Year: 1872




on the Temperance Bill and the press
and care Of business. our Legislators have
set time to indulge in dry joke or two
The following report upon Mr. Grahams
Women Rights Bill rcninis one of the
! paimy days when the Legislature held
an extra session on the famous Mani
towoc Harbor Bill.


Quite humorous report. by Mr. T. p
Burdick, Chairman Of the Committe on
Agriculture, was presented, on Mr
Graham's s bill to secure to all persons
freedom in the selection of occupation or
profession, as follows:


Your committe would most respect
fully renort that the great importance
sought by the gentlemen who inauguraied
the measure, is worthy Of profound and
consioerate action by committee, or by
any legislative body. 4 legislator who
has the courage 10 step aside from the
old beaten paths OF foeyism of the past
and darker ages, to propose radical
change for the benefit Of the down-trod-
den gentler sex, deserves well of his
country and free ticket into the TIo-
mans Rights Association. What puz-
zles your committee most is. that bill!
OF so much Importance should be sent to
so many committees of the House, and
receive so little Or no consideration.


The bill had its first reference to the
very able committee on State affairs, of
which, the genial gentleman from Jeffer-
son Is chairman. A good committee, who
dispatch business in double quick time,
to the entire satisfaction of every body as
rule-the exception is the gross neglect
of the bill under consideration With a
chairman fully competent, genial and
friendly to all, a great friend to small and
full grown children of either sex, why
this neglect? 1t MAY be the chairman
was fearful Of the fate of the bill to pro-
tect the ptchereZ in lake Koshkonong
from being gobbled up through the ice.


The bill was next sent to the committee
on Federal Relations, of which the learn
ed gentleman from Fond du Lac is chair
man. Any one would suppose, without
asking questions, that it was in good
hands, and would receive favorable con-
slderation but the Assembly was DOOM
ed to disappointment, and the mortifca-
ton of misplaced confidence.


1t was next sent to the select committee
on Duluth Harbor, of which the exper-
fenced and talented gentleman from Polk
is chairman. Your committee is lost in
wonder and surprise to find that gentle
men derllect IN such an important duty.
Why should ne let such rare chance
slip through his hands, where so much
political capital could be obtained at SO
llItle expense, no one can tell A press
OF business or & total disregard to politi-
cal preferment. must be the solution to
the problem.


The committee on the Militia next had
the bill, when it Jared no better The
gentleman from OZaukee could not have
had any fear, for the bill prohibits ladies
from bearing arms or performing military
dug.


! hen in its pilgrimage the bill was
lodged in the hands of the committee on
Lumber and Manufactures, good com
mlttee, but SO much engaged in the
booming and Incorporating business that
nothing could be accomplished for
measure that has taxed the energies Of
Tilton, Mrs. Woodruff & Go.


We next find the bill in the hands of
that humane committee on the burned
district. That committe has made good
work SO far as the burned district is con
cerned, but have certainly neglected their
duty thus far as in the case Of the ulshay
and misfortune OF our much-respected
ergeant-at-Arms. to say nothing of the
criminal contempt with which this bill
has been treated


The Committee on Agriculture is per-
haps the right committee, and will not
dodge the responsibility. We would
however, punish the delinquent com nit
tees if we could-but we can't. The
committee amend the bill, so that the
ladies may bear arms and perform mill
tary duty if they choose. especially in
self defence, which bill is reported back
without recommendation, but would sug-
gest a reference to the judiciary commit
tee to see if the bill is in conflict with the
late constitutional amendment.


The bill was. as. recon mended, recon-
mitted to the Judiciary Committee.