River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-01-23

'alua-tion for the three years named, re-
is as follows 1871, l 1871 0 mills |
s72, f96.10O mills 1873, | 72.i00 mills The |
assessed valuation for l573'was $500, asa, s75.
Under existing laws, taxes on railway com
lanics are added to tho tax on the assessed
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, rs
10 me matter Of grave doubt and deserves
yOur earnest and careful consideration. The
acts set forth and tho sugg stlons made by
The Secretary Of State 90 this subject, in his an
nual message, should not escape your attcn-
ton.
Another matter Of great Importance 70 our
people claims your consideration in this inl-
medl ate connection. refer 10 the taxation
OF telegraph and express companies. know
Of no sufficient reason why these foreign cor
porations should not be made fully amenable
TO the laws OF the State which furnishes them
protection, aud be required TO bear full pro.
portion OF the burdens Of government. II 10
a notorious fact that the owners of stock Ia
these companies, enjoying special privileges,
realize large incomes from thor investments
within tho State, and that their business here
ia prosecuted 20 the practical exclusion OF pri.
vate enterprise IN the same direction on the
part Of our own citizens. While not question
ing the fact IT their necessity aud utility, |
am not prepared to concede that the benefits
they confer are so far in excess oi those con-
ferred bv other corporations as TO ontitle
them TO any exemption from the ordinary
obligations OF corporations under similar cir
cumetances.
TIME Or PAYING TAXES.
II IL worthy OF serious reflection, whether
- til,4. nov, provided by law for the payment
OF taxes could not be changed with great adj.
vantage 70 Taxpayers. Every prudent bust
ness man euualzes his payments With refer
ence 10 his available resources In business
circles custom requires the adjustment Of an
nual balances IN January. 10 Is, apparently,
unfortunate that the payment Of taxes should
be added 10 all the other pecuniary burdens
OF the population at this period OF the year,
especially rs the state derives no benefit from
any accumulation OF surplus funds IN the trea.
sury. In the state of Ohio the law provides
for seml-annual payments in June and De.
cember. | am informed by executive au,hor-
lty that no Inconvenience has been expert
enced IN that state from this arrangement
since the first year or two OF its operation.
Should the present annual system continue.
the alternative question should be carefully
considered, whether the state ought not to
derive considerable income durug portions
Of the year from the use OF It's surplus funds
In the city of Milwaukee interest is required
aud received on all deposits By the city trea.
surer, calculated upon daily balances.
learn that the receipts OF that city from this
source the present year will exceed Sl5, 600
and that the method Is regarded as wholly
safe, and otherwise satisfactory
SOURCES on RETRESCHMEEr.
The condition of the general fund. already
explained, aud the existing depression in bust.
ness enterprises, admouisb us 10 cons der well
the sources ri retrenchmont Il does not be-
come me To prescribe the details OF legislation,
committed 10 your charge by the
Constitution. venture however, to direct
your attention TO several items ofexpenditure,
more or less subject to public criticism, some
u which would seem TO Justify legislative &C.
ton for the benefit OF the Treasury.
the compensation of all State officers should
be accurately limited and defined and all tees,
without exception, should be paid into the
Treasury. | do not know that the ability and
responsibility expected from the heads Of the
executive departments are now too literally
paid Tor but any current impression that the
salaries Of these officers are uncertain In
amount cXcites public suspicion, oftentimes
must TO the officers themselves, aud certain
~ dem0ralizlng IN is influence upon ofiicers
OF inferior responsibility throug buut the State.
ANY precedent or Example tending TO encour-
age the morbid spirit OF spcculation on the
public resources should be scrupulouslv con.
demned aud avoided.
OF the State government should be paid a rea-
eouable compensation for the labor perform
G |, and no more, thus measurably providing
an antidol, against tie existing greed Tor
public office.
Constructive compensation, by wav Of per
qHisites, and the Employment Of supernume-
raries are palpablo violations Of public faith.
aud deserve the sryerest roprobition. II Is
the scandal Of our state, that while the total
salaries and mileage Of the members of the
legislature. as provided by law, amount 10
about $4,000 per annum, the legislative OK.
penses, Tor employees, printing, postage aud
stationery during the few weeks the lcgisla-
turo ~ IA session, average about an equal
sum. II NAV De claimed that the amount
n this end other similar
cases Is comparatively insignificant But
know OF no departure from public rectitudc
which can be- mathematicallv measured.
u appcars Rom the report Ut the Secretary
% State, that the total amount paid from the
general iund during the last fiscal wear for
printing and publishing, including S7,30l. 60
'oT the Legislative Manual reached SOS BIO.
n. am not prepared to say that "a cost oi
Nus work was TOO much for The quantity, nof
10 J recommend any deduction from the lust
wages ot mechanical labor IN this or any oth-
a department The cost ct this service. how
ever has become a great burden upon the
treasury, bring Tor the pact YEAR nearly ono
N'ttA 20 tHh lNliN HlfNtf lltf fEta from the
general iund,-a cost apparently dispfuprr.
uonate 90 the public benefits rendered Mule
the ample publicity ct che law, should be- pro.
uded Tor through the established channels o.,
WITH the public, | submit for
your considerable i, ihu proructy OF adapuu.
Tor the abolition OF an expenditure
~ thls department not absolutely essential 10
oihcial business aud public information.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
Tho geological survey, heretofore provided
or by law, has boca prosecuted during tho
past year al y cost Of ss,god01. feel assured
7 valuable results from this work, both 10
he cause OF general science aud the material
progress oi the state. The vast aud uudeyel.
lped resources W Wisconsin warrant a rea.
'enahlc expenditure IN THIS enterprise. The
benefits which accrue from a work nt tins
,iud depend upon the thoroughucss aud com.
'lctenCss with which % Is done. II il very in.
'orilu tor this fact 70 boz kept constantly IN
nlnd, but lu view Of the exist ng pccunlary
oi taxpayers and the den.
ltncy no the state treasury. n Is no less im.
'oitaut that the present undertaking hs pros.
'euted with the ntrictpst possible economy
consistent with the end 10 be- attained.
IMMIGRANT COMMISSIONER.
While am not convinced that The office Of
immigrant Commissioner can be- pruiently
dispensed with, yet lt Is possible that rednr.
ION ~ the expenditure "a that otiicc could
% safely provided for without prejudice 10
ne Interests committed tn his charge. The
growth aud prosperity OF oar state ~ sery
Hgyy due 10 The justly liberal provisions oi