Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1850-01-18


lowest bidder. the construction of the Por-
tage canal, and the necessary locks to
connect these two rivers, and also the inn
proyement Of Fox River at Rapide des
Pere and Rapide Croche These con
tracts were all let highly favorable. having
6een taken considerably less than the es-
Inmates submitted by the Chief Engineer
to the legislature at its last session.
The amount Of these contracts, accord /
ing to the estimated quantities, were as
follows
The Portage canal and locks, S37, 200
The Rapide Croche, 1920
The Rapide des Pere, L
The dredge boat, $4,000
500. .40I
At the Rapide des Pere, individuals
contracted to make the improve
ment for the nominal sum Of one dollar,
10 secure its location favorable to their in
terest The improvement Of the Winnie
bago Rapids, was. through the competition,
created by individuals interested in the
different channels of the stream, for the
location of the State work contracted to
be made without charge to the State, and
a gratuity in addition of $4,000 Was given
for the location Of the State work The
progress made BY the Board Of Public
Works thus far, in placing under contract
this important work, furnishes q guaran-
tee for its ultimate completion. should it
receive that liberal consideration from the
legislature, its Importance demands.
The Board viii meet about the middle
Of the present month, at the capitol, and
submit their report, giving detailed ac-
count Of their acts and d0inCs Tor the pre-
ceding year, with q statement Of the par
ticular items Of expenditure or account
of this improvement Upon the reception
Of their report, with that Of the State land
officers, such suggestions VIII accompany
the report as viii tend to further an en-
ergetic prosecution Of the work
The lands located as a part Of this grant
at the last session Of the legislature, have
received the approval Of the President but
the residue of the grant cannot be selected
without further action Of Congress, to ef-
feet which have requested the early at
tentiou of Congress to that subject The
lands to which the State has acquired title
have been brought INTO market; and there
has been sold up to Nov. 10, lS49, 80,
40S, ,40-l00 acres. and the amount received
therefor including pre-emption fees to
Sept lst last Is $50 800. The amount ex-
pended up TO the same time for all pur-
poses. Is about $4,000 The official
report may vary these figures, bat not
materially The term Of service Of the
present Boardof Public Works and officers
Of the State Land Office, expires during
your present session: it viii therefore be
necessary to elect IN pursuance of law, three
persons to constitute the Board Of Public
Works. Register Of the State Land Of
fec. and Treasurer Of the Board
In connection with the improvement of
these streams, 1t may not be improper to
call your attention to that section of the
Wisconsin River above the Winnebago
Portage. with a view of asking Congress
for donation of land similar to the grant
made for the improvement of the Fox and
Wisconsin Rivers below the Portage
This portion Of the Wisconsin River Is
susceptible Of having It's navigable capac-
ity greatly extended. and the Improvement
of the numbering, agricultural. and manu-
featuring interest of that part Of the State
is well deserving donation of land by
Congress for this object: to accomplish
which your memorial would not faI to have
its influence
About 100 600 acres of land have been
selected under the direction of the execu-
tive during the past year, as a part of the
100000 acres granted by Congress to the
State, which, with the quantity selected
during the preceding year, makes 3O0,C90
acres of this grant that has been selected
Only a portion of the lands selected has
received the approval Of the General Gov
ernment.
The residue Of this grant VIII be loea-
ted during the coming year, or as soon as
surveys shall be completed, and lands Of
the first quality can be obtained
The cases IN which the executive par
don has been exercised, VIII be communi-
Gated to the legislature in the manner di-
rected BY the Constitution, at subsequent
period Of your session.
In connection with the subject of the
exercise Of the pardoning power, would
direct the attention of the legislature to the
manner in which State Prison conyiets are
now punished in this State
The present system Of confning con
victs IN county jails, IN demoralizing mac
tivity, and frequently In crowded prison
rooms. Is not only highly injurious and
detrimental, both morally and physically,
70 the prisoner, but expensive TO the State
and derogatory TO its character as an in
telligent and humane people. Ny views
on this subject were fully expressed II
nv two former messages to the Legislature.
To which l beg leave 10 refer and direct
your attention I earnestly recommend
and urge your favorable action upon this
subject, and that such initiatory steps be