The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-01-24
STATE AFFAIRS.
First Annual Message Of Gov
VIM. R. Taylor.
Necessity Of Internal improvements to
Secure Cheap Transit.
Retrenehment in the Administration Of State
Government Recommended.

You have assembled under peculiar circum-
stances. An era OF apparent prosperity with
ont parallel in the previous history Of the
nation has been succeeded by hnanclal re-
verses affecting all classes OF industry, ana
largely modifying the standard OF values. The
financial classes of Wisconsin are entitled to
commendation for the foresight which has
enabled them measurably to resist the cur
rent of disaster. The prudence and integrity
OF our business men III the principal cities
generally. and the vast extent OF our natural
resources, have also contributed largely to
the restoration OF mutual confidence, and
averted many of the evils apparent elsewhere.
To great extent, however, this condition OF
things is the legitimate consequence OF
healthy reaction, and may be regarded as
comparatively permanent.
Accompanying these financial disturbances.
has come an imperative demand from the
people for purer political morality, a more
equitable apportionment OF the burdens and
blessings Of government and more rigid
economy in the administration of public at
fairs. 1T does not beco ne me to discuss, IN
this place. either the direct remote intiu-
cnces which have led to this reasonable de-
mand. We have to deal with facts they
are admitted to exist and to apply such reme-
dies. within the sphere OF our constitutional
duty, your Legislative experience and wis
dom NAV suggest. In the execution of the
popular will in this articular, it is certain
that no evasion and no compromise will be
patiently tolerated.
ANNUAL REPORTS OF TREASURER AND SECRETARY.
The fiscal year ended on the Both day of
September last. The Treasurer and Secretary
of state have furnished you full details of ex-
penditure for the support of the state govern
ment during the year. l commend the several
IteEls OF this expenditure to your critical eX-
animation, with view TO positive legislation
IN behalf OF retrenchmeht.
TOTAL RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.
The total receipts into the State Treasury
during the year, including all sources of in
come. were 81 TIA 55S. So. The total disburse-
ments, Tor all purposes, were S1,79s .023. Ii.
The balance III the Treasury at the commence
ment of the fiscal year was 1899 1911. The
excess OF total disbursements over total Ie-
ceipts during the year was S23 AGA 50 thus
leaving in the Treasury, to the credit of all
funds S2l5 644. %. The excess of total dis
bursemcnts over total receipts was due to an
excess of expenditure from the general fund,
as viii be seen by facts hereinafter stated.
THE GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS
The total receipts Of the general fund dur
ing the fiscal year were =, o95, S72.29 OF this
sum, the amount of 1871, S75 SO was derived
from direct State tax upon the assessed valua-
ton OF property. s2l0 374 50 from taxes on the
gross receipts ofraroad companies 500 299 %
from taxes on fire ana life insurance com
panies, and the balance from miscellaneous
sources.
GENERAL FUND DISBURSEMENTS.
The total disbursements from the general
iund during the fiscal year were 1, 1871 966. GI
an excess of 500, 093. u above the receipts.
DeductIng from this excess of expenditure the
balance IN the general fund at the commence
ment OF the fiscal year-Sep tember 80 1872
and the deficiency IN this fund for the wear
ending September 80, 1873, is found to be S66,-
$3.50. The total disbursements were divided
among the several classes of current expena
ituTe. as follows Salaries. and permanent
appropriations, SCI ,572 SO IegisIatiev ex-
peuses, Sl03 1902 state prison aud chart
table institutions, 1901 ,2i6.SS miscellaneous
S395. 4l6.G0.
The detici, ncY in the general fund of sec. -
$3.50, Is an Oyerpaymcnt, IN excess Of all
proper resources for curr, Mt expenditures
from the trust fund OF the state and Is in
tuct an increase of the state debt to the pre-.
c!sc amount OF the sum thus distracted from
those funds; | am not aware OF any law au-
thOrlzng this Increase of debt or the diver
zion of the trust funds from their legitimate
aud proper purposes, beyond that law of ne
ces sIty, winch leaves the state government no
alternative IN the administration Of public AZ
fairs but to mlsappropiIite moneys held Ill
trust and saCredly set apart for purposes of
charity and education, rather than to permit
dlshonor to come upon the current obligations
Of the treasury. II an individual, appointed
to protect the property interests of orphan mi
nofs or insane persons, were to divert to bis
private uses the resources entrusted to his
heeplug, his conduct would find no apology
its trust funds is not essentially different and
Its violation OF good faith not less reprehcns-
bic. The practice Is especially damoralizng
and dangerous DIS precedent. 1t is possible
that the past action of the state in
borrowing from the school and
other trust funds, under special circum-
stances, and by an exercise Of legislative
power, deemed to nave been authorized by
the constitution, may be regarded as affcrdin 2
some sanction FOR the present procedure. 1t
must be admitted however, that the special
eXgency under which the Indebtedness 10 the
trust fu9d was originally created, has wholly
disappeared, AID that the existing practice
has no real justification, resulting as it does
from special appropriations, made by the leg
lslature IN excess of The revenues provided
to meet them. No question as to the profit
and eXpedlency of further loan from the
trust funds to the Stat can. under present
circumstances, be entertained. 1t is sufficient
tor rs To know that an increase OF the State
debt beyond Its present limits is prohibited
by the constitution have sworn to SUD-
port, that this prohibition was wlsclyintended
Is restraint upon-the legislature, and pro
lection to the people, and that 1t cannot be
honestly eyaded nor safely dettd
Inasmuch as the disbursements from the
general fund during the last quarter OF the
calendar year-being the first quarter of the
present fiscal vear--are concentrated Inv no
corresponding receipts into that tund during
the same quarter, the deficiency which exist
ed on the 30tE of September last is much
IarEtr at the present date Ia his annual re-
port the Secretary Of State estimated that
this deficiency on the first day of January IN
staut, would reach The sum Of s16S, 62I 90. ]
recommend such legislation as shall rapidly
repair the present deficiency and prevent in
future, the continuation OF those practices
which necoesitate this legislation.
THE STATE DEBT
The legal debt of the State, denominated
the - bonded and irreducible debt at the
close OF the fiscal year. was 81, 252. O57 Of this
sum -, 333, 900 consists of certificates of in
debtedness u the various trust funds. SIS. 100
OF outstanding bonds, ana ST. OF currency
certificates
THE TRUST FUND.
The total productive accumulations of all
he trust funds of the State on the 30th of
September, 1873, were So. SIC, 653 II. showing
"A increase during the last fiscal year of
S9l, los So. At the same date these funds
were thus divided
School Fund ..................S25 $40 ISL -
University Fund. -....... DIG $40 as
Agricultural College Fund. . 225. 309 70
Normal School Fupd. ... 9Is.64S As
STATE TAX.
The state tax levied for 1871 was 5000, 49,
10: for So, S765, 29l S. tor 1878, s67l. $50 So
The rate per cent oft his tax upon the assessed
valuation Tor the three years named, re-
spectivey. is as follows: 1871. l 9S-I 0 mills :;
1872, / 9o-10o mills 1878, 72-100 mills The
assessed valuation for ls73'wss 1890. Asa, s75.
Under existing laws. taxes on railway com
panles are added to the tax on the assessed
Taiuatlon OF other property, and form con-
siderable portion of the annual revenue.
Whether the amount paid by these companies
fully accords with the principles ofjustice and
the requirements of our state constitution is