Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1899-01-18

be placed In this list. The trust companies
are somewhat of an experiment in Wiscon-
Sin, and FeaIizel that Y will be dittieult
item. Bat, until such basis has been
reached. recommend that these companies
be taxed as other companies are. upon the
property they own. Certainly there can be
no Injustice in this: for there Is no reason
why the property of trust company,
where 1t Is accessible, should be exempt
from taxation, more than the property OF
q, lumber company or any similar corpora
tFon.
Tine present system Of taxing insurance
companies Is In many ways unsatisfactory.
The inequality Of the present method can
be understood when II is stated that the
life and fire Insurance companies of Wis
consin, with assets aggregating $4,000,
900. pay but $4,000 In the way OF taxes.
There win ultimately, through tax COM
mission or otherwise, be determined some
just plan for taxing them, but In the mean.
time some of the unreasonable features OF
the present system might be dispensed
with. Under the law now IN force, fees
are collected from agents. as well as from
the companies l am persuaded II would
be wiser, temporarily at least; to abolish
all fees in connection with life. fire. aeci-
dent and casualty companies, except level
license fee upon the gross premium re-
ceipts. measure changing the methods
thus would not reduce In the least the
safeguards now placed around public inter-
ests, while 1t would reduce expenses In
the Insurance department and largely In
crease the states receipts
1t may be found that the proper method
OF taxing Insurance companies Is to charge
a fee upon their gross incomes as is now
done In the case OF railroads.
The Sleeping Car and Express Conn
panies.
In special message transmitted to the
Legislature In 1897, returning without my
approval, for reasons stated therein, bills
taxing sleeping car and express companies
doing business within the state, l took oc-
casion to express my views on the subject
In the following language:
I desire TO call your attention to the impor-
lance OF these measures, and to urge upon you
the necessity for properly enacting both bills
before the adjournment of this session. IL we
are TO maintain In this state righteous system
Of taxation. 1t Is necessary that see to II that
borders, and receiving without discrimination or
stint the full protection Of our laws, shall not
escape paying their just share OF the expenses
OF the government.
here relterate that recommendation.
These companies should contribute through
taxation their fair proportion to the ex-
pense of the state government. That they
do not now do so is obvious. / most ear
nestly commend this subject to your prompt
consideration and action. 1t Is possible that
the best mode of reaching them is through
charge upon their gross earnings within
the state, whether Ii be called license fee
or tax. IL 1t be found that this method
cannot secure from these resident cor
porations a fair amount. there still re-
mains the method Of assessing them by
what Is known as the unit rule which
has been sustained by the Supreme court
of the United States In a case from Ohio.
The history Of attempted legislation upon
this subject impels me to call your atten-
tlon to the importa nee in passing such
measures of observing the requirement of
section of article of the constitution,
which Is as follows:
On the passage in elf ler house of the Legis-
lature of any law which imposes, continues
renews a tax, creates debt charge,
makes, continues or renews an appropriation of
public or trust money, or releases, discharges
commutes a claim demand of the state. the
question shall be taken by yeas and nays. which
shall be duly entered on the Journal: and three
ffths OF ell the members elected TO such house
shall. In all such cases, be required to consti-
tute a quorum therein.
There has been much discussion as to
whether a license fee is OF Is not q tax
within this constitutional provision. 1t is
my belief that 1t is a tax. A bill, there
fore, attempting to tax these companies
20 be efficient, must be enacted In CON
stitutioEal way Certainly common pru.
dence requires that no question of the kind
should be left open, especially as 1t is SO
easily avoided
Treasurer's Statement.
The following statement prepared by the
state treasurer shows the balances In the
several funds in the state treasury at the
close of business December 81, 1893:
& enaral fund lnver-