Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-01-19

i ne TRANSACTIONS OF the dluerent depart
lents of the state government, and of its
arious institutions, are shown ably, and
nth minuteness of detail, by the several an
ual reports herewith submitted. From
hese reports it appears that the affairs OF
he state have been wis ly and faithfully ad-
mustered. To the valuable information
nd suggestions contained in them [ invite
our consideration.
FINANCIAL.
The balance in the state treasury belong
ig to the various funds, at the expiration of
le last fiscal year, was Sl55, 935 40.
The receipts and disbursements of the
eneral fund during the last fiscal year were
follows:
ate tax and tax on suits. s5i6,421 %
abroad companies, taxes. 235, ,651 43
lsurance companies, taxes
and license fees.......... 1850 90
INK taxes, hawkers, tele
graphs, and other sources. 1912 "a
Total. ............... -- s874,9s5 70
DISBURSEMENTS.
laries and permanent ap-
preparations. ............. Si2,lo5 81
agisative expenses. 9I,742 %
nal and charitable inshtu-
ons................. S2I, ,311 81
tpitol extension 1888 SO
terest on state debt. 163, ia 33
sseellaneous. ............. IS7, ia q
Total. .......... - s9I9.372 80
lance in the fund Sept 30 1s68...... S44,946 38
lance in the fund Sept so, 1869...... 500 75
The above disbursements are classified as fol-
vs. by the Secretary of State
the support Of state institutions and
building purposes. Observation-Disclosures. 1921 ,3l1 81
tie Capitol extension. n................ SO o83 Sc
.ere-t on state debt 1914 SO
ecial appropriations. ..............., 36,556 n
---o.- =
Giving a total of of.................. S604 ,966 At
Which, deducted from the whole sum expended,
yes as ordinary current expenses of the state tho
of S9l4 405S6.
STATE DEBT.
he total amount of the state indebtedness has
been changed during the past year, being:
te bonds outstanding. ...-......-S 200 90
tificates of Indebtedness to the trust
Inds ..s....... ..........-.. 2,l7I, 800 w
rency certificates outstanding. -. 81 90
Total. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. s. 252,o57 90
he deb5 is small, about two dollsrs per
ita for each individual in the state, and
IL some better inyt stment can be found
the educational funds, hope it viii re-
n as it is. Thtre was expended during
past year from the Governor Contingent
IA, 81, 912.28. Balance in the fund, S2,-
26.
he sum Of one hundred and twenty dollars
been received by me as fees for commits
3 issued TO Commissioners of Deeds to
de in other states and the same has been
into the tres snry.
efforts to effect settlement of the war
against the United States have not been
xed. The Treasury Department has now
Ell cOnsideFat on the additionaI explana-
and vouchers transmitted last year, and
expected that tho state will very soon
i've credit for large portion of the yet
titled il ems.
view OF the present low price Of our agri-
lral products, and the consequent scarcity
ioney, | urge upon your attention the ne
ity of great care in making appropria-
J. While the people can afford to pay for
nat is actually necessary, they have not
r to waste. As in our families we are
compelled to retrench expenses, so in
household of the state should be exer-
/ the most rigid economy consistent with
public good.
te resources of the state for 1870 are as
VS.:
tax, levied in 1869 s51 5961 10
oad taxes-estimated. 235, 900 90
rance companies taxes. $4,000 90
ellaneOus .......,..,... IL, 800 90
S846. .46l l3
ne estimated expenditures are:
permanent appropria-
ms ..--...-..-S ,ol4 w
.slative expenses, pres
session. S3,O9O W
prison and benevolent
stitutionS, current
enses 239 900 90
rest on state debit. 157 go 90
ks and employees. Al, ,000 90
lting and Publishing
.ws in newspapers . $4,000 90
on appropriations, over
ayment of general fund,
tationery. postage, gas,
leI. &C, &e........ 135, ,902 IA
-- 1926, O,819 IA
Balance SO, ,6l 80
In addition to The above expenditures, the
form School, Hospital for the insane, and
stitute for the Blind, ask for 500 S07 go, for
ornament improvements. In order to avoid
0 large an over-payment from the general
nd at the close of this year, thereby doing
Justice to other funds the appropriations
lis session, to be paid this year, should not
mount to more than $500 900.
TRUST FUNDS.
The outstanding state bonds are mostly
eld by parties who decline to sell them, be-
ause of their value as an investment. The
are now authorized to invest
hese funds in the bonds of the United States,
he state of Wisconsin, and certain other
tates. United States and state bonds are
low worth in market more than par, and do
ot generally yield seven per cent. interest.
The bonds of other states are frequently call
d in for payment, and are for that reason not
lways stable Investment; and the bonded
Iebt of the United States Will probably soon
,e funded at lower rate of interest. The
apital of these funds is constantly increas-
ng and must be invested. In vlewsof all
hese facts, | suggest for your consideration
he policy of authorizing the commissioners
to loan sums of money to such towns and
titles as desire to borrow for the purpose of
erecting school buildings. This has been
lone heretofore, under special acts, and has
lot resulted in loss to the funds, nor can it
10 result if the state ret aims the right to levy
he tax each year for the payment of interest
IN the loan. Under such a system, properly
yuarded, the people could have the advantage
If the use of these funds for educational pur-
poses. without exposing them to the losses
Incident to the system of loaning to individu
lis.
STATE TAXES.
The state taxes for the last four years, with
he assessed valuation of the real and per-
onal property of the state, are given by the
of State as follows:
Valuation. State tax. Rate per cent
For 1866 SI62 S2Ol53 SS12. SIG "a 925-10O0mills
1857. 196,s5ll61 649 9aS Sc Is. ...do
1865. pa 440.774 544, ,2S9 10 2l-100. do
1852. 242, ,1A SIS 961 Is Is. ..... do
The assessed valuation of the real and per-
,onal property. a. returned by the assessors,
or 1869. Is S427 627 $50.
It will be observed that this is large in
,rease upon previous assessments. Had the
state tax for 1869 been levied upon the as
,essed valuation for that year, the ratio of
axation would have been but little over one
mill on the dollar.
BANKING.
By an amendment to the state banking
aw. the office Of Bank Comptroller termin-
tied on the 81 of this month"; and the duties
If the office have been assumed by the state
treasurer. The final report of the Comp
ROLLER gives very satisfactory statement Of
he condition of the few state banks now do
Rg business.
While the evils and disadvantages of the
I'D system of state bank currency are fresh
n the minds of the people, l hope Congress
will pre- sent to the states for ratification an
to the federal constitution pro
1iblting the issue of any kind of paper cur
-ency by banks uader state authority. Among
he good results of the late war, was the
leaIthy change wrought i'll giving US we'll
.eeured national paper currency. Few men
# the present generation desire to see the old
iystem revived.
LIBRARIES.
The State Library now numbers II, O66 vol
,,- .I,r.i6ed az follows. lsW books, 6 sol