Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-01-17


81 1893. 95486, and is only about one seventh
OF the total tax Paid by the people. From
this amount has been paid all the expenses of
the state. including interest on the state debt,
official salaries, cost of charitable and penal in
situations, legisla' ,e and miscellaneous ex-
penditures; which lows that those entrusted
with the control OF state affairs have exer>
cised reasonable economy in the discharge of
their respective duties.
IS ESTIMATES FOR 1879.
The secretary of state estimates that the re-
ceipts for the calender year 1879 win be from
Railway companies. :. ....... $500, 900 90
insurance companies.. 10000 90
Miscellaneous sources ......... $4,000 90
Taxes authorized by exrsting laws ls4.6ss SO
Making in all...i.. ...... 1861, ls8 SO
He estimates the expenditures for
the same period at .......... .$SS6,9S3 SO
1t will devolye upon you to provide for the
deficiency thus exhibited, amounting to $225-
795.00, and in addition thereto such sum as
may be necessary to provide for the publca-
ton Of the new revised statutes, should the La
Dor OF the revisers receive legislative sanction
and such further sums if any, as may be aps
propriated during the present session in excess
of the secretary's estimates.
Many propositions will doubtless come before
you involving the expenditure of considerable
sums of money. The various propositions will
receive your careful consideration. The peo>
Pile of the state of Wisconsin will cheerfully
pay all taxes necessary for the successful pro-
secution of the public business, the protection
of life and property, and the proper care ofits
unfortunate and dependent classes but they
demand from you and from me that there shall
be retrenchment in all lines of public expen-
ditures where retrenchmen is practicable, and
a wise economy in all public disbursements.
They realize that there is a parsimony which
is waste, but none the less will they scrutinize
and condemn any appropriation of the public
money for any but the most legitimate .pur-
poses. It will be my highest privilege to co..
operate with you in all efforts to meet the rea-
sonable anticipations Of the people in this be,
half.
EDUCATION.
The reports Of the State Superintendent and
of the boards of regents of the University and
Normal Schools will place before you all need
full statistics relative to this important branch
Of state ,polity. You will give the recommends
atoms they make such consideration as their
Importance demands. The great cost and di.
versity Of the text books used in our common
schools are believed by many to be serious
evils, and fall with peculiar severity upon that
class of citizens least able to bear them. Com
ing directly from the people and representing
as you do all sections of the state, doubt not
you will be able, by comparison of views, to
perfect measures which will remove all Just
grounds of complaint.
The proper education of the children and
youth of our state is among the most mpors
tant duties of society. The state has under,
taken this duty only in part and should there,
fore cheerfully recognize the efficient assistance
rendered in this work BY the many private
schools, and the excellent academies, colleges
and universities which receive no direct as
sistance from the state.
STATE PRISON.
The number OF convicts confined in the
State Prison, September 30th, 1877, was 290
The average number in confinement during
the year was also 290. The number in con-
fnement the first day of January instant ex-
ceeded $50. The reports of the warden and
directors are full and explicit upon all points
Of interest connected with the management Of
that institution. a. contract has been made
for the leasing Of the labor Of the prisoners,
from which desirable results are confidently
anticipated.
For the first time in the history of that in,
stitution no appropriations are requested. l
urge that the recommendations embodied in
the Directors report may receive your favora-
BILE consideration, particularly those referring
to the representation of Wisconsin in the In
ternational Prison Congress, at Stockholm, in
August next, and the furnishing Of transporta-
ton of discharged prisoners. also call your
attention to the request of the Warden for re.
lief in the matter Of the loss occasioned by
the failure of the Corn Exchange Bank at
Waupun, and the unexpected decision of the
United States Circuit Court in relation there's
to. Some legislation more accurately defining
the warden's liabilities and his relation to the
public property and funds in bis possession, is
imperatively demanded.
l 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-
forms for the years 1875, 1875 and 1877,
where the same subject is further discussed.
The limits to which I must confne myself in
this communication forbid any review of these
discussions. Many very convincing reasons
are urged for the total abolition of term SEN
fences the most experienced prison officials
are becoming the advocates of this theory,
and, l believe, its early adoption in Wisconsin
would conduce to the public welfare.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR BoYs.
sha continues to meet all reasonable anticipa
tions. The whole number there, during the
year, was All, and the number remaining Sep
TENDER 80, 1877, 1854. The average number
for the year was 34l The expenditures for
the year amount to $40, 32l.Sl. including
$S99.34 for permanent improvements An
appropriation Of $39, 900 is requested for the
current year.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS
The expenditures at the Institution for the
Education of the Blind have been $40, 685. 80,
exclusive Of the amount expended for building
purposes, which was $64, 1886. The number
of pupils in attendance during the year was 81,
of whom &c were present September 30, 1871.
At the institute tor the deaf and dumb, the
expenditures for current expenses have been
$3l ,426.25, the whole number Of pupils in at
tendance during the year $50, of whom l4l
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, 1913 81 in
maintenance of 498 patients, and that it closed
the year with 382 persons under treatment
The average number under treatment was $40.
The report of the trustees Of the Northern
Hospital for insane shows that 704 patients
have been cared for at cost Of $l22,559.12,
and the number under treatment at the close
of the year was 531.
The reports Of these several benevolent in-
situations will be laid before you at an early
day. The suggestions and recommendations
contained in them are evidently the result of
much deliberation, and doubt not will receive
the consideration their Importance demands
CHRONIC INSANE.
1t is unquestionable that the condition of
the chronic insane in jails and poor houses is,
in very many instances, 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 All ques-
tions Of local or personal pride or jealousy
should be ignored and only the interests of the
state as whole and the necessities Of the uns
fortunate people for whose benefit these build,
ings were constructed should determine and
direct your attention. If it shall appear that
the present buildings cannot be made to ac-
commodate all who need care, trust you will
not hesitate to make suitable provision for the
erection of such plain, substantial and COM
Portable buildings as may be required for that
purpose.
STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES AND REFoRx
The gentlemen comprising the State Board
of charities and reform have devoted very
considerable time-some of them for series
of Years-to q careful study Of the various
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