Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-01-23
OUR MADISON LETTER
Primary Election Law OF a Char
acter That Is Not Too
Sweeping.
HALL rs CLOSE TO La TOILETTE
upholds Governor at All Points-Dunn
Couny Man Rene~s His Railroad
Commission Bill,


Ter is before the legislature and it will
probably be rushed. New members
are more amenable to leadership OF
the start of the session than they will
be later. While some of the best
men. even leaders, are skeptical as to
the principle, refusing 10 believe that
the political convention is wholly OBJ
jectionable, yet the disposition is to
pass some sort Of law. The Stevens
bill is not as radical as some sup
posed.
Tax Measures Soon Coming.
The report of the tax commission Is
generally approved. Some comment
has been made as to Governor La Fol
lette's recommendation in connection
with the commission, but Assembly
man Halls confidence and assurance
that the executive is in hearty SYM
patty with the plan of the commits
sion in securing tax legislation of a
reform character hSg clarified the sit
uation. The law erecting the com
mission indica's that that body
should formu' ee bills to crystalize
its recomms .rdations and measures
are looked for from this quarter,
working in cooperation with the ad-
ministration.
Mr.. Hart tells me he will pu, in his
veteran bin establishing the rail Cad
commission in this state las in Iowa.
ami he expects it to pass the assem-
bly, certainly. There is considerable
fault found with the freight rates in
different parts Of the state. and not
long ago the Milwaukee business men
Were organized to get fairer basis.
Farmers Need Not Complain.
The state tax commission IS not the
only reform body of the so at work
In Eau Claire county a special body
appointed by the county judge has re
viewed the equalization of 1899, the
city of Eau Claire being favored by
having its valuation cut a million dol
lars. The other cities of the county
were likewise favored. the valuation
of all towns but one being increased
the total real and personal property Of
the county subject to taxGtion Is fig-
ured at nearly $9000.0OO. The result
emphasizes the point often made that
when al the talk of bondholders and
plutocrats rs fax dodgers Is concluded
the farmers are getting on as comfort
ably In the matter Of tax paying as
anybody
examination Preeedes Marriage.
The bill TO regulate marriage at
tracts a good deal of interest. w. l..
Woodward. the La Crosse attorney
who IL drawing the bill. gets some
ideas from the Ohio statute. Rough
ly speaking, there viii be three phys
icians In each county as a board to
pass on applications
Mr.. Woodward writes me:
Regarding the regulation of this
sacred relation, that something should
be done along this line IL evident to
any one who has given any thought
TO hered1ty. LSu stock breeder Sc
iects with ereaf care the animals
which he win :; earth. earthly.
"It IS urged b. some that the state
should not fnte with the liberties
of It's people In ts matter. Surely
the state should protect itself. The
results OF marriage between parties
afflicted with certain hereditary or
loathsome diseases sooner or later be-
come charges upon the state; so II any
of these can be prohibited, the state
Is Immediately tn. gamer.
Idiot Childeen on the Farm
IL would seem thar such legislation
should be enacted as to provide for a
board Of medical examiners whose
DUTY 1t shall be TO pass upon all ap-
plications for license marry: and in
case any Of the following diseases be
found, license be refused Dipso-
mania, true insanity. hereditary insau-
ty or insanity resulting from vice or
drugs; primary, secondary or tertiary
stages OF specific diseases, hereditary
tubercuiosis or consumption.
Provision should be made for ap-
peal from the local board to the state
board OF health.
Such an act would, I believe. re-
suit Ia better manhood and less mis-
sry and suffering.
Something should be done along
Ehis line at once"
Senator Villas Regency.
Governor La Toilette must appoint
university regent soon. the term of
Senator Villas expiring. The present
executive committee of three is made
up Of gold-Democrats aud the law
school faculty contains a strong bias
Of gentlemen OF the same political
faith. although some OF them are prac-
tically Republicans. This fact is ia the
minds Of some Of the more aggressive
Republicans and il will he interesting
TO see how Governor La Toilette re-
CARDS the status quo Ex-senator ".
las services are regarded as very valu-
able TO the big school.
Professor Henry, the head OF the az
rfcultural end OF tEc university, is
brushing up acquaintance with the
members, but he will not have to work
30 hard this year TO get what the uni
versity wants. A new building for
his department, to cost $4,000. with
$4,000 for equipment; $1,000 for
commercial museum for the new col
iege OF comm rec and increase for far
mers' institute uses of $4,000 to S16,-
600. are the requests FOR this year.
What People Ask.
Every daily session opens with petit
Cons on familiar topics. The Winnie.
bago county board. which has way
OF asking things from the legislature
as body. wants spring shooting OF
game resumed. Every day there are
petitions from different sources asking
the same ching. Many hunters, how
ever, object, saying the effect Is TO
exterminate the game The five~year
prohibition OF quail-kllfng concludes
this year and has been a great sue
ceS~. II VIII be extended IL I1apy ne
titiVns are needed Many merchants
are hhrI after q reduction in the
amount Of wages exempt from gar
ntsnsns@s from $50 to $50. As ii Is, O
hborsng man who owes bis grocer is
protected Il his wages to the extent
o. $50 ollth. and Of course many
OF Them earn less than this, SO the
merchant may whistle for ilis claim.
New measures are coming in every
Gay One Increases the bounty on a