Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1850-01-18
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
MADISON, Jan'y. 10, 1850.

I
Legislation of the State, has arrived and brought
you together, in your representative character,
TO learn its condition and to consult for its well
fare. 1t is made the duty of the Executive to
communicate to you the condition of the State,
and tor YOU to discharge the high trust of egis-
atlng for growing commonwealth and an in
teilIgent and prosperous people. Before enter
ing upon the performance of this important duty,
with which you have been commissioned by the
People, it gives me pleasure to be enabled to con-
graduate you upon the encouraging view of
prosperity presented by every branch of indus
trial interest and enterprise
The past year mas developed in an increased
ratio the productive capacity of our State in ev-
cry department of labor The Agricuturalist,
the Artisan and the Miner are reaping the we'll
earned reward of their honest industry The
Commercial and Manufacturing interests are ex-
tending IN manner highly creditable to the en-
terprlse of our people. The Educational interest
OF the State is assuming more systematic or
ganlzatlon and being placed upon footing COM
mensurate with our wants, which is SO necesSa-
ry TO perpetuate our social and political freedom.
/ immigration continues to be directed to the fer
tile soil of our State in increased numbers, and
the oppressed of other emes find a welcome
and happy home within its limits
The cherished relations of amity and peace
are fully maintained By our country, and domes-
TIC tranquility pervades the National Union,
which contrasting with the civil connections ag-
itaIng the political harmony of other countries,
must give the American citizen an elevated
pride and an anxious solicitude to .laintain unim-
paired the political fabric under which he lives
and enjoys life, liberty and happiness. The con-
trast affords the highest proof of the capacity of
the people for set-government, and presents an
example of the value Of Constitutional liberty in
Ireseryng Il community in the enjoyment of its
social, civil and religious rights and privileges.
You have convened to discharge your legisla-
tive duties with general health pervading the
States and with the evidences of prosperity sur
rounding the people as individuals and as a po-
litica body. The officers who have in charge
the management Of the financial affairs Of the
State are by law required to make their annual
report to the Legislature and not to the Execu-
tive, which will prevent me from giving to
You statement of the finances of the State
The Secretary of State, as Auditor, and the
State Treasurer, WILL doubt not, lay their annu-
al report before you at an early day of the Sess-
II, which will exhibit in detail the receipts and
expenditures from the State Treasury, and the
amount of its resources and liabilities, with
full statement showing the financial condition of
the State n all its bearings. The important and
direct relations this subject bears to the pccunl-
airy interest of the People, which claims a rigid
aud scrutinzing investigation from their repre-
sentatives.
A special act which passed the last Lcgi;la-
ture. provided for the sale of Section Is, in the
village OF Racine, which, excepting few small
lots was sold according the provision of that act
by the Board of Commissioners for the sale Of
the Lands. The aggregate amount of such sale
was S74,49t - of which the sum of 50 SIP IS
was raid in cash and a credit was given for SOL
9G2 8G-tho residue of the pure base money, at
an interest of per cent. payable annually. OF
the purchase money received at the time Of sale
$500 was loaned by the Board as provided by
the act relating TO the investment of the School
and University funds, at the rate of interest re-
terred to. payable annually IN advance. The a.
mount of interest so received and now in the
hands of the Treasurer, subject to be distrib-
uted for the support OF Common Schools, is
S5SS.
OF the amount received in money S95l,75
was paid by the Board to the county OF Racine
for expenses of appraisal of School Lands in that
county, and the sum of SI60,Il is now in the
Treasury, un expended.
\ weIl-lounded doubt existing whether the
General Law Of the last session. providing for
the sale Of the School and University Lands.
took effect before the first of January of the pres
ent year, steps were not taken to offer for sale
any of these lands, excepting the School Section
at Rlcne 1t is believed that no detriment has
resulted TO the School Fund by the delay, bat on
the contrary, an enhanced price will be OBJ
tanned by the sale having been postponed to this
year
Unless some modification of the present law
is made these lands will be brought into market
under this law at as early a day due regard
to the interest OF the Funds will warrant.
The Board of Public Works, who have in
charge the Improvement of the Fox and Wiscon-
sin rivers, have prosecuted, during the past sea-
son, this improvement in a vigorous and ener-
gctc manner, highly creditable to themselves,
and with an economy and success that will en-
sure its final completion, should the impetus
thus given to its progress be continued, and the
land donated by Congress be adequate to COM
plete the object of the grant.
For the Improvement of the Fox River,
Drcdgc boat being absolutely necessary. the
Board, in March last, contracted for the constuc-
ton Of such a Machine. which has been com
pletcd aud answers the purpose for which twas
intended. in a manner highly satisfactory. Ear
IL in May last the Board, in pursuance OF law,
placed under contract to the lowest bidder, the
construction Of the Portage Canal and the nee
essarv locks to connect these two rivers, and
also the Improvement of Fox River and Rapids
Dcperc ana Rapid Crocne. These contracts
Were all let on terms highly favorable, having
been taken at considerably less than the est
mates submitted by the Chief Engineer TO the
Legislature at its last session.
The amounts of the contracts, according to
the estimated qualities, were as follows: The
Portage Canal and Lock, $50 200; the Rapid
Cro,he Sll 1900; the Rapid Depere, 81 90 =
the Dredse Boat, 1900: aggregate, S60,4O0.
At the Rapids Depsre individuals interested con-
taactad TO make tue improvement for the nomi-
mai sum of $500 to secure its location tavora-
bic TO their interests.
The improvement Of the Winnebago Rapids
was, thro the compati ion created by individuals
interested in the different channels Of the stream,
for the location of the State work, contracted to
be made without expense to the State and gra-
tuiiy in addition of $4,000 was given for the To-
cation Of the State works. The progress made
by the Beard Of Public works thus far, in piac-
ing under contract this important work, furnish
es a guaranty for its ultimate completion, should
it receive the liberal consideration from the
Legislature whichits importance demands. The
Board will meet about the middle Of the present
month at the Capitol and submit their report,
giving a detailed account Of the dongs of the
preceding wear with statement Of the DaTtlCu-