The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1901-04-05

DotUKen this thing. 1t does not appear
that any one will aim to destroy the
4 tax commissioner is too Hate in the
session to start that crusade, which
is not even whispered; but rather to
discredit it's findings and as al
! ways, to urge delay until the COM
mission ferrets out the facts of person
al property escaping taxation. The
alignment on railroad taxation differs
at many points from that on the pri
mary election bill, and we shall have
the curious spectacle of some of the
people strenuously opposed to the Ste
| yens bill-among them legislators and
| influential county editors-lining up
! with the LaFOllette administration to
carry out the tax commissions recon-
mendations as to making railroads
pay some 100000 more taxes. La
FOllette's message furnished some
material for the railroad lawyers and
will no doubt be used by the opposi-
ton on the floor in debate, but this
material is regarded by most Of us as
uniformed, or perhaps misconstrued-
at all events, Governor LaFollette
wants some tax reform to show the
people as the fruit of the first year OF
his administration and there will be
struggle to reap it-of this there
can be no doubt.
Speaking of railroad matters, the
anti-pass resolution submitting the
matter to the people is not yet in
sight. 1t can scarcely be voted down
when it does appear, though there are
plenty who wish it might be. There
are those who prefer to believe it can
be defeated at the polls on the theory
that all local officials and politicians
will work against it, and the mass OF
citizens neglect to vote, as they usually
do on constitutional amendments. This,
however, is incOmprehenSible to me.
The mass of people will vote to a
man against officeholders enjoying
free passes-just as they would
against raising salaries.
Work of Geological Survey.
The geological survey work Is threat
ened by the senate claims committee.
1t has had $4,000 since the last ses-
sion and this year wanted ST., 800. The
report, however, cuts it down to So,
900. This work is under Acting Presi
dent Birge Of the state university and
keeps four men constantly busy, and
others part of the time. If the appro-
priation is cut down it means that
little but office work can be done. 1t
will be a blow to the southwest part
Of the state, where investigation is go
ing forward in the lead and zine re-
gion and will especially stop the in
vestigation into clays. road construc-
i ton material, Portland cement, the
mapping out of the geology of central
! Wisconsin and other important work.
Not long ago there was an enthusiastic
convention of brickmakerS in Madison
and they and other commercial inter-
ests are insistent that the experts be
kept busy In the northeastern part
of the state are mari deposits which
it is thought can be used in making
Portland cement Data Of we'll Dor
ings have been collected. A nephew Of
General Grant and bearing his name,
has been at work on copper in Douglas
county. The maps of inland lakes are
familiar and valued by fishermen, as
we'll as by scientists. The depth OF
every part is given. There have been
! ten Of these maps covering sixty lakes.
A number Of bulletins will soon be is
sued and these should have weight
with the lawmakers.
We have heard much about trusts
! during this session, but northern
| Wisconsin is said to be worried about
! an alleged corner in coal and Mr.. Len
! root of West Superior has a measure
! aimed at the same. Judge d. E. Rob-
erts wants to talk in favor of the bill.
| Insanity and Divorce.
! We have two divorce bills and that
subject always interests people. Mr..
Barker, the ex-Methodist clergyman of
Milwaukee, wants to prevent divorced
people from remarrying within one
year, and the assembly talked
about it for an hour the other day,
/ and finally delayed it's conclusion. For
many years the subject has been agi-
tated as to whether married people
! who have partners hopelessly insane
should be allowed a divorce with right
to remarry. To most people the prop
ositiOn is shocking and yet the assem-
bly, judiciary committee is divided on
the subject, five for the bill and five
against 1t is no doubt a hardship to
compel such people to go the rest of
| life's journey alone, and yet there are
some situations in life which cannot
be relieved until death. When the
marriage words are spoken For bet
! ter or for worse" it is supposed to in
! clude mental break-downs as well as
less of bodily health or wreck of fort
une The status of a divorced wife
and mother under such a law, if in
! telligent enough las many insane peo-
pie are), to take in situation like
! that is pathetic enough; but for wife
! thus cast out, to recover her mind and
again be thrown on the world is
sorrow and shame that one does not
care to long consider.
Senator McGillivray is, of course
| much disappointed that his move
failed to revise the constitution so
that state aid may be granted to good
roads work. There was a tremendous
pressure from the great associations
of road improvement enthusiasts, and
the state and national platforms are
committed to the McGillivray propo-
sition. The senate, however, killed it,
the fear being that lawmakers would
log roll, each district getting bunch
of money for new roads, much as the
| river and harbor bill is made up-and
a costly budget it is.
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