Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-01-18
From the State Journal.
The Governors Message.

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The annual message OF Gov. Fair
child, which we publish to-day, is a
commercially brief aud practical docu-
ment. 1t presents IN compact form
resume Of the more important facts IN
relation TO tue several departments of
the State, aud its benevolent and reform
atory institutions. n great part of this
information has already been made
public in the reports of the heads of
tho several departments, and OF the
trustees of the state institutions, but is
brought together in the message in such
manner as more readily TO impress
itself upon the popular mind.
The Governor believes the people will
at no distant day call for constitutional
convention, and accordingly refraIns
from recommending several changes ~
the fundamental law which no would
otherwise make.
The recommendations Of the message
are in brief as follows: /. That the
State Land Commissioners who have IN
charge the several trust funds of tie
State be authorized to invest those funds
10 United States or other first class
securities, the outstanding State bonds
having been nearly absorbed By them.
q The closing of the war fund as recon-
mended by the Secretary of State, and
the payment of such claims as remain
against it out of tho general fund -
5. The revision aud amendment of the
assessment and collection laws; in this
connection the message approves and
directs attention to the suggestions and
recommendations of General Allen, the
Secretary of State, in his annual report
&: The speedy codification or revision of
the statutes. 5. Less legislation OF a
private and local nature. 6. That the
Superintendent of Public Instruction be
made by law an ex offcio member Of
the Board of State University Regents,
and officially connected with every State
educational board. z. The further en-
lnrgement of the State Hospital for tie
Insane, or the erection of a new asylum
6. That ample appropriations be- made
for the support of the several benevolent
institutions Of the State, and reasona-
bic appropriation toward the support Of
the orphan asylums and hospitals of the
City Gf Milwaukee. 8. An Rppropria-
ton Of s35 600 to the State Prison to
complete the north wing aud pay current
expenses. 10. The abolition of the
office Of Bank Comptroller, as recon-
mrnded 10y General Rusk, the present
incumbent. IL. The completion of
the Stdo Capitol, and an appropriation
10 be expended rs the work progresses.
-. The appropriation OF $4,000 to be
used 10y the Board Of Immigration in
circulating documents in Europe and for
other measures to induce emigration TO
This State. Is. Tha; the Legislature use
It's Influence TO seizure the early compile
ton of tie North Pacific Railroad and
Il SLIP canal around Niagara Falls. both
of which are intimately connected with
the interests of Wisconsin. ii. That
the Legislature ask the Federal Govern
meni 10 insist on full and satisfactory
settlement of the question in regard to
tho right of expatriation, securing every
right to the naturalized citizen that is
possessed by the native born.
The message says the State has an
uuaudi;ed claim against the General
Government of S24s,O0O. A part of
ii, under the stringent rules of tho treas
ury department, may be disallowed. 1t
is, however, just claim, and in that
event tile state can properly call on
Congress for relief.
The State University is reported rs IN
a. very satisfactory condition. It ssems
NV 10 receive the full confidence of the
peuple. 1t is filled with students, and
the Regents desire the erection of an
additional building for the accommoda-
ton of others who wish to enter it, a
desire which the Governor hopes will
be granted az soon as possible.
The affairs of the State Prison are in
a highly satisfactory condition, aud
there is good ground for the belief that
within a short time the earnings of the
con'icto will be sufficient to pay all its
expenses.
The records of the Adintan; Generals
office are nearly completed, and as q
distinct Office it will be discontinued 10
the course Of three months.
Tho message closes with reference
to national matters, and brief expires
sion of the Governors views upon the
question of reconstruction. This part of
the message will receive the hearty en-.
dorsement of the people of the State;
not OF that minority who thought it
unconstitutional to resist the rebellion,
who discouraged volunteering during
the war, and melted resistance to the
draft; but of that controlling majority
Of our people who never filtered in
their support OF TIE Government, by
whom tho State was enabled promptly
to respond to all the calls of the country
10 its struggle for existence. and who
desire that the settlement of the ques-
tons growing out Of the rebellion shall
be such as will give at least equal securi-
ty aud equal rights to the Union men of
the South as to those who melted and
maintained the rebellion.