Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-01-16

which he and his chief were commit
ted, he became conspicuous and the
logical candidate of the radical wing
of the party at this time.
The Governors Message.
Governor Davidson message is
conceded on all sides 20 be an able
state paper. The advanced ground
taken by him, especially as regards
municipal ownership and public SEW
ice corporations, was a surprise to
many, even among his supporters, but
few murmurs Of discomfort are yet
heard. The most radical recommends
ton is that all franchises of corpora
tons be made to expire in 1880. This
doubt on the ground that corporations
that violate their franchises can be
brought to book at any time and that
no reason exists why decent corpora
ton living up to their contracts should
have their franchises revoked at any
particular time. An important sug-
gestion is that a new commission be
created to regulate gas rates. The
idea is to have a body like that of
Massachusetts, which would ascertain
the valuation of gas properties and
then after figuring a fair profit regu-
late the rate accordingly. The first
plan to make the state pay all the sal
aries of such commission will be
abandoned and part payment will be
effected by charging a fee for exami-
nation. This was done because of the
opposition of rural members, who hold
that since they get no benefits from
such commission they should not be
made to bear any of the burden of
maintaining it. 1t is understood the
Democrats will oppose such measure
and will favor having the tax commits
| sion ascertain the value Of gas prop
critics, which it is now doing.
Two-Cent Fare Rumor.
A rllmor which has all the appear
ance of sub rosa announcement from
| high authority is going the rounds TO
the effect that the long desired two
cent passenger fare ON railroads is
soon to be reality. Two-cent fare
bills have popped up at every session
| for many years only to be uncere-
| mOniously knocked on the head. Two
years ago, however, the much buf,
feted child had waxed SO strong that
| it was thought advisable to treat II
| with more respect. For time 4
| looked as If the measure might pass,
| but the railroads won a temporary vic.
| tory by having the business left to the
| newly created rate commission. In
| the meantime the rate commission and
| tax commission have made exhaustive
| investigation of the valuation and
earnings of the roads and Is under
| stood to be prepared to act Ral!roHc
| Commissioner Thomas some time De
| fore retiring also recommended thai
a two-cent fare be imposed on all
roads earning $500 mile per annum
| 1t Is understood that the rate commits
sion is prepared to put such an order
| into effect, but is willing 10 let the
| legislature have the credit If II de
sires it and it is probable that be
! fore any action is taken there will be
a thorough going over of the ground
by the commission and the railroad
committees of the two houses. so that
whatever action is taken shall be as
effective as possible from the lega
point OF view.
Not Mentioned I'm Message.
The fact that Governor pavidson's
message had no mention Of the two
cent proposition has led TO some
criticism of the document, but 1t Ii
understood the governor knew OF tht
contemplated action Of fhe commission
and was willing to give that body
free hand. The impression seems &c
prevail that the time is rive for TINS
change and that there will be less op
position than usual TO the measure tins
winter. The first two-cent bill Il
come up was presented the other day
by Assemblyman Turner, OF Portag'
county. and provides for such rate OF
roads earning $1,000 a mile Ii is Ike
ly that other bills will also come II