Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1925-06-03
LOOKING IN
ON THE
LEGISLATURE

Madison, Wis.-Senator H. ]. Sever
son has introduced in the senate a
resolution for a sweeping probe of
state departments, bureaus, commits
sions and officials. In addition to the
general inquiry the resolution asks in
vestigatiOn of these matters:
Whether any state Official or employee
has been guilty of graft or corrupt
Official conduct
Whether it is true that the father
Of an Legitimate child born to a wo-
man convict is in a high official posi-
ton
Whether an official of Wisconsin in
dicted by a grand jury in another state
has escaped trial through the refusal
Of the governor to permit requisition
Whether any employees of the state
are now employed in violation of the
civil service law.
The general charges are in part
duplicate of those submitted in reso-
iutions by Senator Severson to the
legislature two years ago and defeated
bur the specific inquiries ask that the
committee go out of it's beaten path
to explore other rumors that have
reached the legislature.
The resolution does not ask for the
creation of a new committee. 1t refers
the inquiry to the committee now in
vestigating the Smith-Ekern charges
vesting this committee with authority
to pursue it inquiry into the avenues
Indicated by the resolution.
Only 400 Bills Await Action
Less than 400 of the LIS bills in
PRODUCED in the legislature are still
awaiting action, according to an I'M
official tabulation compiled May %.
The assembly has about 100 of its own
bills still to dispose of, while the SEN
ate has 122. About 100 of the remain
Ing bills have passed one branch and
are awaiting action in the other.
Rush orders for closing the work of
the Wisconsin legislature have been
given by administration leaders and it
is their plan to have a sine - adj
Journment by June %.
The legislature has passed more than
goo bills, killed 267, withdrawn 90, and
nOnconcurred in AZ. Sixteen bills were
vetoed by the governor.
Would Use Soldiers Fund
Further development of Madison as
q medical center was indicated in
bill which has just been offered by the
finance committee at the suggestion
Of fba A u1opioop ocio,, Il ,,,o,,i1oe
for an appropriation of 100000 out of
the soldiers rehabilitation fund for
erection of a medical building at the
University of Wisconsin, This bin
also carries an appropriation for
founding Of a camp for soldiers near
Tomahawk lake.
Blaine Appointments Due
Several appointments must be made
by Gov. Blaine before the legislature
adiouns so that the names can be
confirmed by the senate The vacancy
caused by resignation of Dr. w. F.
Lorenz as secretary of the state board
of control must be filled and a sue
cessor for +. M. Wilcox, chairman of
the state industrial commission, whose
term expires, must be chosen. Terms
of two officials on the state real estate
board have expired and there are
number Of other minor appointments
to be made.
Jurors Pay Boost Vetoed
Gov Blaine has vetoed the senate
bill designed to raise the pay of jurors
serving in justice courts from 81 to
s. a day. In explaining his veto, the
governor said, "The proposed Jurors
pay raise would make almost prohibit
tive 80 persons of small means, the
advantage of jury trial in the justice
courts. BY increasing their fee, adj
justment Of small claims by jurors
would generally cause the cost of the
action to exceed the amount involved"
Cigarette Tax Bill Killed
The senate killed the Gwidt cigar
cite tax bill by vote of 70 to II, after
an amendment by Senator Howard
Teasdale Sparta appropriating $780,
600 for forest fires prevention from
the proceeds of the tax had been in
corporated in the measure
The appointment of Herman w.
Sachtjen, speaker of the assembly as
state prohibition director to succeed
himself, aroused considerable debate
in the senate with a review of his
'wet" leaning but the upper house
finally confirmed his appointment by
Gov. John J. Blaine by vote of 10
to 10.