Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-01-31
the rules Independently this week ana
all will be lovely again.
Shower Bath of DisapprOvaI.

ahi'N ing iOlu NdAil vi Ni'N VII w DRY
and other state institutions for eX-
tending civilites to the legislators
met the shower bath Of disapproval
itself. Rocthe took the position that
these functions are inspired by II
subtle motive to influence appropria-
lions and are not prompted by the
recognition Of the brotherhood of man.
Accordingly he presented a resolution
that the legislature Officially disap.
proves" OF such functions, but when
the proposition came to a vote IN the
assembly It was gOod-naturedly turned
down after some hOrseplay. In
sense Mr.. Roethe's view was doubtless
correct. II is natural in anyone ask
ing favors or appropriations to do it
automatically and in gentlemans
way, but the imputation that an In
yitatlon to dinner Is intended as
bride was regarded as rather eX-
IRENE. Frequently in recent years
the president or faculty Of the uni.
versity have shown the legislators at
tention In the way Of dinners or con.
Quoting them through the great educa
tional institution and frequently also
the university has asked for approprla'
tons, yet 1t is an assumption safG
from gainsaying that mercenary mo
tives have not alone inspired these
amenities. Who shall say that the
higher one Of pride in showing the
representatives, Of the state what q
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 1t year ago
gave it practically clean bill OF
health and recommended no specific
legislation, except that Of pro-
viding fixed income 50 that such
valuable and word-rcnowed men aG
Babcock, Van ITisc, Russell ana Henry
would not have to devote their time
to petty lobbying for nm institution
whose duty It is the states to main
tain and whose interests are the whole
states.
Work on the Capitol.
The work of rebuilding 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 MS finally agreed
upon will be that Of Il ST. Andrews
cross and two years will be devoted
| to the building Of each Of the four
| wings. Each wing Is expected to cost
million or more. Work was begun
on the west wing few days ago.
Eventually all of the present state
| house will be torn down with the pos
sihlc exception Of the dome, which
may he utilized in the new building.
! Lew r. Porter, Of Madison, is the
architect IN charge ana the work now
under way IL being done by the Foster
! Construction company of Milwaukee,
Only the foundation wall of the west
wing will be put in until the legisl0-
ture shall determine Of what material
the building shall consist,
Up 10 the Legislature.
1t Is up to the legislature to say
what the cost per cubic foot shall be-
the grade of material, the decorations
ana interior furnishings. Two years
ago, after long fight 1t was voted
that the new buildings should not cost
more than TO cents per cubic foot, a5
which figure il was thought hand.
some marble building might be con-
structcd Since then, however, build
Ing material has taken Il great jump
ana labor Is 20 per cent. higher SO
thar II will be impossible now to pua
M such building us contemplated
for the same money. \ meeting OF
the commission win be held in Feb
uary and the legislature will be ap-
prised of the difficulty. 1t has been
suggested that II would he less cN.
pcnsivc to make the exterior Of gran.
tie and the interior Of marble. The
dream Of decorating the interior with
fine ana costly paintings, such az
adorn the Minnesota building, seemG
one Of distant realization.
Report on Insurance Probe.
The introduction of bills proposed
by the legislative investigating com
mlttcc which probed insurance condi
lions In Wisconsin the past summe.
has been delayed pending the binding
of the somewhat lengthy report ant
it's distribution among the members
, 1t is proposed to give them opportuni
" for thorough study of the rcpor
before any legislation Is attempted
The question Of the taxation of in
suranCc companies and trust com
panies will receive much serious ut
, tentlon. \ proposed measure viii
, change greatly the method of dealing
, with these organizations, At prcscn
, the state requires trust companies 4
nay license fee of $500 annual.
, and tax Of per cent. on their ne
income. The proposed measure vii
. provide for their taxation on the sam
basis as banks. that is a tax on tn
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