The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1901-06-21
New Laws Discussed and Disputed.


county law is to be contested by lum-
bermen and others who do not like the
extra taxation that follows ON new
county offices and new public build
ings. This fight is usually made when
ever a new county is set up. Both the
points made by the contestants, name
ly, the dividing of legislative district
and the naming in advance of the
county seat, were discussed by the
governor in his communication accom-
panying the signed bill. Able lawyers
have been chosen on both sides and no
doubt they at least will get something
out of it.
Laundry Work and the Farm.
Assemblyman Frost (who is asso-
ciated with mortgage taxation) went
home from the legislature to work up
something new and possibly something
big. He would have steam laundries
established in connection with creamer-
les and cheese factories There is pow
er enough, and as for management, it
might be cooperative under one wo-
man, who should hire her help.
Many assessors announce that they
propose to follow the instructions of
the Madison tax commission, and
value property at it's selling mark.
Hitherto property has been assessed
at anywhere from 40 per cent to Is
per cent, according to locality and the
practice of the local assessor. People
who scOld the tax commission for it's
instructions should remember that the
law of the state has long provided for
assessment at full value, as do the
laws of most states. There is nothing
new in the situation except a determ-
nation to initiate the practice as in
tended by law. If everybOdy's prop
erty was assessed at full value it
would be an advantage to the tax
payer for then he could prove in
justice if he felt he was taxed too
much. He would simply have to show
that he was taxed more for his prop
erty than he could sell it for; whereas
now on a basis, say of 60 per cent.
assessment, he must make compari-
sons with many other pieces of prop
erty. This is so difficult to do, that tax
payers rarely resist. The promise of
full tax list is attractive, says Sen
ator Munson in his paper (VirOQuo):
''The laws are little changed from
past years, but they have not been
observed heretofore. What a splendid
showing would he made for Vernon
county if its tax rolls gave a valuation
Of $16,OOO,00O instead of one-fOurth
Of that amount as now assessed and
capitalized. The per cent of tax on
an average would then be about one
fourth what it now isl
Schools and Library Work.
Marathon and Dunn counties have
led the way in county normal schools
for the training of district school
teachers. They already report success.
These same counties are already pre-
county schools of agriculture and do
nestle economy.
Schools and libraries are closely re-
lated. The date of the meeting of the
American Library association at Wau-
kesha is July $40 On July an ex-
cursiOn to Madison will occur with
free lunch and ride provided by the
citizens and some 800 visitors are eX-
pected. The motto Of the association
is THE best reading, for the largest
number, at the least cost" This is
somewhat at variance with President
Gilman's John Hopkins advice. De-
Iloring the ''era of Carnegie-too
much reading" don't read too much,''
Gilman advises, ''but study the art of
thinking" There is no inconsistency.
Gilman belongs to a contingent who
read too much and public libraries are
addressed to the rank and file of
Americans who read too little
Gilman is right about the value of
more thinking. A friend of mine was
passing along the street when he saw
an Irishman whom he had known a
lifetime leaning on his shovel and
wiping his forehead. why is it,
Pat?' the friend asked, why is it
that you and L who have worked so
hard, and so long, and so faithfully
have not made more of a success?
Some of our old mates who didn't
have half our brains have reaped the
bigger rewards"
Faith" was the reply, I'VE haven't
spent time thinking
There is a good deal in that. Hard
work is not to be discredited, but some
Of the time should be reserved for
planning that less work may be neces-
sary; or that the same results may be
achieved and more with time left for
something beside sleep.
Attempts are being made to enforce
Indian school attendance. The Wash