Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1923-05-23
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Legislature -

cry is moving slowly at the present
session of the legislature.
Figures compiled by the legislative
library show that only one hundred
and nine new measures have been
passed, signed by Gov. Blaine and
published, compared to two hundred
and twenty-seven by the correspond
ing date two years ago. This indi-
Gates, according to old-time legislators,
that the present session will run well
into July and possibly into August.
They point out that practically all
important bills, such as those relating
to taxation, education and finance, are
yet to be acted upon.
Latest reports reveal that the assem-
bly, has passed one hundred eighty-six
measures while two hundred and ten
have either been killed or withdrawn,
leaving two hundred and seventy-nine
bills to be voted upon. In the senate
one hundred and sixty bills have been
passed, seventy killed and twenty-five
withdrawn, leaving one hundred and
seventy-siX yet to be considered.
So far total of 1912 bills and one
hundred and ffty-one joint resolutions
have been introduced in the legisla-
ture, compared with 1,199 bills and one
hundred and forty-four joint resolu-
tons during the entire session two
years ago. 1t is estimated that with
many finance bills still to be present
ed, the total number of bills this year
will exceed 1900.
Blaine Vetoes Ruffing Bill
Gov. Blaine vetoed the Ruffing bill,
changing the system of state aid to
blind and deaf, on the ground that the
proposal "opens the door to a wide
range Of favoritism and discrimination
which might close the door to the
most helpless, though deserving, un-
fortunates."
The governor said the present law,
enacted in 1921 to aid in the proven
ton and cure of blindness, deals with
Constructive suggestions and it would
be a backward step to abandon such
efforts" He enumerated two objec-
tions to the bill as being the attempt
TO revise the county system for the
relief Of blind and the comforting of
legislative power on the county
boards.
Under the bill passed by the legis-
lature the annual pension to blind
persons would be at least $3.50 and
not more than $3.50, and to a blind
and deaf person not less than $3.50
nor more than $720. The county board
would be given discretionary power
in granting the pensions.
Change in Retirement Law
Senator Titus bill reducing the cost
to the state under the teachers retire
ment law by many thousands of dol
lars was passed by the senate. 1t will
go to the lower house for approval.
The bill cuts off the time teachers
spent under the old law from compu-
tation of death benefits. The bill re-
suited from the State Supreme court
decision holding legal the claims for
death benefits of thousands of dollars
when a teacher had paid in only a
small sum.
The Spoor bill, amended to require
women about to wed to file an affidavit
with county clerks that they are free
from social diseases, and leaving the
physical examination requirement for
men, was passed.
School children will be required to
spend two and a half hours a week in
physical education under the terms of
bill by the committee on education
and public welfare that went to final
passage in the senate.
Recesses can not be included in this
two and half hour requirement, the
bill specifies. The bill applies to all
children above kindergarten.
Governor Turns Down Pay Increase
A bill providing for submission of
a proposed constitutional amendment
to the people of the state to increase
the salary of the governor, was vetoed
by Gov. Blaine on the ground that two
former legislatures had failed to COM
ply with constitutional requirements
in attempting the amendment. The
governor also took occasion to express
himself on various moves to increase
salaries.
The governors present salary is
$4,000 annually. A number of state
employees receive more than this
amount.
1t was the contention of the gov
ernor that the two houses of the 1919
legislature which originally passed the
resolution failed to agree and that as
a consequence their action was null
lily. He likewise came to the con-
clusion that the action of the 1921 ses-
sion was null.
BY vote of Is to 4, the upper house
passed Senator Heck's bill for an in
term committee to investigate the
feasibility of state owned cement
plant The cost of cement is a large