Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1850-01-18
MINERAL POINT, WIS, FRIDAY JAN. IS. 1850.

slty OF much general legislation az this
time viii be obviated. at least it would ba
highly Imp0lltlc to make any very great
changes III the code 50 soon after it has
gone into operation. That there may Be
detects Is quite probable, ba5 sufficient
tine has not elapsed to test their magni-
I tude or Importance, Serious evils have
fresulted in our legislation from the fire.
quent alterations OF the statute laws Elk
listing laws are not unfre fueatlv changed
and modified in their whole context. even
before they are published aud distributed
the practical eject Of which IS to produce
embarrassment In administrations aclll
/ 10 render uncertain and dubious indiyidu-
al rights which IS the main object of laws
I to protect Permanent laws. we'll known.
defined and certain. although defects may
exist, are far preferable and more beneii-
+ c3al to the gTeet body Of the people, than
I those Wlth more wholesome provisions,
/ subject to constant changes 10 render them
more perfect, tie tendency Of which is to
distract the certainty of individual rights
and TO prod .ce feeling of uncertainty.
where a confidence IN the permanent Sc
eurity Of our rights should prevail
Our statute laws having just been sub
mitted TO the ordeal OF a revision I trust
that but few alterations VIII be made il
them at your present session. and that
such as may be found necessary, win be
confined to cases Of the most urgent ne
cessity
( Only one or two subjects of general leg
islation, occurs to me to BE- OF sufficient
/ importance to the public veal, to direct
your attention for the purpose of legisla-
tive action.
The present law, defining the property
to be taxed, subjects credits or chooses in
action, to taxation The evident object
Of the legislature. in taxing this kind of
property was to reach the money lender
and speculator with the view of compel
ling him to assist IN supporting the gov
ernment, that gives him protection in pur-
suing his vocation. This, certainly was
a very laudable object. if the means adop-
i ted, accomplish the end intended
In my opinion the result Is not secured
/ bat on the contrary an additional burden
IN most cases, Is imposed upon the b0r-
rover and debtor, and does not reach the
creditor, though he may n0minally pay it,
/ still an increased charge or rate Of interest
/ win be ezacted from the debtor. Again,
tie taxing Of credits produces double taxa
tion For instance: if a farm Is sold on
credit the farm itself IS taxed in the hands
! of the purchaser, and It's price is taxed in
( the hands Of the seller which produces
I double taxation. although the amount OF
property is not increased The correct
basis Of taxation Is property which should
be taxed whenever found and not its rep
Iresentative The tangible substance and
+ not the phantom should be the object from
which revenue should be derived. would
/ therefore submit the propriety Of modify
/ ing the existing laws to correspond with
/ the views expressed.
( The subject OF taxation generally as it
+ exists at present in this State is brought
+ to your notice, and it IS entitled to your
careful examination with the view Of as
+ |cartaining if possible the cause Of the oner-
ogs faxes with which the people are this
year bardeEed and justly complain and
then to apply the remedy.
/ \ rigid economy should pervade every
branch Of public expenditures. from the
State government down through every nU-
nicipal corporation or governmental sub
division, that draws its gevenue from the
+ property of the country
An examination into the organization
Of the authorities that control the expen-
ditures and financial affairs of counties
and towns. Is invited. and it is believed
that a reorganization can be effected, that
/ viii lessen their expenditures and create
! greater economy. The power Of these and
all other subordinate authorities, to levy
taxes. should be clearly defined It IS
not strange that the people, actuated by
an anxious desire TO c0nIne all eXpendi-
tares within the most economical limits.
should complain Of onerous taxation /
trust therefore this subject viii receive at
the hands Of the representatives Of the
/ people. that consideration its Importance
( requires.
The act organizing county courts, re-
|quires modification 10 establish it on acor-
/ rect basis, and TO make it less burdcnsome
/ to the people The Importance Of this
court to be invested with probate powers
was fully discussed in my last annual mes
sage. to which / would respectfully refer.
The court exercisingprobatepo power. should
/ be one of more Importance than the court
Of probate heretofore organized in this
State 1t should be a court Ofrecord with
a clerk to record It's acts and doings. and
hold its session at stated terms, not toe
frequently, at the place Of holding the cir
cult court. This VIII give It's proceedings
greater publicity, and prevent the most
important probate adjudications, from be
ling made in a corner. The amendments
necessary to place this court upon a prop
ler footing, in my opinion, are TO reduce its
common law terms, from monthly to guar
ter yearly or seni-yearly terms with pow
er to hold terms once every other month
to adjud.cate upon probate matters, il
necessary. 4 second defect IN the c0un
ty and the old probate court, IS the man
ner IN which the compensation Of the Judge
Is paid Instead Of allowing him fees foI
stated services, ,he shouid receive an annu
al salary to BE- paid ont Of the county trea
surv. To create fund to pay this salary