Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-01-20
GOVERNORS MESSAGE

QIttOn OF the aHalTS Vi Dtate 10 FOi y Si""'
rately set forth, and it is sfewn to be IN
very healthy and prosperous condition IN
regard to~ finances, internal improvements,
and public benefactions.
The state debt remains the same as last
year, with the sum of $133,657 IL in the
treasury; being the amount Of ali the va
rious funds. Economy has long been the
general rule in our State affairs extrava-
gance and waste the exceptions. Out OF
the Governors contingent fund'of $4,000,
but 100 have been expended, leaving a
balance of that fund of about $500
In reference to loaning the Trust funds
for the purpose of aiding districts in tulld-
ing school houses, it is suggested that the
legislature should enact such general law
as to give the commissioners of school and
university. lands discretion to loan to dis
tricts as application is made the sum to
be limited to a small per cent. of the asses
sed valuation1of the taxable property of
ment specified, and powersto collect prin-
cipal and interest to be vested in the Ste
rotary, of State, with authority to levy
and collect tax whenever such payments
are not promptly made.
More stringent legislation is called for
in regard to the assessment of property.
Horses having been valued in Bayfield, at
$92, and in Kewaunee at So, and much
other property in the same manner.
1t is strongly'suspected that.much fraud
is practiced, by obtaining our State boun-
ty for killing wolves, lynxes and wild cats
which were not killed in the State, as
those counties bordering on the State line,
have a large preponderance of, those
claims.
The State Historical Society has now
$4,000 books and pamphlets, and it is re-
commended that a catalogue of the collec-
tons be published.
The legislature is called upon to give
effect to the charge in the constitution,
abolishing the grand jury system, and is
also recommended to agree to the joint
resolution, proposing an amendment to
the constitution prohibiting special legis-
lation on certain subjects.
Should this proposed amendment to the
constitution be ratified by the people, a
vast amount of money will be saved to the
State which unnecessarily expended now
on local bills WHICH could as well be eXac
ted by the county board Of supervisors as
by the legislature,if they but possessed the
power.
AZ very important recommendation is
made in reference to revising or compiling
the statutes of the State. Many of the
most important of'our statutes relating to
internal administration, which always
should be compactly codiied, are scattered
through the volumes of session laws pub
llshed since the last revision. Such a
multiplicity of acts have been passed, at
the same and different sessions of the leg
islature, upon the same subject, some of
which are indexed and others not, as to
colnpelf the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court ao'remark,i in a.recent decision, that
tam accurate knowledge of our statute
lam,has become almost impossible"
The geological survey Of the lead dis
trict which was provided for by the legis-
laturc oflast winter, is thus -spokenof:
"Under the provision Of chapter 1877,
general laws of 1870, appointed John
Murrsh, Esq, to survey the lead district,
make maps and collect specimens illustra-
ting the same. He has, believe, faithful
ly discharged the duty, and his detailed
report is herewith submitted for your in
formation. Ifcall your special attention to
the necessity for such reasonable encour
agement as you can properly give to slim
uiate> our mining interests.
The State reform, school is highly re-
commended and further legislation asked
to make it applicabe to both sexes.
'"There is no school in the State doing
more good than the Reform School at
Waukesha.. The last legislature having
by law prohibited the commitment sof
girls to this school, the question now arts
es oryour consideration, what shall be
done with that class of girls who ought to
have the benefit Of the restraining infuen-
ces of such an institutions. Can"we afford
to neglect them, and allow them to grow
up to be curse to themselves and society? ?:
Ought not the State to make every effort
to save them from becoming vagabondS,
and lead them to lives of usefulness 1t
is not what these children are now
which we have cause to fear, but what
they are certain to become if not properly
protected. l commend this subject to
your earnest attention, as one of the most
important you will have before you for
consideration"
The Governor strongly urges the pas,
sage of law for compulsory education
He SAYS:
Notwithstanding, the satisfaction we
NAV feel in view OF the success of our COM
mon schools, the fact that over fifty thou
sand childrendo not attend school in the,
State, stands forth a warning to the peo-
pie that fifty thousand children are grow
ing up in their midst to be men and
women who are net fitting themselves to