The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-03-13
Doings at the Great Building where
Laws are Made.
SENATOR o'NEIL TO THE RESCUE
Makes a Vigorous Speech for the Re-Re
ference of the Anti-Cigarette
Measure and His Posi-
ton Wins.
tFrom our own correspondent
Madison, Wis, March II, 1901

MdQlSOn; WIS, MdICn AZ, AooA'
To THE TINES: Another week of
the session has gone into history
and aside from t1e time given to the
consideration of the Stevens bill,
probably one of the most impor tant
during the session, the past week
has seen the discussion of proposed
railway legislation. Legislation rec
commended by the state Tax Com
mission, and suggested by the gov
ernor in his message. That it is a
question of no little Importance is
apparent, because if the proposed
legislation is enacted, it means that
the railroads operating in Wisconsin,
will be compelled to pay in taxes
something like $3.50, GOO more than
they are now paying. AS further
evidence of it's importance, I might
mention, that before the committee,
having these bills in charge, has
appeared the ablest corporation
counsel in the country. Argument
has clashed with argument; debates
and discussions have occupied after
noon and evening, and the exposi-
ton on taxation that was concluded
yesterday afternoon, | venture to
say has lever before been witnessed
an the Wisconsin legislature; every
feature of taxation was discussed,
every phase covered.
The bills recommended by the Tax
commission propose a change in
railway taxation in Wisconsin.
They propose the adoption of the
ad valorem system now in vogue.
The scheme suggested by the tax
commissioners is one that is being
tried in Michigan, Illinois and Min
nesota, aid the advocates of these
measures, claim that under it, rail
road property has been compelled.
to bear it's just share of the taxes of
the state, while under the license
system the amount collected is far
below what it should be, according
to the taxable property OF the state.
The railroads claim that the methods
employed by the commission in
ascertaining the value of railway
property were unjust, and that we're
they compelled to pay according to
the figures as compiled by the COM
mission, they would be paying more
than their just share. They pointed
out the enormous amount of person
al property in the state that is year
lv escaping taxation, and that were
this returned honestly and fairly, it
would be found thai the railroads
are bearing a just proportion of the
taxes OF the state; that the system
would prove expensive and that in
the returns made by assessors they
would be Disseminated against,
while Judge Gibson and Mr. Curtis
did not appear before the committee
in the interest Of the particular
bills, they defended their report and
advised some legislation which
should secure to the state more
revenue from this source It was
expected that Mr.. Hall, the great
exponent of taxation in the assem-
bly, would appear before the com
mittee ia behalf of these bills; | I'M
derstand be has decided to make his
# ght upon the floor Of the lower
house. WHAT the joint committee
will do with these two bills, at pres
ent is hard to say. There seems to
be difference of opinion, and when
the report does come it will probab-
ly embody to a majority and minor
ity.
The accusations that have been
hurled against the administration,
and the ardent supporters of the
Primary Election bill, to the effect
that no other bill would be con-
seidered save the original Stevens