Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-04-02
MONUMENT BILL
NOT APPROVED
GOVERNOR STANDS IN FAVOR OF
POPULAR VOTE.
THE PEOPLE ARE PATRIOTIC
Executive Believes Thoroughly in
Honoring the Nations Heroes But
Holds to the Opinion that the Peo-
pie Should be Trusted With the
Final Decision.
Madison. March 81

MdQlSOn, MdrcQ 81.
Governor La Toilette created a SEN
satio.A in the senate last night by send
ing in a veto of the senate bill, No. 10,
which provides that county boards Of
supervisors shall have the power 20
vote not more than $4,000 for the
purpose OF erecting monuments to sol
dIGTs and sailors who served IN any
war of this country. The veto was re-
turned because the bill sought to de-
prlve the people OF the power to vote
on the question Of raising taxes for
such monument, and seeks to repOsa
the power Of making the apprOpria-
tions in the county boards. The bill
had hard row to hoe in the assembly
and was passed after a contest. The
reasons for the veto as stated in the
veto message are as follows:
Il do not believe that the right OF the
taxpayer to vote directly upon the
question OF whether a tax shall be
raised for building such monument by
the county board should be abridged
in any manner. The only purpose Of
this proposed bill would seem to be
TO secure the erection OF monuments
in some counties where the county
board can be induced to appropriate
money against the will Of the majority
OF the voters of the county; otherwise
there would be no occasion for strih-
ing out this provision which gives Lue
voters the final decision. Ii that is the
purpose, it but strengthens the argu-
ment against this bill. However much
the erection of a monument may be
desired in any county it should be Sc
cured by appeal to the judgment and
patriotic sentiment Of the people
rather than by seeking some method
OF forcing the matter through against
the Will OF a majority OF the taxpayers.
1t is doubtful whether any county in
the state able to erect q such a mOnu-
ment as may be built under the exist
ing statute would withhold approval
upon full and fair presentation Of the
subject for consideration by the
voters.
The people Of Wisconsin are a pa
triotic and liberal people. They have
never failed in time Of war to send
to the front full quota Of as brave
men as ever faced death. They have
ever shown in times OF peace a gener-
Gus and liberal spirit in response to
every demand. They believe that the
heroic services OF Wisconsin soldiers
living and dead, should be perpetuated
in a suitable memorial to the last
syllable of recorded time. They well
know that every monument which
commentaries the courage and loyal
ty Of Wisconsin soldiers is an in
spiratiOn and upliftment for each com.
munity. Patriotism and love Of cOun-
try, good citizenship and devotion to
the public interest, must in some
measure be promoted in the building
Of every moI.ument to the men who
preserved a government Of the people,
by the people and for the people, But
in building a monument to those who
fought to preserve a government
where the will of the people should be
supreme it would be something of a
traVesty to endeavor to frame a law
the will Of the people. 1t would al
most make a mockery Of such a monu-
ment to build it in violation OF the
principle that this is a government by
the people
While l would aid in arousing the
patriotic spirit of every county for the
erection Of soldiers monument, |
cannot believe that any such memorial
built against the will Of majority OF
the taxpayers of the county, would
hallow the memory of those in whose
honor it was erected, or quicken the
sentiments of loyalty and devotion to
country of the people of that county.
Lessons in liberty and patriotism can
not be successfully inculcated by COM
pulsion."
On motion of Senator North the
consideration of the veto was laiu over
until Thursday, April 8.