Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-01-18

qu1res, why should horses be valued al S92.19 il
Bayfield,, and only S. 85 in Kewaunee? $76.26 il
Clark, S75.5s in Dunn $685. IA in Rock and S6595 il
Walworth, and only S1675 in Manitowoc and $27 8s
in Brown 2" He states that there is the same dis
parity IN the valuation of other classes of taxable
property.
The value Of the taxable property, as fixed by the
State Board of Assessment, is $455 800, 500. The
state tax levied last year amounted to S72O "a be-
ing 5s-l00 cents on the dollar. One hundred and
seYenty-tve thousand dollars of this sum is to be
expended in erecting buildings for state institu-
lons. From the census statistics learn that the
totai tax LEVIED IN 1862 by coenes cities and towns
IN TINS state, was S4 1853 S15 This sum is very much
less than was actually levied and collected. V
BoUNTIEs ON WILD ANIMALS.
1t is strongly suspected that much fraud is prac-
hced by obtaining our state bounty for killing
wolves, lynxes and wild cats which not killed
IN the State The Secretary of State estimates that
at least $4,000 will be expended this year for such
bounties, hence it is worth your while to enquire
how it happens that so large a proportion of the
claims OF this class come from counties bordering
on other States.
Large and valuable additions have heen made tc
the library of the State Historical Society OOO vol
unes of books and l 300 pamphlets and documents
having been received during the past year, making
an aggregate of 45,500 books and pamphlets in its
possession The society is constantly increasing its
facilities for usefulness and is resorted to for refer
ence purposes by people from all portions of the
State. Its sphere of usefulness would be greatly
larged If catalogue Of its valuable collections
published.
The State Library contains 1885 Volumes 52S hav-
ing been added during the past year.
There are in the State 1857 libraries, which con-
tain SS0,500 volumes.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
The people having at the last election, adopted the
amendment to the state constitution authorizing the
abrogation of the grand jury system, appropriate
legislation is necessary to give effect to the will of
the people.
The last Legislature adopted Joint resolution
proposing an amendment to the constitution pro-
hibitng special legislation on certain subjects.
recommend that you agree to the same. If submit
ted to the bep. io il vii, doubt not be adopted by
an almost u1ia ll0;l- vote, and when it shall have
become a part Of or fundamental law, one of the
greatest evils of system of legislation will be re-
moved, and future legislators will be relieved from a
vast amount of labor, which is not only of bene-
fit but positive injury to the STATE. The adoption
of this amendment will diminish the legisI ltion of
the state more than one-half.
REVISED STATUTES.
Your attention is called to the fact that but 145
copies of the revised statutes in the hands of
the Secretary of State Heretofore at least 200 copies
have been required yearly to meet the demands of
the legislature and public officers revision at
least compilation of the statutes cannot in justice
to the wants OF the people be longer delayed. Many
of the most important OF statutes relating to in
ternal administration, which always should be COM
pletely codifed scattered through the volumes of
session laws published since the last revision Such
multiplicity of acts has been passed, at the same
and different sessions of the Legislature upon the
same subject some of which are indexed and others
not, as to compel the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court to remark in recent decision, that ''an
curate knowledge of statute law has become
almost impossible"
INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS.
The statistics compiled from the census recently
taken and given in the report of the Secretary of
State show rapid increase in wealth and popula-
ton In 1860 the population of the State was u.s.
SS1. 1t is 1866, $50, gain of Sc per cent The
increase of manufac .ures has than kept pace
with the increase of population, as shown by the
following statement:
1860. 1870. Increase. s 5
lishments.. s,O6s 7,1a6 4,o72 1 80
employed. 15,44 39,055 1854 1 So
Value of pro-
ducts S27, ,849, 4S7 $50, GA 966 S57 775 499 OF
The number of acres of improved lands, which
in 1859 was 3,746, ,167 has increased to 5,79553S,
In 1852 Is 637 458 bushels of wheat were produced
The yield of 1869 YVES 25,323,647 bushels, gain of
nearly 50 per cen5. The other grains grown in 1859
amounted to 20323647 bushels in 1869, to 067
bushels.
