Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-01-09
WHOLESOME LEGIS-
LATfON EXPECTED

The state legislature, which as
sembles at Madison today will, if 1t
comes up to the measure of expectancy,
break the record in respect to the ad-
option of a broad ard comprehensive
scheme of legislation. Three lines of
action have been laid down, and there
is no question that along each of them
there will be results that should be
most salu5ary,
First, there is the control of public
service corporation. This subject
should lie eiyen tn best thought CT Il e
tess n, n in the ar, and as almC st
tine el.tiTe me NIB rshtp O. both houses
Dlelgcd t. soc-rs GOOD legislation
a 0 g this liz, there is no question of
sfactcry fesul,. OF course there
NAV be ,,,osc who viii De unduly cor :
servative nd tinsed with corporation
thou. hit, and who will seek to modify
the efforts TO accomplish the best re-
suits. They viii be h: rmless, however,
Tor the demands Of the people are too
lainly evident to be lightly disregarded.
Then there will be the matter of
more effective control and direction by
the state of the insurance companies.
A special committee of able and active
men has made careful investigation
of the subject by direction of the last
legislature. Its report, together with
recommendation for the enactment OF
certain reform legislation and sug-
gestion of other lines along which the
legislative mind is advised and urged to
proceed. These recommendations will
lead to positive legislation, all looking
to the better conservation of the in
tetests of the policy holders who pay
their money for beneficiary protection.
Better control of insurance companies
by state authority is advised, and enact
ments that have this in view viii also
BE- sought.
The employers liability proposition,
involving the question of contributory
negligence, will be one with which the
solons will be called upon to contend.
1t will, in all probability, be the cause
of sharpest division, but that it will be
finally worked out with desirable re-
suits, is not doubted.
There win be demands for amend
ment to primary election law, and it is
probable that in some minor respects
there is need OF changes. But the
great preponderance of opinion held by
the people of the state is that it is q
good law and not seriously calling fol
any radical changes.
There will be calls for legislation at.
fecting the state university, mortgage
taxation, forestry propagation, and il
the matter of the new capitol building
it will be necessary to make further
provision. Many other matters of i'm
portance will demand attention, anC
those who are making plans for an ex
tramely short session will find that i
cant be did" if the best results are t,
be had.
The public welfare, the welfare of al
the people, should be the aim of al
law, and when the lawmakers keel
this thought steadily in view the re
suits will not fall far short of actua
accomplishments. The only obstacle il
the way is the cupidity of designing
men, working upon selfshness and am
bition of those who are charged with
the duty of making the laws. Let u:
hope that in Wisconsin the Legislature
of 1907 is one upon which the influence
of corruption will have no effect-anc
there is every reason that the hope is SUR
CT absolute fruition.