Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/223

 A revision committee was created, with a civil service clerical force, to search all bills for technical errors. Records of sections amended are carefully kept so that confusion and duplication may be avoided. Bills are checked at every stage of passage by the clerks of this committee.

In order that all parties interested in legislation may he heard, the hearings of committees are by rule, scheduled in advance and a weekly cumulative bulletin is issued showing the exact status of each bill and its history up to the time of publication. This system of notification is not yet perfect but at least the business man or citizen interested in certain legislation receives some warning of hearings upon it. There is no secrecy in connection with these committees; they are compelled to report out each bill, with a recommendation together with a record of the ayes and noes of each committee hearing. Committees are all-powerful in an American legislature. The roll-call on a bill before the house does not always tell the story of its opposition or amendment in committee. The Wisconsin rule given below is not faultless but serves as a check upon the power of the committees.