Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-08-17
RAILROADS TO PAY A MILLION MORE.
One Of Many Things "Agitator'' La Toilette Has
AccompIishe1- DO You Like II?

Agitation Of matters that concern the
peoples welfare is the only means
whereby progress along such lines is
possible. Men who are courageous
enough to be agitat11s are entitled to
the gratitude of the people of city,
county or state. No more positive evil
dence of the good that viii follow in
teiligent agitation ever was furnished
than the result of the first assessment Of
railroads in Wisconsin, following the
enactment of law which smbodies the
rinciples of equitable taxation Of the
property owned by railroads as advo-
Gated by Gov. La Toilette the past eight
years in Wisconsin, thought ont by the
common people who have supported the
governor, and applied by the state tax
commission. Il
BY means of application Of the aver
age rate of taxation, paid by Their prop
erty, to the property owned railrf ads
in Wisconsin, the railroads u psy in
to the state treasury this yei 81, 607,-
044. 90. Such is the announcer. 1T today
of the state tax commission, fter APP
plying the principles involved in the ad
valorem taxation law passed by the leg
islature of 1908.
The railroads in Wis consin will, there
fore, pay the state 1868, 039, 500 more
than under the license system that has
governed its payments in Wisconsin
heretofore. The advance is not burden
some; it is not ont of proportion with
the amount paid by any other property
holder; 1t is entirely just. The ad val
orem system makes the railroads with
their millions dollars worth of property,
and the citizen with his cottage worth
$500 pay the same just rate for the sup
port of the state-no more and no less.
This is in accord with the platform
promises of the republican party of
Wisconsin on which Gov. La Toilette
was elected. 1t is In accord with his
eloquent advocacy of the principles in
volved. 1t is evident that in this one re-
form, at least, the much accused and
much abused gov4r Of Wisconsin had
an eye to business for the people whom
he represents.
To Gov La Toilette, therefore, for his
intelligent advocacy of the law and his
agitation of the cause among the peo-
pie, and to the state tax commission for
application of the law the legislature of
1908 spread upon the statutes, let all
honor be given.
preston of that honor may best be
brought about by providing railroad
freight commission to guard the people
from extortionate charges and unjust
discrimination, enrichment of law that
will provide for nomination of all pub
lie servants at primary election, a just
inheritance tax, and properly gradu-
ated income taS, all of which are re-
forms advocated strenuously by Gov.
LaFollette and desired by the people.
Each proposition of reform here emu
merated is in the line of good business
for the people. None has in it sug-
gestion of burdering any one. Each has
in it suggestion Of far better and more
equitable distribution of the expense
that must increase in Wisconsin as the
state grows.
A patriotic citizenship will, this fall,
see to it that state senators and mem
beers of the assembly are chosen who will
be pledged, beyond a per adventure of
doubt, to the accomplishment of these
reforms In the mex legislature. -Neenah
Daily News.