Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-01-15
The Republican.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

G.. T.. W ashDurne, OF W ISc0nSlh, was
read before the Legislature in joint
session Thursday, January 9Th. The
message is fair and candid statement
Of the condition Of our state affairs and
will compare favorably with any State
document that has proceeded it, The |
Governor congratulates the people on |
the uninterrupted pospellty OF the |
state during the past season ITS Tree
ness from crime, aGd the faithful man
ner in which the laws nave been enfor-
sed, and the rights Of all preserved
and maintained.
The receipts Of the general fund of
the State for the year were 81 $50, Ill.,
20. and the disbursements $685.
422.9 The assessed valuation Of the
property Of the state for the year 1872
is $3.50, 454775, and the state tax to
be raised 1865, 291 So, being l $1,000
mills rate per cent. The Governor
suggests the abandonment of the pTac-
tice that has heretofore prevailed of
appropriating money to be paid out of
the general fund in excess OF the
amount in the treasury, thus compel
ling the credit of the state to be dishon-
ored or the payment of the drafts from
the trusts funds
The Governor recommends the pas
sage again of the joint resolution pass
ed by the last Legislature for an amend
ment to the Constitution prohibiting
counties, towns. villages, or other NUM-
cipal corporations, from becoming in
debted for any purpose to an amount
exceeding five per centum of the value
of the taxable property therein, SO that
the question may be submitted to vote
of the people at the next general cleo
ton.
The change in the law relating to
property by descent giving the entire
property Of an intestate leaving Wild
ow without children to the widow, meets
with bis disapproval and he recommends
that the law be so amended as to give
the widow an absolute fee simple title
to such portion of her husbands estate
as may be deemed just an equitable,
and the remainder, in tie absence of
children, to the Father of the intes-
tate, or there being no father, to the
mother, or in the absence of either faith
err or mother, to the brothers and sis
ters Of the deceased in equal shares.
The Governor speaks Of the continu
ed prosperity Of the State Historical
Society, and the large and valuable ad-
ditions being made TO its library aud
collections.
In the Wisconsin State Hospital for
the Insane, 521 persons have received
treatment during the past year.
The number Of patients received
since the institution was first establish
Ell is I ,653. Of that number $50
have been discharged recovered 307
improved 236 uuimproyed, and 202
have died Of those now in the insti-
tuition 200 are pronounced iRcurable.
The crowded condition Of the Hos
pital has compelled the Superintendent
to send away many incarablc cases
TO make room for more recent ones
where recovery depended upon prompt
treatment. The management of the
Institute for the Deaf and Dumb is
spoken of as being all that could be
desired Tie fnauciaI condition Of
the State Prison Is not altogether sat
isfactory; but as this arises princi-
pally from the limited number Of pris-
oners in the institution, the state has
good reason to be satisfied.
The condition ofour public schools
is very satisfactory. The State has
three Normal Schools now in success
ful operation, viz: at Platteville.
Whitewater and Oshkosh, aud fourth
at River Falls, in Pierce County, is
now in process Of erection. The schools
are all foil and doing great good. The
number Of students is about $50 Tne
Normal School fuud now amounts to
$3.50 ,371 10, an increase during the
year of 500 ,200,55.
The State University is rapidly grow
ing into public favor. The number of
students at the opening Of the fall term
1872, was, of males, 293 of females.
l42.
The total amount expended on the
State Capitol is about $3.50, 900, which
the Governor thinks is a very small |
sum considering how fine the structure
The fire relief fund has all been dis
posed of with the exception of So, 335 |
which is now in deposit In the State
Bank of Madison, and will be used for
the relief of such neritorious cases as
shall come to the knowledge of the
Governor.
The Governor repeats his recommen-
datisns of last year for the organiza-
ton OF Board Of Railroad Commits
sioners, with power to enquire into all
complaints aud abuses. and to exercise