Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-01-14

could not nave peen improved is clear
ly shown by the following brief ex,
tract from the report:
Total expenditure during the last fiscal
Value of permanent improvements
made by convict labor. 1884
Increase of supplies during the year l,30225
-sS4. 425 %
Actual cost, less value of improvements and
s4ooss
The improvements made were all
of a very necessary character, being
a continuation Of work s'on the north
wing, grading, extension of outer
wall, well, tagging, &C., and would
have much exceeded the present cost
If made by other than convict labor.
In discipline and general administra.
ton, | doubt if any prison in the
country excels it Is fully concur in
the suggestions of the Commissioner
as to the system of working the
prisoners for the benefit of the State.
and recommend the appropriation If
$35, 900, which is deemed sufficient to
pay current expenses for this year,
complete the north wing, and put in
to the workshops the machinery re
CURED. 1 am confident that. after
the completion of the buildings and
the establishment of the mechanical
departments. the earnings of the con.
victs will, if properly managed, be
sufficient to pay all expenses of the
prison. The prison school, establish
by law has proved perfect success,
and the zeal manifested by the cons
victs in mental culture is very graft
flying.
REFORM SCHOOL.
The State Reform School, an i'm
stitution which enlists the hearty
sympathy of all good men, is well
accomplishing the ends for which it
was established. The whole number
in the school during the past year
was PIT. Largest number at any
one time, 1872. The new buildings
have been completed, the grounds
and farm have been improved, and
evidence of thrift and comfort meet
the eye on every hand, sure indica,
tons of the fidelity and efficiency of
those in whose hands the manage
ment has been placed. A sufficient
appropriation should be made to
meet the current expenses of this
year, estimated at 500, 500, and "a, 500
balance due on buildings. The
cordial cooperation OF the Legisla~
ture with the managers, year by
year, will enable them to continue to
give to the State from among the
inmates of this school intelligent and
valuable cilizens.
BANKS
There are but fifteen banks doing
business under the banking law, with
an aggregate circulation of 500, 1872
1t being extremely improbable that
the people of this State will never
desire an increase of this circulation
in preference to United States treas
ury notes, concur in the recon-
men dation of the Comptroller that
the office of Bank Comptroller be
abolished.
No taxes have been collected of the
National banks doing business in
this State, under the provisions OF
chapter 125, General Laws of 1867
A case testing the validity of the tax
is now before the Supreme Court.
MILITIA.
There has been no material change
in the State militia during the past
year. A few independent companies
have been organized and manifest
considerable spirit. Our militia Law
is SO defective as to be nearly a dead
letter, but until Congress decides
whether or not it will provide for a
national militia system, it is best tc
defer action upon the subject, The
Adjutant General has published il
his report as complete a list as is now
possible of the nam es and places OF
burial of Wisconsin soldiers who dice
in the service. This will give i'm,
portant information to the friends O
the deceased soldiers, and will very
materially lesson the correspondence
of the office. Within three months
the record of the Adjntant- General
office will be completed, and the
necessity of supporting it, as a dis
trict office, 40 longer existing, it will
then be dispensed with, and the re-
cords will be placed in charge of the
Governors Secretary.
STATE CAPITOL.
The. contract for the completion Of
the 'rotunda of the Capitol was let by
tho Commissioners according to law
for the sum of $50, 636 and although
the contract is not yet completed,
work under it has progressed to an
extent which insures greater coR
fort and convenience. The dome
ehould be constructed as soon as pos
sible, and an appropriation sufficient
for that purpose should be made. to
be expended as the work progresses,
probably during 1868, 1869, and 1870
This contract should be let for the
entire construction of the dome. 1t
can be built under one much more
satisfactorily than under number of
contracts. The artesian we'll in the
park has been sunk to depth of $50
feet; but up to this time is not sue,
cess. The completion of the present
contract will leave the well 1000 feet
deep. There has been expended upon
it to date $8,622,70. 1t is now for
you to decide whether or not the
enterprise shall be abandoned. Such
a well in successful operation would
be of very great value to the State,
and would justify the expenditure OF
an additional sum of money.
IMMIGRATION.
The Board of Immigration, pro-
vided for by chapter 126 of the gen.
eral laws Of 1867, was organized by
the appointment of B. Domschke,
Esq, of Milwaukee, John A. john
son, Esq, of Dane. and Edmund
Sweeney, Esq, of Jefferson, the Gov
crnor and Secretary of State being
members er oficio Under the di-
rection of the Board pamphlet has
been prepared, giving an accurate