The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-03-31

commission to fix rates, and the right
to proceed to do this without complaint
by shippers, are points that the rail-
ways will not cOncede, and some
whose qualification to prophecy are
that there vii be an adjournment
without passage IF rate bill. This
carries political possibilities on which
it would be interesting to speculative,
for it may mean Governor LaFollette's
refusal to go to the senate, and anoth-
er gubernatorial campaign. My own
thought is that it will be difficult for
the administration to frame meas
ure which will not go through the SEN
ate. In other words, even a too drastic
measure will likely get enough votes,
not because it might commend itself
to conservatives, but because many of
them dislike further friction with
constituents and because they do not
wish longer political divisions.
Sprighty Talk in Assembly.
The assembly is the more interesting
body to listen to this year, because
there are sprighty speakers on both
sides, and the division of votes, while
never in doubt when an administration
measure is clearly up for settlement,
is often close. For instance, the pro-
posed repeal Of the new law which
esta blishes county supervisors of as
sessment. This system was born of
tho cfato TOW commission ar tho fimo
"full assessment" of property was
urged, and. like most new things, it
did not prove popular in operation. In
Dane county assessed values were
actually increased from $21, 100000 to
$50 100000 in the four years following
1900. Juneau county was cited in the
debate, the old basis Of assessment be-
ing q per cent, which rose to 60 per
cent. when the state tax commission
had once taken hold of the reform.
Nevertheless, when the assembly
came to vote, they advanced the bill
to abolish these county supervisors by
a vote of 45 to 49,
It viii be a disappointment to the
state tax commission if the bill be-
comes a law; it may be checked in the
senate. One who watches a legisla-
ture year after year realizes what
patience is needed in dealing with a
republican form of government. What
seems to- be a good thing is born and
begins to grow, whereupon new gen.
Grafton (which knew not Joseph"
comes on the scene and knocks the
baby in the head. The state tax COM
evidence before the legislature as this
year. 1t was kept SO busy in valuing
railway properties that no report is
likely to this legislature.
The Social Democrats.
The Social Democrats are not getting
their bills through because most of
the members believe them to be
radical; and no doubt these gentlemen
are themselves learning some things.
One speaker of the persuasion had the
ill-judgment to break out at a commit
tee hearing on personal lines, but he
was speedily subdued. Whenever one
of them intimates that Socialists are
the only ones who know anything
about "labor," he is pretty sure to call
down history of some of his fellow
members who left school perhaps at 8
years and supported a widowed moth
er at IA. One of the teachings of the
Socialists that is peculiarly exasper-
ating to many is that there are classes
ala n
wealthy class, etc. While there is
some truth in it, it is truth that every
good American is supposed to resist to
the last ditch-a temporary condition
which education and phiianthropic
sentiment and material advancement
will avail much to bread down. The
Socialists appeal is not to all men,
but to ''our crowd'-the summons
seems to be for wage earners to band
together and make all others "come to
time
Personally, the Socialist members
have proven themselves good fell
lows" ready to crack a joke about "the
good time coming" or to back UP their
claims by argument. Senator Rum
mel is modest, gentlemanly member
for whom there are only good words
And his Socialist contingent has had
its influence. The bill to enable citi-
Zens to retire aldermen to private life
who do not please their constituents
was passed. Senator Frear has
started an investigation looking to
state life insurance. There are other
bills which formerly would be called
radical that receive respectful atten-
ton in these later days.
The Trend Of Things.
Commissions to keep things in the
family" are becoming unpopular. The
BARRIERS have shaken off their super
vision of this sort. The gentlemen
whose business it was to inspect re-
ported a budget of $500. but the
balance was only S29.S5. The farmers
are after automobiles with six diff
ferent bills. DIR. Noble will try to
lash them into one reasonable meas
MI 4. IN