Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-02-25
WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE.

anc0 law is TO UO mOuluOu duu pOl-
lions Of it repealed SO as to giye the
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
company of Milwaukee relief from
what the officers of that company
have contended was an unjust tax.
The tax commission has prepared
bill introduced in both houses taxing
all such Wisconsin companies per
cent. on business they transact in this
state instead of as. at present 1 per
cent on business wherever done.
Retaliatory legislation by other states
is discouraged by taxing foreign COM
panies upon the license fee plan. Sen
ator O'Neil wants the members of
the legislature paid larger sum for
their service He believes that in
stead of $500 for the session they
should receive $1,000. Accordingly
he introduced a joint resolution pro-
posing an amendment to the constitu-
ton to that effect.
An important bill was introduced
in the assembly by Mr.. Franklin John.
son. 1t provides for the submission to
popular vote of questions which state
political conventions may propose, not
to exceed three biennially by any one
party, or the submission may be &C.
complished if 2 per cent. Of the elect
ors petition for it. The questions
shall not exceed 20 words each. It
contemplates the initiative ralner than
the referendum in regard to legisla-
ton. Other bills introduced were:
By Mr.. Spratt, providing that all per-
sonal property shall be assessed in the
district where located" instead OF
where the owner resides" and by Mr..
Owen, authorizing cities of the third
and fourth classes to levy special
taxes of mills Gnstead of 1 mill as
now for school purposes. A senate
resolution in honor Of T. D. Weeks,
who died at Whitewater, Feb. II, was
concurred in by rising vote.
| Madison, Feb. 14.-The joint resolu-
ton from the assembly in the form of
memorial to congress asking for
constitutional amendment for the
election of United States senators by
a direct vote of the people was con-
CURED in without discussion By the
senate, bill Of Importance was that
of Senator Stout relative to com
pulsory education The senator would
make a failure to send children be-
| tween the ages of Z and IA years to
! school for at least three months of the
school year a misdemeanor punish
able by fine Of not less than 81 nor
more than $40. Senator Miller pre-
sented a measure which measure con.
fers upon the board Of supervisors of
Dane county the power to make ap-
preparations for permanent improve
ments on the county fair grounds. A
report of the commissioners of public
lands was submitted and referred to
the committee on public lands. OF
the claims of Sank and Columbia coun-
| ties for money due them from the
sale of swamp lands the commission
ers say there is nothing in them.
The assembly by vote of SO to 36
ordered to third reading Mr.. Len
roots resolution for constitutional
amendment permitting cities to raise
taxes to the amount of 10 per cent. OF
the assessed valuation for the purpose
of public utilities The limit is now
5 per cent. The Overlook bill re-
curing license of 10 cents a ton to
be paid to the state on all ice shipped
out and each outside company to also
pay $40 license to the state for the
privilege of cutting ice occasioned
some debate and was finally laid over.
Mr.. Sturdevant declared the proposed
act as probably unconstitutional be-
cause It laid an export duty-a power
reserved to congress-. But Mr.. Over
| beck insisted it was not tax but
| license Mr.. Miner introduced a
memorial asking Wisconsin congress
men to oppose the ship subsidy bill.
On Mr.. Halls motion it went over for
the day. Mr.. Duerfwaechter intro
duced bill compelling railway COM
panies to issue transferable 1000
mileage books at 2 cents a mile, and
demanded immediate consideration,
but no action was taken. The house
! killed the bill introduced by Mr.. E.
". Evans which permits every farmer
who maintains Nlblic watering
| trough a $25 annual rebate on his road
tax A committee had returned an
amendment reducing the amount to
$40, but Mr.. Benson declared the pres
ent SIS rate enough, saying that the
proposed law would take Is per. cent.
| from the road taxes. The more i'm
portant of the bills introduced were:
By Mr.. Barker, forhidding marriage
within year after divorce; by Mr.
Smalley, changing the official ballot
/ by requiring Pinch space at top of
each column in which shall be placed
| the party designation, and under that
the names of the candidates for presi-
| dent and vice president and under
that circle (now senare) in which
to make a cross if a straight ticket is
voted;- by Mr.. Benson, adding wild
barley to the list Of noxious weeds; by
Mr. J. c. Williams, authorizing the
governor to extend guard encamp
ments from to 10 days; and by Mr..