Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-02-25


That this is an age essentially of cleo
trlcity is being demonstrated at the pres
cnt session, Many bills have been pre-
sented asking authority to erect dams
across various rivers for the purpose of
furnishing water power for street rail-
way projects. If the present plans do
not miscarry Northern Wisconsin prom
ises soon to be overrun with network
of electric lines, affording the means of
communication between villages and
towns thar are now far from the railroad
stations. Aside from the st. Croix river
project the largest undertaking is a Sys-
tenn of electric lines that will connect the
various towns between Merrill and Am
lBerst. This line when completed will be
about eighty miles in length, making the
lsEgest electric line operating ia the
State. There will be four dams that will
operate four power plants. The Menom-
inee and Marinette project is somewhat
similar, and as soon as the law permits
plans will be put into effect looking to-
ward perfecting the power all along the
Menominee river, to furnish power for
electric plants. The st. Croix project
contempla es not only electric railways
but the establishment of a power plant
whereby electric power will be trans
mtted TO st. Paul and Minneapolis by
cables, to furnish power to the electric
lines of these cities and for private enter
prises. The bill of Mr.. Ekern providing
for the building of dam across Black
river at what is known as Hunters ISL
ard, is to provide power for an electric
line to run north of La Crosse across
Trempealeau County over to Gaiesville.
-
There is little doubt that the McGil
livray mortgage bill will meet with
strong opposition from the money loan.
eTs The bill is almost an exact copy
of the California law and is far reach
ing. II provides that owners of property
encumbered by mortgage may make up
list showing the number and amount
of the mortgages and the names and resi-
dences of the persons that own them.
The assessors are required to assess the
value of the mortgage and to asses the
value of the property it encumbers sep
arately. Then the value of the mort
gage assessment is to be deducted from
the assessed value of the real estate.
The owner of the mortgage is to pay the
tax and if he does not pay it the owner
of the realty may pay the tax and deduct
1t from the amount of interest There
is nothing in the bill which will prevent
the owner of the mortgage from exacting
an agreement from the borrower TO pay
the tax or from putting up the rate of
interest to an extent necessary to cover
the mortgage tax. 1t is the belief, how
ever. that money is now so cheap that
investors will be glad to take the mort
cages and pay the tax, ut least that is
claimed is Whist is being done in Cali
fornia.
If Senator Burns bill relative TO un-
sanitary milk succeeds there will have to
he a general overhauling of cow barns.
Senator Burns proposes to make unsal-
able milk from cows that are kept in lily
ventilated and poorly lighted barns. as
we'll as barns that are not clean. The
sale of such milk is not only prohibited.
but its use is forbidden in the taking or
| butter. cheese or any other pcoduct. The
bill also requires that cheese factories
! and creameries must be kept in the pink
| of pHrfection: no dirt is to be tolerated
! and cans and jars used for milk and
| cream must be thoroughly clean.
-
The railroad companies are likely to
r;sa mn and call the members of he Leg
/ stature of 1903 anything but 1'essed
/ whom they become aware of the vast
nu,,bar of bills that directly concern
them. There is always plenty of work
for the railroad lobby, bat this year II
! looks rs though the lobby will have 70
dorh,a nm or else work over time for il
+ viii keen the members busy chasing from
ono committee room 10 another Unless
! fbav plan to head off some of the bills
without the necessity of appearing be
fore the committees,
| Visitors 10 the Legislature have been
amazed at the democratic air that hoyers
about the capitol This is true par,icu-
lsrlv OF the corridors, for in the rounds
there are signs speaking Of Handy
rooms TO be had al great bargains, me
eating places" and good table board al
short distances. Signs of all kinds art
stuck mp about the walls without objec
ton sud. apparently, once sign Is piac
cd against the wall 1t is certain - -
main there: at least none oI them haF'
been disturbed.
While the committee en education !
ordinarily NOT over crowded with WORK
the present session : going 70 prove a.
| exception. aud before the end is Peaches
That committee. is likely 10 End that ;AeF'
are none which has had more work be
fore il: certainly none with work O
greater Importance and more dlrec-i,
touching the welfare Of the state.