Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-01-17

disbursements. lleE realize IlaI there Is q
simony which is waste, but none the less will
they scrutinlZe and condemn any appropriation
OF the public money for any but the most legiti-
mate purposes. II will be my highest privilege
10 cooperate with you in az 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 University and Nor
nal Schools will place before you all needfu sta
tistcs relative to this important branch of state
polty. You will give the recommendations tbey
make such consideration as their importance de
mands. The great cost and diversity of the text
books used in our common schools are believed
by many to be serious evils &nd fall with peculiar
severity upon that class of citizens least able tn
bear them. Coming directly-fFom the people. and
representing as you do all sections of the state,
doubt not you will be able, by a comparison of
views, to perfect measures which will remove all
just grounds OF complaint.
The proper education of the children and youth
of cur state is among the most important duties
of society. The state has undertaken this duty
only in part and should therefore cheerfuy recog-
nze the efficient assistance rendered in this work
by the many private schools, and the excellent
academies, colleges and universities which re-
ceive no direct assistance from the state.
STATE PRISON.
The number of convicts confined in the State
Prison. sept 80, 1e77, was 800. The average mum
Der IN confinement during the year was also 290.
The number IN confinement The first day of Janu-
ary instant exceeded $50. The reports of the
arden and Directors are full and explicit upon
all points of interest connected with the manage
melt of that institution. 4 contract has been
made for the leasing of the labor of the prisoners
from which desirable results are confidently an
ticipated.
For the first time in the history of that institu-
ton no appropriations are requested. urge that
the recommendations embodied in the Directors
report may receive your favorable nsideratOn.
particularly those referring to the representation
of Wisconsin in the international Prison Congress
at Stockholm in August next, and the furnishing
OF transportation TO discharged prisoners. | also
call 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 at Warl-
pun, and the unexpected decision of the United
States Circuit COnrt in relation thereto, Some
legislation, more accurately defining the Wardens
liabilities, and his relation TO the public property
and funds in his possession, IS imreratvely de-
manded.
L commend to your earnest consideration the re-
marks OF the warden relative TO the inequality of
sentences. and refer you to the reports of the
state board of charities and reform for the year
1875, 1876 and 1877 where the same subiec is fur
ther discussed The limits 10 which / must con
fine myself i'll this communication forbid any re-
view OF these discussions. Many very convinc-
l reasons are urged for the total abolition of
term sentences: the most experienced prison Off
Gals are becoming the advocates of this theory;
and | believe, its early adoption in " Wisconsin,
would conduce to the public welfare.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS.
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
34l The expenditures for the year amount to
s76 32l 81, including E99 IA for permanent i'm
provements An appropriation of $4,000 CO is re-
quested for the current year.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS
The expenditures at the Institution for the edu-
cation of the Blind have been S19 tS5 50, exclu-
slYe or the amount eXpet ded for building pur-
poses. which was S64, ,353 30. The number Of pu-
pills in attendance during the y5ar was 81 of whom
76 We're present September SO, 1877.
At the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, the ex-
pendItures tor current expenses have been S3I,-
426.25, the whole number of pupils in attendance
during the year 1SO of whom 14l were present at
the close OF the fiscal year. The average attend
ance was 155.
The report of the trustees of the Wisconsin
Hospital for the Insane near Madison shows that
there has been expended 1894 823 "a in the mante-
nance OF 49o patients and that it closed the year
with 3S2 persons under treatment. The average
number under treatment was 370.
The report of the trustees of the Northern Hos
pltal for the Insane shows that 704 patients have
been cared f at Il cost of size 559. II and The
number under treatment at the close CT the year
531.
The repor's of these several benevolent instftu-
tions will be laid before you at an early day The
suggestions and recommendations contained in
them are evidently the result of much dellbera
tion, and doubt not will receive the considera-
ton their Importance demands.
CHRoSIc INSANE.
1t is unquestiOnable that the condition of the
chronic insane in jails and poor-houses is in very
many instances, a reproach and disgrace 10 our
civilization. ltremainS for You to determine what
and maintenance. Certainly the present hospital
buildings should be utilized to their utmost ca
paclty. All questions of local or personal pride
or jealousy should be ignored and ONLY the later
ests of the state as whole and the necessities of
the unfortunate people for whose benefit these
buildings were constructed, shonld determ ne
and direct your action. If it sha appear that the
present building can not be made to acco mmo-
date a ! who need care, trust you wi not hesi-
tate to make suitable provision for the erection
of such plain, substantial and comfortable build
be rpuJIlr9Q for that
STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES AND REFORM
The gentlemen comprising the State Board of
Charities and Reform have devoted very consid-
cradle tIme-some of them, for series of years
to careful STUDY of the various perplexing ques-
tons connected with the subjects intrusted to
their supervision and in the consideration of the
matter OF providing for the chronic insane as
well as all other subjects connected with the ad-
of the several penal and charitable
institutions, you Will doubtless derive very ma
tera1 assistance from the forthcoming instructive
report.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
1t cannot have escaped your notice as citizens
OF Wisconsin. that the members OF the State Board
of Health have been active during the past wear
in the discharge of their appropriate duties there
by approving themselves public be- efactors. l
am advised that the report of this Board among
other things. will recommend legis alton looking
to more complete returns of vital statistics and to
the publication of a larger edition of its ANIMAL
reports. Concurrlng in these recommendations, |
solicit for them your favorable consideration.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
The geological survey of the state has been /
prosecuted with very satisfactory results during
tie year. The second volume of the final reports
has been published, and reflects great credit upon
all engaged in its production, from the explorer
in the field to the engravers and printers from
whose hands the book and accompanying atlas of
maps have been received.
In AugI, st lastProfessor Moses Strong assist |
ant geologiSt, was accldently drowned in the |
Wisconsin river while in the prosecution of his /
official duties. His death was not alone sad
aflction to his family and Immediate friends but /
a great loss 10 the state. 1t would be in accor-
dance with the precedents in similar cases. and |
proper public recognition of his services for tie
legislature to provide for the payment of his
salary to his family, from the time of his death to
the end of the year for which he had been ap-
pontet.
FISH CULTURE.
The fourth annual report Of the commissioners
of fisheries aboundS in interesting information re
latlVe to this branch of useful industry. With |
very moderate expenditures the commission is I
stockiC our LAX and rivers with differenr varie-
ties of fish. and we may reasonably anticioate I
ample returns in due time. The commissioners
ask for an appropriation of $S,000 to enable Them
to carry on their worS TO September 80. 1879.
JUDICIAL CIRCUITS
The report ofthe commissioners appointed to
investig tie as 0 the re atire amount of labor re-
cuired of the seyes al circuit judges a d TO asrer
tain what changes. if any, are desirable in the
nation of the several judicial circuits will be |
made directly to the legislature. 1t cannot be ex-
pected. therefore, thzt should review or critcisc
the work of this commission. | assume that it's
membe s have peri rmed their labor with con-
Sclentious thoroughness. / esteem the reports of
al SIMILAR comm ss1ons as gre aids to iudicious
legslat on, and do not doubt this report wiz re-
celve proper consideration.
REVISION OF STATUTES
The completed labcrs OF the learned gentlemen
appointed 10 revise the statutes viii be presented
TO you at an early day. The eminent ability of
these gentlemen. and the zeal and thoroupbness
with which they have devoted themselves to the
work renders II QllIfe certain that Thn yiSia
as it comes from their hands. will be as nearly
perfect is possible for such work to be- | there
fore trust that all propositions to modify and
change II will be carefully scrutinized ana adoDr
ID n.l.. after the mnst nlature