Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-08-29

and the pursuit of happiness. Before
reaching this happy stage the world
has often been baptized in blood. La
Dor had its day of slavery. and of fen.
dalism, and of serfdom, followed by
an emancipation under the wage sys-
TEN, which for ages has been kept a:
point that afforded but the barest
necessaries for the simplest modes
of life. l honor Robert NJ. La Fol
lette for his vigorous and brave veto
message, but | have neither words of
comfort or commentator for those
who, N the face of that message.
would assert that $50 for three
months is a sufficient exemption for
the wage-earner, while his favored
neighbor in city, village or country,
possessing a homestead, is sheltered
by an exemption that may reach to
$4,000.
Would Have Signed Bill.
eff Mr.. Lenroot had been governor
of this state on the Sd day Of May,
1905, when bill No. asa was presented
to the executive for approval. in
stead Of the humane message which
is now a part of the history of this
state, we would have an approval of
a message which would place the
state of Wisconsin back Of our pres
ent civilization at least half a CEN
fury, and the action Of Mr. Lenroot
ON this measure is one of the things
which he must defend before the peo-
pie of this state in this campaign,
and no straining on his part to make
it appear that there are other issues
of more Importance, will excuse him
from such defense.
Another measure before the Wis
consin legislature had for its object
the distribution Of the revenues COM
ing from the railroads in the form
OF taxation. Under our present law,
the entire state is benefited by this
revenue. Under bill which was IA
vored by Mr.. Lenroot, the state and
counties would have but small per-
centage of the revenues derived from
railway taxation, and the residue was
to be divided between the cities, viii
lagos, and towns through which the
railway lines run. in proportion to the
track mileage in each city, village and
town. The city of Superior, being a
terminal point, and having large
Il ackage, 1t was assumed that under
the proposed change, 1t would re-
ceive an abnormal share OF the rail.
way revenues, while townships in the
county of Douglas and other counties
of the state, not touched by lines OF
railway, would be entirely deprived
Of the benefit derived from a share
of the railway taxes. 1t surely does
not indicate a broad or constructive
craftsmanship, that would take into
account local advantages Of the city
or district represented by the mem
Der, when 1t is well known to every
student of public affairs, that leg
islator from the moment of his cleo
ton becomes the representative OF
the entire state and not single dis
trict.
Should Take La FolIette's Advice.
Should Mr.. Lenroot become the
nominee Of the republican party, in
addition to his position on the wage
exemption bill, and the bill for the
distribution of railway taxes, he will
be asked if it is not fact that since
January /, 1901, he has been drawing
salary of $1,000 year as reporter
Of the superior court of Douglas
county, and has rendered no personal
service in that office. He will be
asked if the reporting work of that
office has not been performed by
deputy who never received to exceed
5000 a year for his service. If graf
consists in getting something fol
nothing, the republicans of this state
should take Senator La Follette's ad
vice and freely discuss candidates
where public interests are an issue.
Mr.. Lenroot will be asked why it is
that he charged and collected from
the state of Wisconsin $4,000 for lega
services in the railway tax cases last
year, while in the courts of record Of
his own county he never was EN-
ployed to conduct law suit or han
die important litigation, involving in
tricate legal principles or property OF
great value.
"If Senator La Toilette has beer
deceived into tn. belief that his can
didate is a great lawyer. or even q
good, ordinary lawyer, 1t is better
that the deception be discovered and
corrected at this time, before the peo
pie cast their votes at the primary
election on September A next. What
the people want and what the people
pay for is good service, and they have
the right to analyze and scrutinize
the record of any man who solicits
their support for any office, whether
it be governor or coroner, and no can.
didate who is worthy of public con
fidence will shrink from such analysis
or scrutiny, nor charge that the reci
tai of any Of his public acts is per
sonal abuse.
"Mr. Lenroot's recent talks about
watered stech shows that he Is not &C
quainted with the statutes Of his state
or he would never seek to make an
issue of what has been the settled
law of this state for the last thirty
two years, or since he was five years
old. Section 1853, OF our statutes
provides that: No corporation shall
issue any stock, or certificate Of stock,
In consideration of money, or labor
or property, estimated az its true
anFuaIIy ra6afynd nv ~