The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-01-23

fuence. aid for the purpose of unduly affecting
the results of nomination or election, Is an
ofense against society, and should be unhestat1nR-
ly condemned by law.
cANvAssING VOTES.
The question is worthy of your consideration.
whether more intelligent provisions should not be
enacted for the security of the people against any
fraudulent canvass OF votes. The restrictions now
imposed upon canvassiDg boards. by conLning
them rigidly to the discharge of simple ministe
rial duty, cannot be too strongly commended.
Most assuredly no judicial discrimination should be
p rmitted on the part of political officers, far re-
moved from the source of information, and likely
to be consciously or unconsciousiy governed by
partisan interest. But the power of revision and
judIci Il determination should somewhere exist, to
the end simply that the popular will may never be
defeated through the error, Incompetence or Grim
inal purpose OF any subordinate officer Of the law
[ furthermore recommend such amendment of
existing statutes on this subject win remove
from any canvassing officer low designated by law,
both the opportunity and the temptation for erro-
neously canvassing votes cas- Tor or against him
self.
INDEPENDENT MILITARY COMPANIES.
The expediency of encouraging the organization
of independent military companies Is approved by
continuous legislation, from the foundation of the
state government until the present time. Under
exgenciss not unlikely to occur under our form of
government, these organizations frequently furnish
indispensable aid in the preservation of order and
the administration of law. The public spirit which
inspires their formation, often at largo personal
sacrifice on the part OF both officers and men, de-
serves the highest commend alton, and l earnestly
hope that you will deem it wise for the state to
tribute more literally to the support of these or
carnations hereafter, than heretofore, for the
son that an efficient organization of the militia
not be maintained for the mere pittsnoe now de-
voted to that purpose.
FISH CULTURE.
BY an act OF the Legislature in 1873, there ai-
propriated the sum of $500, 10 be expended under
the direction of the United States Commissioner Of
Fisheries in promoting the artificial propagation,
and introduction into this state of the better kind
IF fSh Pr.ip z 81
quired by law. By act of 1874, the sum of
1850 appropriated to be expended for like
purpose, under the direction of three commission
ers, to be appointed by the Governor. Such COM
miaeionCrs were duly appointed, and l herewith
transmit their report and recommendations i'll re-
spect to future operation. The United States gov
eminent annually appropriates considerable sums
of money in procuring spawns of fish, which are
gratuitously donated to states provided with sim
liar commissioners. Thirteen states are pro-
yided, and their respective reports exhibit the
most gratifying success in preserving and in
creaaing the supply of this most wholesome food.
The extent OF waters adapted 10 fisheries in this
state is immense, and with trifiing expenditure,
the quantity ana value of this product can lie very
largely increased. l accordingly recommend suit
able appropriation to enable the commissioners to
successfully carry out the plans presented IN their
report.
PROTECTION OF RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.
call Your attention to the proprety of passing
some proper statute which shall enable employees OF
railway companies TO recover from their employer
damages for in uries sustained in the line of their
duty. caused by the negligence OF co-employes and
for which the parties injured are not in fault.
Such a statute would tend to secure the employment
of more cautious and reliable men, and thus afford
greater security TO the travelling public. And for
liabilities thus increased the companies should
receive increased compensation.
WISCONSIN CENTRAL LAND GRANT.
Early last year, application was made to me by
the Wisconsin Central Railway Company TOR an
official ceytifcation that certain sections of road
belonging to that company had been completed in
the manner prescribed by the act of Congress-
granting aid for the construction of this important
line. believed my duty in this case simply min
steral, and to call for action except to facts
which facts not disputed. In this view l
supported by the Attorney General and A multi
plcity Of other able counsel. therefore declined
to assume any responsibility as to the disposition
Of the lan1s by officionsly deciding questions of
law clearly belonging to a cabinet officer of the
United tates. After proper investigation, certif
Gates were accordingly issued declaring the compile
tonof the sections of road referred to, but accom-
panied by further statement from me for the in
formation OF the Secretary OF the Interior, to the
effect that no part of the hne from Portage to
Stevens Point had been constructed
DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH LAKE SUPERIOR.
