The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-01-21
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Continued from first page.l
WISCONSIN GENITAL LAND GRANT

Early last year, application was made
TO me by the Wisconsin Central Railway
Company for an official certifcation that
certain sections Of road belonging to
that company had been completed IL
the manner prescribed b. the act of
Congress, granting aid for the construc-
ton Of this important line. I believe
my duty in this case simply ministerial,
and 10 call for no action except as to
facts, which facts were not disputed.
In this view [ was supported by the At
t0rney General and = multiplicity of
other able counsel. [ therefore declined
to assume any responsibility as to the
disposition OF the lands by oficiously
deciding questions of law clearly belong
ing to Il cabinet officer Of tie United
States. After proper investigation, GER
tifcates were accordingly issued de-
cIaring the complexion of the sections
of road referred to, but accompanied by
q further statement from me for the in
formation Of the Secretary OF the In
terror, to the effect that no part OF the
line from Portage to Stevens Point had
been constructed.
DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH LAKE sU-
PERICR.
No reasonable doubt is entertained
but that this important portion OF the
Central Road viii be built al an early
day, provided the company is permitted
those notifications of It's chartered line
between Portage City and Stevens Point
which seems to be required by the COM
mon interests Of the public and the COM
pany. | am assured and believe that
favorable Legislation in the respect sue-
gested would also enable the company to
sooner complete its line from Stevens
Point to Ashland, only about fifty miles
q which now remain TnbUilt, and thus
render Immediately and fully available
the whole of this line, including more
tAan 4G0 miles OF new road. The inter
est Of the public IN this result should
not be underestimated [ am informed
upon intelligent authority that one Of the
immediate results would be to establish
regular lines Of communication, by
steamers, with Silver Isle, Isle Royal,
and other valuable mining districts in
and about Lake Superior, thus ensrlring
valuable and constantly increasing con-
tr1bUlOnS to our general trade and com
neTce. The conn letiOn Of the proposed
hne from Stevens Point to POtuage City
would especially tend to promote the
prosperity OF p Ortions Of the state now
most III want Of more adequate facilities
tor mutual exchange of natural pro-
ducts. 1t would open new and valua-
bic market for the agricultural pro
duotiOns Of The central and southern
counties OF the state, and also furnish q
new and better market fer the hard and
soft lumber OF our northern forests.
The timber lands belonging to the Cen
tral Company would thus be largely en-
HANGED III 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 iDpeded for the
want Of cheaper building and manufa1t-
1Jrlng materials, cheaper fuel and di-
minished cost of transporting its surplus
products to distant markets.
THE DEMAND FOR CHEAPER FUEL.
The natural and probable extension of
the Central Road southwark from AIadi
son would also afford the central and
southern portions Of our state the adj
vaDtages OF direct connection with the
extensive coal beds of Illinois. The
rapid advancement of our manufactur-
ing interests during the past few years,
the preference manifested for the use of
steam as motive power, and the in
creasIng demand for cheaper fuel, par
ticularly IN the sparsely timbered por-
hons OF the state, render the encourage
ment Of increased facilities in this re-
spect a question OF great practical con-
sequence to large proportion to our
most enterprising population. The
number OF tons of coal imported into
Wisconsin by rail the past year, as shown
py the reports OF railroad companies.
nearly equals one third the weight of
all our merchandise by rail, and re-
presented productive force beyond the
the posablity of even an approximate
estimate. Any legitimate action on
Your part to cheaper this valuable pro
duct and encourage the further develop
anent OF our manufacturing industry
cannot fail to command the general ap-
probation OF the people. Roads that
viii add so much to the convenience.
The comfort and to the material prosper
1ty of our state are entitled to great en-
couragement at your hands
ADJUDICATION OF EXECUTIVE DUTIES.
In the administration of the executive
department of the government, legal
questions OF grave character frequently
arise, demanding prompt and final de-
clslon. The issuance OF certificates to the
Wisconsin Central Railway Company
last year, and a recent demand for pat
ents of land by the North Wisconsin
Company, strongly contested by other
parties, are examples of the legal prob
lens which the executive is often called
upon to determine uuder circumstances
which invest an erroneous or dilatory
conclusion with grave consequences to
all the interests involved. / submit to
you the propriety of providing for such
an amendment of our laws as shall be
necessary to permit the direct reference
of intricate legal, and clearly exceptional
questions of this character, TO the SUI
Dreme Court for immediate and final
While the proceeding