Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-01-23
Governors Message.

gives US wisdom to guide them, for the many
blessings we are now permitted to enjoy, and
that we should with devout hearts ask the
continuance of them. ~
Seldom has any people had greater reasons
to be thankful. While passions wild and ter
rible have seemed to guide the councils of
some of our sister States, bringing upon them
the devastations of war and its concomitant
evils; while disease and famine are staring
them in the face, Wisconsin is quietly and
calmly pursuing the even tenor of her ways
her people are enjoying the blessings of
health; her granaries are filed to overflow
ing, and peace and plenty reign within her
borders.
By the Constitution it is made the duty OF
the Governor to communicate to the Legs
lature at every session the condition of the
State, and recommend such matters to them
for their consideration as he may deem ex-
pedient"
FINANCES OF THE STATE.
Questions affecting our State finances are
among the most important that will engage
your attention. Only by giving them careful
consideration, and providing means for the
prompt payment of all just demands against
the State, can Wisconsin maintain her good
name and the good credit she now exhibits
bv the market value of her bonds.
The following statements exhibit, in con-
densed form, the transactions in the different
funds of the State during the last fiscal year:
GENERAL FUND.
All the ordinary expenses of the State
Government are paid from the general fund.
The sources from which this fund is derived
are State taxes, tax on suits, banks, insurance
companies, railroad companies, hawkers and
-peddlers, telegraph companies, United States
for keeping prisoners, sale of State bonds
and transfers from other funds The whole
amount received into this fund during the
last fiscal year was $3.50, 376.l2. This amount
includes the receipt of $4,000 for sale of
bonds for building State Capitol, and S272,
l56. I6 received into this fund and transferred
bv act of the Legislature to the war fund for
support of families OF volunteers. The bal
ance remaining in the fund at the close of
the fiscal wear, after paying all demands
against it and making transfer as above stated,
was S2Oj, 95S.6l, The amount levied upon
the State during the last year TO replenish
this fund was $4,000.
SCHOOL FUND.
The school fund, properly considered one
of the most important and sacred under the
care Ofthe State, was established by the Con-
stitution at the organization of the State
government Section of article 10 of the
Constitution provides that the proceeds of
all landsIa&c, shall be set apart as a separate
fund, to be called the school fund" Provis-
ions have since been made by law for the
care and increase of this fund, and for the
distribution of the principal part of the in
come of the same among the schools of the
State.
The receipts into this fund during the
last fiscal year amounted to......... S2s2, 423 81
The disbursements during the same
periOd-being principally loans from
the fund-amounte to--.--------.- 290i6'9 "
The interest derived from the School Fund
is denOminated the School Fund Income
This fund.- aside from what is necessarily
expended in its care, in the care of the
School Fund, in publishing Journal of Edu-
cation, and purchasing books for distribution,
as provided by law, is appOrtiOned by the
State Superintendent annually among the
schools of the State.
The amount received into this fund
during the last fiscal year 49,. Sl45,250 OIL
Amount distributed by state superin-
tendent-- OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES IS5,'Z0 10
UNIVERSITY FUND.
Section Article 10 of the Constitution
provides that 1.-THE proceeds of all lands that
have been or may hereafter be granted by
the United States to the State for the sup
port of a University, shall remain perpetual
fund, to be called the University Fund. This
fund. as will be seen by the above provision,
was established at the organization of the
State Government
The reeeir Is into this fund during the
last fiscal year amounted to--......-. S26,414 II
Balance in the fund, Sept so, 1862 .... 2,l31 ~
Disbursements from Fund. ..........-. 21,7I1 90
Balance in fund Sept. 80, ls63.-..--.... s34 IL
The interest arising from the University
Fund is denOminated the University Fund
Income, and is applied annually to the sup
port of the State University.
The receipts into this fund during the
last nssa yeaT Ss. o;b 1862 81 Of
Disbursements from fund-.-.....- 1857 50
SWAMP LAND FUND.
The avails of the swamp and overlooked
lands granted to this State by act of Con-
gress are denominated the Swamp Land Fund
The receipts into this fund duringt the ifs
cal year ending September 30th, 1861
Balance in fund Sept. 3Uth, lS62. 4.3G5 20
Disbursements during fiscal year-....... 0,l1I 40
Balance IN fund Sept Both, lS63.-...... SO,l77 5s
The interest derived from the Swamp Land
Fund is denominated the Swamp Land Fund
Income, and is applied to drainage of swamp
lands, support of common schools, normal in
stitutes and academies.
Receipts into this fund during fiscal year
ending Sept 50th, lS63, amounted TO. Sl3, $40 81
Balance in fund Sept Both, lS62 ........ 4,567 %
Transferred from other funds ........ 3 rs
Disbursements during fiscal year...-.-.. $3.50 6S
Balance in fund Sept SOth, 1s53-------- $500 90
DRAINAGE FUND.
Bv provision of statute, fifty per cent of
the swamp land fund is set apart and denom-
mated the drainage fund.
There has been received into this fund
during the last fiscal year.....-......S 6,426 IL
Disbursed from the same, mostly by loans 5,SOS 81
Balance Sept Both, 1862 4.261 %
Balance Sept 30th, 1858. 6,SS4 81
The drainage fund income is derived from
the interest of the drainage fund, and is dis
tributed annually to the different counties of
the State for the purpose of the drainage of
OverlOwed lands.
The receipts into this fund during the
last fiscal year amounted to- -......S 4,6Sl OF
Transferred from other funds pursuant
10 law 5,43I 65
Balance in fund Sept. 3Oth, 1872. ....... I270 II
Discussed from fund. 1882 81
Balance on hand Sept. 30th, 1853. 1866 IS
~ DEPOSIT ACCOUNT.
The amount for which forfeited lands are
sold over and above the amount due the State
is paid into the State Treasury for the benefit
of the mortgagor, and is denominated the
deposit account.
Receipts during the year this account
were. .--...::.:... .....--.-.-------.-S 81 90
Balance Sept 30th, 1862 4,5I0 %
Disbursements during year........... 4T3 so
Balance Sept 3Oth, 1S63..... 4613 y
NORMAL SCHOOL FUND.
Twenty-Five per cent. of the income de-