Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-01-16
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
FelloO Citizens Of the Senate
and assembly !:

OF the State, anu Itc0Hiihei.a suo' MAJ
tiers for their consideration as he may
deem applicable.
The past year has been one of nnusu-
al health, and unparalleled prosperity
in the history Of our State, and jusiiiles,
on this occasion, indulgence in more than
the usual congratulations. Every branch
Of industry has prospered. The field,
the forest and the mine, have paid their
tribute to the common treasury, while
the increase of our commerce and man
nfactures, has more than realized the ex-
pectations of the most sanguine. Inter-
nal improvements, conducted by private
enterprise, have steadily progressed land
are beginning to manifest their import
ance by substantial benefits. Confidence,
both at home and abroad, in our resour-
ces and ultimate pros perity, is perma-
nently established. Although disease
has visited some parts of our common
country, and manifested itself in It's most
appalling form, it is still matter Of con-
graduation that our sister States have
generally been blessed with health and
abundance.
The Vice President Of the y. States,
distinguished alike for his public servi-
ces and private virtues, was, shortly af-
ter his elevation to office, removed by
the hand of death. We have, also, been
called upon, since the assembling Of our
last Legislature, to Gourn the loss Of
one who has heretofore acted promI-
nent part in the councils Of our State,
and shared, in an uncommon degree, the
confidence of our citizens.
From the Message of the President
of the United States to the present. Con-
gress, and the Reports OF the heads of
the different Departments, it is manifest
that the guardianship of the Union is
committed TO safe hands. The circum-
stances connected with the arrest and
release of Martin Koszta, by the Aus
trian authorities, at Smyrna, are familiar
TO all and the policy adopted by ourGo
vernment i'll that case, i'll relation to CT
tizens clothed with nationality, must meet
with your appreciation, and be source OF
proud qualification to every true-hearted
American.
In commencing TO remark Upon mat
tiers Immediately interesting to our State
and people, | would direct your atten-
ton to the evils of excessive legislation,
which have become SO apparent in the
mass and conflict of laws encumbering
our Statute books, that even our Courts
have difficulty in determining what, i'll
many cases, is the existing law. And
in this connection it may be proper TO re-
mark, that the people are anxiously and
justly DESTROYS that the present session
may be short one, and that there may
be a consequent decrease OF legis lative
expense. At the last session of theLe-
gislature, the constitutional step was ia
ken, necessary to change Of the Con-
stitution, so as to provide for the bien-
NAL sessions of the Legislature-which
subject will claim your attention. 1t is
a question worthy of your most careful
aud serious consideration and while
large portion, and perhaps majority OF
our citizens, are favorably inclined TO
this change in our Constitution, it may
be we'll TO consider whether this opinion |
on their part, has not been fostered and
strengthened by so much conflicting le-
gislatlon, and the consequent expenses
of long sessions, rather Than by due
and proper reflection, as 10 the probable
effect Of biennial sessions, on the pros
peri,y of the State; and whether, if you
should adopt the plan of short sessions,
and careful and economical Legislation, ii
would not be better for us, in view of
our constant and increasing wants, that
the Legislature should continue TO as
semble annually. Il seems eminentlv
proper TO me, that in State like ours,
with its resources paratively ande-
veloped, and inhabited by people from
every section Of our common country,
and from almost every portion of The
world, that once year their represen-
tatives should meet TO consult together
for the comman good. BY these means
each section of our State becomes better
acquainted with The wants and resources
of the other, and ii is only by thorough
knowledge Of the condition and wants of
the whole State, and every section of it,
that we can hope promote its advance
ment and prosperity through the instru-
mentality of legislation.
Frequent attempts have been made ,at
former sessions OF the Legislature, TO eff
feet change in the present system of
county government. BY one OF my pre-
decessors, in his annual message, this
subject was pertinently discussed, and
am satisfied the positions there assumed
were correct. En'ert raining these views,
| commend the subject 10 your conside-
ration, and submit whether an amend
ment OF the existing law should not be
made, 50 that the duties now required to
be discharged by the County Board Of
Supervisors, may be performed by a
much less number of officers.
The Reports of the Secretary Of State
and State Treasurer, TO which your at
tention is invited, exhibit the condition
Of the Treasury, and the receipts and
disbursements, in detail, for the year
1893. 1t appears that the whole sum
paid into the Treasury, during the year,
from all sources, amounted to abou.
100000. on account OF the following
funds, viz:
General Fund, $751;. 565 80
Principal OF school Fund. 67.7o3 76