The present indications point to more rapid
growth in the immediate future than in the several
years past. The increasing demand for public
lands, ohe projecting of numerous railways through
portions of the State now comparatively thinly set
tied, the cons lntly increasing volume of inmigra-
ton, the tide of manufacturing capital now flowing
westward and seeking Investment u fay orable local
tiles, all give promise that the decade upon which
we have entered will be marked by an activity and
property beyond all our past experience
The State and County Agricultural and the State
Horticultural Societies. continue to be actively use
ful aids to the increase and diffusion of practical
knowledge among the people. They are worthy of
such encouragement and support as the State can
properly give.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
Under the provisions of chapter 137, general laws
of 1870, 1 appointed John Murrisb, Esq, to survey
the lead district, make maps, and collect specimens
illustrating the same He has, l believe, faithfully
discharged the duty and his detailed report is here
with submitted for your Information. 1 call your
special attention to the necessity for such reasonable
encouragement you properly give to sti1nu-
late mining interests.
I have heretofore recommended that provision be
made for thorough geological survey Of the whole
state. Time strengthens my conviction that it is
unwise economy to withhold the little that is
sary to thorhughly explore vast natural resour
ces, and give to the world full, scientific account OF
their nature and extent. Such an advertisement of
hidden wealth cannot fail to bring to the state
millions of capital for investment, and, by the crea-
ton of new Industries, to open up on every hand
other avenues to prosperity.
REFORM SCHOOL.
There is no school in the state doing more good
than the Reform School al Warkesha. 1t is admir-
ably managed in every 1e5pecS. l regard 1t as
among the most important of OR inst 5u.ions, and
believe that it should be Afforded every facility for
the proper care and education OF all who may be
committed to its charge. Toe trustees report that
another family building is necessary, the COS; OF
which will be $4,000. Trey now nave an oppcr-
tunity to purchase tract of land adjacent TO the
premises, which is much needed and as the oppor-
tunity viii OF occur again 10 ,,rchase the same on
favorable terms, an approprla Ion OF s. O00 should
be made for the purpose Whole number OF
pupils in attendance dung the past year,
293; number October 1, 1870, 800. The amount ex-
pended for the support of the school during the
past year was $32, 03,04. The new building for
work shops has been erected in substantial man.
at cost of about SIT 100000 the appropriation
being only $12o0oOO. The current expenses of 1871
are estimated at $32,000.00-to pay deficiency fol
1870, 6,22S. The last Legislature having by law
prohibited the commitment of girls to this school,
the question arises for your consideration,
what shall be done with that class of girls who ought
to have the benefit of the restraining influences OF
such an institution? Can we afford to neglect them
and allow them to grow up to be curse to them
selves and society? Ougat not the State to make
every effort TO save them 1tom becoming vagabonds
and lead them to lives of Use illness 1t is moi
what these children now which we have cause to
fear, but what they certain to become if no;
properly protected. commend this subject to YOU
earnest attention, of the most important you
will have before you for consideration.
STATE PRISON.
On the I'd CT May last tne workshops of the State
Prison were des' royed by fire. Immediately after
the disaster The Comm ssioner commenced making
proprated by the last Legislature uot sufficient
to defray the expense To call the Legislature to-
gether in extra session would have involved largt
expenditure of money and unnecessarily subjected
the members to great inconvenience. Therefore, III
view of the fact that six banks in the state gener
ously offered to advance 10 the Commissioner $50,
900, and that large portion of the machinery an6
material for rebuilding was offered upon credit anG
favorable terms, it wisely determined by Lieut.
Gov. Pound, who at that tiZne was acting Governor
not to call extra session. The banks referred tC
are the National Exchange Bank, of Milwaukee
The Milwaukee National Bank of Wisconsin, Tht
Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Co. Bank
The State Bank of Madison, The First Ma
tonal Bank of Madison, and the Bank OF Madison
Each have honored the draft of the Commissioner fo
$1,000. The building is well constructed, sub
stantially and practically fre-proof The machinery
is OF the most approved kild, and the whole estab
hshment has been so arranged as to be one OF th'
most convenient and economical chair factories il
the country. It is believed that the same numDer
men can turn out nearly double the number of chairs
that could be made with the conveniences and ma
chinery of the shop destroyed. If that proves to b
true the fire Will have been an advantage instead o
disaster. The total loss by .he fire was abou
$4,000. The Commissioner asks an appropriation
S33, 900 for current expense account, and for pay
ment o. debt and purchase of stock, $50, 900. be
heve his will be the last large appropriation which
will be required for that institution. If nothing
foreseen it will be nearly, if not quite self
supporting. Its affairs ably administered b,
Commissioner Wheeler, and his report is very com
plete in all its details. On the first of this montf
there were 217 convicts in this prison.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.