The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1905-12-08
IA TOILETTE ANNOUNCES HIS
INTENTION TO RESIGN WIS.
coNslN eovERNoRsHlP.
MAKES STATEMENT TO LEGISLATURE
REMAINED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF
STATE OWING TO THE ATTI.
tube OF RAILROADS.

Madison, Wis, Dec. 6.-Governo,
Robert M. La Toilette, at the conclu
sion Of his message to the legislature
which he read at joint session Of both
houses, announced in a statement that
during this special session, or at least
At its close, he would resign as gov
srnor and accept the commission as
United States senator. The governors
statement is as follows:
upon the 18th of January last yea
you elected me the representative Of
Wisconsin in the United States sen
ate. I was then and while I live !
shall continue to be profoundly crate
ful for the great honor which you
conferred upon me. but certain fixeo
obligations bound me to continue AZ
governor, as laws involving millions
OF dollars were being challenged il
the courts and legislation vital to the
state was pending. l could not in
good conscience offer more than 9
qualified acceptance. The close of the
session found the litigation undecided
and the new laws untried. Adverse
decisions In the circuit court might
call promptly for curative legislation
and the administration of the new
laws might disclose defects requiring
immediate remedies. Every reason
made it a plain duty to await the cir
cult courts decision and the contest
rel the new laws. Time has entirely
justified this course The attitude Of
the railroads in contesting every as
sessment of taxes as soon as made
notifications which the construction
Of this law seem to demand, the
amendment needed for the better ad
ministration of the railway rate law
the amendments Of the primary cleo
ton law and the other important mat
tiers for your consideration are all re
quired to round the work of the las
and preceding sessions of the legis
lature. In advancing this great reform
movement the contest for representa-
tive government in Wisconsin is not
ended. To protect and preserve al
that has been gained by this p~rotract
ed struggle will require the combined
efforts and the continued vigilance Of
the patriotic citizenship of the state.
Ready to Continue His Fight.
During this special session, or al
least at its close, I shall transmit tt
you my resignation as governor ant
accept your high commission as Unit
ed States senator. l shall regard it as
my privilege and duty to continue
active personal participation in con
tests involving the principle of repre-
sentative government in this state. II
this commonwealth no Office or NJ
honor could tempt me to forego the
right to work aggressively in this field
where the best of my life has beer
spent and where I shall eve fee
that my first and last obligation
rests"
At the conclusion of the reading Of
the message and the governors an
nouncement of his intention to accep'
the United States senatorship the
senate retired from the joint session
and the governor had an informal re
ception in the speakers rostrum, the
members and visitors filing before hin
and shaking his hand.
The governors message is q lengthy
document and contains over forty
pages Of closely printed matter. The
first subject that he touches upon II
the rebuilding of the capitol. recon
mending q change in the law so the
work may proceed unhampered. Foul
recommendations are made in the
message regarding the revision OF -the
railroad rate commission law. He ad
vises a uniform system of keeping &C
counts; asks for amendment to the
law so as to permit the sale OF mileage
and excursion tickets at reduced
rates; recommends additional power
be given the commission to invests
gate rates and compel the erection o.
safeguards at crossings.
The investigation of public service
corporations and insurance companies
is one of the most important features
of the message. He takes the rail
roads to task for maintaining what he
calls expensive lobbies and for resist
ing the prompt payment of taxes. He
discusses at length the insurance scan
dals of New York and is bitter In his
denunciation of those companies which
have been caught by the Eastern In
yestigation and recommends that
committee be appointed to investigate
insurance and public service corpora
lions to report to the governor on OF
before Nov. /, 1906.
ONE MILLION LOSS IN FIRE