The news & observer., 1905-12-07
A GOOD INNOVATION.

The Legislature Of Wisconsin IS now
in session and the chief matters be-
fore it relate to the legislation propos-
ed by Governor LaFollette, who rec
commended important changes in the
railroad commission law, and rail-
road legislation. The governor made
an innovation by going before the
Joint session of the General Assembly
and deliverino his message in person.
He read it but he read it as no clerk
could do. and it was heard with deep
interest. Until Mr.. Jefferson became
President It was the custom for the
President to personally visit Congress
and deliver his message. There was
much to be said in it's favor then
There is more now because the reading
of the Presidents message to Con-
gress or the Governors message to
the Legislature is now a signal for
many members to leave the chamber
or spend the time in writing in
stead of for the attention and respect
to which the message from the chief
executive IS entitled. Think what an
Improvement it would be if Governor
Glenn would in person deliver his mes
sage to the next Legislature instead
of having it droned out by an indif-
ferent clerk who reads mere figures
with as much emphasis as he gives
to the vital portion! Governor La
Toilette has set the pace for an inno-
vation which would be a return to
the good old ways Of the fathers.
The public career of Governor La
Toilette is inspiring to all who be-
lieve in popular government He be-
lieves in compelling public service
corporations to pay taxes like small
corporations, to make changes that
are fair and reasonable, to keep sep
arate accounts showing the Interstate
and the intra-State business and to
have uniform systems of bookkeeping,
to require safeguards at railroad
crossings. In his message he enlarges
upon his recommendations, criticizes
the railroads for maintaining expen>
sive Hobbies and truly says:
1.-THE people of Wisconsin have at
what money has been expended by the
railroads and other public service cor
porations of this State in salaries, in
lobbying, in political campaigns ana
legislative entertainment as the peo,
pie of New York to know the same
facts with regard to life insurance
companies of the State.
He suggests a legislative investiga-
ton which would uncover al! facts with
relation to the subject. It.will require
much time and labor, but neither that
nor money so expended would be
surance scandals of New York and is
bitter in his denunciation of those COM
panies which have been caught by the
eastern investigation and closes with
this recommendation:
'"The subject of insurance legislation
and expenditure OF public service cor
poration opens up a wide field, and
there IS such need for q thorough IN
vestigation that / recommend that a
committee with power to summon VIII
nesses. examine books ard with all
powers to investigate expenditures and
methods of doing business be appoint
ed and instructed to make complete
report to the Governor on or before
November l. 1906 who shall submit
the same TO the legislature at its next
session with any recommendations he
may make thereon"
Governor La Folette is SO deeply
impressed with the Importance of the
legislation with reference to public
service corporations that, though cleo
ted to the United States Senate months
ago, he remains Governor until he
can sign his name to important bllls
and set in motion some of the more
important measures. He Will, how
ever, resign as Governor in time to
take part in the fight in Congress for
Government regulation of rates. He
will be at home in that fight. for he
has been engaged in similar fights
ever since his entrance into politics,
particularly since his election as Gov
ernor of Wisconsis He was opposed
bv the most powerful interests, led by
Senator Soooner regarded as the
ablest Republican leader in the entire
Northwest, and the railroads. which
had dominated Wisconsin politics
for a quarter of a century. 1t was q
fight against great odds. and less
determined and less resourceful man
would have been discouraged. But he
was battling for a principle that has
today forged to the front and is COM
mending national interest. He won his
fight in Wisconsin and in the national
forum will lead for rate regulation,
and such other legislation as IS in line
with what he has done in Wisconsin.
What the country needs is more
Governors like Folk. of Missouri and
LaFollette, of Wisconsin, who devote
their energies to uprooting graft and
favoritism. and enforcing the law
against trusts and monopolies.
THE DEMOCRATIC MINORITY.
The Speech of Hon. John Sharp