Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-02-12
CAPITAL NOTES
uAn1soN. W.. Feb. sth, -

are seveal measures of importance
pending, and in contemplation.
The pending bills affecting the
liquor traffic, if not the most import
ant, are receiving most attention and
being most talked about thus far.
/ At the opening of the session there
seemed good reason to hope that the
bills raising the minimum license
throughout the state to $500 would
pass; but lately there are discourag-
/ ing signs. The democratic mem
bers are reported to be a unit against
the measure, while some republicans
representing large German constitu-
encics cannot be depended upon to
favor it. The democrats will treat
the question as party measure, and
vote against it with view to captur-
ing the German vote of the state in
1856. Republicans generally take
the ground that it is not political
measure, that every member should
vote upon it as his conscience or
Judgment suggests is best for the
state, and regardless of its effect
upon his party. InstinctiyeiY, most
republican members favor the bill as
one calculated to accomplish much
in the way of curtailing the evils of
intemperance, and will support it,
even if compelled in doing so to
place their party in the position of
sponsor for it. The correctness Of
such position none will dispute, and
tits to be hoped that the number of
such views will be found sufficient
to pass the bill If then the demo-
Gratis desire to go before the people
against it as a party principle, so be
it. The republican party no doubt
will cheerfully accept the gauge,
and manfully defend the measure as
one of good public policy, and in
vite the people at the polls to con
denim or approve
While there is good reason to
hope for the success of the $500
license bill, such a result is not by
any means assured, but that some
measure materially advancing the
license fee beyond what it is at
present will be adopted, seems in
evitable. 5000 as the minimum may
confidently be expected.
A proposition to change the sys-
tenn of road-making seems 70 meet
with much favor. The plan pro-
posed, in substance, is to abolish the
district system and the district over
seer; to collect all road taxes the
same as other taxes in cash; to make
the county board, by commission
or superintendent, direct under con
tract the expenditure OF all moneys
for constructing and repairing roads,
at such times and places within the
county as is deemed necessary for
the general good. 1t is argued and
demonstrated by figures from some
counties that within the last ten or
fifteen years there has been spent
upon roads in such counties enough
to substantially maoadamize all their
principal highways, yet the present
condition of such highways is no
better than ten or fifteen years ago.
/ Is not this substantially true of Iowa
county? What a vast sum in the
aggregate has been spent on her
ROADS, or at least charged to that ac-
count, and yet they are, as 20 years
ago, almost impossible a greater part
Of the year, and only fair in the
seasons when nature is favorable.
No change in our road system can
be for the worse; therefore let us
hope some changes viii be made by
tine Ia,rislqtu.p fins ,rinfor