Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-01-30
LITTLE PROGRESS
in LEGISLATURE
CONTINUED FROM LAST PAGE)

thrc' ing cold water on the university
and other state institutions for ex-
tending civilities TO the legislators
met the shower bath of disappr0yal
Itself. Roethe took the position that
these functions are inspired by
subtle motive to influence appropria-
tons and are not prompted by the
recognition OF the brotherhood OF man.
Accordingly he presented resolution
that the legislature officially disap-
proves" of such functions. but when
the proposition came to a vote in the
assembly ii was good naturally turned
down after some hOrseplay. In IA
sense SIR. Roethe's yie:g was doubtless
correct. 1t is natural in anyone ask
Ing favors or appropriations to do IL
automatically and In a gentleman's
way, but the imputation that an in
Ritation TO dinner Is Intended as a.
bride was regarded as rather ex-
tretDe. Frequently in recent years
the president or faculty of the uni
veTsity have shown the Legislators at
tent!on in the way OF dinners or con-
Quoting them through the great eduea-
tional institution and frequently also
the university has asked for appropria-
tons, yet It is an assumption. safe
from gainsaying that mercenary mo
tiYes have not alone inspired these
amenities. Who shall say that the
higher one OF pride in showing the
representatives of the state what a
splendid school was maintained here
was not the dominant one? And, by
the way, the big school bids fair to be
well dealt with at this session. The.
legislative investigating committee
which went through IL year ago
gave it practically clean bin OF
health and recommended no specific
legislation, except that of pro-
yiding a fixed income, so that such
valuable and world-renowed men as
Babcock, Van Hise, Russell and Henry
would not have to devote their time
TO petty lobbying for an institution
whose duty it Is the states to main
tain and whose interests are the whole
states.
Work ON the Capitol.
The work of rein ilding the capitol
Is finally under way After much pre-
liminary study of the proposition and
the turning down by the legislature
Of several plans the capitol building
commission may be said to be on the
way to the accomplishment of its pur-
pose. The form as finally agreed
upon will be that of ST. Andrews
cross and two years will be devoted
to the building of each of the four
wings. Each wing IS expected to cost
a million or more. Work was begun
ON the west wing a few days ago
Eventually all OF the present state
house win be torn down with the pos
sible exception of the dome. which
may he utilized In the new building
Lew f. Porter, of Madison, is the
4rchitect in charge and the work now
under way Is being done by the Foster
Cor struction company of milwaukee,
Only the foundation wall OF the west
wing will be put In until the legisla-
ture shall determine of what material
the building shall consist.
Up to the Legislature.
1t is up to the legislature to say
what the cost per cubic foot shall be,
the grade of material. the decorations
and interior furnishings Two years
ago. after a long fight, II was voted
that the new buildings should not cost
more than 40 cents per cubic foot. at
which figure it was thought hand
SOM. marble building might be con-
structed. Since then, however. build
In fal Ia, INN
and labor is 90 per cent. higher, so
thar it will be impossible now to put
mp such building as contemplated
for the same money. A meeting of
the commission will be held in Feb
ruary and the legislature will be APP
prised Of the difficulty. Ii has been
suggested that II would he less ex-
pensive to make the exterior of gran
lie and the interior OF marble. The
dream Of decorating the interior with
fine and costly paintings. such as
Torn the Minnesota building. seems
ONE of distant realization.
Report on Insurance Probe.
The introduction of bills proposed
by the legislative investigating com
mittee which prohed Insurance condI-
lions in Wisconsin the past summer
has been delayed pending the binding
of the somewhat lengthy report and
its distribution among the members.
1t is proposed to give them opp0rtuni
ty for = thorough study OF the report
before any legislation Is attempted.
The question of the taxation of in
surance companies and trust com
panies will receive much ser ous at
tention. A proposed measure will
change greatly the method OF dealing
with these organizations. At present
- state requires trust com ianies to
pay license fee OF $500 annually
and tax of 2 per cent on their net
income The proposed measure Will
provide. for their taxation Oh the same
basis as banks. that is \ tax on the
capitalization and stock invested. The
bill has resulted from the agitatiou
OH the y. TT of bankers OF the state.
who believe one set of financial in
stitutions should not be compelled Ia
pay a percentage tax and the other
simply license fee.
On the Adj Vaiorem Basis.
The bill for the taxation of tnsur
ance companies is drawn along
much the same lines 1t Is prob
taz..porn.s .a,.tnt,apls1u