No reasonable doubt is entertained but that this
important portion of the Central road will be built
at early day, provided the company is permitted
those notifications of its chartered line between
Portage City and Stevens Point which scent to be
required by the common interests of the public
and the company. l am assured and believe that
favorable legislation in the respect suggested would
also enable the company to complete its line
from Stevens Point to Ashland, only about fifty
miles of which now remain unbuiit, and thus rem
der immediately and fully available the whole eff
this line including more than four hundred miles
OF new road The interest of the public in this
upon intelligent authority that one OF the imme-
diate results would be to establish regular lines of
by steamers, with Silver Isle, Isle
Royal. and other valuable mining districts in and
about Lake Superior, thus cnsuring valuable and
increasing contributions to general
trade and commerce. The completion of the pro-
posed line from Stevens Point to Portage CITY
would especially tend to promote the prosperity OF
portions of the state now most in want of more
ade uate facilities for mutual exchange of natural
products. 1t wound open a and valuable mar
ket for the agricultural productions of tn central
and southern counties of the state and also furnish
a new and better market for the hard and soft
lumber of our northern forests. The timber lands
belonging to tae Central Company would thus be
largely enhanced in value both to the company and
to actual settlers; the development of the vast
mineral wealth OF the north would be encouraged !
and more amply rewarded, and new impulse
given to the prosperity Of the prairie districts of
WISCONSIN,, whose progress in both manufacturing
and agricultural industry is now largely impede
Tor the want of cheaper building and manufactur- |
Ing materials cheaper fuel and diminished cost
Of transporting it's surplus products to distant
markets.
THE DEMAND FOR CHEAPER FUEL.
The natural and probable extension of the Cen !
trail Road southwark from Madison would also af- |
ford the central and southern portions of our state
the advantages of direct connection with the exteR-
'iye coal beds of Illinois. The rapid advancement
of our manufacturing interests during the past few
years, the preference manifested for the use of /
steam "a motive-power, and the increasing de- |
nand for cheaper fuel particularly III the sparsely |
mOered portions of the state, render the encour- |
sgement of increased facilities III this respect a
question of great practical consequence to large
5or;lon of our most enterprising population. The
Number OF tons of coal imported into Wisconsin by
All the past year. as shown by the reports Of rail-
Dad companies, nearly equalled one-third the
weight of all our merchandise by rail, and repre-
he he irN- Of |
Ven an approximate estimate. Any legitimate ac-
ion on your part to cheaper this valuable product
nd encourage the further development OF our
industry cannot fail TO command
he general appreciation of the people. Roads that
ill add much to the convenience the comfort |
nd to the material prosperity Of our state, en-
tiled to great encouragement at your hands.
ADJUDICATION OF EXECUTIVE DUTIES.
lent of the government, legal questions of a
rave charac er frequently arise, demanding prompt
nd final decision. The issuance of certificates to
he Wisconsin Central Hallway Company last year
nd recent demand for patents of land by the
orth Wisconsin company, strongly contested by
ther parties, are examples of the legal problems
hlch the executive is often called upon to deter
line under circumstances which invest an erro-
eous or dilatory conclusion with grave consequeI-
s to all the interests involved. | submit to you
he proprlety OF providing for such an amendment ,
our LAVE, as shall be necessary to permit the di- 1
ct reference of intricate legal and clearly excep
ODal questions of this character to the Supreme
curt tor immediate and final adjudication. While I
e proceeding suggested would apparently con tict {
no respect with the interests Of the public, it a
ould be likely to prove an important safeguard q
5anst error or partiality on the part of the
We, and this practice is sanctioned by the example
several other states. q
FOREIGN IdMIsRATIos-LIBERAL LEGISLATION. a
1t remains with you to determine whether further
glslat1on Is now required for the encoura cement
immigration TO this state from foreign countries :
Id the protection of immigrants on their arrival
our lake ports. very large proportion of our y
ost prosperous and intelligent population came
re from foreign lands under the encouragement