River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-01-17
Miscellaneous sources $4,000 90
Taxes authorized BY existing laws l64,6ss So

4
period at 1856, 1885.
1t will deyolye upon YOU to provide for the
thus exhibited amounting to S225-
195, and, IN addition thereto, such sum as may
be necessary to provide for the publication Of
the new Revised Statutes, should the labor of
the reyisers receive Legislative sanction; and
such further sums, il any, as may be appropri-
ated during the present session in excess of
the Seeretary's estimates.
Many propositions VIII doubtless come be-
fore you involving the expenditure of con-
siderable sums OF money. These various
will receive your careful con
sideration The people of the state of Wis
eonsin will cheerfully pay all taxes necessary
for The successful prosecution of the public
business, the protection of life and property.
and the proper care of It's unfortunate and de-
pendent classes; but they demand from YOU
and from me that there shall be retrenchment
In all lines OF public expenditures where re.
trenchment is practicable, and wise econo-
my in all public disbursements. They realize
atthere is parsimony which is waste, but
none the less will they serutinize andaeon-
denim any appropriation of the public money
Tor any but the most legitimate purposes. 1t
will be my highest privilege to cooperate
with you in all efforts to meet the reasonable
anticipations Of the people in this behalf.
EDUCATION.
The reports of the State Superintendent
and of the Boards of Regents OF The Universe.
ty and Normal Schools viii place before Won
branch of state polity. You will give the
recommendations they make such eonsidera-
ton as their Importance demands. The
great cost and diversity of the text books used
in our common schools are believed by man !
to be serious evils, and fall with peculiar Sc
verify upon that class of citizens least able to
bear them. Coming directly from the peo-
pie, and representing as you do all sections OF
the state, doubt not you viii be able, by a
comparison of views, to perfect measures
which will remove all just grounds of com
plant.
The proper education Of the children and
youth of our state is among the most impor-
tant duties of society. The state has nnder-
taken this duty only in part and should there,
fore cheerfully recognize the efficient assist
aimee rendered in this work by the many pri
yate schools, and the excellent ac; denies
colleges and universities which receive no di
rect assistance from the state.
STATE PRISON.
The number of conyicts confined in the
State Prison, September 30, 1877, was 300. The
average number in confinement during the veal
was also 300. The number in confinement the
first day of anuary instant exceeded $50. The
reports of the Warden and Directors are full
ana explicit upon all points of interest con
nected with the management of that institu
ton. A contract has been made for the leas
ing of the labor of the prisoners, from which
desirable results are confidently anticipated
For the first time in the history of that insti-
tuition no appropriations are requested urge
that. the Recommendations embodied III the
Directors report may receive your favorable
consideration, particularly those referring to
the representation of Wisconsin i'll the Inter.
national Prison Congress-, at Stockholm, IN
August next and the furnishing of transpor-
80.
your attention to the request of the Warden
for relief in the matter of the loss occasioned
by the failure of the Corn Exchange Bank al
Waupun, and the unexpected decision of the
United States Circuit Court in relation thereto
Some legislation, more accurately defining the
Warden's liabilities, and his relation to the
public property and funds in his possession
is imperatively demanded.
/ commend to your earnest consideration
the remarks of the Warden, relative to the in.
equality of sentences, and refer you to the re.
ports of the State Board of Charities and Re.
form for the year 1873, 1876 and 1877, where
the same subject is further discussed The
limits to which must confne myself in this
communication forbid any review of these dis.
cussions. Many very convincing reasons are
urged fo1 the total abolition Of term sentences
then most experienced prison officials are be-
coming the advocates of this theory; and,
believe, its early adoption in Wisconsin would
conduce 10 the puDllc welfare.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR BaYs.
The Industrial School for Boys, at Waukesha
continues to meet all reasonable anticipations
The whole number there, during the year, was
All, and the number remaining September 80
1877, 364. The average number for the year
was 341. The expenditures for the year
amount to S46,32131, including $S99.34 fol
pc. manent improvements. An appropriation
o. S39,00000 is requested for the current yesr
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
The expenditures at the Institution for the
Education of the Blind have been SI96S5 SO
exclusive of the amount expended for build
ing purposes, which was So, 1853 So. The mum
Der of pupils in attendance during the year
was 81, of whom 76 were present September
30th, 1877.
At the institute for the Deaf and Dumb, the
expenditures for current expenses have beer
S3I 1926, the whole number of pupils in at
tendance during the year $50, of whom 141
were present at the close of the fiscal year
The average attendance was 155.
The report of the trustees OF the Wisconsin
Hospital for the Insane, near Madison, shows
that there has been expended $94 S23 ga in
the maintenance of 499 patients, and that il
closed tn year with 3S2 persons under treat
ment wae370.
The report of the trustees of the Northern
Hospital for the Insane shows that 704 pa
559.12 and the number under treatment al
the close of the year was 537.
The reports of these several benevolent in
stitutions will be laid before YOU at an early
day. The suggestions and recommendations
contained in them are evidently the result o.
much deliberation, and | doubt not will re
ceive the consideration their importance de
mands.
CHRONIC INSANE.
1t is unquestionable that the condition o.
the chronic insane in jails and poor houses is
in very many instances, a reproach and dis
grace to our civilization 1t remains for you
to determine what, if anything, shall be done
for their better care and maintenance. Ger
tainly the present hospital buildings should
be utilized to their utmost capacity. AL
questions of local or personal pride or ieal
ousy should be ignored and only the interests
of the state as a whole aud the necessities OF
the unfortunate people for whose benefit these
buildings were constructed should determine
and direct your action. If it shall appear that
the present building can not be made to &C.
commodate all who need care, | trust you will
not hesitate to make suitable provision foi
the erection of such plain, substantial and
comfortable buildings as may be required fol
that purpose.
STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES AND REFORM.
The gentlemen comprising the State Board
considerable time-some of them for series
Of years-to careful study of the various per.
picking questions connected with the subjects
intrusted to their supervision, and in the con.
sideratIon of the matter of providing for the
chronic insane, as well as all other subjects
connected with the administration of the sew
eral penal and charitable institutions, you viii
doubtless derive very material assistance from
their forthcoming instructive report.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
1t cannot have escaped your notice, as citi-
zens of Wisconsin, that the members of the
State Be ard of Health have been active during
the past year in the discharge of their appro-
pirate duties, thereby approving themselves
public benefactors ! am advised that the re-
port of this Board, among many other things,
will recommend legislation looking to more
complete returns of vital statistics and to the
publication of a larger edition of its annual
reports. Concurring in these recommends
tons, solicit for them your favorable con-
sideration
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The geological survey OF the state has been