The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-01-18

maintenance OF academies auQ Normal
schools, and suitable libraries and appara-
| tus therefor
Section 6 Of the same article, provides
that 'the proceeds of all lands that have
been or may be hereafter be granted by the
( United States to the State FIR University,
shall be and remain perpetual fund to be
called the University Fund, the interest Of
which shall be appropriated to the support
of the State University" The terms used
in the sections l have quoted seem to be
very plain. 49,
BY virtue Of various laws enacted by the
Legislature the proceeds of these funds are
| used for other purposes than the sup-
port of common schools and the State Uni
versity.
Large sums have been annually expen-
dsd for clerk hire, printing, advertising, &C.
expenses incident to the care Of the lands
and management of the funds, all Of which
seems to be in direct violation of the pro-
visions Of the Constitution of the State
Every interest of the people Of the State is
opposed to the diversion of either Of those
funds or the income thereof from the pur
poses for which they are 80 plainly and ex-
clusively set apart. The State can very
well afford to bear the expense incident to
the care of the school lands and the man
.agement OF the school fund for the sake of
the children of the State, who are now de.
prived of part Of the means provided by
Congress for their education, and the State
should be willing to pay all Of the expenses
incident to the care of the University lands.
and the management or the funds arising
therefrom, even though there is no cousti-
tutional provision compelling it to do so.
The amount yearly expended from the
University Fund for expenses would not he
much to the State of Wisconsin, but is Of
great Importance to the University in its
! present financial condition That institu-
ton has never cost the people of the State a
single dollar its lands having thus far paid
| all of its expenses. No funds should be more
carefully guarded than those devoted to ed
vocational purposes. therefore recommend
that all laws which provide for or authorize
the use OF any portion Of either of these funds
for the payment Of the expenses incident to
their care and management be repealed, and
that provision be made for the payment of
all such expenses from the General Fund
TAXES
Suggestions are made in the report of the
Secretary of State as to the practical work
ings of the laws now in force providing for
the assessment of property, and the collec-
ton of taxes, which, as they now stand fail
to meet the requirements of the people work
injustice and admit of too much dishon-
esty. ~ .fs.. . ssa,s. SD
Both Of these laws are imperfect in sew
eraI points, and should receive your careful
attention, be made as perfect as possible
and then be permitted to remain long
enough without amendment to enable the
people to become thoroughly eonversant
with their requirements. .L.s-.s:t,.,.4.
The whole amount of taxable lands in the
| State is-17, SOS, 1882 acres. The aggre-
gate valuation of which is $91, Asa, 693 "a.
Aggregate valuation of city and village
property is $50, 15l, 291.10. - Aggregate
valuation of city and village property is
1924, 604 984. "a. s-g,
On the 18th day of March last there was
transmitted from the Office of the Secretary
of State, to the Senatea statement showing
the amount OF taxes for all purposes, which
were collected throughout the State during
i the year 1862 and the cost of collecting the
same. That statement was compiled from
the reports of the town, county and CITY
clerks throughout the State, by which il
appeared that there was collected $382.13
State tax, and 2,245, 697 49 county, town
and city tax. The total being So. 627, 926 48.
The whole cost of collecting these taxes was
$3.50, 69573 being about nine per cent. OF
this sum $3.50, 900 were paid to town Treas
urers. a astt ....+ srs>a-..,rs
From the returns of the assessors made
pursuant to Section 5, Chapter Att, Laws OF
1865, it appears that the whole tax collect
ed was not less than 81, 900 00O-the cost
of collecting which was not less than
| 100000.
This enormous expenditure for the collec-
ting OF our taxes seems to me to be unnec-
essary, either for the interests or convenience
OF the people, and some plan should be de-
vised which will reduce it.
suggest that some system be adopted
which will inform the Legislature each veal
OF the amount of taxes levied in the differ.
erent towns cities and villages throughout
the State, and for what other purposes. -
This information in possession of the Legis.
lature, it would undoubtedly follow that
the rate of taxes for local purposes would be
limited by law. Tho large sums paid to the
various officers charged with the collection
thereof, can very easily be reduced, by the
adoption of some system which will cause
the whole tax levied in the county to be
paid directly to the County Treasurer, and
that without serious Inconvenience to the
people.
t. AUDIriNG.
Section 90 of Chapter TO- of the revised
Statutes, provides that, 'the Secretary Of
State shall, from time to time, require all
persons receiving monyes and securities.
or having the disposition or man
agementsof the property of the State, Of
which an account is kept in this office, tc
render statements thereof to him; and al
such persons shall render such statements
at such time and in such form as he shall re-
quire." This section is virtually abrogateG
by the terms of the laws making appropria
tions annually for the support of the Benevo
lent Institutions of the State, and for otbe,
purposes.
An account of the management of a large
portion of the moneys SO appropriated is mol
kept in the office of the Secretary of State
That officer is directed by the laws to draw
his warrant for the amounts, and knows
nothing OF the details of the expenditures
Ahe laws dppFopTIdIinS moneys Tor any
purpose whatever, should provide that it b.
drawn upon the warrant of Secretary O
State and require vouchers to be filed will
and after careful investigation audited b,
that officer; each voucher to show the ar
ticle purchased and therefor.
With such laws in force, the account 0
the management of all moneys expended 70
the State, would be kept in the office of tn,
Secretary of State, open for the inspection o
the people, and convenient for the use O
Legislative Committees, to make such ex
amiuations as might be deemed necessary
Intimately connected with this subject il
the necessity for the creation of anothe
3 State officer, the incumbent os which shall
be alone charged with the management o
the financial affairs of the State, and of au
diting and adjusting all accounts and claims
due to or from the State deem il of tn