Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-07-20
WOMAN'S RIGHTS
BILL IS SIGNED
Badger Chief Attaches Signature
to the New Law.
PACE SET FOR OTHER STATES
Wisconsin Becomes First in Union
Where Women Have Equal Priv
ileees With Men Under
the Civil Laws.

first state in the Union where women
have equal rights with men under the
civil lqws, when Governor Blaine at
tached his signature to the women's
rights measure.
The governor signed the historic
bill, in the present of women from
several parts of the state, with a
black quill supplied by the national
Woman's party. This pen, and copy
OF the new law, are to be sent to the
headquarters of the national WOman's
party in Washington, as memen-
toes of the first victory won by Amer
lean women in their nationwide cam
paign for equal civil rights.
A new section is added to the
statues TO read: "WOmen shall have
the same rights and privileges under
the law as men In the exercise of
suffrage freedom of contract, choice
of residence for voting purposes. jury
service, holding office, holding and
conveying property. care and custody
of children and in all other respects.
1.-THE various executive and admin
istrative officers shall construe the
statutes where the masculine gender
is used to include the feminine gender
unless such construction will deny to
females the special protection and
privileges which they now enjoy for
the general welfare. The courts,
executive and administrative officers
shall make all necessary rules and
provisions to carry out the intent and
purposes of this statute.
"Any women drawn to serve as a
Juror, upon her request to the presid-
ing Judge or magistrate, before the
commencement of the trial or hearing,
shall be excused from the panel
"This act is effective upon its pas
sage and publication"
In compilation of the number of
lobbyists at this session of the leg
islature, Secretary of State Elmer S.
Hall announced that there had been
$50 lobbyists registered in his office.
Perhaps two-thirds of the total num-
Der registered were at the state cap
itOl representing railroads or appear
ing on the general question Of taxa
ton. The rest of the third house
represented bodies ranging from those
favoring Sunday blue laws to those
who favored light wines and beers.
Compared with other sessions it APP
pears that the $50 who registered this
session broke all other records. With
1873 members in the senate and assem-
bly, this would make a total of better
than five lobbyists to each member of
the legislature.
Governor Blaine has signed bill
creating a county pension laws COM
mission for Milwaukee county. This
commission will have FIVE members
appointed by the county board and
win serve without pay. They win
study and make survey Of other pen
sion laws. The governor also signed
the following bills:
Prohibiting the carrying of firearms
In the woods for Ave days previous to
the opening of the deer season. This
bill also prohibits shooting with rifle
at ducks, coot, mud hens, geese or
brant while such fowl are resting on
the surface Of water or on the ice of
any body of water.
Comforting criminal and civil juris-
diction on tie county court of Column
bia county.
Placing a three-eighths of l per
cent tax on the amount of gross
premiums of insurance companies in
direct insurance.
That the appropriation from the
state funds for the state university
which was recommended by the
finance committee of the legislature is
something less than $6,700,O00," and
not cover S10,0O0OOO," as announced
in certain newspapers, is the com
ment made by President E. A. Birge
of the University of Wisconsin.
"There was recently sent out to the
press from Madison news item to
the effect that the finance committee
of the legislature would recommend an
appropriation of more than 100000
for the university during the two
years following. The statement is
typical of much that is said about the
university finances. II gives a wholly
wrong idea Of the real contribution of
the state to the university. although it
may be quite correct as q matter of
bookkeeping under Wisconsin statutes.
'1f the state acts in accordance with
the report and grants all that is rec
commended. 1t win appropriate, in the
proper sense of the word, something
less than S6,T000O0."