The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-05-20
Published April 20, 1899.
No. 1856, 81

CHAPTER 2O6.
AN ACT creating the offices Of commits
siOuer and assistant commissioners OF
taxation, and making an appropriation
therefor.
The people Of the state Of Wisconsin, rep
resented in senate and assembly, do enact
as follows:
Section l. In order to secure Improve
mrut in the system ana an equalization Of
taxation in this state, there shall he com
missioner of taxation, first assistant com
missioner and Il second assistant commits
siourr. The governor shall nominate, and
10y and with the consent of the senate At
this session, appoint as such officers, per.
sons known to him to possess knowledge Of
the subject Of taxation and skill IN matters
pertaining thereto, to serve ten years from
S1cIion , The commissioner and each Of
his assistants and any clerk appointed 10y
him. within thirty days after his acceptance
Of such appointment. ana before entering
upon the discharge of his duties, shall take,
subscribe ANA file with the secretary of
state the constitutional oath OF office.
Section ,. The commissioner shall nave
general supervision OF the system OF taxa
tiou throughout this state, shall have power
TO make thorough investigation thereof,
and shall report To the legislature on the
first day Of each regular session the results
of his supervision and Investigations, ANA
shall formulate and recommend legislation
for the Improvement Of the system and for
the equalization of the taxation Of the
state He shall keep in his office public
record Of his acts ana orders, and print
from time To time Tor general circulation,
such information as he may deem proper.
Section 4. In making any Investigation.
he shall have power to require local officers
whose duties pertain 10 the assessment and
collection of taxes, or TO the disbursement
of public funds, L. report to him IN form
yiduals and corporations for Information
hearing upon the subject of taxation, to
examine books and papers, To summon wit
ucSScs to appear and testify and To produce
books and papers before him at time ana
place to be appointed by him, and in case
of the refusal of any person TO obey his
summons. 10 report the same TO the attOr-
nev general. wno shall thereupon institute
proceedings in the proper circuit court 10
compel such obedience. The commissioner
may administer oathS or atiirmations. In
the discretion of the commissioner, fees
may be allowed to witnesses, and on his
certificate, duly audited. paid by the state
treasurer, for attendance ana travelling
provided in section iU6I Of the statutes Of
1895. Auv person t"stitying falsely before
the commissioner shall be guilty of and
Section ) The assistant commissioners
shall perform such duties as the commits
sioucr may prescribe, and in the perform
ance thereof shall exercise, so far as neces-
sary. the power hereby vested in the com
missioner
Section 6. The commissioner shall be
member of and preside at the meetings OF
the state board Of assessment, and snail
lay before the board such Information with
in his possession as in his judgment will
assist in its deliberations.
Section :. The annual compensation OF
the commissioner shall be five thousand dol
lars, OF the first assistant commissioner
ant commissioner three thousand dollars.
and of any clerk or employee in his office,
the sum fixed by him; and no person while
serving as commissioner or either Of his
assistants, or as clerk in his Office shall
hold any other office or position Of trust
or profit or pursue any other business or
ayocation. or serve on or under any com
mittep of any political party.
Section : Rooms in the capitol shall be
set apart for the use and furnished under
the direction Of the commissioner. His
postage, stationery and Office supplies Shall
be provided by the superintendent OF pub
lie property, and his printing done by the
commissioners of the public printing
Section 9. The salaries Of the commits
siouer Of his assistants and clerks their
necessary travelling expenses and all the
other disbursements Of his office shall be
paid out of the state trensuns. as the sal
aries and expenses OF other state officers
are paid. aud a sum sufficient TO carry out
the provisions of this act is hereby appro-
priatcd.
section 10 This act shall take effect and
be in force from and after its passage and
publication.
Approved April 10, 1899.