Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-01-22
NO. 5.

PUBLIC LANDS.
The report of the Commissioners Of
Public Lands for the last year has been
prepared with exceptional care. AL
the books have been carefully reviewed,
and tabulations made showing the ex-
act condition of the trust funds and the
public lands.
The number of acres of land held by
the state September 30,lS7S. was
year. .,......................... e4,05l.s3
Increase by error in former reports. q, $3.50
Increase from school land indemnity S7,OS9O9
1,627. 5l6 "A
Decrease by sales duriug the year. 81 s27. 81
Geld by the state September 80, 1879 1,574 $50 IS
The total expense of securing the ST.
OS9.O9 acres of indemnity school lands
was $677. 7.S7. of which s4S2.00 was paiG
as fees to the registers and receivers OF
United States land offices.
Encouraged by the success Of the
methods adopted in the prosecution Of,
the claim for indemnity for deficiencies
IN school lands, l determined, with the
advice and cooperation of the commits,
sioners of the public lands, to adopt
similar methods in presenting the claim
OF the state for deficiencies in swami
lInds. These methods were, in BRIEF
to obtain accurate information in re-
gard 10 the extent and merits of the
claim, and then present it, and the evil
dence to sustain it, in such plain and
concise manner that others may under
stand it. The preliminary work, now
about complete, las required much ex-
ira labor from the clerks In the land
department, which it is due to them to
say has been most cheerfully rendered.
MILITIA.
| esteem it great misfortune that
the legislature Of Wisconsin has not
hitherto addressed itself to the serious
consid eration of measures for the pro.
per organization and equipment of the
state militia. We cannot hope alway
TO escape disorders and tumults similar
to those which have arisen in other
states and nations. 1t is therefore nei-
thCr prudent nCT economical to post
pCne from year to year such prepara-
tions as the experience of others has
shown to be indispensable for the disci
pline and instruction of that branch of
the service upon which we must rely
to suppress such tumults as may arise
any day, too formidable to be controll-
ed by the civil authorities.
At the present time the organized
militia of the state, known as the Wis
consin National Guard, numbers tweE.
| ty six companies, and has an aggregate
of 1910 officers, non-commissioned
officers, and priya.es. The total ex
penditures during the year on account
of the National Guard, were $9,442. Sc.
Renewing my former recommends
tions that provision be made for regi-
mental and battalion organizations and
annual encampments, 1 submit the
matter to your consideration, and such
action as you may deem for the best
interests and welfare of the state.
INTEREST. }
There is no subject likely to come
before you for consideration during the
present session upon which greater
divergence of opinion is entertai ned,
than upon the subject of the proper
rate of interest to be permitted by law
upon the loan or forbearance ofmoney.
1t is urged that the present law, under
q, we'll to those who would lend as
to those who must borrow money;
that large amounts Of capital are with
held from investment waiting for high
er rates of interest, and that many en-
terprises are thereby crippled. [ COM
mend this subject to your mature con-
| sideratiop, trusting that you will he
able 10 agree upon o measure which,
while just to all concerned, shall also
| liberate capital, encourage industry,
an afford to all classes of c;tizeus the
protection they have the right to ex
pt ct from the law. II -.r,...... -.~ra4..
AGRICULTURE,
Imlch regret that the statistics Of
a .riculturc returned to the Secretary CT
state, are SO incomplete and unreliable
as to be practically worthless. 1t is
well, perhaps, to continue the law and
t'y 10 educate assessors to comprehend
d comply with Its terms bat until
greater accuracy is secured, it is unsafo
10 rely upon the statistics thus obtain
ed, or attempt to institute compari
q ms. 1t can be said, in general terms,
saat The agricultural interests Of Wis
consin were never more prosperOuT,
nor agriculturists, as a class, no.
heartily III accord with the progressi
tendencies of the age. Indeed, al
dustries seem TO thrive In Wisconsi
and should receive encouragement, hu
agriculture 50 largely predominatss a.
TO demand fpecial recognition, and
therefore appropriations 10 the State
and Northern Agricultural Societies
might be SUI plem ented by limited aid
t. the Horticultural Society and Dairy
mems Association. All these SOCIETIES
have been most serviceable agents In
leading Wisconsin to its present enrl-
s,,le position in the various depart
II ITS of agriculture, and it Is certain
that the sid Heretofore extended 10
them has been returned many hundred
fold.
CONCLUSION.
Every year brings to us new proofs
of The vigor and elasticity OF our re-.
publican form of government, and
the wisdom and the courage OF a re.
publican people. In the school of eX-
peIience, parties and men are learning
that com prises with error are fatal, and
'nat only the rights expedient. There
is much to encourage us therefore, II
the belief, not only that the people o,
Maine will speedily cause right and
justice to prevail there, but also, that in
the broader domain of the nation, the
time is not far distant when right aLc
Justice will everywhere and in al
things prevail, and national supremacy
insure domestic tranquility, promose
ire general welfare and secure Il G
blessings Of liberty to ourselves and ol