Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-01-03

institutions 80 900 90
". Miscellaneous expenses l0I 100 90
v Building etc. &C. JOG ,9O4 SO
VI. State debt and interest 122 800 90
-...... $571, 1855 81
Excess of estimated expenditures
over estimated revenues S22, 673 81
In estimating the expenses of the next
legislature, calculation is made for a SEES
sion of only sixty days. In the present
condition of the finances of the state, and
with the great burden of unavoidable tax
alton weighing upon the people. it is con-
fidently hoped that the patriot m of our
representatives can be relied upon to bring
about this coming winter that long desired
and much needed reform, short, econom.
ical session of the legislature.
WAR EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES.
The expense for enlisting. organizing
and fitting out the several regiments fur
nishcd by Wisconsin to the government,
have been managed by the proper military
officers, acting BY appointment and under
direction Of the Governor and all ac-
counts therefore have been audited, al
lowed and bald by and through such Off
GERS. For detailed statements of transac-
tions in the war fund, and full info. nation
of the liabilities of the State On account f
such funds, the legislature is referred to
the reports which will be submitted to
them by the Governor, Quarter-master
General, Paymastcr General, and Commits
sary General of the State.
No estimate is therefore attempted of
the liabilities existing against the State
for expenses arising out of the war. What
ever may be the amount of such liabilities,
it is to be hoped that the government, in
aid of whose protection and defense they
were incurred will promptly reimburse the
State therefor.
AID OF VOL UNTEERs.
By chapter s of the general laws passed
at the extra session of the legislature, it
was provided that -
The non-cOmmissioned officers lnusi-
clans and privates mustered into the SER
vice of the United States or uf this state,
in pursuance OF any law of this state, shah
receive from the time of being so mustered
in addition to the pay provided for like
non- commissioned officers, musicians and
prvates in the army of the United States,
the sum of five dollars per month to all
volunteers having families dependent upon
| thu m for their support"
All claims for aid, as provided by this
act, are, by further provisions of the same
act presented to the secretary of state to
be by him examined and audited. warrants
drawn upon the treasury in payment. as
for other audited accounts. The duties
devolved upon this Office in consequence
of the passage of this act, have proved
exceedingly laborious with all the
watchfulness and care it has been found
practicable to exercise, it is feared the
state has not been entirely protected
against abuse of its muni6cence.
In passing upon claims for aid under the
provisions of this law, | have from time to
time adopted constructions of it's meaning
and intent, as follows:
LIST. Only volunteers in the Infantry SER
vice are included by the terms of this act
Those enlisting in cavalry or artillery ccm-
pahies, not being mustered into service ''in
pursuance of any law of this State" can
not receive the extra pay without further
legislation.
I'd. The term volunteers having faml-
les dependent upon them for support" is
held to include married men, and such
others as have INDECENT and aged or invalid
parents or orphan and dependent brothers
and sisters actually relying upon them for
SUI port. But the dependence must be
actual, as upon the head of a family.
Sd. But one individual can be entitled
to the extra pay BY reason of the Deepen
dence of the same family.
4th Volunteers enlisting in companies
or regiments of other States are net emit
tied to tie extra pay provided exclusively
for sol'liers mustered into service under the
provisions of the law of this State"
9th, Volunteers from other States en-
listing in the Wisconsin regiments, are not
entitled to extra pay fordependsnt families
residing in other States.
By the first of January next, it is an
tieipated that Wisconsin will have eighteen
full regiments of infantry mustered into
the service of tie United States, ''urder
the provisions of The laws of this State
Equity and justice demand that provisions
made by law for the aid of volunteers in
the infantry service, when infantry were
the only troops called for by the govern
ment should be extended to all volunteers
who have responded to the subsequent calls
Of the government for cavalry and artillery
men. This demand will. without doubt.
be cordially aceeded to by the legislature.
Three regiments of cavalry ane ond of ar
tillery are now being organized in the
State. These in the field. the whole
number of volunteers from Wisconsin. SER
wing as non-commssioned officers. music
ians and privates, will not be less than
$4,000. 1t is safe to estimate that not
less than 5000 of these will be entitled to
the FIVE delars per month extra pay bv
reason of having fmailies dependent upon
them for their support. This will require
$4,000 per month. or S36O,OO0 per
annum.
1t is left to the wisdom ofthe legislature
to devise the means for continuing the aid
virtually pledged by the State to her vol
unteers who leave dependent families be-
hiEd them, during their continuance in the