The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-01-18
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
CONCLUDED FROM OUT SIDE.

unjust discrimination in particular incali
ties, for which, it il claimed there is
redress, ana that rates Of transportatiol
generally are unnecessarily high. I p4~s
no judgement upon these complaints rs |
have not such personal knO Wedge as t.
enable me to do so but this interest has
become SO important, and is SO vital To-
the prosperity oil the whole state, that ]
recommend the organization OF board
OF railroad Commissioners, with powe)
to inquire into ali complaints and abuses.
and to exercise "a general supervision Owe
the operating of the several railroads
W thin the state and to recommend such
legislation as may sem to them expedient,
and report annually to the Governor.
Fortunately, our constitution gives to
the Legislature absolute control owe,
this whole question, and | hope there
will be no hesitation in applying an
adequate remedy to every just cause oi
complaint
The practice of giving bonuses in aid
of the construction o. railways IS not to b"
condemned where the communities con
fine themselves within reasonable limits,
and the bonus is not disproportioned t.
the benefits to be derived but there has
been degree OF recklessncss ig this re
gard that has brought great distress or
many localities.
Aft,r the explosion of the farm mort
gage system, winch brought hundreds !"
farmers TO bInkrupt2y and ruin, the neX1
device was TO induce the towns, counties
and cities to loan their credit. in aid of
various railroads Towns that were the
most promising of any i'll the state, in an
evil hour were persuaded to loan their
ere lit far beyond their fair ability to all
In the construction Ut railways, Ia the
expectation that the benefits would add
Sc largely to their business and prosperity
that they could easily pay the ueht
created for that object. In almost every
instance disap poihtment has been the
result, and instead OF the great adj
vantagcs predicted they find themselves
buried beneath almost hopeless debt, and
their prosperity greatly impaired or deS
troytd
With the many examples of this kind
which the state afbrds-frst, in the
ruined farm mora gagors, and next, in the
embarrassed and PROSTATE tOwns-in was
reasonable tn expect that tho penpr
would be more eau Ious about involving
themselves IN debt beyond their reason
able ability to pay. But such appears
not to be the fact and as near as [ can
learn there has been as much recklessness
as even daring the past year in voting
such bOnntieS. The disposition to create
debts for future generations to paw APP
pears 10 be universal
While theEe may he no great obi, Ction
to any community taxing itself each ylar
to limited amount Ill aid Ut SUCH public
improvements as the maj ,,rity may deem
necessary for he pubic welfare, o saddle
posterity with heavy deUts for doubtful
benefits can only result in repud iatIIn and
disgrace. As "a temporary measure of
safety, recommend the passage of a law
prohibiting any town county or city from
creating any debt in AID or any railroad
or public improvements, in excess of five
per cent, of The assessed value of the
property OF such town. county or city,and
that an amendment Co the constitution to
the same effect be submitted TO the peo-
pie at he earliest possible moment.
ST. CROIx AND LAKE SUPERIOR LAND
GRANT.
The renewal OF the st. Croix and Lake
Superior Land Grant Is greatly desired
by the people in the northwest part oil the
state. Having made their settlements in
the expectation that this road would be
built, and purchased theii lands at
double government p rice, it is but Just
that the grant should be renewed to the
state and to secure that end, it is re.
commended that you ask Congress to take
such action as IS due to the state and the
people most directly Interested. The
care OF the lands within the limits of this
grant was intrusted by the Secretary Of
the interior and my predecessor to Gen
eral Samuel Hartman, who was author.
lied To act both fer the state ard the Gen.
eraI Government. His report shows that
there was in the State Treasury on the
first day of October, 1871, to the credit of
the ST. Cr0ix and Lake Superior land
Trcsspass Fund, balauce of $35, 500. sc,
and that suits are now pending against
responsible parties 70 recover about S75,-
00O more.
AGRICULTURE.
The reports of the County and State
Agricultural societies afford evidences of
growth and pro- r 5ss in agriculture that
are quite satisfactory.
The exhibitions at or late state and
county fairs were the best ever had in the
state, and 1t was generally observed that
the farmers were devoting more attention
to the growth Of grain, to be transported,
at an expense of more than halt its value,
tC distant market for consumption, ana
greatly to the impoverishment of the soil
That they will find their advantage in
q more Oh Yprajfit6 industry thora 40 r.
M doubt. AS agriculture is, and must
continue, to be for a long time, if moi
always, the leading interest of the state