Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-05-18

! not see how such change could cor
rect the unconstitutional character OF
The bill. He quoted from the opinion
Of the attorney general:
Why Unconstitutional.
Il The act is unconstitutional In
that II attempts TO impose d license
ice upon property instead Of an oc.
cupation or profession.
"2. II is unconstitutional in that 1t
attempts TO license right common TO
all instead Of privilege.
%. Ii is unconstitutional in That 1t
untu5tIy ANA arbitrarily classifes per
sons and imposes burdens upon por-
ton Of the same class not common TO
all.
a. 1t is unconstitutional as impos-
ing double taxation upon a CERTAIN
KIND Of property, automobiles, and NJ
relieving such property from al Va
iorem taxation"
Distinction Without Difference.
while. this legal opinion" contin-
ned Senator Rogers, was given upon
the bill that was reported to the legis-
laturo some two weeks ago, yet from
a layman's standpoint, ] cannot see
that fine distinction between fee in
the present bill that is registered with
the secretary Of state, and thereby
made legal, and a general license fee,
under the first bill which was de-
clarcd unconstitutional by the attor-
rey general. 1t appeals to me as
being a distinction without differ
ence. However, the real objections to
this bill in my opinion, and that
which makes 1t unconstitutional, is
that II compcIs under this bill, to put
II police tag. under penalty, upon the
uscr Of an automobile, that 1t does
not put upon any other person or per
sons, vino use the highway for like
PURPOSES. 1t says to the public, here
! rs = class Of people who need especial
rulIce surveillance, who are generally
offensive to he majority of the good
citizens of this commonwealth, and VINO
| haye no rights in the highway, which
| you, the public, are bound to respect.
"That the use Of The public streets
| is II right, ANA not privilege Is con
coded, ana If II be a right, then 1t be-
LONGS 10 all It's citizens without dis
| Grim nation, and whether upon the
! highway, ~ pedestrians, or In con
yoyancc drawn by animals, or pro
pCllod by some kind of motive power,
there can be no arbitrary restrictions
nut upon enc class Of people who use
tie highway, that Is not equally re-
Istrctivc and applicable to all other
clnssos,
1T seems to me- and appeals to my
good sense and Judgment, that II you
PUT sign board upon a motor car
that trayursc8 the highway, you ought
not to make any distinction, and
should put one upon the wagon that
! Is drawn hy means OF horses, or other
|pnimals, aa we'll
Might Tag Pedestrians.
III Won are going to classify citizen
! ship in this respect, don't stop at the
person who owns an automobile, but
tag the pedestrian, MS to his business
aud nationality. put a number or the
coat of arms of his fatherland upon
his back SO he can be identified by
the police. ask, do you not think
this would be placing upon the citi-
zen an indiguity, that would be most
humllating? DO You not think that n
man with spark Of manhood, who
hel!cycs lr life, liberty and the pur-
suit Of happiness, would rebel at such
4 - inly hn
would have right to be indignant?
And yet this blll, now under consider
alton would put upon him this penal
sCryitudo
1--WE need an automobile law. but
We don't want CHS one. There ought
to be n stringent law to prevent reck-
less driving Ct automobiles by rccli-
less people, who have little regard for
any one but themselves, who have no
regard for the rights of others, and no
respect for law, either common orr
written There can be no question
but what the state has n right to eX-
Crcise It's police power; that 1t has the
right to regulate the speed of automo-
hilCs and to provide many other law
lul regulations This we 10 not dis
putc, and this we urge, but we do say
YOU shall not discriminate against 2
few people in their free and rtghtfu
use of til" highway. Horses are dan
gerous upon the highway and are
cften driven at reckless speed. Auto.
cycles run ut much greater speed than
automobiles; street cars brighten
horses and cause them to run away,
and serious accidents result there.
from. and vet none of these are re.
quired TO register, pay n fee, or car.
~ an obnoxious police tag"
What Legal Authority Says.
"Onc of the prominent and able at
torueys of this state writes me and
among other things states
rho right to travel the streets in
a lawful manner Is not a privilege,