Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-03-17
GOVERNOR POINTS OUT FAULTS
IN OUR SYSTEM.
SUGGESTS SOME REMEDIES
Chief Executive Talks OF State Prob
lens to Farmers at Roundup Insti-
tute in Janesyill He Cites Figures
Showing That Mortgages and Other
Securities Largely Escape Taxation.

institute roundup last evening was
characterized by very strong address
by Gov. Scoheld. In opening he de-
clared that the farmers lot is hap
Ply one. The story of developing civil
ization he said, bears testimony TO
the many homely pleasures which are
the exclusive portion OF the tiller of
the soil IF you who are engaged in
farming do not appreciate your adyan-
tages, we, who are less fortunate, do. a"
Continuing he said. II sometimes
fear you neither understand nor APP
preciate your privileges and that the
farming element OF this state which,
rightly estimated, Is the dominant ele-
ment has not exerted the influence
it should have done. The reason for
this is, | believe, that you have not
taken an affirmative position in the
field of politics. nor matters gener-
ally pertaining to social development.
The solidarity of the farming interest
has been manifested more frequently
In an unanim.ty of complaint than
otherwise; and that is at It's best but
negative use of power. The farm
ing interest will never play the I'M
portant part which It might In poll
ties and In the development OF so
ciety generally while 1t devotes Its best
energies to mere complaining. i
look to these farm institutes and the
ether means OF education and develop
ment which are being brought to the
farmer in Wisconsin to bring about a
better state of affairs. | expect these
to first OF all teach the farmer high
er respect for himself and for his pro-
feesion. When he learns this he will
understand how much influence he has
and then how to use II.
"The problem OF taxation is serious
one which we of Wisconsin have to
solve, and you farmers must lend your
assistance in the solution. | do not
for one moment think that the In
qualities so apparent In our system
:! taxation can be suddenly righted,
wen by the combination Of all classes
OF industries. or the people engaged In
them. But there can be much done
and an honest, intelligent effort will
eventually bring order out OF the un-
favorable conditions which exist. A
tax commission was created In this
state little over year ago and
the members of 1t are hard at work
attempting to bring some order out
Of our system OF assessment OF taxes
Their task will be a futile one, how
ever, II there be not cultivated a high
er sense OF the duties OF citizenship
and of the obligations resting upon
every individual within this state to
pay his Just share OF the expenses OF
government I wish there might be
cultivated such moral sentiment as
will put to shame the man who will
not perform his political duties and
who, for one cause or another, shifts
his burden OF the expense OF the gov
eminent upon Others II you are TO
problem you must first OF all get an
intelligent understanding OF the situa-
ton as 1t is, and then, without pre-
JUDGE lend your aid IN solving It. We
are no worse--rather better of, in fact
in this state than the people OF other
states; but that Is no particular com
fort 80 long as the inequalities of the
system are so glaring. It is a notorl-
GUS fsct that in Wisconsin by far the
greater part OF personal property es-
capes taxation entirely. Mr. KEENAN,
of Milwaukee a member Of the state
tax commission, who has devoted long
study 70 the question, informs me thai
II Is probable that at least 80 per cent.
IN value OF the personal property
owned In the state Of Wis"o".
capes assessment. Thomas Brown,
tax commissioner OF the city OF Mil
waukee. who Is an authority on the
subject gave me as his opinion that
rs per cent. Of the personal property
IN the city OF Milwaukee escapes taxa
tion and the balance OF the state he
thinks will not differ greatly. In
oorroboration OF this are the figures
given Of property values in Wiscon-
sin by the United States census Of
1890 and a comparison OF these with
the total valuation OF property In the
state The United States census OF
1890 places the total property valuation
in Wisconsin at 1888 208 .533 90. De-
Quoting from this valuation the value
OF the real estat which Is taxable and
the real estate which Ia exempt, there
Ia stilI left balance Of personal prop
erty to the amount OF about s735 000,-
600.
1T is pretty fair to assume that
while the United States census may not
be altogether correct It IS more apt 70
err IN putting the figures below than
above the actual valuation Our own
state REPORTS show that tho total val
u1tion. BY assessors Of ali state prom
erty II Wisconsin for the year 1897,
vas $G2a 725 sos This under
stand. inoludes all real estate not ex-
enipt from taxation and All personal
property. For the aana year the to-
tal valuation. bp soaeors Of tho ner-
soral pfonerty IL the state ls s110,-
0G5 35g 90 81 a littla more than one