Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-01-16

| tration as under Governor Scoheld,
and this without criticism The elab-
crate tables in the new message snow
| ing the comparative per centages OF
real and personal property on winch
taxes are paid Is Mr.. Ericksons work
Governor LaFoIlette's Report
in some ways 1t would have been
well il Governor LaF0llette could
have had before him the full findings
OF the tax commission HIS message
appeared two days after the tax re-
port. The latter, specifically stating
the increased taxes that corporations
should pay, was in Il fair way OF be-
coming the demand of the state and
may yet be. 1t Is moderate de-
mand. The sum of 100000 would be
good deal for you and me TO pay.
but by the time It is divided between
the great st. Paul company, che
Northwestern Railroad company, the
Wisconsin Central and the little
companies, it would not prove very
bitter dose. The Northwestern Mu-
tual Life, which does not begin to deal
In the millions invested that great rail-
road corporations do, had over $780,
600 increase saddled on 1t. with prac-
tically no notice 10 he sure. fierce
effort will be made this winter to
shake 1t off. ut least In part The con
tentiOn OF A. r. IIall in his speech
of two years ago was that the RAN
roads should pay a rIillion dollars in
crease though 10 Je moderate he put
an increase of about $3.50 100000 on
them TO find the tax commission
backing him up, gives him much Joy
Now chen If the governors message
bad been written in the light OF this
report, the combined demand of com
mission and governor would have been
compulsive, and II may be even as 1t
il. There Is this fear, however. that
Governor LaEollette's discussion OF
taxation. opening up especially the
question of the escape from the asses
sor of Intangible property may open
the door for objections that the COM
mission and the governor are not
agreed. The fact Is the tax commission
confined itself to the matter of cor
porations escaping taxation, reasoning
that a beginning must he made some
where as the time would not permit
the commission to cover the whole
field Governor IAFollette. however,
devotes much of his message to the in
teresting subject Of personal property
escaping taxation-whlch. as every
body knows. is u tremendous leakage,
though one most difficult to abtte. 1t
is possible the railroads, when called
on to pay, may plead this evil of per
Sonal property escaping and ask that
the tax commission reform that abuse
as well before the state adopts a more
radical policy of corporation taxation.
There seems TO be some misappFe-
hension as to Governor LaFollette's
idea of the duration of the tax COM
mission. The te~ n of office of the
commissioners II zen years. although
Of course the state may abolish this
system at any time. Governor La
Toilette reasons that merely TO study
and devise a state system need NOT re-
quire so much time. In this he IS
right He takes the ground that the
powers of the commission should I've
materially increased, the commission
to be authorized to examine into the
justice of even local assessments and
machinery employed to punish abuses.
And in his message he says that
with such powers as these. the com
mission would have enough to do to
continue Indefinitely. but without these
added powers its work could be soon
done Because of this misunderstand-
ing; the II -i~touec that commission
expenses he kept down and because he
advises that the statistical work be
transferred to the state bureau of
statistics. and that the commission re-
port to the governor, the impression
Is abroad that the commission as now
operating certainly is not very near
the governors heart.
Other Things in the Message.
The second major topic treated by
Governor LaFollette is primary elec-
lions, and his friends say ny these
paragraphs he has concluded the de-
bate. Certainly the sentiment SO
strong sometime ago is toward giving
the plan trial. Governor LaFollette
touches on a score of topics and teens
with recommendations. His proposal
to put women at work as factory in
spectors, and give item at least one
seat as university regent and normal
school regent makes the Women's
club happy and a good many of us
men. Mrs LaFollette. by the way,
will hold frequent receptions and for
the first time for some administra-
lions the members will be broughtwith-
in social reach. 1t cuts quite a figure
when a distant member brings his
wife and daughters to town and finds
a cozy parlor awaiting them.
Uniform City Government.
Madison is fortunate in its assem-
blyman this year. the young attorney,
Il. Ray Stevens. He has been work.
ing far into the nights on coming leg
islati0n. especially primary election
matters; and when the legislators.
fird him out Che Is a unassumlng mani
he will take his place as one of the
leaders, He has seat near A. X.
Hall. Mr.. Stevens is a typical uni
verSity man in sentiments and
has some ideas on municipal reform.
a subject he has studied abroad. 1t is
expected the primary election bill will
bear his name, and he may undertake
the legislation wanted by the organ.
lied cities association, of which Profess
sor Sparkling is the moving spirit,
There is model charter urged in all
the states. which attempts TO get cit.
les on a uniform basis For instance,
mayors serve two years under this
charter aud half OF the aldermen go
out every two years. the term being
four years. Uniform accounting Is
provided for; with such in general use,
comparative statistics would mean
sotsething.
oRLANHo BURNETT.
Blown to Atoms.
The old idea that the body sometimes
needs a powerful, drastic purgative pill
i..p Id. n..