Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-03-11
WORKING EVENINGS
Legislative Committees Grinding
Out the Routine at a
Great Rate.
PRIMARY ELECTIONS DELAYED
Senate Takes 1t Up or March 26-A
Moderate Bill Likely--Ad Valorem
Tax on Railroads.


Madison, Wis, March 10.-The legis-
lature is now down to hard work. The
members know each other; the sense
of newness has worn oiy; and the
lengthening calenders amt protracted
sessions of committees show that the
routine is being disp5s ed of, Hard
working citizens at home will be in
terested to know that evening sessions
until il o'clock are not unusual. Mr..
Bradford of the assembly is an adj
yocate 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
married that the administration Is very
courteous to she 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 eiec-
ton bill to the front at once in TIE
senate failed and It lies fallow until
March &c. There has been much said
as to the obligations of members to
enact the bill lust as it is, without
any exercise of discretion or amend
ment, on the theory that the state plat
form says SO. 1t is q mooted Ques-
ton, how far a 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 1t
did not fairly voice the will of the
people behind it. Senator Rogers of
Milwaukee expressed in good spirit
the reasoning of the members who in
sisted the measure should be thought
fully considered and by 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, tie test
vote was really on the amendment to
limit the delay to March 18th Gnstead
of March 26l. The vote was II to II
with two pairs" Senator Rogers
was right when he said that when the
time came he proposed to I've up to his
pledges, made before election time, III
favor of a primary bill. 1t is his i'm
preston that a bill will pass the senate
ultimately that the governor win sign.
Tax Question to the Front.
The passage by the assembly of the
ad Naiocem bill-assessing and taxing
railroa property as other property
is taXed-is, of course. most important.
1t is in the senate that any hitch must
come in this NATTER If at all. The
authority of the tax commission is be-
hind this bill. 1t is a giant change
but well matured. The governor, Of
course, is for it though some little frlc-
ton has been generated over the ques-
ton of whether the tax commission
shall be the board of assessment for
railroad properties las of all others)
or whether a 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,
64 to 81.
The Bradford amendment 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 tribunal
and determine the value of railway
property from facts and arguments
presented on both sides
What win the Senate Do?
The present license system of tax
ing railroads is simple II 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
end Office desks: but the theory is
that 1t will be fairer to the state. The
ad valorem plan is expected to yield
more to the state than at present. Two
years ago there was plan to increase
the license Zee so as to yield about
100000 more from the railroads. This
plan may be revived iB the senate but
the thought now is that the ad valorem
plan win be adopted.
Aimed at Insurance Combines.
Baron Won Cotzhausen of Milwaukee
'Rgitated for ad valorem taxation Of
railroads n dozen years ago, but his
connection with the reform is forgot
ten now. At present he is interested
with Others of Milwaukee and else
where to break up insurance combines
in the cities In 1897 an act was
passed that prevented insurance com
panies uniting tC raise premiums but
a proviso left the door open for agents
10 do so. And SO in many cities there
IS a union of underwriters with Il
superintendent through whose hands
all business goes. Milwaukee people
claim they have Il splendid FIRE depart
ment and are ever increasing its effec-
tiYeneSs at large expense. only to see
their premiums advance. In 1902 the
premiums collected In that city were
Sl,035, l4G; fire losses paid S46S. 4l6. s..
Ten years premiums collected were:
S12,6ST, 300; fire losses paid. S5.0L3,9S2
n booklet issued by Mr.. Won Cotz.
hauser states that the average losses
for the last ten (iO years have been
less than forty 4m per cent OF the
premiums collected, although the fire
loss Of 1885 was exception and plac-
ed by them at nearly one ard Il half
Il 1-2) million