Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-01-21

0u0llCatlO0. L uIoct A4ShINll' 0itAitAN AN.
the conservative methods followed and
the wise discretion used by the State
supervisor in putting this law into
practical operation. A change. amount
ing almost to revolution, i'll the use
of one of the most important articles
of commerce has been wrought ST. I'M
ostentatiously As 10 occasion compara-
lively no annoyance either to dealers
or consumers.
FISH CULTURE.
The operations of the Commissions
ers of Fisheries during the past year
nave been very successful, and the re-
ports from localities where fish have
been distributed are very encouraging.
The record Of Wisconsin i'll this branch
Of industry, in the progress made ana
the success attained, Is the counterpart
O. its record i'll all other departments.
The expenditures for the past year were
-S6, 2S7 80. The amount on hand was ST.
40. 40, and il is estimated that an APP.
preparation of SS000.oo can he protita-
Div expended during the current year.
THE STATE BOARD or IMMIGRATION,
Of which the Governor and Secretary
of State are "a oficiiS members, have
endeavored to expend the limited
amount of money appropriated to
carry out the purposes for which the
board was created, to the best possible
advantage. For some years ne efforts
mad been made te secure the location
Of Immigrants in Wisconsin, and the
consequence was that they heard of
other states and territories and the adj
yantagcs they offered, and gave no
thought to Wisconsin. 1t has not been
an easy matter to turn any consider
able portion of the tide in this direc-
ton, but the labors of the board have
not been altogether unsuccessful. Its
records showithat about u 900 foreign
immigrants settled III Wisconsin during
the last calendar year. This is no in
considerable addition to our popula-
ton, and their strong arms and willing
hands will assist very materially in de-
yeloping our dormant resources. 1t is
probable, also, that these immigrants
brought with them and added to the
cash capital of the state not less than II
million and Il half of dollars in ready
money. The present indications are
that the accessions to our population
during the current year, from foreign
immigration, will greatly exceed those
of the past year, and, by reason of the
information brought to light and dis
seminated by this board, many people
in our own state and from other states
will conclude to settle in central and
northern Wisconsin rather than at
tempt to make homes upon the bleak
and far off western and southwestern
plains.
INSURANCE.
The text of the report of the COM
missioner of insurance is commend
ably brief. That which is necessary to
be said is stated, and all else is omitted
The magnitude of this interest in Wis
eonsin, both to the insured and insur-
ers, and the consequent necessity for
careful supervision, may he gathered
rom these statistics:
Amount OF fire risks written dur ...
ing the year, exclusive Of
amounts placed in town com
panies. ..........,.... SlIO, iSl O3i 10
Amount paid for premiums
thereon Observation-Disclosures. 5SS, Az w
Total losses paid ...,..=...,.. 03f l93 W
The commissioner runews his objeC-
ton to the law of this state, which de-
clares that the amount Of insurance
written in any policy insuring real
property, shall hc taken as the abso-
lutte measure of damages III case the
property is destroyed and urges very
cogent reasons for its modification. 1t
seems quite patent that i'll its present
form the law offers reward for rascal
ity, and, III consequence, every honest
man who procures insurance must pay
an additional premium to cover the in
crease in the general hazard, In so far
as the law atfiNes a quasi penalty upon
the companies for permitting over-in-
srrance, its tendencies are altogether
i'll the right direction; but, in providing
that the penalty shall be paid to the
equally negligent or eulpable insured,
i encourages over-insurance and con
sequent incendiarism. The amend
ment suggested by the commissioner,
or some provision looking to the ac-
eomplishment Of the same end, should
be Incorporated into the law.
RAILROADS.
The total number of completed miles
of railway in the State December 81,
1880, was Z, 1873 71-100, inclusive Of liz
miles Of narrow guage track, and eXclu-
sive of $3.50 miles of sidings and spurs.
The construction last year included
224 1900 miles of standard guage
track, 8 miles Of narrow guage and ~
miles changed from narrow to standard
guage. The number of passengers car
ried in Wisconsin was 2,717 800, an in
crease Of 2S4,654 over the preceding
year. The number Of tons Of freight
carried in the State was 4,347 ,379, and
the increase III this item was 10, 16S
tons-the equivalent off, 600 carloads
The total earnings of all the roads in
Wisconsin were $685. 7S.05, the in
crease being over s2,00000000: and
the expenses were 1888, 1891, the
increase in this item being about $50.
000-making the net increase III
earnings 81 $40, 1880. The proportion
Of the stock and funded and unfunded
Indebtedness for the roads in Wiscon-
sin is reported at S129,654 ,4S1.2 IS; max
ing the average net earnings, over and
above licenses and taxes Of every des-
eription, nearly five per cent There
is. PERHAPS. no better index Of the pros