The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1903-12-04
Can Judge Baensch Wean LaFol-
!ette Menu
GOSSIP at THE CAPITOL CITY
Division of Insurance Surplus a Ma
tional Question Corn Alone
Bigger Than Dairy Interest.

of his father-in-law, a man of ad-
vanced years in his last sickness. The
mention of his name is received with
good words from every side. though
many Of the LaFollette men say that
the logic of the situation demands
that the governor and no one else
shall carry the banner. In his mani
festo Judge Baensch will discuss the is
sues. He has belief in the primary
election principles. Some of the stall
warts do not relish this but as to this
issue Judge BaenSch is a moderate.
The people are to vote on the program
year from last month; and while
so drastic and revolutionary change
in the nomination system should never
have been devised-rather a more
gradual Introduction; yet those who
believe in the principal that direct vote
has merit can hardly be asked to vote
against the bill submitted to the peo-
pie. Railroad taxation is provided for;
there is no issue there. AS to freight
rate commission, Senator SpOoner is
known to favor such enactment, and
when such a conservative leads the
way, there can scarce be any objection
in any quarter. Judge Baensch will
probably meet Governor LaFollettes
program at this point, differing no
doubt, as to details. All in ali, rough
ly speaking, Judge Baensch is familiar
with Governor LaFollette's way of
looking at things and, while he is a
moderate, he is probably more Of
half-breed than stalwart. This
means political strength for him. Thus
his law partner, Mr.. Kelly, has been
the LaFollette leader in ManitowOc
county. The fact is some of the most
aggressive stalwarts have not BEEN
markedly enthusiastic over the Baensch
proposal, though Senator Spooner saw
what seemed to him the wisdom of the
candidacy early. Judge Baensch has
many close friends among the high
LaFOllette officehOlders and political
leaders. Some Of them have written
urgent personal letters dissuading him
from making the run. The candidacy
of Mr.. Cook, the eX-congressman of
Neenah, confuses the situation. The
stalwarts are afraid of it for they do
not believe his delegates would be
turned over to Baensch, if needed, as
against Governor LaFollette, and yet
it does not appear that the state adj
ministration altogether relishes Mr..
Cooks vigorous efforts. We shall all
know more when the governor declares
his own plans.
Equitable Insurance Case.
We are all interested in the attempt
->F IVc,
Cores +he hig insurance companies to
divide up their SURPRISES among policy
holders. Thirty-seven companies are
affected. Attorney Julius Roehr be-
lieves that the decision will cause a
division among policy holders of sur
pluses amounting to $300,0O0,0O0, and
it is said the Northwestern Mutual
alone will have to divide a surplus of
over $5,0OO,0C0 on what are known as
tontine policies. This class of policies
will be most affected by the decision.
Under the statue, construed as it is
by Mr.. Host, there must be a division
on these policies every five years. The
Northwestern Mutual now makes a
division on them every twenty years.
On application of the Equitable,
some other judge than f. Ray Stevens
Of Madison. will hear the case 1t is
attracting national attention
Extent of nairy Interests.
1t is not strange that the dairy in
dustry is SO much in the public eye; it's
dimensions are tremendous. In figures
it is $500, 100000. It far surpasses the
value of cotton, $500. 100000, and is
second only to the value of corn pro-
duced, $S2S, 25S,326. 1t will surprise
some to know that the annual value of
hogs ($500,O00,000) approaches it; but
wheat is behind ($37O,O00,000): it is
greater than the value of all the hay
and forage, $4S4 ,256, SAG; it is greater
than the value of all the meat cattle
slaughtered, $419,455. 200.
Teaching Young People Farming.
The pushing of agriculture to the
trent as study liz the schools is a
marked feature of the times. The
reasoning is that as the farm is the
base Of our industries, and notably so
as to export trade, tilling of the soil
must be dignifed and every American.
even if he does not intend to be a
farmer. should know the processes
Not only in Wisconsin and in the west
is the new study being added, but in
the east. The Mt. Vernon (Moody)
school announces such instruction.
The school has for some time had a
farm of about 1000 acres, which is
carried on quite largely with student
labor. Pupils are expected to work
aborTe fifteen hours week. There is
at present a diary Of about 200 cows,
and fruit orchards Of considerable
proportions together with a cannery
for putting up vegetables, especially
tomatoes, peas and corn. An agricul-
tural department will be organized into
divisions for horticulture, dairying and
field work; and courses will be offered
in different branches of agriculture.