Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-08-12
Paid Advertisement. Price 81 O0 Paid
written and authorized by Kenneth F.. Bur
yes, whose residence and address is Lancaster
Wisconsin.
Statement of Kenneth F. Burgess.

y
stand politically, especially with ref
erence to state legislation. / believe
the best way to make clear my at
titude is by a series Of statemen is in
these columns. If you agree with
me on most subjects and think my
opinions are sound, hope you will
vote for me. Your support will be
appreciated.
First, let me state that / am
wholly in sympathy with bipartisan
movements at critical periods such as
we have had in Grant county this
year, and which eliminated in our
county convention and the formation
of the Grant County Taxpayers Pro-
tective League. agree with the
platform Of that league as being de-
signed to protect the interests of this
county.
Second, have never taken part in
politics before, have not been as
sociated with any of the former divi
sions of my party, and do not now
stand as the candida tie of any faction,
division or clique.
STATE FINANCES AND TAXATION.
Every voter in Wisconsin is. in
terested in the subject of state taxa
ton for every man, woman and child
has to pay taxes, either directly or
indirectly, to the state.
/ believe STATE EXPENSES ARE
HIGH, MUCH TOO HIGH, and
beyond all reason, and will present
figures in support of my belief. /
also believe that STATE TAXES
CAN BE LOWERED without injury
to the commonwealth and without
sacrificing any really beneficial
legislation, and next week I will en-
deavor to show how l would try to
lower them if you elected me mem
Der of the legislature.
SOME REASONS WHY STATE TAXES
ARE HIGH.
The net disbursements of the state
in 1900 were, So, 952, 424 %; in
1910 they were SO, 444, 418. %; and
in 1914 they will be $14, 377, 169.-
81. The total book disbursements of
the state in 1900 were So, PAT, 563.-
IT; in 1910 they were $I1, 172, 1914
ID; and in 1914 they will be S19,-
O28, 1876. "a.
During the last fourteen years the
cost of living has increased and the
cost of government would be expect
ed to increase too, but would you
expect the cost of our state govern
ment to increase $50 per cent in that
time? If, the present rate of increase
continues, as the tax commission
predicts, what will your taxes be in
ten years more?
can only tell you briefly how
some Of the states money is spent.
The expenses of the state depart
ment, the banking department the
railroad department, the board of
health, the state historical society,
and the state board of control have
all practically DOUBLED since 1910.
The expenses of the TAX COM
MISSION have increased from
$47, O21.O1 in 1910 to approximately
$189, 565 for 1914. The HIGHWAY
COMMISSION spent $25, IT'S. 70 in
1912; $50, 328.45 in 1913, and will
spend ONE MILLION EIGHT HUN
DRIED AND SIXTY THOUSAND
DOLLARS in 1914.
In 1900 the eleven persons in the
employ of the Tax Commission were
paid SIT, O28.11 by the state. In
ten years this increased to 70 persons
receiving S74, O21.O1. In 1914 it
will spend approximately $3.50, 565
and employ more than 26O persons.
The Railroad Commission employed
4 people in 1900 at a cost of ST.
O47.52. This year that Com mission
has about 300 employees and will
spend almost twice as much money
as it did even fourS years ago when
it spent $95, 3O6.66. The Highway
Commission is practically new de
partment. This year it has at it's
disposal nearly two millions of dol
lars, to be spent under the direction
of young men who quite recently
have been instructors and students in
the University of Wisconsin.
The increase in cost of the Uni
versity of Wisconsin for the past four
years is approximately $1,000, 600,
and the increase in Normal School
expenditures with practically no in
crease in enrolment is approximate
ly $500, 900. A considerable per
cent of foreigners and non-residents