Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-12-02
HOW STRONG is HE2.
Can Judge Baensch Wean LaFol-
Iette Men?
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITOL CITY
Division of Insurance Surplus a Ma
tionaI Question Corn Alone
Bigger Than Dairy Interest.

Madison, Wis, Dec. Judge
lie statement by reason of the illness
Of his father-in-law, man Of adj
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 a belief in the primary
election princip' IS. Some of the stall
warts do not relish this but as to this
issue Judge Baensch is q moderate.
The people are to vote OH the program
a year from last month; and while
so drastic and revolutionary change
in the nomination system should never
have been devised--rather 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 q conservative leads the
way, there can scarce be any objection
in any quarter Judge Baensch will
probably meet Governor LaFollette's
program at this point. differing, no
doubt, as to details. All in ali, rough
ly speaking, Judge Bacnsch is. familiar
with Governor LaFOllette's way of
looking at things and, while he is a
moderate he is probably more Of a
half-breed than stalwart. This
means political strength for him. Thus
his law partner, Mr.. Kelly, has been
the LaFollette leader in Mantowoc
county. The fact is some Of tile 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
from making the run. The candidacy
of Nh. 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 La Toilette, and yet
it does not appear that the state adj
ministrati0n 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
of Insurance Commissioner Host to
force the big 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 100000 600, and
it is said the Northwestern Mutual
alone will have to divide a surplus of
over S5O0O,OC0 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 division
on these policies every five years. The
Northwestern Mutual now makes
division on them every twenty years
On application of the Equitable
some other judge than Il. Ray Stevens
OF Madison, will hear the case. 1t is
attracting national attention.
Extent of Dairy Interests.
1t is not strange that the dairy in
duStry is SO much i'll the public eye; it's
dimensions are tremendous. LII figures
it is $500 100000 1t far surpasses the
value of cotton, $330O0O,O0O, 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 (S500,000,000) approaches it; but
wheat is behind $780, 0O,00O); it is
greater than the value of all the hay
and forage, $494, 256,S46; it is greater
than the value of all the meat cattle
slaughtered, S419,455,2 200.
Teaching Young People Farming.
The pushing of agriculture to the
front as a study in 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, filling of the soil
must be dignified and every American.
even if he does not intend to be
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 NIoody)
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
about fifteen hours a 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-
turai department will be organized into
divisions fo1 LopIio,,1t,Ira 5o ;yx,;rc onJ