Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-01-26


alton cannot be obtained under genera
| laws"
Nearly all the local legislation of tn,
last ten years, which has filled large vol
umes, and cost the State, in time spent b,
the Legs lature, and in expense of print
ing, at least one hundred thousand dol
lars, might have been entirely dispensed
with, and the benefits derived, or expect.
ed 10 be derived, might have been realiz.
ed under general laws provided for the
purpose, or from the action of Boards of
County Supervisors, or by proceeding in
court. Economy in public expenditures,
In this time of financial distress, would
be your sufficient warrant for abandoning
this system of Legislation, if the Consti-
tuition did not prohibit it.
ASSESSMENT LAWS.
Our assessment laws are fall of imper-
tectlons, and the attention of the Legis-
lature IS earnestly invited 10 the necessity
OF change IN the present system. The
law should comps the assessors to assess
all property liable to be taxed, both real
and personal, at its actual value There
is now, III towns and counties throughou,
IN the art of making low assessments, far
below the value of the property assessed
Each seems to fear that his district will
be compelled TO bear too great proper
ton OF the general burthens. By The IN
equality and want of uniformity of the
system, great numbers escape the pay
ment OF their just proportion of the taxes,
and great numbers are forced to pay too
much. The law should insist that every
tax payer give In to the assessor an accu-
rate statement of the amount, and estima-
ted real value of his property. Other de-
fects OF serious character are found In
lhe detail OF our present laws, and as the
Importance of the alteration of the law Is
very great, commend ii your attention at
an early day of the session, before the
presuse of other business shall prevent It's
careful and deliberate consideration.
TREASURY AND SCHOOL LAND OFFICES
The Investigations that were made two
years ago into the condition of our public
offices, and into the manner in which the
business of the several State Departments
had been conducted, disclosed the fact
that gave offences had been committed,
and gross frauds perpetrated by men in
trusted with the administration of public
affairs. Money had been embezzled
from the public treasury to large amount;
illegal fees had been taken by officers in
the School Land Department; frauds had
been pracuced in the sale of school and
university lands, and money paid out of
The State Treasury without appropriations
made by law authorizing the same. No
adequate law had been passed providing
suitable punishment for such offences, al
though an effort had been made in the
Legislature TO do SO. Toprevent recur-
renee of such evils in the future, | recon-
med that laws be passed. imposing heavy
penalties for their breach, to prevent any
money being paid out of the State Treas
ury, except III pursuance of appropriations
made by law; TO prevent the sale of
specie belonging to the State Treasury
and to prevent money changers from con-
trolling or IN ahy wise interfering with
Its deposltes; to prevent frauds in the sale
of School and University Lands, and to
confine all persons having charge of any
of the great public interests of the State
to the discharge of their legitimate duties.
The Committee to be appointed by the
Legislature to report upon the condition
OF the State offices should be under instruc-
tons to ascertain and report the expenses
of the School and University Land and
Swamp Land Departments for the past
year, and how these expenses have been
paid. Each of those Departments should
be made to support itself, without draw
ing upon the Gene raj Fund
SALES OF STATE LANDS.
There is no goood reason why men
who desire these public lands for settle
ment and cultivation should be compelled
to purchase them at second hand from
speculators There is no necessity for
any further haste in the sale and dispos-
itlon of those lands. | recommend that
the School and University lands hereafter
sold, and such of the Spamp lands as are
of cultivation and Improvements
be sold only in quantities, not 10 exceed
three hundred and twenty acres 10 anv
one individual, and then only 10 men who
desire to purchase them for actual settle
ment and cultivation and that in all
cases Of sales, ten per cent. OF. the pu-ch-
ase money be required to be paid a, the
time or such sale.
TREsPAsSERs OF STATE LANDS
Some efficient means ought to be pro-
vided TO enable the Commissioners 10 pro-
tect the School and Swamp lands from
trespassers. Although several attempts
have been made by the Legislature to
remedy this evil, no adequate protection
has been within their reach. Trespasses
are constantly committed, and some of
the lands are constantly losing their value
on that account. Some of the agents ap-
pointed for the purpose of guarding them.
ii is feared, have quietly endured the
spelling of the lands, enjoying, as a re-
ward for their patient forbeara nee, por-
ton of the fruits of the evil. The islands
in the Mississippi, belonging to the swamp
lands. particularly require care and sup
eryision.
PUBLIC PRINTING.