Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-01-20

pOrtanCe of the work reasonably de-
manded nevertheless, very substantial
progress has heen made, and the feast
bility of making these rivers practically
navigable from Lake Michigan TO the
Mississippi river has been confirmed.
In particular, the experiments made
and continued along the Wisconsin
prove that when the waters OF that
river are confined within a channel not
exceeding 800 feet in width at low
water, there is no difficulty whatever
in maintaining ample depth Of water
for all purposes Of navigation. I there
fore suggest the Importance of your urg-
ing upon congress the expediency of
making adequate provision for the early
completion of this work.
The Sturgeon Bay canal although
not yet completed, has been opened to
commerce, and is amply justifying the
arguments and prophecies of its early
promoters and steadfast friends. In the
year 1879, $50 vessels, with al aggre-
gate capacity of 32,071 tons, passed
through the canal. In 1880 the num-
Der Of vessels was 533, with capacity
,0f 1889 tons, and in either year
about one-third of the vessels were
loaded. The largest vessel had a
capacity Of $50 tons. The work by
the United States at the Lake Michi-
gan terminus of the canal is not yet
complete, and there has been at all
times during the season 4 greater depth
of water in the canal than between the
government piers. It is expected the
work on the canal will be fully and
satisfactorily completed as early as
September of the present year.
The Mississippi river and its nayiga-
BILE tributaries border upon and inter
sect twenty states and territories, and
their systematic improvement for
purposes of navigation is work Of ma
tional Importance for both interstate
and foreign commerce. A voluntary
commission composed Of representa-
tives appointed by the governors
of these states and territories,
has undertaken to collate the facts,
statistics and arguments relating to this
subject and urge them upon congress,
and asks that the states more immedi-
aUely interested in this greatwork make
each an appropriation of 81 900 to
be expended in defraying the uecessa-
ry expenses of the commission. Most
heartily approving the objects which
this commission is seeking to accom-
plish. l recommend that you make
the appropriation as requested.
NATIONAL GUARD.
there are at present 80 organized com
panies Of militia in the state, with an
aggregate membership Of 2,085 officers,
non-commissioned officers and privates.
Twenty-nine of these companies have
been inspected during the year, and
all but four of them found to be in a
condition to justify payments to them
for rent Of armOry and uniform fund,
as provided by law. Under the provis-
ions of the law enacted last winter, one
battalion of five companies has been
organized in Rock and NalWOrth
counties, and could be assembled for
duty, in case Of necessity, with a full
complement of experienced officers,
with but little delay. Nine companies,
at their own request, were ordered in
to camp, for instruction, at Milwaukee,
last June, during the Soldiers reunion,
and rendered very efficient and much
needed service in guarding the camps
and protecting the large amount of pub
lie property loaned to the state for that
occasion. Several other companies
were also in attendance and by their
soldierly bearing and good conduct
added most materially to the interest
of that memorable meeting.
There has been, for some years, a
il1tn.,vr lo,Da,t,N, |,
the state university, and there is at the
present time a sO-calied battalion or
ganizatiOn, among the students, of two
companies, aggregating 135 members,
under the command and instruction of
Captain Charles King, U. S. A. The
members Of this battalion, its officers
and instructor, the president of the
university. and the chairman of the ex-
ecutiye committee of the board Of re
gents, unite in request that provision
may be made for the incorporation OF
this organization and its successors into
the Wisconsin national guard, in order
that they may have proper military
standing, be subjected to proper mill
tary discipline, and receive such allow
ances for care Of arms and armory, and
IOI ui1llOIulS, Us IL nltiy De deemed 68-
pedient by the legislature to provide
for. | most cordially approve this re-
quest, and commend it to your favora-
bic consideration.
PUBLIC LANDS.
There has been a large increase in
the amount of business transacted dur
ing the year in the state land depart
ment. The sales of land aggregated
nearly $1,000 acres, and in addition
nearly $4,000 acres were patented to
counties under the provisions of chap
ter 261, laws of 1880. The lands now
held by the state, inclusive of about
80, 900 acres reserved from sale. amount
to ], 455, POP acres, and embrace many
thousands of acres of excellent farming
lands, lands destined at no distant
day to rival III the variety, excellence
and amount of their products, the very
best lands in the state now under cul-
tivation. Progress has been made in
the adjustment of the claims of the
state for additional swamp lands, and !
confidently expect to receive during
the year very considerable accessions
to our lists of lands. In the prosecu-
ton of these claims have, at all times,