Kenosha tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1855, 1855-01-18

/ PtVEiFss VI q ~ D~~s~' -
/ growing in great measure out OF the necessary
expenditures in providing Pententary &other pub
| lie buildings, and the establishment OF charitable
| institutions. While from the foregoing il would
appear that the expenses for the year 1854 were
between thirty q fortythousan6 dollars more than
for any previous year, yet the aggregate for gem
/ eral purposes for that year was evidently some
| FORTY thousand dollars less than for 1853. This
| is accounted for By the fact that upwards
of $50, 900 more than in any previous year
for such purposes was appropriated for the
erection of State Prison, Lunatic, Deaf
and Dumb, and Blind Asylums-incuding
the moderate appropriations made for the
benefit of the State Agricultural and His
torical societies all of which did then, as
they do now appear to be just and worthy
| objects of Legislative favor; and some of
which at least must continue to be objects
of that character and destined to create no
small portion of the public expenses, unless
other provisions than at present exist, are
made for their betrayal.
With the suggestions of the Secretary, in
relation to existing laws, on the subjects of
the registration of marriages, birth and
death; Foreign insurances, the judiciary
fund.- the fixing of penalty in the event of
of a failure of Town Assessors to make re-
turn, and the publication of the election
laws, l most fully concur. His exhibit,
however, of the expense heretofore incur
red by the Legislature, for newspapers and
postage, is worthy of more than a passing
notice at this time, and can but impress
you with the Importance OF a reform in res
pect to these matters. 1t appears that the
expense for those two two items alone has
for severalyears averaged nearly ten thous-
and dollars annually: very large pro-
portion of which, have ever regarded as
unnecessary and unwarrantable in its
character, and should be- reduced and con-
fined to such as the legitimate object Of
Legislation may properly demand
The report of the Board of Commission
ers of School and University Lands, has
been deliberately prepared. and comprises
much of interest, connected with the respon-
sible trust committed to their charge.
1t appears that the aggregate principal
of the School fund, amounted on the first
day Of Jan'y, to the sum of S ,670258 II;
being an increase, during the past year of
S528, 454 40, derived chiefly from the sale
oflands. The gross amount of interest, re-
ceived since the last apportionment made
to common Schools including the sum pay
able prior to the tenth day of March next,
that being the time fixed by law for the
annua! distribution is Ss142, 434 90; which
according to the estimate of the State Su-
perintendent of Schools, is equal to 90
cents for each scholar-an increase of 81
cents over the previous year.
| The claim of the State to the quantity
unsolicited of the 100000 acre grant, a.
mounting to about 1875. 900 acres, belong
to the school fund, and heretofore denied
by the Gen'l Government, upon the ground
that there wasan arrearage due the Govt
from the State, arising from the connection
of the Territory with the Rock river canal
has during the past year, been amicably ad-
Ijusted, upon terms entirely favorable to the
State; and the lands thereby accruing have
been chiefly selected. 1t seems highly prob
able that like favorable adjustment will
be had, of our claim to the five per ccntum
of the net proceeds, arising from the sales
of Government lands, to which the State is
entitled; amounting at this time, it is sup
posed, to about 500, 900; and withheld by
the Government, for the same cause; as
will more fully appear from statement OF
the facts of the case, and the argument OF
the matter, which will be laid before you.
Considerable additions have been made
to this fund during The past year, arising
from fines collected by agents appointed
for that purpose, under an act authorizing
the same; large proportion of which, it is
believed, never would have reached the
Treasury, except through the operation of
some similar enactment. A defect in the
law, however, it is said, has in some in
stances been made an excuse for not pay
ing; to the correction of which, your at
ton is invited. The rapid increase of this
fund, exceeding so greatly the earl Y antici-
pations formed in regard to it, affords cheer
ing evidence of its ultimate sufficeney, for
the purpose intended. TO know that the
means of obtaining common school edu-
cation. are within the reach of all, is source
of just pride and congratulation, and sho'd
prompt us to protect them by the erection
of such safeguards as the interest and we'll
being of posterity demand. Under an act
of the Legislature of 1854, requiring the
commissioners and Governor to revise the
mode of keeping the school and university
accounts and records, important improve
ments have been made, and the work con-
Itempated by said act is rapidly progress
ing. In order, however, to insure the con-
tinuance of this, more permanent provis-
ion for the expenses, than at present exists
should be made therefore al the present
session; and can conceive ofno just cause
why such expenses should not be paid from
the fund, for which they are incurred.
As the law now is, in cases where the in
terest due upon school and university lands
purchased has not been promptly paid on
the day it became due, there have been a
number of instances where the lands thus
a forfeited have been entered by others; and
upon their making the payments required,
ne original purchasers have been deprived
Oh all !neIr rights in the property. This in
$ many instances instances is calculated to work ex-
IRENE hardship to those who, thro,fob TO-
norance or accident, fail to nav the interest
due upon the day fixed; and son,e nrov;s'
ion should be made, either for -
!, time after advertisement, or oiyipsr tl,a,
ties concerned Sueb reasopshla 20