defeated at both sessions, largely thru
the efforts of those who are interested
in the dairy industry, on the ground
that it would lower the reputation of
Wisconsin dairy products. Now it is
to be introduced as a measure for the
war, because there is a demand in the
warning countries, and particularly
among our allies, for such cheese.
The bill is bound to have much atten-
ton at the special session, and it is
certain that it will have to be care
fully drawn to meet the objections of
those who defeated it before. 1t al
ways has been the contention of AS
semblyman Grell that to make a skim
milk cheese properly branded would
not injUre the dairy industry. The
The fight always has been over the
size and shape of the product when it
is marketed. The governors call pro-
vides that the skim milk cheese must
not initiate or resemble full cream
cheese either in appearance or shape
Other bills in the call are:
Relating to the voting of soldiers
To amend the automobile license
laws to permit manufacturers and
dealers to drive vehicles across the
state to and from sales agencies with
out licenses.
TO permit increases in salaries of
public schools during the war.
TO allow the board Of regents of
the Normal schools to advance wages
Of teachers during the war.
Relating to the civil service laws
TO amend the laws relating to the
registration of nurses.
TO amend the laws governing the
Milwaukee House Of Correction so that
inmates may work outside the walls
during the war. This will aid in the
labor supply Of the state which is Of
Importance during the war period.
One Of the most important bills is
to enact legislation prohibiting incit-
ing or attempting to incite instruction
or sedition, and prohibiting the teach
ing or advocating disIoyalty to the ma
tionaI government or opposition to the
state government, and prohibiting in
terfering with or discouraging prep
aration for national or state defense,
and enacting such other legislation as
will protect our citizens during time
Of war and providing suitable punish
ments and penalties therefor"
One Of the bills will provide funds
For the completion Of the institution
at Union Grove.
FORGOT AND CAME HOME;