The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1903-01-09

attorneys former speaker Ira b.
Bradford of Eau Claire county; Ole
| G. Kinney- of Dunn county, who sue
ceeds Mr.. Hall, and S. f. Verbeck
of Lodi, Columbia county; Mr.. J. S.
| Donoald, another of Dane cOunty'S
men.
Spooners Reelection.
It seems to be generally accepted
| that Senator Spocner will be hand
somely reelected without opposition.
No one is innocent enough to believe
this will be relished in all circles; but
with three-fourths of the members
pledged to him, the event cannot now
we'll fail. The fractional cleavage in
the party is still pronounced, and the
fight will go on; but it is more covert
now, and, as an Irishman would say,
the loud abuse is more of q low grum-
die.
A whOoping administration victory
over the speakership, if the lines were
closely drawn and the fight acknOWl-
edged to be fractional, would no doubt
lead to fresh Inflammation; but I do
not now know of anyone who expects
other than Senator Spooner's return.
1t will mean the beginning of his third
term, and that completed will mean
eighteen years service.
Work of the Session.
There are three topics of legislation
will press to the front from the start,
and the general impression is that it
will be an eventful five months. There
will be primary election bill, but
just now the talk is of taxation and
especially Of railroad commission.
AS for primary elections the expecta-
ton is for one of two things, either
sweeping measure, with a referendum
clause, thus allowing the people to de-
eide whether this policy of nomination
shall be set up in the state, OF there
will be a moderate measure enacted,
perhaps including nominations of all
officers below congressman to be made
by the direct vote. Some hold that in
view of state sentiment at present. as
q result of the four years of education
al campaign, such measure can be
enacted. It is a great modification Of
| the original Stevens bill, which pro-
posed to put all offices on a primary
election nomination basis; but it would
yet be far-reaching measure il it in
cludes all state senator's and assembly
men. Others hold that while such a
bill can get through the assembly. the
senate will be found opposed to it now
as two years ago. In fact, it is in
the upper body that the governor will
find his difficulties in all his reform en-
deavOrs.
| The Subject of Freight Rates.
But to return to taxation. The tax
commission, having been set up and at
work, it appears to many that a rail
road commission is a necessary sup
plement to it, and a strong effort will
be made to establish such q body this
winter to fix railroad rates. Of this
| Governor LaFollette is reported heart
lily in favor.
! The reasoning is this: 1t does no
! good merely 10 raise taxes on railroads
! assuming that they should pay more),
! for the companies merely recOup them
selves from the public. by increasing
freight rates. A state commission must
have authority to limit freight rates to
make them reasonable and just, then,
| like the darkey's bear trap, the state
catches the railroad 'both coming and
! going" One writer puts this way:
What good does it do to add to the
! tax burden of a railroad when by in
structions' to raise freight rates even
| one-tenth of 4 mill per ton per mile,
the company can recoup itself in few
weeks" ~.< - @@ >r...%e%3
1t is seriously maintained by some
| that in this state rates are from 30
| to 35 per cent. higher than in Iowa,
| where there is a tax commission.
| There are also commissions in Mime
sofa. Illinois New York and Massachu-
sets. 1t was Mr. HALLS contention
year after year that Wisconsin should
establish a board to review and con-
troll rates. but he never could get any
! considerable response from his fellow
! members.
Of course, such an important extern
sion of the state service cannot be ac-
\
twill be urged that the $4,000 annual
expense of the state rtaxgcommission
is now to be supplemented by an addi-
tional outlay of an equal amount.
There will be the usual talk of more
political appointees." The railroads
will remind the people of what liber-
al taxes they already pay-and it GER
tainly makes handsome showing.
The friends Of the measure will prom
Use to save the state from $5,000,0O0 to
| $10,0000O0 a year in freight rates.
Big Shippers Oppose Commission.
1t is q big topic. One of the most
pertinent phases is the opposition of
many big shippers to any sort of rail-
road commission. The manufacturers
/ are afraid of it. 1t was they who held
| a meeting in Madison at the last ses-
sion and banded against Halls bill.