Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-04-27
FAT JOBS In SIGHT
TAX COMMISSION LAW AND ITS
MAIN PROVISIONS.
STRONG MEN MENTIONED
Legislative Session Yet Some Distance
from the End-Many Notable
Measures Still Pending-Big Fight
for and Against the Taxing Bills
Work Done and to Do.

for the statement that the Wisconsin
legislature so far from being able to
conclude its labOrS this week may find
it difficult to bring about an adjourn
ment even next week That will make
the session an unusually long one as
well as a most notable one. Some
complaint is heard throughout the
state over the length of the session
and the apparent dilatoriness charac-
teriZing the proceedings. But this
session promises to prove one of far
more than ordinary Importance. The
demands of the platform of the party
in power has made it incumbent upon
this legislative body to address itself
to legislation and reforms that should
long ago have received attention and
the attitude of the body seems to be
to hearken to the voice of the people
and to leave no needed work undone or
to shift esponsibilities upon future
legislators. The present legislature
will doubtless go down in the annals
of the state as notable chiefly for the
taxation legislation enacted. No past
body ever dealt with so many large
and difficult measures of this nature
thinking men are approving its course
in going slow in these important mat
tiers. Every effort has been made to
harmonic the conflicting elements
and to secure laws that would effect
the end desired and stand the test
of the courts. Considering the large
and far-reaching measures of this kind
congratulation that scracely a whisper
of corruption or subservience to cor
porations has been heard.
That the hope of being able to ad-
jOurn this week is futile is made ap-
parent by the large number of bills
still in hand and the fact that the gov
ernor must be given three days in
which to pass upon measures before
adjournment. In addition to many
minor bills still in the hands of COM
mittees or tied up in one or other Of
the houses there are still left for dis
posal the important measures of rail
way taxation, the Orion life insurance
tax bill, the street railway bills, the
anti-pass bill, the general fish and
game bill, the True marriage license
bill, the university appropriation
measure, the bill fixing 2-cent pas
senger rate on railroads, and the bill
apprOpriating a million and quarter
dollars to the charitable and penal in
situations of the state. Every one of
these is likely to provoke considerable
debate and be subject to amendments
debarring passage which assures a
session of at least two weeks more.
Attempts to introduce substitutes to
a number of these measures are sure
to be made. Thus Senator Hatton has
drawn one for the Orion bill taxing
life insurance companies. 1t provides
for taxing policies only in force in
Wisconsin and it is said will raise a
tax of S175,000 whereas the orion bill
now before the senate it is estimated
would raise S224,000. The Milwaukee !
Mutual company at
whom the measure is aimed has made
desperate efforts to defeat it and |
should that seem futile will support |
the Hatton measure in preference.
The most important measure to be- !
come law last week was that Great
ing a state tax commission Of three
members to serve ten years at sal |
airy of $4,000, $4,000 and $4,000 a year, |
respectively. Its mission will be to
secure improvement" in the taxing |
and equalization systems Of the state, |
to have general supervision" of taxa
ton and to make a thorough inyesti- |
cation thereof" Furthermore it is to
make a report to each legislature and |
recommend legislation. The duties are
most responsible and honorable ana |
already strong men are being men |
toned in connection with the posi-
TONS 1t is conceded that at least one
democrat will be named and the pur- |
have a commission of such dignity and |
ability that it will command the great |
est respect and confidence. Among |
the names suggested are those of ex-
Congressman Michael Griffin of Eau |
Claire, Attorney K. KEENAN, and Tax
Commissioner Thomas Brown of Mil
Waukee, John M. Olin, Gen. E. E. Bry-
ant, D. K. Tenney, ex-Congressman
Burr w. Jones and H. L. Butler of
Madison and er-Lieutenant Governor
Emil Baensch Of Manitowoc
Some Of these gentlemen, how
ever, would not accept the ap-
pointment. The law requires the gof-
hnt
present legislature adjourns. Besides
their salaries the commissioners will |
have all expenses paid, be entitled to
name clerks, call witnesses, administer
oaths, etc., etc. E. G. Mullen, state |
timber agent, may, it is said, be made
secretary of the commission. The
chances are very strong that Mr.. Ken
nan will fill the second place on the
He is a gold democrat. |
The indications are that Griffin will |
head it and Baensch be the third man.
Among the bills of considerable in
terest that were killed last week were |
the Harvey bill to abolish the office OF
superintendent OF schools, the |
Sheridan drive bill, the bill appropri- |
atting $4,000 to the w. c. T. Z. home |
for unfortunate women, the bill to al
low pool-selling on races and the beet
sugar bounty bill. A desperate fight |
was made for the bounty measure and |
many farmers of southern Wisconsin
feel deeply its defeat
The conference committee appointed |
has drawn and submitted a substitute /
for the bill to abolish the land Office. |