Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-01-16

Total, @oo,fit ~
Deduct over drafts ON General
Fund, 8,2S1 81
Toll bal. inTreas'y. Jan. /, 1854, s57,l3 AS
The estimate of the Sec'y. of State
of the probable amount, to be drawn
from the Treasury during the present
year, for the general expenses Of the
State, is stated at Sl47,2l0 70. The
means applicable to meet the same, are
estimated as follows:
State Tax (six mills on the dollar) $4,000 0(
Arrearages due from Counties, 1882 "A
Miscellaneous, 1853 "
Total. Sl60,0l7 u
In the foregoing estimate of resources
nothing appears to be included as de-
rieable from the tax upon Banking capt
tai, which judging from the amount that
has been realized from that source, du.
ring the past year, may safely be esiima.
ted for the present year at $4,000 CO.
lit is believed also, that the estimate Of
the Secretery OF the amount of State tax
is far short of the amount that will be
actually received.
This Report will be found to contain
many valuable suggestions, in regard to
the present irefficiel and unequal sys-
TEN of assessments the present mode
Of auditing accounts-the time and man
ner Of distributing the income of the
School Fund, and also the distribution
and publication of the laws--to all OF
which | invite your attention, as being
subjects worthy of consideration.
1t will be your duty at the present
session TO make the necessary provisions
for levying State Tax, sufficient 10
meet The demands that will necessarily
be made upon the Treasury for the year
1855.
In some instances the amount levied
has proved inadequate-the effect Of
which has bees to impair credit, and
thus operate in manner detrimental to
the interests Of the State and unjust to
its creditors. Prudence and sound e.
economy clearly dictate the true policy
TO be, to make ample provisions for AL
exigencies which may necessarily arise.
The Report of the Commissioners of
School and University Lands, herewith
submitted is worthy of your attention.
The Report of the Secretary of State,
shows that the School Fund on the first
day OF the present month amounted 10
The sum or 81 .l4l ,804 28-arising al
most exclusively from the sale of lands
granted by Congress. The amount of
income due and subject to apportionment
or the support of Common Schools the
present year, including the balance now
is $97,391 80. While the
und promises to be large, from the pro-
leeds OF land only, and eventually sutfi-
'ient to support our Common Schools,
without the aid of taxation, yet there are
uhdry other resources provided by the
Constitution, which, if not overlooked will
10 much to augment the same. One
VI the provisions of the Cons titution,
which | ierl it my duty to press upon
our attention is that relating to fines,
md Is as follows "The clear proceeds
II fines, collected in the several coun-
les, for any breach Of the penal laws,
hall become part Of the School Fund"
PROVISION has been made by law, re-
lniring these fines TO he paid into the
state Treasury, through the County
Lreasnrers. The amount paid into the
Treasury, from this source is so ,rifing,
hat IT Is very apparent there has been
reckless disregard Of this provision on
he part Of county and town officers in
o whose hands these fines are paid
Many thousands of dollars il is believed,
IRE wrongfully and illegally Withheld by
hose officers, which should long since
lave reached the Treasury. Such en-
actment as will insure the correction of
The evils complained of, seems to be de-
demanded at your hands. Regarding,
as | do, the School Fund, as great and
sacred trust committed to our charge
one that should be regarded by every
citizen with pride--I feel that ] cannot
loo strenuously urge upon you the pro-
priety CT investigating closely its true
condition, and the making of such fur
Their provision, for the management
thereof, as may be found necessary.
The absolute necessity Of the accounts
and records, connected with both the
School and University Funds being so
kept as 10 insure clearness and perma-
ency, cannot fail to be appreciated by
you, and from some past personal know
edge Of the necessity thereof [ am in
duced. in this connection, TO suggest
hat more ample provision be made for
hat purpose. The Constitution vests
The management of these funds, in a
Board of Commits sioners, consisting of
The Secretary Of State, Stale Treasurer
and Attorney General. The ordinary
duties required Of these officers are
such as TO preclude their bestowing the
requisite time and labor upon such ac-
counts and records. Again, to insure
correctness, and to facilitate business
connected with these funds, the accounts
should be kept entirely separate and dis
linct from any and every other branch
OF the public accounts. The necessity
OF this Is so apparent, thatI recommend that
suitable provision be made for estab-
lishIng separate Bureau, under the di.
rectlon of the Commissioners and that
Tue necessary provision be made for the
expenses thereof.
~ The June session of the last Legis-
azure, an act, submitting 10 the cleo