Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-01-23
Investment of Trust Funds.

Your attention Is respectfully invited to
this subject.
Semi-AnnuaI Payment of Taxes
The taxes which are annually eXacted
from the people are not needed at a par
tlcular time, but are expended from time
to time throughout the entire year, not
only by the state but by the counties and
subordinate municipalities. Itappears to
me plain that all the public needs would
be as well SubServed by payment of these
taxes semi i-annualIy instead of annually.
as at present required, and that con
siderable relief would insue to the tax
payers of the state by thus leaving in their
hands for six months one-half the total an
nual levles for all public purposes. This
would require some changes in the present
statutes for the collection of taxes and for
the sale of lands delinquent for non-pay-
ment of taXes-a change not difficult to
make IN entire harmony with the present
system. Another advantage whichmight be
gained. would be the relief of the treasury
from the congestion annually experienced
under the present system during the earlier
months of the year.
The mill tax for the support of the COM
mon schools, amounting to nearly six hun
dred thousand dollars, is now
collected more than six months before the
period for It's distribution, and necessarily
remains not Onl y without benefit to the
taxpayer. but also at a certain risk.
These various advantages seem to me 50
important that | respectfully commend
this reform to your careful attention, and
recommend the proper changes in the
statutes to afford this relief to the people.
The Public schools.
The high rank which our public schools
have attained is a matter of Just pride to
all our people. For twenty years the
progress Of Wisconsin in educational mat
ters has been remarkable. and much more
rapid than in many older states. Every
thing within the power of the legislature
necessary to advance the standing and
increase the usefulness of our public
schools, should be done promptly-with
care and prudence, but with liberality.
Legislation in that direction will meet
with my warm approval. In many parts
Of the state complaints are being made
that large numbers of children are denied
the b. btneit OF our free schools because of
lack Of accommodation for all who desire
to attend. This condition is one which
should not he tolerated. The number of
children in the state who do not attend
SCtiOUi 10 III ldCl lliuCl SliulltI tIdu His
been represented in some quarters, and the
actual percentage would be greatly re-
duced if all of those desiring to attend
could find room in our school houses.
Factory Labor.
The employment of children of tender
aye in factories, or other places of bust
ness, should be strictly prohibited, and a
careful examination of existing laws
on this subject with a view to their
amendment where necessary is earnestly
recommended.
The Bennett Law.
Chapter $40 of the laws of 1889 has been
the source of much discussion and
dissentioD in our state In my
judgment this act, so far as it refers
to educational matters, is unwise and un-
necessary. In many of its provisions it is
arbitrary and unjustifabe interference
with parental rights, individual freedom
and the liberty of conscience, and there
fore recommend its prompt repeal.
The real underlying principle of this
law is not compulsory attendance at
school, nor wise advancement of popular
education, but an assertion of the ''strong
government theory as opposed to that
dearly priced principal of personal lib
Prty, which is the true foundation of our
government.
Misrepresentation have been made in
the heat Of political controversy 10y its de-
tenders, both as to the law itself and as to
the motives and princi Piles of those who
oppose it, which have tended to bring our
state into dlsrepute among those far from
the scene Cf conflict, and ignorant of the
real matters in dispute,
Evidence exists that to some extent such
misstatements and Misrepresentation
made by mere political partisans, blinded
by the heat and glare Of fierce party strife,
Ill considered and unfair, if not deserving
of much severer criticism. have been ac-
cepted in some localities abroad as fairly
stating the zeal situation, and as being
the deliberate Judgment of those qualified
to Judge and acquainted with the facts.
This should be source of great regret to
all good citizens. The principle asserted
In this piece of legislation would not only
destroy some of our private schools, but
would establish the right Of the state or
the dominant party in the state, to dictate
what, and what alone, all the children
within its borders should be Taught. Ieay-
ing to the minority, however large, no
discretion or freedom in the matter. 4
principle more subversive of the most i'm
portant protection to individual liberty,
and the rights of conscience could scarcely
be imagined.
Such schools as are now supported by
the people at private expense should in no
way be interfered with by legislation.
They are important In advancing the we'll
fare and education Of the people of the
state, The right of the citizen to educate
his child in accordance with the dictates OF
his conscience, without interference 9a the
part Of the state, should be recOg gnized and
defended,
Election Laws.
All laws, the purpose Of which is to
preserve the purity of the taliot and prevent
spying interference at the polls. should
be preserved and perfected. The right
of every citizen to exercise the sovereign
privilege of voting according to the die
tates OF his conscience should be sacredly
guarded. To aid IN accomplishing this
purpose a law. known as the Cooper law,
was enacted two years ago Il has already
been subjected to reasonable test. That
it Is IN many respects crude, uncertain
and defective, while In Its main features
beneficial, Is established.
Among the Objectionable features are,
allowing IN certain cases election boards
to be composed entirely of members Of
one political party; the restrictions i'm
posed upon the yoter who may need as.
sistance in marking his ballot; the ex-
pensive method of advertising the Ii sket
In newspapers; ard the lack of definite
provision as to compensation for such
publication, and the amer Of preserv-
ing and caring fo- the ballots after they
are once counted. which now opens wide
the door for fraud. The testimony intro
dueed in a recent trial of an election con-
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