Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-12-06
CAPITAL NOTES.

4hchCtsi Stii ledus as HuDgtCl u
discussion A renewed interest in
the matter has been awakened with.
in the last few DAYS, by the appear
ance in the Sanitary E'agmeer, a
scientific and mechanical journal of
New York Of an article in relation
to the matter THIS journal, it
seems, senta representative here TO
examine the ruins and report there
on This be has done, and his re-
port appears at length accompanied
by three pages Of diagrams Of the
building. This report laborts to re-
lieve the contractors Of main re
sponsib lily and to place it princi-
pally upon the architect, and through
him upon the building commission
ers Here this view is not generally
regarded as SO just and fair as the
findings of the committee Of ex
perts appointed by the Governor, or
the Coronor's jury
The work Of clearing up the de-
bris Of the wreck and putting it in
order for winter, is still in progress,
and if the weather continues favor
able will be completed within a
week or two. in the north wing the
work Of thoroughly testing and
strengthening is going on satisfac-
torily. Whether it is the intention
to finish that wing this winter is
something difficult TO learn about
The commissioners and contractors
seem indisposed or unprepared to
state definitely what is u be done.
The injured, with one exception
have almost entirely recovered, and
1t is said none Of them will be per-
manenuy disabled.
Blainc's letter, published in all the
papers, proposing to settle the sur
plus revenue question by distribute
ing the amount of tax on liquors
among the several states according |
20 population, attracts considerable
attention here, and opinion is much /
miyed as to its merits or advisable /
~. Republicans generally, but not
by far unanimously, approve it.
Democrats in abou. the same ratio |
disapproye. The State Journal |
touches the matter very cautiously |
and gives full synopsis of the let !
ter under the heading, "a Taking
Proposition, but concludes without
committing itself for or against the
proposition, thus;
Under this plan, Wisconsin would
receive S2,S0l 900 annually, a sum
sufficient to take the place of the en-
tire state tax, and leave over a mil
sion dollars surplus, which could be
applied 10 the general school fund
or directly distributed among the
several school districts, as might be
tbought best.
There is certainly great piausibil
ity in Mr. Blaine's scheme, but it is
Cne that deserves long and careful
Considerations, and il would be un
wise to Jump vt \ conclusion on the
subject until the pros and cons have
~ been heard Indeed, Mr. Blaine
says that he invites candid criticism
Of his plan, and suggests that he
toay have possibly overlooked OBJ
jpctions which others may suggest.
Extreme protectionists, free traders,
whisky men, radical prob bitionists,
and extreme thinkers of all grades
will doubtless strongly oppose it.
1t is quite possible, however, that
tue majority of the people may
heartily accord with the suggestions
thrown out by the statesman from
Maine,
With the light We thus far have,
toe TmBUNE is extremely doubtful
Of the wisdom or justice Of the
scheme. II would seem 70 us that
better way to dispose Of surplus
revenue is to discontinue collecting
K This it would seem might be
done without meddling with the Ii
amor tax. While favorable to so
raising the revenue necessary for the
wants Of the government as to in
cidentally protect American indus
tries, we are not in favor Of adj
iasting the tariffs SO as to yield a
revenue beyond our needs IN order
to protect This position must not
DO COMPOUNDED with the "tariff for
-creque only" men They would SO
sdiust the tariffs as to yield the nee
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