The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1903-03-13

ASSURANCE COMMISSIONER HOST.
VOcate of diligence and is securing
some Saturday sessions. By the way,
there has been some pleasant talk of
this gentleman for gOvernOr-a post
with which he for years has been as
ISOLATED in the public mind. 1t is re-
marked that the administration is very
courteous to the gentleman from Eau
Claire county" but, no doubt, he is
wise enough to base himself on the
support of all the people.
Primary Election Bill Later.
The effort to get the primary elec-
ton bill to The front at once in the
senate failed and it lies fallow until
March 26. There has been much said
as to the obligations of members to
enact the bill just as it is without
any exercise of discretion or amend
ment, on the theory that the state plat
form says so. 1t is a mooted Ques-
ton, how far Il member surrenders his
power and duty to legislate, in view of
binding pledges. We all know that as
regards Senator Spooner the drastic
party platform broke down because it
did not fairly voice the will of the
people behind it, Senator Rogers of
Milwaukee expressed in good spiri.
the reasoning of the members who in
sisted the measure should be thought
fully considered and by a vote of %
to 4, the delay was ordered 1t cannot
be regarded as a ''victory'' for either
side except to show that the senate.
unlike the assembly, is more disposed
to be independent than the assembly
which passed the measure off-hand
AS there is much curiosity as to the
fractional lines in the senate the test
vote was really on the amendment to
limit the delay to March 18th Gnstead
of March 26l. The vote was II to u
with two pairs" Senator Rogers
was right when he said that when the
time came he proposed to live up to his
pledges. mada before election time, iii
favor of & primary bill 1t is his i'm
preston, that Il bill will pass the senate
ultimately that the governor will sign.
Tax Question 60 the Front.
The passage by the assembly of the
ad valorem blli-assessing and taxing
railroad property as other property
is taXed-iS. Of course most important.
1t is in the senate that any hitch must
come in this matter, if at all. The
authority of the tax commission is be-
hind this bill 1t is 4 giant change
but we'll matured. The governor. of
course. is for it though some little fric-
ton has been generated over the Ques-
ton of whether the tax commission
shall be the hoard OF assessment for
railroad properties (as of all othersl
or whether I special board nearer to
the governor shall be erected. Mr.
BradfOrd's motion to take it out of the
hands of the tax commission was lost.
"a to 81
The Bradford amendm mt provided
that one member of the board of as
sessment shall be elected by the peo-
pie, one appointed by the governor
and one appointed by the supreme
court. This board to sit as a tribunal
and determine the value of railway
property from facts and arguments
presented on both sides.
What VIII the Senate Do?
The present license system of tax
ing railroads is simple 1t is per
cent. of gross earnings for the big
roads. The new system will involve
much work and considerable expense
to ascertain the value OF every bit
of railroad property. even hand cars
and office desks; but the theory is
that it will be fairer to the state. The
9ad valorem plan is expected to yield
more to the state than at present. Two
years ago there was plan to increase