Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-01-22

The Message of Governor FAIRcHILD
was read to both Houses. in Joint session,
on the l4th inst. 1t is not lengthy, yet
sufficiently so. to be clear ard plain in
all statements and opinions relative to
State matters. We give brief sumina-
~ Of the most important portions of the
message.
Tie State debt IS 81 PAP ,O57, of which
amount there is due to the educational
fund S2,OS4, 200. The debt has been
reduced 1000 during the year. Val
uation of the real and personal property,
as fixed by tho State Board Of Assessors
for 1868, 1914 45O,774. The actual
value is estimated not less than $40 mil
lions. The people expended Sl,79l,-
s4O.52 last year for public school pur-
poses, being 1919 for each pupil in at
tendance. The number of public schools
in the State is 5000.
In relation to internal improvements,
ibe Governor urges the completion of the
Fox and Wisconsin river ship-canal,
sufficiently to give us water communion
ton between the Mississippi and the
great lakes. In speaking Of the railroad
facilities Of the State he refers to the
West Wisconsin railway, as follows
Recently the first division of the West
Wisconsin railway has been opened from
Toman to Black River Falls. This is n
NEST important road, and its progress
will be watched with great interest by
oil who are pleased TO see tho products
of the vast and fertile Northwest afford
ell greater facilities for reaching eastern
markets. A rapid increase in wealth
and population of the counties through
which it passes will follow its compile
lion.
The following extract relates to the
land grant for the construction of rail-
road from Hudson to Lake Superior
The lands granted by Congress in 1856
to aid the construction of q railroad from
Hudson to Lake Superior were by the
State granted TO the St. Croix & Lake
Superior railroad company, which cor
pOTatiOn has not completed the road, nor
any part of il. The settlement of the
counties in which the lands thus granted
are located hiss been greatly retarded by
reason Of their withdrawal from market.
In fact the grant has thus far been pos
tive injury TO the State. The interests
of tie northwestern portion of the State
demand that this road should be con-
structed at the earliest day possible
The time limited by the act of Congress
for its construction expires next MAY, and
the lands granted will then revert to the
United States, | therefore recommend
that you ask Congress TO extend the time
and that you take such action as will eff.
fectually guard against further delay, and
will bring the lands included in the grant
Immediately into market, for sale to actu-
al settlers. | ana inofficially informed
that responsible parties are ready to give
ample security to the State that the work
shall be vigorously pushed. 1t is due
to the people that you insist upon such
terms aud security as will place the ear
ly completion of this road beyond a
doubt.
There are nearly I,100 miles Of rail
roa ID operation in this State, the gross
receipts of which last year amounted to
$751; l0,63.
The capitol building IS finished, ex
cepting the dome, which it will cost $780,,
600 to erect. When the dome is com
pleted the capitol will have cost $685.
1880. The State has expended ST.
100000 for the erection Of public
buildings since 1860.
The Governor recommends that the
state constitution be amended, fixing the
salary of the Governor at s. 600. and
Lient. Governor at $1,000 per annum.
lie also favors an amendment of the
constitution of the United States, provi-
ding for an uniform rule of Manhood
suffrage throughO out the country.
The Governor closes his message in
terms that indicate a retirement from Of
fee at the close Of bis present term
That he has served the people faithfully,
and well, during his past and present
term, every i;.ir-mindcd citizen will ad
NIT. He has executed the will of the
people with fidelity, and bis official du-
ties have been performed with excellent
Judgment and discretion.
Pension for Mrs. Lincoln.
A rasolufion hoe hnpn introIucod in