Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-01-18
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gov. Fairehild'. Me..ag. a. delivered

W tuo AoBtSioe AS VI AhutsdnN - piasHs
comprehensive, unpretentions document,
which gives clear, business-Iike state
ment of the affairs Of the commonwealth,
and is entirely free from buncombe and
Glowing rhetoric" Owing to its length
we shall be able TO give only such items
from it as will be Of particular interest
10 our readers:
The balance in the treasury at the
close of the last fiscal year was $l33.
e27.ll.
The state debt has not been reduced
during tho year, it being for the sum of
s2.252,O57.
The resources Of the state for 1871
foot up to $I.O66.S 1913 "a. Estimated
expenditures for the same period, sl,-
O4l,746.64.
The State has now for sale $50, 500
acres Of school land; lO.440 acre. of
university land, and los. $40 acres agri
cultural college land. The Governor
holds that these lands are sold at too low
figures, TO the benefit of spectators, and
recommends higher prices per acre.
The value of the taxable property, ~
6xed by the State Board of ASSESS. nent,
10 $+55, 900 500. The State tax levied
last year amounted to 1920. 1924, be
ing $500 cents on The dollar. One
hundred and seventy five thousand dollars
Of this sum is to be expended in erecting
buildings for Stale institutions.
The number Of acres of improved
lands, which in 1859 was 3.746 1877, has
increased to 5,795 5Ss. nearly So per
cent.
In 1889. $685., 45s bushels of wheat
were produced. The yield of 1869 was
25 S23,647 bushels, gain of nearly 90
per cent. The other grains grown in
1859 amounted to 20 323,G47 bushels;
in 1869. to 37,739. Oe7 bushels.
There have over 1864 immigrants
located in the state turing the year 1870
What is said concerning railroads and
our land grant is given in our Madison
correspondence.
In discussing National affairs, the Gov.
srnor says:
While our peace is so profound, AMI
iis prospects of continuance so fair, while
the fiscal system Of the government is SO
satisfactory, it is a fitting time to scrul
niEe our governmental machinery in
every part, to eradicate every abuse, and
remove .herefrom every element os weak
mesa. A large portion of the people
have come to realize the great and wide
spreading evils which flow from our pres
ent civil service system, and there is a
general desire among men Of every shade
of political belief for a radical reform
therein. Such change is desired rs will
remove tue patronage of tho government
from the partizan contests OF the people,
as will permit subordinate appointments
in the civil service only for demonstrated
fitness, and make the tenure of office to
depend upon zeal aud fidelity in the ser
vice of the government rather than party
or individuals; such change rs will relieve
the President. cabinet officers, senators
and members Of congress from the con
slant -drudg gerry Of distributing this pat
ronage--lcaying them untramelled 10
consider only those matters which con-
Germ the statesman. share in this desire,
because | recognize in our present man
ner of dispensing Federal patronage The
most demoralizing element in our political
system. These evils have grown to their
present magnitude gradually, through
many years. No parry nor class of men
are responsible for them. but our genera
ton will justly DO held responsible for
their continuance if fully aware of the
evil. and realizing the dnnger. we DO not
improve our opportunity To make the ne
form which the safety of tie nation de
man'ls. Fully assured that the people
of this Stale are in accord with these
sentiments, | recommend that you pre-
sent memorial to Congress asking for
the enactment Of such laws IA. will effect
he desired change.