Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1925-04-22
LOOKING IN
ON THE
LEGISLATURE

Madison, Wis.-Proposed changes in
the state elcr,ion laws are scheduled
for early hearings before an assembly
committee. Chief among the bills is
the measure providing for party con-
ventlOns before the primaries, instead
of afterward
Instead of the platform being drafted
by candidates after their nomination,
sponsors of the bill say, party princi-
plies would be determined first and it
then woulG be the duty of the winning
candidates in the primaries to sub
scribe to these principles.
Other election bills on the calendar
include:
Providing that the designation of
any political organization on the pri-
mary ballots shall not duplicate the
name Of any other party"
Requiring the voting of straight
ticket" for presidential electors, the
vote being marked for the presiden-
tial candidate and not for the indl-
vidual electors.
Changing the spring election to the
first Tuesday of May instead of April.
Governors Pay Boost Approved
Reconvening after a recess of sew
eral days, the senate passed twenty
bills at one session, including concur
renee in the Smith measure to raise
the salary Of the governor form $4,000
to $4,000. The vote was II to s,
Senators Bilgrein, Roche, Keppel,
Smith, Staudenmayer, Titus, Gettel
man and Teasdale voting against the
measure. This measure amends Arti
Gle of the constitution and must be
approved at another session of the
legislature and by the people
The Heck bill for establishment of
state judicial council of seven per-
sons including a justice of the SUI
preme court, the attorney general, the
chairmen Of the legislative judiciary
committees, a circuit court judge and
the president of the state bar associa-
ton, passed the senate, 20 to g. The
purpose of the council is to advise the
legislature as to correct legal proceed
ure methods. The bill now goes to the
assembly for concurrence.
BY vote of 13 to II, the senate
passed the senate bill allowing coun-
ties to add to the state paid salaries
of circuit judges.
Another Tax Bill Heard
Opening guns in the second legisla-
tive tax fight have been fired at pub
lie hearing on the trailer" exemption
tax measure.
One of the principal features of the
exemption bill is provision except
Ing merchants and manufacturers
stock in value not exceeding $500 from
taxation.
Tire bill also provides that horses,
mules, cattle and other livestock, fur
niture and fixtures, equipment and
books of professional men and mer-
camille and manufacturing establish
ments and wagons, sleighs and farming
implements be placed on the free list.
Discuss Treasury Surplus.
Balances in the state treasury will
be discussed in a hearing by the sen
ate committee on corporations and tax
alton. The Severson bill to apply all
appropriated surplus funds in the
treasury exceeding $1000,0OO to reduc-
tion of the state tax levy each year,
will be before the committee.
In event there is no state levy In
any year the unappropriated surplus
in excess of $1,000,000 would be trans
Gerred TO the common school fund in
come by provisions of the bill
Would Alter Mine Taxation
A new taxation measure of interest
co mining men has made its appear
ance. The Carroll bill proposes to tax
any and all mining rights and reser-
vations, title to which is vested In any
person other than the owner of the
land to which such right or reserva-
tion is attached.
The present law taxes lead and zinc
lands on a property valuation, plus
One-ffth Of the gross amount of sales
of any ore extracted and sold, but the
present bill goes farther and would
tax mineral rights and reservations of
persons who may not be the owner
of the lands to which the rights extend.