Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-03-24
Baxter's 100000 interview.


The Herald recently called attention
to some Of the good things said about
Senator Baxter and his congressional
candidacy. But it is perhaps as well
for his friends to know some Of the
things said on the other side They
will be better prepared for The cam
paign if they know how people in
other counties regard the senator.
The following is from our esteemed
neighbor the editor OF the Prairie du
Chen Union
In the Milwaukee Sentinel of the
9TH inst, appears an interview from
Charles Fl. Baxter OF Grant CoIn.y.on
state affairs. which is creating much
amusement among thinking people.
Senator Baxter has been at the head
of the Joint committee on Claims in
the past two legislatures, and it would
seem that he should have some ideas
of state affairs. The interview. how
ever, would lead one to believe that
be was totally ignorant upon the sub
iect apou which he talks. Witness
the following paragraphs:
In my opinion reduction Of 400. 900 per
year might be made in expenditures with
out EN- barassment to the administration or
in any way Gripping cur educational. chart
table or penal Institutions.
1t would reduce administrative expenses
SOS 90: legislative $4,000; university $4,000
and normal schools $4,000. "
Some one should inform Senator
Baxter that it would be a difficult
feat to save $50, 600 a year ia legisla-
tive expenditures when it is consid-
cred that the legislature only meets
every two years.
Senator Baxter does not pretend to
say that he would first be satisfied
that these reductions could be made
without impairment to the public SER
vice. He SIN ply jumps at conclu-
sions, and for the purpose of posing
before the people as reformer, makes
the broad statement that be would
save the = Ople 100000 a year. A
true statesman would give some reas-
ons for the reductions he would make
and some argument to show that it
could DO done without injury to the
public service.
His broad statement that he would
reduce the administrative expenses
1925, 900, without explaining to the
people what administrative expenses
are. is an illustration that he is talk
ing on a subject OF which he knows
nothing His statement that he
would reduce the legislative expenses
$50. 900 is not borne out by his official
actions as member OF the legis-
lature.
Ii IS probable that some reduction
might be made in all departments of
the government, but to say that the
expenses Of the university should be
reduced SIS, 900 and the normalschuols
$50 600 without any actual knowledge
upon the subject places the Senator in
the attitude of making a grand stand
play for the support Of that class of
people who do not believe in higher
education for the children of the state.
The Senator says;
Dur ng the session ~ 1897 III appropria-
ton bills were introduced, calling. in aggre-
gate for sii7 600. The Committee on Claims
To whom they were finally referred cut
them down over $4,000 and vet hear of no
one suffering from this reduction.
This reduction of 1916. 600 did not
all consist in pairing down appropria-
tions, but many were refused out
right. As sample of the wise econ
omy Of the Senator. the bill introduce
ed appropriating $l25. 900 for re
forlnatory for youthful offeners was
cut down to So. 900. and the question
as 10 whether this was sufficient for
the erection OF this new institution
was not taken into consideration. 1t
was siinply question OF sealing the
bill down without re-
gard to the public service. If there
was any merit in the bill. and if there
was any necessity for this institution.
sufficient money should have been
voted to establish it. The people of
Wisconsin do not object to the appro-
priation of sufficient money for ex-
listing necessity. they only complain
when extravaganza is shown 1t is
possible that the university receives
S75. 900 more than it should. but. if
this is true, it should be demonstrate
ed and the broad statement of man
posing for popularity among the peo-