Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-01-21


Uven maas 10 the Governor, for military con-
lingent expenses. The Legislature at its
session in the year 1868, passed an act pro-
viding for q Military Contingent FuLd, appro-
priatIng to the Governor the sum of three
thousand dollars, and making it his dGty TO
report to the Legislature at each session, the
amount expended from said fund. Seeing
no necessiLy for the use of the fund have
made no drafts upon it, and have the honor
therefore TO report, that the money belonging
10 the Military Contingent Fund, except so
lar as the same had been drawn by my pre-
deeessors, remains in the State Treasury
Unexpended.
IL mas been customary for the Legislature
at each session to appropriate to the Cover
nor the sum Of five Thousand dollars for con-
tingent expenses. OF he money appropriated
at the last session for this object, have found
il necessary to use but a small proportion.
The balance unexpended and now remaining
in the State Treasury being sufficient, in my
Judgment, to meet these expenses for several
Tears to come, ! would recommend that no
appropriation for this object be made at the
present session.
Tie amount of State Indebtedness is two
millions and FIVE thousand dollars. With the
exception of one hundred thousand dollars
borrowed, and used for the purpose of erecting
tile State Capitol, this debt was created for
war purposes, and is a legitimate charge
against the General Government. Large
amounts advanced by the State, for the puT-
poses above named, have already been re-
paid Vouchers tor considerable further
amount, are now in the hands OF the proper
United States auditing officers. Others viii
soon be presented, and we confidently hope
and expect that the dry is not lar distant
Il, ~ hu-f an
Tor var purposes, viii be refunded by the
General Government, and the whole debt Of
the State, except the hundred thousand dol
lars used in erecting the State Capitol, liqui-
lated thereby. Authority should be given
10 the State Treasurer 10 pay of any bonds
outstanding against the State, before matur-
ing. whenever they are presented, and the
surplus in the State Treasury will warrant
him in so doing.
The FIVE per cent due the State from the
CfeneraI Government, Oh sales of Government
Lands within this State, has long been with
held. for the reason that an unsettled claim
existed against the State on account of mon
eyreceived BY the Territory of Wisconsin,
fsom sales Of lands granted TO aid in the con-
structiOn of the Milwaukee and Rock River
Canal. Congress at Its last session. passed
resolatioG referring the whole question 70 the
Secretary of the Interior Tor adjustment Inc
amount due the State having reached several
hundred thousand dollars, and It being an
pOrtant TO the interests of the State
hat this money should be obtained as
soon as possible, in order that the interest
thereon might be saved TO the fund TO which
IL belongs, 1 directed the Attorney General
TO prepSre full statement of the case on
the part of the State, and proceed to Wash
ingt0n Immediately and lay il before the said
Secretary, and if possible procure final ad-
iustment Of this question. am happy to
inform you that from information re-
oeived, there is a strong probability that
shall be able to obtain and pay over 10 the
State Treasurer the five per cent. due the
State on sales of Government lands within
is limits, before the close Of the present ses-
sion
Several years since the General Govern
ment, by act of Congress, granted to the
State of Wisconsin a large quantity of land,
known as swamp and oVerfowed lands."-