The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-03-27
socIALIsTIc SHORT TALK

What Is the wisconsin Idea?" The
neighboIing states and even the ma.
ton itself are beginning to appreciate
the wisconsin Idea" People who
have not been watching Wisconsin's
tentative progress toward the greater
democracy may be somewhat at sea as
to what the wisconsin Idea" signifies.
Considering the phase it is not perfect.
ly obvious to the casual observer that
the idea" Is plural in number, but
such is the fact. There are several OF
them each touching upon the common
wealth at different angles.
The Minnesota Legislature has re-
Gently taken as a model for considera-
ton the Wisconsin idea OF legislation
concerning the compensation Of injur-
ed laborers, though it's defects are
heralded by the cohorts of progress in
it's native state.
The nation itself has bills in both
houses looking to the establishment
of a congressional bureau Of legisla.
tive information similar to the one
which Wisconsin established some
years since. Their legislators may go
and inform themselves concerning leg
islation upon any subject not only what
has been done in other countries, as
well as u own, in any particular line.
but as to the forms, that the rock OF
unconstitutionality may be avoided if
possible; thus greatly expediating leg
islation and correspondingly reducing
the expense thereof. Wisconsin has
an idea regarding the railroads that
do business in the state whereby the
common Vanderbilt doctrine-"The
people be damned" has been tempered
by the great common carriers. They
pay taxes in some proportion to their
earnings, they carry passengers for
two cents per mile, they submit to a
state railroad commission in certain
disputes and abide by their decision.
Wisconsin has an idea of state insur.
ance on trial; she has child labor
laws; laws regulating the labor hours
OF adults, and many others that attest
e Willingness to make modern
economic Conditions square with the
welfare of her people.
But the over-mastering and most
hopeful idea" of the whole aggrega-
ton is the diffuse acknowledgements
that all that has already been accom-
plished is but an earnest beginning of
what is still to be done upon these and
lines pertaining to the general
welfare.
Now, there is a reason" There
never was an effect without an ade-
quate cause. Why does Wisconsin
lead in legislation dealing with mod
ern economic conditions?
A master mind one asserted that
"a little leaven leaven1th the whole
Jump" There has been an active, ag-
bun.h of socialists in the
Wisconsin legislature for some years.
Who in season and out Of season have
hammered these very subjects driving
IN entering wedge wherever there was
IN outlook toward the ultimate social
democracy to which their lives are
ledlcated. Since Wisconsin is fur
fishing ideas or rather distributing
hem 1T Is to be hoped she will soon
cad in the matter of proportional rep
esentation. The new administration
epresents Tor m~isrepresents as
vents will prove) but forty one per
ent OF the people. Under our present
ystem the majority do not rule even
n semblence. If congress was made
4 a proportional representation basis, {
here would be $50 democrats, 1875
.rogressives, SO republicans, 26 social
SITS, 6 prohibitionists and 2 social I
abor members. With 26 socialists in
ongress the nation could sprout evils
onsin ideas" Of its own, for socialistic
ruth vitilized by twenty-six minds
WOULD have a fair show. In fact il
Tould mean a square deal" all
round. Under the present method
Il representation privilege and not
'ure political democracy sits in the
addle.
--4e-