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

The dome of the State Capitol has beer
completed at cost of 800, ,828 05, exclusive o
architects Compensation.
Great cOmmendatOn is due to the con
tractors, Messrs. G. S. Rankin q Co., of Oin'
cinnati. for the manner in which they have
prosecuted the work. The building commits.
sIoners are entirely satisfied with the struc-
ture, both as to beauty Of architectural al de-
sign, and as to the character OF material and
workmanship. The contractors have valid
claim against the state for the extra expense
incurred in elGvating the material for the
dome on the outside of the building, instead
OF raising 1t up through the rotunda.
The committee rooms IN the south attic,
provided for by your predecessors, are COM
pleted and ready for your occupancy. Should
those be found inadequate additional rooms
can easily be coVided in the north attic, at a
small expense.
There remains in the treasury an unex
pended balance of the appropriation for the
completion of the dome, amounting to
S9297O, which sum, think, the commission
ers should be authorized to expend in con-
structIng a coal vault, or completing the
basement, so far as it will cover such expense.
The cost Of the Capitol to the present time
is S541, ,447.95.
e4z 81 THE MILITIA.
Beyond the organization of few volun-
teer companies, but little has been done un-
der the militia law since the close of the war.
A correct enrollm 5nt of the citizens subject
to military duty cannot be kept up without
great expense to the state, nor can ap effec-
tive organization be maintained under the
present law, without great expense to the
individual members. If the constitution
were so changed that all moneys which may
be paid as an equivalent for exemption from
military duty, should instead of enuring to
the school fund, be set apart as a fund to
defray the expenses of military organiza-
L. ! II
to the amendment, an efficient militia might
be maintained.
OF the volunteer militia there are now thir-
teen companies of infantry, one of cavalry,
and five batteries; total strength, l 270 men
The flags and cOlors borne by the Wiscon-
sin re egimerts IL the field have been suspend
ed in the rooms of the State Historical Soci-
ETY., and in the several state offices. In order
to preserve these valued relics, the Quarter
master General should be authorized to pro-
vide suitable glass cases in which to place
them.
INSURANCE.
Your attention is respectfully called to the
suggestion of the Secretary of State
the revision Of the laws reg
ulating insurance companies in this state.
The insurance business is rapidly increasing,
and the people look to the state to protect
them, in some measure, against fraud. The
companies now pay large sum of money
each year into our treasury, and are entitled
to the fostering care Of the state authorities
LEGISLATION.
That very large part of the private and
local legislation Of this state, since it's or
ganization, has been not only needless but
pernicious, none will deny. And though
such. legislation is universally admitted to be
year. This is an evil which calls loudly for
reform. There seems to be no way to effect
this but by an amendment to the consiitu-
ton, which recommend.
[ deem it my duty in the future, as IN the
past. to withhold the executive approval from
the most objectionable legislation Of this
character.
It is proper that should inform you, as [
did your immediate predecessors, that no
bills will be considered by the executive af-
ter your honorable body shall have adjourned.
YO Twill therefore see the necessity of per-
of. and action upon, the same
possible before the hour of adjournment.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
The last legislature adopted Joint resolu-
ton number seven proposing an amendment
to the constitution of the state so as to au-
Ihorize the adjustment Of the grand jury
system" This resolution should, in my
opinion, be by you ratified and submitted to
the people for their action. Joint resolu-
ton number eight, proposing amendment to
section f. article Of the constitution - by It's
provisions providing for an increase Of the
number of Judges of the Supreme Court to
five. and that their terms OF office shall be
ten years.. was duly presented for approval,
and Is published with the general laws, but
the journal of the Assembly. page 907, shows
that it was not concurred in by that body.
The amendment to the constitution chang
ing the salary of Governor and Lieutenant
Governor was ratified by the people at the
last general election. Legislation IS neces-
sary to give effect to this amendment.
NoTARE PUBLIC FEES.
In view of the increase of the Governors
salary all fees received by virtue of chapter
100. laws of 1867, for commissions issued this
wear to Notaries Public have been paid by me
into the State Treasury. The law should be
so amended as to require those who receive
such commissions hereafter to pay the fees
directly to the State Treasurer.
IMMIGRATION.
The result Of the labors of the State Board
of Immigration is very satisfactory. More
than one half of the immigrants from foreign
lands who have arrived upon the west shore
of Lake Michigan during the past year, have
settled in this state. Agents have been en-
pIoyed at Milwaukee and Chicago, to give in
Formation and aid to such as stood in need
thereof Documents illustrating the induce
large numbers to the eastern states and for
eign countries. By this means, as the Board
feel assured, the number of immigrants to
this state has geen greatly increased. The
Board expended during the past year 50, $780,
65
EDUCATIONAL.
No state document is read with deeper in
terest than the report of the Superintendent
if Public Instruction, relating, as 1t does, to
the most important of public concerns. The
past wear has shown cOnsidera BILE advance
ment in the educational work. The common
schools have been liberally sustained, the in
struction has generally been Of a higher or
der than heretofore, and a wider range of
studies has been pursued. There Is constant
improvement IN this direction each year, and
I am glad to note that there is gradual ad-
vance in the wages paid to teachers
Number of school districts in the State 4,735
Number of children over four and IN
der twenty years of age. ..........-. 398, TAT
Number that attended public school
during the past year. ..-.. 264 0S3
Number of public school houses ...... 4742
Value of school houses and sites So 4S2, l25 II
The total amount expended for public edu-
cational purposes during 1869 does not exceed
eight dollars for each pupil registered.
| commend to your especial consideration
the following statement OF the Superintend-
ent:
After making a liberal allowance for the number
who have previously attended school, ana for those
who were so situated that they could not attend
there will still main more than $4,000 youth who
are growing up in ignorance. This is more than
one-eighth of the whole school population, and
about one-sixth of the number that could reasona-
bly, be expected to attend school.
And ask you whether the state, as an Or
ganized community, is discharging its dut.
in thus allowing so large portion OF its
children to grow up in ignorance, to be the
future inmates of our jalls and prisons. to
scatter the seeds of vice far and wide, to be-
come curse to themselves, and the most
dangerous and troublesome element In so
oiety? Is it not our duty to compel the pa
rents of these children to give them the adj
vantages of some school system, whereby
they may be rendered tit to asusme the duties
of citizenship? Has not the state the right to
protect itself against evils which threaten its
safety, its peace, and even its existence? /
answer these questions for myself by most
emphatically recommending the enactment
of such a law as will compel each child in the
state, of proper age, under ordinary circum-
stances, to attend school given number oi
months III each wear for reasonable number
OF years.
You cannot but be aware of the fact that
there Is an element in this country which Is
seeking to overthrow our common school
system Each year it is becoming bOlder and
its hostility more pronounced. Those who
a 20 eOUau in this dpyliSh assaDlr upCp III.