Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-01-22
CORRECT PRIMARY ACT TO PRE-
VENT SPENDING OF GREAT
SUMS, HE SAYS.
INSURANCE LAWS ARE RIGHT.
Davidson Urges Consideration of Income
Tax and Would Change Utili-
ties Statute.
SEES PERIL IN GOOD ROADS PLAN.

ing his views on legislation to be en-
acted at this session. He advocates
number Of reforms and endorses much
of the progressive" legislation passed at
previous sessions of the Legislature.
A most notable feature of the mes
sage is the governors endorsement of
the insurance legislation which has
been declared by a number OF life COM
panies to be so radical that they could
not continue business with profit in the
state. If, however. he says, there has
been some misunderstanding of the stat
utes by the companies, then there should
be correction, but, he says. there
should be no sacrifice OF the principles
of these acts for that purpose"
The governor advocates changes in the
primary election laws which would pro-
vide particularly for the rotation of
names on the ballot.
Anent the notable late senatorial con-
troversy in which large sums Of money
were used, Gov. Davidson believes that
the primary act should be so revised as
to provide for the filing of election ex-
penses before the primary campaign. In
this connection he says:
'In view of the large sums of money
which the official statements of candi-
dates show were expended during the
last campaign preceding the primary, it
is well to consider whether there may
not be some way devised by which ex-
Ipenditures by candidates for office may
he limited. A provision requiring can
sdidates and committees to make and file
public statements showing the amount
expended. and the purpose of the ex-
penditure, before the primary, instead Of
after it, and making the filing Of false
statements a disqualification for office,
70 fhn cixY
and improper use Of money"
Peril in Highways.
The governor points out dangerous
amendment to the constitution endorsed
by the people at the recent primaries.
1t provides that the state may appro-
pirate money for public highways. The
governors says:
"This is a very important and far
reaching amendment, and one which
opens the door of the treasury to the dis
erection of the Legislature to an extent
not probably suggested by a casual read
ing. y The amendment now gives
unlimited authority to the state
Since all our navigable streams and wa
vterways, railroads, and canals, as we'll
ways" it will be seen that the authority
of the Legislature, under the amend
.ment, is very comprehensive indeed.
q" Il | call your attention to this
fact for the purpose of impressing upon
you the necessity of a conservative and
careful exercise of the great power con-
tferred by this amendment"
Other Recommendations.
Some of his other notable recommends
uEions are as follows:
TAXATION.
Test OF the present law declared unconsti-
titionaI by the attorney generaD providing
for reassessment by the state commission
iG or aIafT, 4o4
a law that would be constitutional.
Serious consideration of graduated in
come tax law.
enactment of laws to strengthen the in
iheritance tax law, thereby preventing eva
sion
graduated rate of earnings which would pro-
vide more equitable assessment.
PUBLIC UTILITIES.
Amendment to law which would allow
corporations to surrender at any time fran
chises in exchange for 1ndeterminate per-
mitS.
railroad commission jurisdiction over all
railroad crossings, both in the cities and
out.
Increase in transportation rates should be
prohibited until first authorized by the rail
road commission, thus avoiding many small
appeals to alike burdensome to the shipper
and carrier.
The granting of power to the railroad
commission to investigate and permit the
Issuance of stocks and bonds if amount is
pose.
MISCELLANEOUS.
An appropriation of 100000 to meet the
needs of the state university.
The encouragement of correspondence
schools in that institution.
Distribution of expense alike on employee
and employer in personal Injury suits
Passage of Torrens system of land titles.
Making Lincolns birthday a legal holi.
Continuance of the state park system
law which will put trust companies re-
ceiving savings deposits under same restric-
tions as banks.
preservation of the state forests.
An act requiring reporting all cases of
tuberculosis.
Amendment to dairy and food laws which
will remedy minor defects.
Passage of an act preventing discharged
state employee carrying case before jury
when dropped for incompetency, but giving
such person right to appeal only to civil
service commission, except in certain cases.
Abolition of fee system in state insurance
commissioners office
Industrial accidents and insurance for
injured men or families of victims of
fatal accidents are recognized by the
governor as vital subjects. He saws
that in 1909, according to past aver
ages there will be 10000 accidents to
workingmen in Wisconsin. They will
mean the sacrifice of time amounting to
the whole of a years time of 75O men
and $50 of these accidents, he SAYS.
will be fatal. the loss in wages amount
ing to S500,000 1t is recommended that
the legislators take the lessons presented
in foreign countries on these subjects.
This years message is not a long one
as compared to documents of past wears
1t contains fewer than 10000 words
and takes up thirty-one subjects. When
the two houses met at 10 o'clock this
morning the message was almost the
first thing taken up. Copies were dis
tributed through the chambers and while
fGll0IVn6
their copies. the message was read by
Clerk c. e. Shaffer in the Assemble
and by Clerk F. E. Andrews in the
Senate.
Following are extracts from the gov
errors message:
FINANCIAL.
The following table shows the amount on
hand in the state treasury belonging to the
several funds of the state, on the 30th day
of December, 1905, viz: