The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-01-18

part OF tie stare was Overrun by extensive
fires, destroying much property and
causing great distress, but nothing comr
pared to what was soon to follow for on
the Sth and 9th of October, confagra
tion, unparalleled in the worlds history,
swept over portions of the counties of
| Oconto, Brown, Door and Kewaunee CON
Stunning all before it.
| In vain the unhappy people sought re
fuge IN open fields, >wamps, lakes and
rivers. The fire blast, which seemed to
come down from Heaven, was so sudden
and appalling that many believed that
the long foretold destruction Of the world
was al hand. By this CO.. fagratlon il is
estimated that over one thousand persons,
| lost their lives, and many Others horribly
burned and manned, ami dOnmpd to drag
out q life more Intolera bic than cath
itself AS soon as intelligence of this
great calamity reached the Executive
Office, my predecessor, with that promp
titude and humanity which were to be
expected from him, proceeded al once to
the scene OF the disaster, to lend such aid
as was within his power. Appealing ut
once to the charitable for relief to the
sufferers-the great heart OF the country
the warmest gratitude.
| The people OF the state, in the most
prompt and liberal manner, sent forward
money, clothing and supplies for their
suffering fellow citiz~ns The people of
other states were not less prompt and
generous in their liberal offerings, aud
even Canada ami Europe heard our cry
and manifested their sympathy with "a
liberal hand.
place before the Legislature the very
! full and satisfactory report of my pre-
decessor, detailing his action in regard to
the sufferers. The responsibility taken
by him and the State Treasurer cannot
fail to meet your approval. The urgency
of the case fully justIties their action. 1t
cannot be reg Arded as a precedent, md
such an occasion Is not likely to again
arise
The total amount Of money received at
the Executive Office for he benefit Of he
sufferers to January 1,1872 was $166,139,-
SO. Of which sum $4,000 was Transmitted
! ~ the Relief Committee at Green Bay Z.
! $S,005 16 was expended for supplies !;
$4S7 81 Tor snndry expenses-leaving an
expended $l11 ,397. % for which | lold
; The receip! OF Hon Henry Bez, ST., 8
J Treasurer, for $50, 53905, and certificate
Of deposit in the State Bank at Mad ,son
for $77,S5818
In addition to the foregoing contrlbu.
lions in money, large amnunts of clol hing
and provisions have been received through
the Executive office, and it is understood
that large amounts of money, clothing,
and supplies have also been contributed
through TIL Milwaukee and Green Bay
relief committees. 1t Is recommended
that joint relief committee, consisting
of one member of the Senate and two of
the Assembly, be constituted at an early
day, with authority to proceed at once to
the burnt district" and investigate the
condition OF the people there, and con fer
with the relief committees of Green Bay
and Milwaukee, and ascertain what
amount OF relief will be required to place
them In comfortable condition, and
where they can be selfsustairing and I
also ask that you constitute some authority
through which the amount now subject to
my order may be so disposed of as to give
the most relief and best meet the wishes
OF che contributors. ....
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
|
ratified Constitutional amendment pro
hibitlng certain classes of special legisla-
ton, the important duty devolves on you
to provide suitable and carefully con-
sldered general laws, under which the
objects Can be accomplished, which here
tofore have been Effected by special laws.
THE NEW APPoRTIoNMENT
of representation in Congress will com.
mand your attention, and requires a re-
districting of the state
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
My predecessor, in his last annual mes
sage, earnestly recommended thorough
geological survey Of the state. The open
ing up by rail at an early day of portions
of the state heretofore almost wholly IN.
knows, ADDS force to his recommends.
ton, and / commend the subject to yeur
careful consideration. S,ch survey,
conducted by a scientific and thoroughly
practical man, no doubt would be q great
advantage to the state. The report of
John Murrish, Esq who for the past
eighteen mouths has been engaged in a
survey of the lead district, IS here with
transmitted.
The Fort Howard Military Road has
been completed from Fort Howard north
eastsriy to the state line, and the lands
granted in aid thereof have been convey.
ed to the contractors by whom the road
was built. @t 7rt#-, a.e Ism
STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES AND REFORM.
The last Legislature authorized the APP.
pointmcnt of the State Board OF Charities
and Reform, with power vested in the
same to visit and examine into our penal,
reformatory and charitable institutions
| MY predecessor appointed al members
/ of the board Hon Willard Merrill nfl