Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-04-01

supposed to be uniform but by the
pre- sent status the corporations
have a decided advantage. The ex-
press companies are exempt from tax
alton while owning $4,000 900 worth of
property in the state They are pro-
;ected by the state and should con-
tribute their fair share 70 the tax,
Sleeping car companies contribute but
about $500, They should pay $4,000,
This, With the taxes ON express cont
panicS would make $4,000. Then
there are the telegraph companies.
III We taxed them two-thirdS of what
Indiana does We would get $50 900
from them instead of $4,000" he said,
That would make $4,000, But great
er than any of these are the railroad
companies. The Omaha company mas
1892 miles OF road and its average net
earnings are Sl0,000,000. Its surplus
is $4,000 600. The st, Paul company
he's over 5000 miles of road and
earned last year SS2S, SS7. l56. Its
lines III Wisconsin are worth $50, o00,-
owns 5000 miles and last year earned
nearly $4,000. 900 Its total value is
S229, 100000. Had this road paid fair
ly its share of taxes ii would have
paid 100000 more during the last
three years than it did. While dur
ing these years other capital earned
scarcely cent. Mr.. Hall said, the
railroad companies prospercd as never
bef, re. With grain cheaper than
eyer before, these companies raised
their carrying rates. He thought it
about time 10 call halt on the poll
Cies of these companies which have
been taxing the people to make their
properly valuable and now refuse to
alton. He answered the statement
that railroad returns come from
wealthy people who can travel and
shippers. by saying that the poor con
sumner finally pays the transportation.
Wisconsin people are paying $1,000
600 more than the state OF Iowa for
the same service, he said. He assert
ed that he was a friend Of railroads
but believed they should be called TO
their daty.
Mr.. Billiard thought there might
be some question as to the constitu-
tionality of the law levying the special
tax. He thought the legislature ought
to specify how much tax was neces-
I'm itSs pnf TN
definite form. He thought the bill
ought to be referred to some COM
mittee. Mr.. Stone explained that the
attorney general drew up the bill.
This Mr.. Bullald denied. and there
upon Mr.. Stone declared 1t was at
least drawn in the attorney generals
office. The bill was finally ordered
to a third reading. but on motion of
Mr., Stone the vote was recOnsGared
and the bill rereferred 10 the com
miTlee on state affairs.
Frink Exoneratcd.
The committee appointed to in,psli-
gate the charges made against
certain members of the assembly re-
ported that while DR.. Seaman had
said Mr.. Frink had offeled to use
his influence in regard to the medical
bill for the sum Of 500, he had been
unable to substantate the charges and
the evidence was not sufficient To jus
tIfy further proceedings as the charges
were only general in their nature any
way.
Legislative Ball,
The committee Oh amusement. APP
pointed some time ago. reported that
n had decided on a legislative ball
which Will be given in the university
gymnasium, Thursday evening,
April s.
Cigarette Bill.
On motion Of Mr. Hall, No, 537a, the
cigarette bill, was made the special
order for tomorrow evening at 40
O'Clock.
Ex-Goy. Lewis Present.
Before Adjournment was taken
Speaker BucksLaf announced that ex-
Gov. James T. Lewis wGs present
and the members would be glad to
meet him. A brief reception fol
Lowell, Assemblyman Rosenkrans Of
Waukc:hl presenting the members
The ex-governor, now living in re-
tirement at Columbus, is well pre-
served end apparently younger than
many members Of the house He
wears closely-cropped gray mus
tache bat his hair is still black, and
ir speech and in bearing he Is yigor-
GUS and firm. He visited with Gov
Scofield yesterday. Mr.. Lewis filled
the executive chair from 1864 to 1866.
Fayorably Reported.
Nos. Ills, relating to the compensa-