Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-01-17

lpuplls cOnmltlea 10 them. L ne reports
are very full and complete, and show theil
actual condition and their necessities for the
current year. | have no need tocommend
them to the good will Of this Legislature
The State Reform School and the insane
Hospital being comparatively new, will re-
quire more care and attention than the
older institutions, that have SO frequently
passed under the supervision Of committees
lof the Legislature.
The Insane Asylum has come up out Of
some financial confusion. The Board OF
Trustees, composed Of substantial, discreet
and able men, selected from different por-
Itions of the State, and entitled to public as
well as private confidence, have spent much
time and earnest labor torender the Asylum
what the Legislature intended it should be,
a refuge and quiet home for most wretched
class Of our fellow beings, and at the same
time hospital for treatment Of mental
diseases. The very allie report of the
Board gives complete, concise history Of
the institution in all its departments, inan.
lcial, curatgYe, and otherwise.
The State Reform School has been well
managed, and in a remarkable degree is
answering to the most sanguine expecta-
ltions of its friends. In this as in all the
other public institutions, experienced and
well FREEDMEN have devoted themselves to
its welfare. If the present condition Of
the School, under a Superintendent who is
a good man, as well as man Of reliable
Judgment and ability, is any evidence Of its
future usefulness to the degraded, homeless,
houseless, parentIess children of the State,
who, through misfortune, want OF accident
drop into petty crimes, all good citizens,
everywhere, may take just pride in its
prosperity. The report Of the Board Of
Managers, exhibiCs fully its condition and
wants, and together with the closing report
of the Building Commissioners, shows the
economy Of the erection and completion of
the buildings, and lis management since It
has been opened.
The State Prison has been admirably
managed by the Commissioner. invite
your attention to his report, showing the
condition Of the prison and Of the prisoners.
His suggestions are practical, and deserve
your favorable consideration.
ADJUTANT GENERALS REPORT.
The annual report Of the 4Adiutant Cen
Ieral, shows that fifty-two uniformed volun-
lteer companies are organized and armed,
and in various states of efficiency, number
ling 1892 rank and file. Besides these
companies, twelve others, in different por-
tons of the State, have applied for organ
ization and equipment. Should the last
mentioned companies be regularly equipped
with the legal number Of arms, the total
lnumler would be 2,473. But the State
has not the means to arm more than three
or four Of the companies applying, and the
annual quota, to which the State is entitled
under the practice Of the Federal Govern
lment Of late years, will only give us suf-
tficient for about three companies more.
Efforts have been made during the past
year by the Adjutant General, to bring the
uniformed militia up TO standard OF
greater efficiency, and with some degree Of
success; but the fact is nevertheless appa-
rent that the organization of military com
lpanies has been too often the result Of the
desire of localities to obtain the means of
making display on anniversary occasions,
land when the arms have been obtained
from the State, the object of the organiza-
ton is too often deemed accomplished, and
the company seldom meets for drill there
after; the men resign after a time, and the
company maintains but a nominal existence.
1t is for the Legislature to consider whether
this state Of things ought to continue, and
whether there is anything in the signs Of
the times which should cause steps to be
taken to place the Volunteer Militia upon a
more efficient footing. The number Of
persons subject to military duty in the State
exceeds 10000.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
A. brief report by the Superintendent OF
the Geological Survey, Prof Hall, is in
READINGS to be laid before you, exhibiting
the condition and progress Of the work.
Under the law of last winter, special con
tracts were made vita Prof j. d. Viii
ting, and Prof. c. T. Whittlcsey; the for
mer for the completion Of sectional maps Of
the lead bearing region Of this State, and
the latter for the completion and report Of
his work, which was chiefly carried on in
1.-The extreme north eastern and northwestern
portions of the State. The report and
maps of Prot Whitney, and the report Of
rsof Whittlesey, are completed, and will
be placed at the disposal Of the Legislature
at an early day. Prof Hall expects to be
in Madison early in the session Of the Leg
|islature, and with present the condition Of
the work at that time.
RAILROADS, ETC.
Stockholders, and individuals whose
money has been honestly invested in rail
roads, have /; right to some further prstec-
ton and security by law. The early stock
holders and men of comparatively small
means. furnish the basis OF all the subse-
qucnt credit Of the company, and are al
ways the first men plundered, and the last
men secured, by The pablc-spirited, self
devoted, patriotic railroad operators. II
the acts Of interpretations are public acts,
as they declare themselves to be, and if the
proceedinos of Boards of Directors are