The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-01-20


OF this year, thereby doing injustice to
other funds, the appropriations this ses-
sion, to be paid this year, should not
amount to more than $500, 900.
TRUST FUNDS.
The outstanding state bonds are most
ly held by parties who decline to|
sell them, because of their value as an
investment. The commissioners are now
authorized TO invest these in the bonds
of the United States, the state of Wiscon-
sin, and certain other states. United
States and state bonds are now worth in
market more than par, and do not gener
ally yield seven per cent. interest. The
bonds Of other states are frequently call
ed in for payment, and are for that rea-
son not always a stable Investment; and
the bonded debt of the United States
will probably soon be funded at lower
rate of interest The capital Of these
funds is constantly increasing, and must
be invested. In view of all these facts, L.
suggest for your consideration the policy
of authorizing the commissioners to loan
sums of money to such towns and cities
as desire to borrow for the purnose of
erecting school buildings. This has been
done heretofore, under special acts, and
has not resulted in loss to the funds, nor
can it so result if the state retains the
right to levy the tax each year for
the payment of interest on the loan.
Under such system, properly guarded,
the people could have the advantage of
the use of these funds for educational
purposes, without exposing them to the
losses incident to the system of loaning
to individuals.
STATE TAXES.
The state taxes for the last four years,
with the assessed valuation of the real
and personal property of the state, are
given by the Secretary of State as sfol-
lows;
Valuation. State tax. Rate per cent
1860. .S162 500 1853 1912, SIG "a 925-10O0 mills
1867 1876. S51, 161 649, 95S So 3 ID. do
1868. pa 44O, TIA 544 $50 1913 21-1OO. do
1869. .. 242, GAL ,l24 515,961 Is 2 1-8.....do
The assessed valuation of the real and
personal properly, as returned by the as
SCISSORS, for 1859, is $427, 627 1866.
1t will be observed that this is large
increase upon previous assessments. Had
the state tax for 1850 been levied upon
the assessed valuation for that year, the
ratio al taxation would have been but q
little over one mill on the dollar.
BANKING.
By an amendment to the state banking
law, the Office of Bank Comptroller ter
minated on the Sd of this month, and the
duties of the office have been assumed by
the state treasurer. The final report of
the Comptroller gives very satisfactory
statement of the condition OF the state
banks now doing business.
While the evils and disadvantages OF
the old system of state bank currency are
fresh in the minds of the people, | hope
Congress will present to the states. for
ratification an amendment to the federal
constitution prohibiting the issue Of any
kind of paper currency by banks under
state authority. Among the good results
of the late war, was the healthy change |
wrought in giving us well secured ma
tional paper currency. Few men OF the
generation desire to see the old present |
system revived. 47T'''' "a.
LIBRARIES.
The State Library now numbers 12,OS6 |
volumes, classified as follows: Law books,
6,901 miscellaneous, 1906; duplicates,
4 ,674. The collection is rapidly increas |
ing, by exchange and purchase, and is
very creditab'e. The appropriation of
$500 per year for the purchase of law
reports and digests to supply deficiencies
should be continued.
The library of the State Historical
Society now contains $4,000 volumes and
being an increase of 1000
volumes during the past year It also
contains 1888 bonnd newspaper files.
The society in its annual report, asks for
an increase of its yearly appropriation for
the purchase of books, and binding, and |
for the publication of catalogue to ia
cilitate historical investigation. AS the
state reaps the benefits Of the valuable
labors and acquisitions Of this society, 1t
should receive yoSy hands aliberal
measure of aid and encouragement. /
REVISED STATUTES
But 1913 copies of the revised statutes
remain in the hands of the Secretary of
State. The demand for them, from
proper sources, requires at least 900 each
year If supplied, another edition must
be published immediately, in which event
the laws should be revived or codified.
The public necessities seem to demand
legislation on this subject. Il
STATE CAPITOL. +
The dome of the State Capitol has
been completed at cost of $50, 828.05,
exclusive of architects, compensation.
Great commentator is due to the &C n
tractors Messrs G. S. Rankin & Co, of !
for the manner in which
they have prosecuted the work. The I!
commissioners are entirely sat
fed with the structure, both as to beau
81 of architectural design, and as to the
of material and workmanship. l
Fhe contractors have valid claim against !
he state for the extra expense incurred
I, e., 4 q