Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-01-19

Sluoratl0n OF the feglSialure anu SlOulu IcCSiFc
from it an energetic impulse.
The board of public works will meet at the
capitol on the 18th inst. when report of
their doings and the result of this survey viii
be submitted in detail. Some Legislation will
be necessary, am informed, to prosecute the
work energetlcally and economically which
will be suggested in the report of the board
and engineer When these reports are receiy-
ed, such additional suggestion will be made
As vigorous prosecution of the work may
seem to demand.
Under the act directing the 100000 acres
of land granted to the state by Congress to be
located, about 800, 900 acres have been selec-
ted but the approval of the locations has not
vet been made by the general government =
The farther locations of these lands has been
suspended until they can be made of better
quality and at less expense than at the pres
ent time. AS the title to none of these lands
has vet been perfected In this state no recon-
mendations on the subject OF their sale is
made.
The cond.t ton Of the capitol and the prop
erty come cted with it is brought to your no.
tice. Some provision should be made for re-
pairs and for finishing the supreme court room
and the state offices In manner becoming the
character of the state. The capitol and Its
grounds with the other public property should
be under the control and supervision OF one
F., of the state officers, and Its use should be
confined TO such purposes only, as were lnten-
ded by its construction A contingent fund
should be placed at the disposal of the officer
having such supervision, for the purpose OF
discharging, as they are incurred, such Incl
| dental expenses are necessary TO keep the
capitol and its grounds In proper order. Eco
nomy would dictate this course, as the time
consumed by the Legislature in making sepa-
rate appropriations for these expenses, to diff
ferent persons, costs the state more than the
aggregate amount of the claims allowed
Such legislation as will carry out these views
is urged.
The constitution has appropriated to the
school fund all moneys and the clear pros Is
of all property that may accrue to the state
by forfeiture or escheat, and all moneys that
may be paid for exemption from military du-
ty, and the clear proceeds of all fines, collect
ed in the several counties for any breach of
! the penal laws, and also the five per centum
Of the nett proceeds Of the public lands =
Some Legislation is required directing the rev.
enue received from these sources to be paid
into the proper fund for investment, aud au-
thoriZing some person to draw the five per
certum referred to from the United States
treasury.
Provision has been male to carry ont that
clause in the constitution which requires the
school and university lands to be appraised
before a sale could be effected. The only
lands that can now be appraised under this
law are the university lands OF seventy-two
sections and the sixteenth section in each
township. The commissioners appointed 10
discharge this duty were required to make
their reports TO the secretary of state, who
will communicate the progress made to the
Legislature. That portion of the state lying
north Of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers is but
sparseiy settled and many portions OF it are
vet unsurveyed, It therefore becomes a ques-
ton Of doubt whether the public interest and
that of the school fund viii be promoted by
an appraisal of the school lands lying north of
those rivers at this time. / respectfully re-
| commend that the further appraisal Of the
lands reft ed to, be suspended until the ap-
praisal can be more economically accomplish
ed, and a result obtained more beneficial to
the school funds.
The Propriety of sale of the university
and school lands after their appraisal, Will adj
dress itself with much force to your consider
alton at this session. The interest of these
funds, it is believed, viii be advanced by
sale of them. l. is estimated that the interc st
\ OF the money that might be received from
such sale at this time, would exceed their
rise In va ne in case their sale should be post
pOned Other advantage Of an important
character would result to the state by their
sale A large quantity of valuable wild lanl
| would pass into the hands OF industrious SCI
tiers, thereby materially increasing the pro-
ductlve resources of the state This would
add to the amount of taxable property, and
| consequently swell the state revenue
In preparing the details of system for the
sale Of these lands, | suggest that, in all sales
upon credit, the title of the land shall re-
main absolutely in the state, until the pur-
chase money and all interest is fully paid, and
that the purchaser shall have only right Of
I possession, until the terms of sale are compIi-
ed with; and further that in all cases of fail
ure to pay any part of the purchase money or
the interest, when the same becomes due. the
state should have the right to resell or take
! possession of the land, the same as in case. no
sale had been made. Much trouble and ex-
pense In making collections and in eiectino
delinquent purchasers, will, by adopting this
course be avoided. In all cases of sales upon
a credit, cash payment should be ezacted.
OF from twenty-five to fifty per cent, depend
ing upon the situation Of the land as to timber
and its liability to waste; the residue sbonId
draw interest, payable annually In advance
and the principal and interest made PAYABLE to
the state treasurer, at the capitol. This course
would be prudent, and in fact it is the only
safe mode to protect these funds
The investment of the funds arisinor from,
the different sources Of revenue for education
al purposes, is among the measures of the
highest importance you will be called tn act
upon at this session Unless these funds are
JudIclously invested, so that the interest and
principal when due shall be paid PROXIMITY
without expense to the State, and at the Mace
stipulated, but little benefit will result IN the
people from the liberal provisions they have
made for these objects. Some sveta-o 60