Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-04-29
System Goes to Governor En-
dorsed by the Senate.
PRIMARY BILL IS DEAD
Superior Disappointed as to Gain In
spectiOn-G LaFOllette Pre-
pairing for Third Term.


full, and naturally the members who
have agricultural interests look long
ingly out on the greening grass and
will welcome adjournment PROPOSE
tons. Data has been sent in as to
condition of business in committee,
and it shows things in well advanced
shape. 1t is likely the session will be
over by May 10.
Adams Successor, Van Hise.
The new president Of the state
university is Charles r. Van Hise, the
professor in geology. 1t is well re-
ceived. He is the first graduate OF
the state university to be it's presi-
dent. He came here as freshman in
the seventies from Rock county, about
as raw a specimen OF country lad as
ever struck Madison, and by his own
efforts has won his present high posi-
ton at $1,000 a year. Professor Van
Hise is a world-famOus geOlogist.
Some lay much stress on having as
president one of distinguished scholar
ship and thus initiate aginst some
good names mentioned in connection
with the presidency. Professor Van
Hise is a scientist, and so the classical
departments of the university are
Greek to him, but Chamberlain was
also a scientist. Some have suggest
ed that Professor Van Hise may not
be happy in his present post indefinite
1y and will be eager to get back to
scientific Investigations; but one can
not press into a lifetime indefinite
great achievements like his 'Meta-
morphism," which gave him high
standing. The man is not only popu-
lar with the student body, but is re-
spected as a man by ALL He is a
Unitarian by church connection. He is
the governors choice and some of the
regents named by him aided to effect
the election, but not much is made of
this, even by opponents OF the admin
istration. Van Hise is not man 20
be Influenced by personal considera-
lions of this sort, even if one attempt
ed it on him. Withal, we are all hap
DIV over the outcome. Acting Presi-
dent Birge received the votes of the
two most active regents Senator
Villas and B. j. Stevens, and one other.
1t will please Wisconsin to know that
Professor Birge is to remain with the
institution after a vacation well
earned.
Mr.. Haugen's Opposition.
Tax Commissioner N. P. Haugen APP
peared before the committee on assess
ment and collection Of taxes to oppose
the bill eXempting credits, which has
the endorsement of the other two
members of the commission, MesSrS.
ellison and Curtis. The long argument
that Mr. Haugen made is presumably
the same that he had ready for the
report of the commission but which,
for some reason, it was deemed adj
visable to omit in that place. Mr..
Haugen and the governor think alike
on most matters. Among the points
made by Mr.. Haugen is that in Idaho,
where all credits are exempted, the
rate of interest is not lower than in
adjoining states. He says that Iowa
has shown that credits can lie dis
covered and assessed. The assembly
will likely defeat the bill eXempting
credits from taxation. The tax COM
mission has been successful in uncov-
ering a good many mortgages the
past wear Through the local assessOrsl;
but it is common talk that their own
erS will in great part cover them up
when the assessor neXt&cOmeS. "A new
mortgage taxation bill has lately been
put in.
1t seems to be generally agreed that
primary elections are dead this year,
and the two factions are disputing as
10 who is To blame. All efforts to
reach a compromise in conference
failed. The stalwart senators offered
to apply the direct vote to cities and
counties at once and let the people
vote in the fall of 1904 as to whether
the restroom top to bottom-should
go into effect. Some who have long
been urging the new system think
the governor should have taken this as
something to start with; but he and
his friends decided if they could not
get more than this they would take
nothing, so the state gets nothing. The
fact is old Wisconsin is up against
another great conflict in 1904, and it
will be a memorable battle. Governor
LaFollette will be a candidate for a
third term on reform" platform.
He will run against the third term"
sentiment. but voters will be reminded
that Lucius Fairchild and Jerry Rush
were governors for six years or more.
Primary elections will be part of the
programme, but as the topic is getting
old it will be made subservient to the
railway commission bill. Unfortu-
nately for the governor, as an avail
able political issue, ad valorem taxa
ton of railroads is practically set
tied, the senate having already adj
vanced the bill This reform will al
ways be associated with John M.
Whitehead and the state tax commits