Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1921-05-19

Blaine Signs Pardon OF Defender
of Cameron Dam.
SERVED TEN YEARS TO A DAY
Assembly Kills the Fowler Bill Whicil
Would Have Given Normal
Schools the Right to Grant
Degree OF Bachelor.

Madison.-Goy. John ]. Blaine the
past week signed the pardon OF john Z.
Dietz, known as the defender OF Cam
eron dam. Tie governor reported his
action 10 the legislature On his release
from prison Dietz departed for sani-
tariuIn.
Ten years ago Dietz was con-
Yicted OF the murder of Oscar Harp,
one OF the posse OF 800 deputies who
came to arrest linn in his Thornapple
cabin. Following his conviction Gov
ernor McGoyern committed his SEN
tence tC 70 years, and now Governor
Blaine has pardoned him.
There Will be no important changes
in the educational policy of the state
al this session of the legislature. By
vote OF % to 81, the assembly has
killed the Fowler bill which would
have given the normal schools OF the
state the right to grant the degree
OF bachelor of education at the end Of
a fOur-year course. The normal
schools of the state are now confined
10 tWo-year course and this bill
meant that the nine normal schools
would be permitted to enlarge their
education at the completion of the re-
CURED curriculum. By a large vote
the assembly has also killed the bill
which provides for the abolition of the
present board Of regents Of the uniyer-
s.ty and substitution of d board based
upon class representation.
The debate over the Fowler bill
for the establishment of a fOur-year
normal school course attracted great
est interest. Small colleges of the
state were opposed to the bill on the
ground that it would interfere with
their activities and many of the mem
bers of the legislature declared that
the establishment of such course
would ultimately lead to large eXpen,
diture Of money by future sessions
Of the Legislature. Assemblyman FoW-
Ter was especially vitriolic on the bill
University of Wisconsin for not ia
voring the normal school plan.
''The university lords it over the
educational system of the state" said
AsSemblyman Fowler. at is trying to
run the state. What has this unver-
sity done for the rural schools? ]
would support a large appropriation
for the university, but | think it is
tine that the normal schools of this
state We're given a hearing on this
floor. If you oppose the university off
goes your head, if the university can
accomplish it,"
"This bill for four-year normal
course" said Assemblyman Aatheson,
means nine little universities and
nine normal school men presidents OF
universities The normal schools OF
This state we're established to train
teachers, but some of them are devil
ating. The Milwaukee normal has a
department OF engineering and 4
school of arts Milwaukee normal is
getting away from its functions. This
bill would cripple the little colleges of
the state"
The assembly killed the E. H. John
son bill for the adjustment of the
present boards of regents of the uni
versity and normal schools and to Gre
ate two new boards composed of two
ar1ners, two laboring men, two pro-
ressiOnal men, two business men and
one educator. The vote on indefinite
poStponement was Al to 80. Assembly
hnt tba
bill for changing the board was the
measure he desired. By a vote Of 43
to 81 the house killed the Edwards
amendment to strike from the fair APP
preparation bill $4,000 for improve
ments there. Then the bill was con-
Cured in.
There is every indication that the
lower house of the Wisconsin legisla
ture will pass the Huber resolution
calling upon congress and the Presi-
dent of the United States to recognize
the Irish republic. A big hearing OH
the resolution was held in the assem-
bly, chamber and was addressed by
Frank Dempsey, mayor of MalloW,
County of Cork, and by John Martin,
Green Bay lawyer.
By a vote Of 43 TO 42 the house re-
fused to reconsider the vote by which
it killed the Kenyon bill giving muni-
cipalities the right to establish COM
peting public utilities. There was no
debate on the bill.
Governor Blaine's position in ask
ing the appropriation of the state
industrial commission be fixed at
S2S5, 900 was sustained in the assem-
bly