Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-01-15

As to the Importance Of establishing upon a
permanent basis a department devoted excIu-
sively to the management OF these funds, have
upon = former occasion expressed myself freely
and take this opportunity TO repeat all en- that
SUI beet | have before said, and also TO add that
| consider il ycur imperative duty at tie pres
ent session, TO make the provision necessary for
this purpose. Several clerks must necessarily
lie employed, and suitable person placed IN
charge. 10 oversee and direct the business, under
the control and general supervision of the beard
% commissioners. This will of course create
expense, and while ii does so, tie importance
and magnitude OF these funds are clearly, 10 my
mind, sufficient justify the same and amoun-
ting as they do 20 over $2,UooG0O, held by
the State IL trust tor a sacred purpose, cannot
t.liliI. there should be any hesitation whataver
60 the part Of the Legislature, TO adopt suitable
measures Tor their protection and efficient man
agement. The Commissioners, from sense OF
Justice and tie duty attendant upon their POSI-
tiun, have ventured to assume such response bll
tiles in tie premises the importance OF their
trust seemed 10 demand. \ bill Tor this purpose
did meet the favorable action Of one branch OF
the last legislature, but Immediately upon its
being reached by the other branch, was indeh-
HiteIv postponed. thereby showing 4 reckless
disregard for funds Of which we may and do
Justly feel proud, and which you, as the watch
ful guardians Of the interests CT the rising gen
Grafton. should carefully protect. Aotwithstan-
ding this neglect, it is gratifying to be able To
state. that from all the official reports connected
with these funds no evidence exists that ere dol
lar has ever been lost or squandered, whatever
may have been the suspicious or charges to the
contrary. Tie fear which may have been to
some degree, entertained IN consequence of ma
licious representations. that the safety OF these
funds would be handed in consequence OF
their being leaned by the officers in charge to
their partizan and personal friends is idle, and
utterly unworthy the countenance Of honorable
men. Officers thus entrusted, should, and no
doubt do, feel an obligation resting upon them
more sacred and binding than the accomplish
ment of mere personal or political objects. The
bestowal Of favors upon personal and political
. friends is common consequence of the power 10
dispose of the same, and whatever party sect
may succeed IN obtaining power, the same poll
lev may with entire confidence be expected to
be pursued. 1t Is however, true, and viii be 50
found upon examination, hat not few who are
neither personal political friends Of the offi-
GERS who have had these funds III keeping, have
received accommodations by leans made in con-
forlnity with law.
BY reference 10 the Report of the Superinten-
dent OF Public Instruction, ii VIII be perceived
that the important educational interests of the
State are progressing IN q manner highly salts
factory TO those who attach to them their true
value 1t is gratifying to know that the funds
granted for the purpose Of ensuring the lasting
establishment OF our common school system Is
steadily working ont the beneficial results in
ded, and promises TO continue for all time the
solid aud invaluable basis of the Educational
system Of our State. Every department cen
uecred with instruction has continued to in
crease in usefulness during the PAST wear, and
has added largelvto the number of those in
training for the duties and responsibilities of
life.
refer you to the Report Of the Superintend-
ent, as containing much CT interest connected
with the matters therein treated and to which
the limits of this communication forbid more
particular reference.
Information derived from the Banl, Comptroll-
er enables me to state the following facts con-
nected with the Bank Department
II appears that the whole number of Banks
in operation on the lst day Of January was -,
with an aggregate capital Of 81 $50 000. The
number In process OF closing was four The
securities deposited for the redemption Of cir
culatIng notes are q follows VIZ : Stocks, ST.,
2l5.062 specie, S.1S 1851 making total a.
mount Of securities aside from individual bonds
81, 243, S9S,75 Total amount of circulating notes
outstanding on January lst, was ~I.l 81 334, of
which ssfII.063 was issued in the year 1855, and
during which time the sum II S26l ,I2l was re-
turned for cancellation. The amcunt of State
Tax due and collected from Banks during the
same period was Ss23,9.0S3. Those which have
closed business, 1t Is gratifying to state, have
ample means deposited with the Comptroller to
redeem their notes at par Of presentation, clear
" indicating that the law under which they
The Penitentiary Is among the objects which
viii require your attention. About the usual
appropriation fer expenses viii be necessary and
some amendments to the law regulating its man
aEtment, think it important should be made.
The main building which has been commenced
and Prosecuted TO q considerable extent. mainly
Icy convict labor, should, in nay Judgment be
completed during the present wear, thus olivia
tIu5 tie excessive inconvenience that now exists
In the Wy OF the proper management Of tie
prison ana control Of those for whose safe keep
gug and discipline it was established.
Tie Commissioner estimates the amount neces-
sarv for this purpose at fifteen thousand dollars,
over and above what can be derived from cen
Wet labor. His Report. TO which l refer YOU for
ton AID wants Of the prison, VIII, trust, re-
-ceiye the attention it merits.
The Geological Survey Of the State has been
continued by and under the direction of Mr..
PeIcival during the past wear. His report, which
viii lie laid before YOU at an carly dav is Of
great value, not only from the accurate details
given, bat from the great amount Of information
contained In II, Interesting 70 the GColUgist is
well as 20 The practical miner. There is much
credit due to professor Percival for the uutiriGg
industry With which he has prosecuted the sur
vey, and the very thorough manner in which 1t
Las, considering tie time and great extent Of
country to be examined, been conducted The
JeEehts already received, and which VIII here
aIjeT accrue 10 the State, from examinations Of
This kind, conducted by scientific men, whose
a.ta,nments and character are n guarantee as to
The correctness Of their conclusions. viii bear
not even The most distant proportion to the
amount expended yearly in order TO secure them.
We have reason TO believe that the mineral re-
sources Of our State VIII continue to be, rs thev
now are, one Of the most important clements Of
our prosperity; and the accurate and Intelligent
examination now progressing viii, IN all proba-
bIlty, lead 10 ascertaInug Ike fact that our min
eral wealth Is more generally dilfused, greater
IN quantity, and much more varied as 10 the
qualities Il the metals, tlsn has heretofore been
supposed.
IN nay last annual message l stated that il
was intended 10 prosecute the survey North of
the Wisconsin river to the Copper MINES Of Lake
superior. Owing 10 the length of time. how
ever. necessarily employed by the Geologist in
the more settled portions If the State, lie found
himself unable 10 carry out his intention in this
respect, and was obliged 10 forego the visit 10
the Superior country until another season, when
tEat reglcn Will lie examined by him. An at
tentIye perusal Of his repor; viii exhibit to you
much of the valuable information which his ex-
pcTlenCc and examination las enabled him, to