The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-15
TAX and ELECTIONS
Principal Themes Discussed by La
Toilette in His Biennial Legis-
lative Message.
Spooner Unanimous Choice Of the
Caucus to Succeed Himself
in the Senate. @'~
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal = |
Madison, Wis. Jan. 15.-No business was
transacted by either house Of the legis1a-
ture to-day. This afternoon both houses
met in joint session in the assembly
chamber to receive the governors mes
sage, which was read by Governor La
Toilette in person.
The assembly had a ten-minute session
this morning, at which a resolution Of
sympathy was adopted for Assemblyman
r. Ainsworth, Of Merton, Waukesha
county, whose wife was found dead in bed
this morning.
The senate met at 80 and at 2 the two
houses met together to receive. the mes
sage.
Governor La Toilette devotes much
space to matters pertaining to railway
taxation and the control of freight rates
in Wisconsin, Regarding the subject of
railway taxation, he says:
You will soon be in possession of the
report Of the tax commission. 1t repre-
sents nearly four years of labor by the
able members of that body without bias
prejudice, prompted solely by the desire
conscientiously to discharge high official
obligation. I am confident you will place
that reliance upon the work Of this COM
mission that the public has already sealed
with it's approval. If the Inauguration
Of the investigation of this subject by the
commission was in good faith, then in
good faith those for whose guidance its
work was planned are bound to give heed
to it's findings and recommendations.
TN determining that we should Rban-
don the license fee system of railroad tax
alton in Wisconsin,, the commission will
| simply reaffirm the declaration made two
years ago that the license fee system
would be superseded by a more scientific
method of railway taxation" 5rt-:}@t.
Many tables Of comparative freight
rates -:of railroads in Wisconsin, Illinois
and Iowa are given, showing that Wis
consin shippers are compelled to pay
exorbitant rates.
upon the necessity of the establish
ment of a commission to protect the ship
ping interests Of Wisconsin," the gov
! ernor says; there would seem to be no
! need of argument: The. rates in them
selves make the demand stronger than
any form Of words can. express It. - '* -
Il The governor renews his recommends
ton for the enactment of a primary cleo
ton law, saying:
II submit that it is not for us to de-
termine what shall be the scope of a law
to nominate candidates by direct vote.
This has been settled by the people of
Wisconsin, to whom the matter has been
referred and referred again. They have
determined that all candidates for state,
Legislative congressional and county Of
fees shall be nominated at a primary
election upon the same day by direct vote
under the Australian ballot" @~
On the subject of trusts the governor
says: "In consideration Of the experience
and examples afforded by legislation or
this subject in other states, I desire tt
emphasize for your attention the impor.
lance of providing most specifically the
form and manner for enforcement of such
laws as you may enact for the epreven.
, tion of illegal combinations within ths
state, to restrain the operations in this
state by such combinations organized
elsewhere. and fer, the punishment of vie.
lators of such laws" '-"f - ". "'<~
i The governor strongly urges the enact.
ment of a law against the paid lobbyist.
| The governor urges the enactment O
law that shall make it an offense, pun
ishable by the heaviest penalty and b.
Imprisonment as well, for any lobby agen
or lobby representative employed and pal,
for his services by others to attempt per
sonally and directly to influence any mem
Der of the legislature to vote for or agains
any measure affecting the interests repre-
scented by such lobbyist
Both ouses will adjourn till next week
probably till Tuesday, to give Speake
Lenroot opportunity to make up his com
mittees. 1t is understood that Fran
! Cady of Grand Rapids will be the leade
on the assembly floor. 1t is also probabl
that Wallace M. Andrew Of Superior, ON
| of the governors strong supporters, wi
| be given the Craftsmanship of the as
| sembly committee on privileges and cleo
tons, which will have charge of tn
primary bill. e.: .e.s --E-a5ss ~ =. =