Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-01-20

1.-cv~~I~~~NoO"O
,,.,-oor La FolIette's third bien-
u', message was read by the Gov
DILL 'I Nv norsog to the joint session OF
Ptl' ,5 -r 1t was probably the
's,a n executive message ever deilv-
..I to any legislative body in the
~,,6 states The reading took near
II NV. bonrs and much of the message
y !'a no,irtpl for oral delivery, but an
w. ,,r.lop5 version in pamphlet form
%.adol to the members. 1t makes
w.. ,.:,+a1 document of II pages. There
. ~ average of something over 400
,.I, n the page, which means not
y, Wv, short Of 10000 words in the mes
~,,-and many of them are long
r,,ls gr that The message is in fact
troafsp discussing ANONYMOUSLY, II
W. orbansrtvely. number of import
ont subjects
comprehensive system of State,
,ro+r and municipal civil service, the
intimidation of taxes on corporations,
AMI nsrrjcularly on railroads and life
Insurance companies, and increased APP
,,,nriarfonS for education and general
STATE institutions. are the leading fea-
rrps of the message. The greater
rrio0 Of the voluminOus document
WAS devoted to the presentation of
statements and arguments relating to
ta railroad rate commission, the Gov
gnor using some Of the campaign ma
pral 50 often called attention to dur
hg the past two or three years.
In brief the message recommends
te establishment of a railroad rate
commission with adequate power to
regulate transportation charges, train
service, and adjust all complaints. 1t
alyocaraS legislation providing for an
Increase in the taxes of electric rail-
ways and recommends that these cor
p2ti0nS be taxed upon the ad valor-
en- basis instead Of paying a license
fee upon earnings. 1t recommends
changes in the laws taxing telegraph
companies and calls attention to the
discrimination practiced against Wis
0lSID Insurance companies in favor
foreign companies and recommends
aelange in the law governing the pay
nent and amount Of their licenses.
Inc message recommends the adoption
o. a Constitutional amendment favor
As an income tax and also calls for
ne reenacment of a law providing
N; The taxation Of mortgages. 1t rec
0nmcndS State civil service law and
eLS for legislation whereby the rec
wis OF any department Of the State
government can be investigated.
"opens with Review of Finances,
Ioe &">sagc opens with a statement
VI Tie condition Of the State finances,
a'ns that On Jan. /. 1901, there was
-s. '2.aAre Of $4,125.44, with appro-
m ,oa. 81 $3.50. S40.S4 unpaid. Jan. 1,
s :,s'' Tue message says. there was $4O7,-
~ . III Tie general fund. AS an expla-
-1 .r tAe message says:
n,g l~' "@-"ncc now in the general fund,
S s+~s extremely gratifying, conveys no
s .1'''.aten Of the extraordinary condi-
r WI VI Inc STATE finances which has pre-
5,:, .' u4F."s tie last two years, a con-
, ,,,1 "'@l- enabled the State officers
S .'O''@1o ty law to omit all taxes for
G, purposes for tile years 1903 and
wv WI Inc only tax levied during these
r,,n |sa.> was for the support of the
I, @.'S" schools. This can in no sense
n ,.'&.ao,. as a State tax. since no part
S,,, y used To dctray the expenses of
b,,.,l e,'.s&menr. All of the money col
t, ;, ''. .s Tue mill tax, as amended,
g., fn. %'oIDon 100000 from the gen
ts o: ,'' Is distributed among the coun-
brs .'15>' amt villages of the State, and
s@,,,. '.' The support of the common
", ' .tNs the wears 1903 and 1904 there
r,r o,5 i".Se surplus in the State treas
ta 3o,,. !, was clear that the public well
l. ,, ~II..',14@4 that such surplus should
a11T oI 20 The State tax levy. 1t was
s1sen 1,n. III accordance with statutory
lis I ,.'. with tie result that during
Sa.4 r,."' period the people of the
N,. t, r~Ss relieved of 81 So, 14O Of di-
h, ,S %.'sS' IN addition to this sum, and
tsrsf fs s@De period, 100000 was trans
On s,Ia ..' The general fund to the COM
~r %~oo. fund income
Fsc1r.:,~> ,"e nr>t time in the history of
ell t9r ,1' I ,-"I The condition of the gem
Il cor ,'r mas been such as to warrant
S5gilistr.,..-. REMISSION Of all taxes for
d beoqr~,., purposes. This was posi-
te Sa,, u The increased revenues of
osot Of ne ,S>1.,ins from a rigid enforce
e;cestafo' + t statutes requiring payment
hon the t f 10 the State; by collection
Was c,a;c ',0sraL government of Civil
hi By rI -s amounting to S46O, 436. 20.
S.:oai Tro, l-sFeaSe of taxes upon the
h 5.st:"peTty Of the State"
sgs ayg ' VI 70 this statement the mes
Ties g.S there there is $545,94 in railroad
s,PoaSbiTI;t1,a lakes S up the question of the
Iaois, sar;S 1 lor the care of the States
Se'e viii le s mat early in the year
ssnsucer" .t De under the control of the
Va says: '0u' $0'OOo.0OO. The message
may all be withdrawn