Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-01-01
OUR MADISON LETTER
Political and Other State Affairs
as Seen by Orlando
Burnett.
MORE ABOUT TAX COMMISSION
Eleventh Story Movement a Divided
Camp 81 the Subject-Small
Town Shipments.

Madison, Wis. Dec. 31.-The politi-
cal situation continues in the same IN
satisfactory state The Milwaukee
sentiners editorial seeming to favor
the work of the state tax commission
and tas reform generally was guarded,
but evidently carefully prepared. It's
claim that the commission was stall
wart creation is good so far as 1t goes,
for Scofeld and Whitehead rocked the
cradle; and there is no doubt that they
and many other stalwarts believed in
the commission and want it to 90 for
ward, wherever it may lead. The fact
seems to be the eleventh story move
ment is a divided camp on this ques-
ton. though, of course, no one cares
to pose publicly as opposing tax re-
form. There is an influential push"
which is specifically opposed to its
.unch of recommendations aud breads
fresh installment, and is vitality in
terested in governor and a Legislature
which win block drastic features, of
which the 100000 a year Increase on
the railroads is a sample.
Senator John Whitehead of James
vile viii talk to the Madison six
O'clock club of taxation on Jan. g.
his first public utterance along this
all-important topic since he and others
broke with Governor LaFollette-and
from the address the state will be ac-
quainted with the feeling of stalwarts
of the Whitehead type toward the tax
commission and its work. The Sen
tinel's editorial was an indecisiye
thing, but Whitehead is always clear
and direct and it may be his speech
win put things In better shape-at
least clarity the atmosphere.
II the stalwarts as a whole could
know that by giving the governor two
more years they would not thereby en-
tail his policies. a legislature of his
views and possible senatorial compli-
cations, Governor LaFollette could
have his second term easily enough.
Much as some Of the stalwarts thirst
for revenge, they shrink under the i'm
putatiou of maintaining the party split
and would be willing to let the gov
ercor have the honor, to which great
numbers think he is entitled. But they
dc not realize his reform projects and
they think if they should allow re-
nomination it would be interpreted as
their overthrow and LaFollette's vim
dication with the attendant likelihood
of the success of all his policies and
his own promotion to higher honors.
Talk of Third Faction.
Not a few men Of the state are shy
of both the factions and there is a
splash of sentiment looking to third
movement, which shall be loyal to and
adyocative chiefly of tax reform land
so escape the snares that may live
along stalwart success) and likewise
obviate the bitterness and distrust
which the stalwarts allege the LaFol-
lette propaganda generates.
A leading Republican of the state,
a wise counsellor, when l called on
him for ali analysis of the situation
and 50 way out" could find nothing
more specific than this:
There is a great fault somewhere,
and leading men in the councils of
the party should expose it and save
the par ty from factionalism which viii
surely prove its overthrow, for no par
~ is strong enough to support two
factions. Find the fault and expose
it,