The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-02-01
the rules Independently this week and
all will be lovely again.
Shower Bath of Disapproval.

ana other state institutions for eX-
tending civilities to the legislators
met the shower bath of disapproval
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 i vote in the
assembly it was good-naturedly turned
down after some horseplay. In
sense Mr.. Roethe's view was doubtless
correct. 1t is natural in anyone ask
ing favors or appropriations to do It
automatically and in Il gentleman'S
way, but the imputation that an in
vitation to dinner is intended as a
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
tonal institution and frequently also
the university has asked for appropria
tons, yet it is an assumption safe
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
splendid school was maintained here
was not the dominant one? And, by
the way, the big school bids fair to be
we'll dealt with at this session. The
Legislative Investigating committee
which went through it Il year ago
gave it a practically clean bill Of
health and recommended no specific
legislation, except that of pro-
viding 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 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 it's pur-
pose. The form as finally agreed
upon will be that of a 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 few days ago.
Eventually all of the present state
house will be torn down with the pos
sible exception Of the dome, which
may be utilized in the new building.
Lew r. Porter, o." Madison, is the
architect in cha gC and the work now
under way is being done by the Foster
Construction 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.
Tt 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, it was voted
that the new buildings should not cost
more than 40 cents per cubic foot. at
which figure it was thought hand
some marble building might be con-
structed. Since then, however, build
ing material has taken a great jump
and labor is 20 per cent. higher, so
thar it will be impossible now to put
up such building as contemplated
for the same money. A meeting Of
the commission will be held in Feb
rl1ary and the legislature will be APP
prised of the difficulty. 1t has been
suggested that it would be less eX-
pensive to make the exterior of gran
tie and the interior of marble. The
dream of decorating the interior with
fine and costly paintings, such as
adorn the Minnesota building, seems
one of distant realization.
Report on Insurance Probe.
The introduction of bills proposed
by the legislative investigating COM
mittee which probed insurance condi-
lions in Wisconsin the past summer
has been delayed pending the binding
of the somewhat lengthy report and
it's distribution among the members.
1t is proposed to give them oppOrtuni-
ty for a 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 serious at
tention. A proposed measure will
change greatly the method of dealing
with these organizations. At present
the state requires trust companies to
pay license fee Of $500 annually
and a tax of per cent. on their net
income. The proposed measure will
provide for their taxation on the same
basis as banks, that is a tax on the
capitalization and stock invested. The
bill has resulted from the agitation
ON the part of bankers of the state,
- ct