The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-12-07
AIDING. "PATERNAL" GOVERNMENT.


Local self government--the government of
the people, for and by the people, will not be
aided much by the action of the county board in
giving it's sanction to the proposed legislation
for highway work in Wisconsin
We are not inclined to think that the county
has gone to the demnition bow-wows on account
Of the action of the board. We are not ready to
say that the action will result in the serious
handicap of highway work in Kenosha county,
but it is certain that the action of the board
is direct and distinct aid to certain forces in
the state which would take away the powers Of
the counties and vest it in the state government
at Madison,
The action Of the county board of Kenosha
county does not insure the passage by the legis-
lature Of the program of the highway cohlmis-
sion, but it gives it big impetus Kenosha
county has been looked upon as one of the coun-
ties which has been contending against the long
arm of the state reaching out to take control
over local taxes and over local improvements.
The state has sought to tell the people how they
will spend their money in a lot of ways and the
highway commission is drifting along into the
same paternalistic path. 1t is certain that il
this legislation is enacted, the state and not the
county will assume control Of the highway
work, and it is certain that Kenosha county, in
stead Of having a vital part in deciding just
what work will be done in the county, will be-
come a cog in a great state wheel. Of course,
the man who wants roads built to all parts of
the state in order that he may run his automo-
bile farther in day and with greater degree
Of comfort can see silver lining to the state
taking over the direction Of how his money
shall be spent. The other man may find it hard
TO find this silver lining.
Kenosha county, under the old system, has
set fast pace for other counties in the state.
The people Of the county have literally expend-
ed money to secure state aid in the building of
highways It is possible that, under the new
plan Kenosha county will not be forgotten
that the state highway commission will see to
1t that the roads here are extended, but there
is also the possibility, and we cannot but be-
ieve the probability that Kenosha county will
be overlooked in the zeal of the state commits
gion and that the state government to develop
by the building of highways certain portions
of the state which have shown little interest in
their own development
1t may be that we take selfish interest in
the expenditure of our own money, but we have
for years watched developments under Just
such state direction, and we have come to know
rather caustically that the laws of Wisconsin
are not made for Kenosha county"
Certainly there is reason to question the tax
alton clauses of this proposed plan. Certainly
1t will take from the local community a consid
cradle sum of money and place it in the state
fund, but it the assurance could be secured by
the state that this money would come back for
work in the local community, this loss might be
held as trifling There is no assurance that
the city Of Kenosha will receive a nickel in any
way Irom the state commission 1t never has
been care upon the state commission to pro-
vide the care of streets in any city, and it prob
ably never will be, and yet fairness would sug-
gest that, if the city surrenders its> money
from taxes, it should have some back, The
regret IS that the county board pledged this
county to the plan rather than leaving their
members of the legislature free to act. OF
course, the action does not bind legislators To
vote one way or the other, but the formal
action of the board must come as big lever tn
the men who are seeking to put the plan over
Possibly the members of the board are not
entirely satisfied with their action and nos
siby reconsideration might bring the board
to see the advisability of leaving the county
members of the legislature free to use their
own discretion after they have heard an intelIi-
gent statement of just what this plan is and an
intelligent argument Of the things in its favor
and the things against it.
The nation paused today to pay tribute to