Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-01-19

national Importance for both inter- state and for
eign commerce. Arvoluntary commission, com
posed OF representatives appointed by the gov
ernors OF these states and territories, has un.
dertaken to eollate the facts statistics and
| arguments relating to this subject and urge
them upon the attention of congress, and asks
that the states more Immediately interested in
this great work make each an appropriation of
q thousand dollars, to be expended in defray-
ing the necessary expenses of the commission
Most heartily approving the objects which this
commission is seeking to accomplish, recon-
mend that you make the appropriation as re-
quested. 9hj T9tiG F1~an1 t'ql
.rao.;T r. NATIONAL GUARD.
There are at present 80 organized companies
of militia in the state, with an aggregate mem
Dershp OF 1888 officers, non-commlssoned Off
GERS and privates TWenty-nine of these COM
panies have been inspected during the year,
and all but four of them found to be in a con-
dltlon to justify payments to them for rent Of
armory and uniform fund, as provided by law.
Under the provisions of the law enacted last
winter, one battalion Of five companies has been
organized in Rock and Walworth counties. and
could be assembled for duty, in case of neces-
sity, with a full complement of experienced
officers, with but little delay. Nine companies,
at their own request, were ordered into camp,
for instruction, at Milwaukee last June during
tho soldiers reunion, and rendered very efficient
and much needed service in guarding the camps
and protecting the large amount of public prop
erty loaned to the state for that occasion. Sew
eral 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, q military
depa1 tment connected with the state university
and there Is at the present time a so-called bat
talon organization, among the students, of two
companies, aggregating 1876 members under
the command and instruction of Captain
Charles King, Q. s. A. The members of this
battalion, it's officers and instructor the uresi-
dent of the university, and the chairman of the
executive committee of the board of regents,
unite IN request that provision may be made
for the incorporation of this organization and
it's successors into the Wisconsin national
guard, in order that they may have o proper
military standing, be subjected to proper mill
tary discipline, and receive such allowances for
care of arms and armory, and for uniforms, as
it may be deemed expedient by the legislature
to provide for. I most cordially approve this
request, and commend it to your favorable con-
sideration. r ..tt' ....f
PUBLIC LANDS.
There has been a large increase in the
amount of business transacted during the year
in the state land department. The sales of land
aggregated nearly $4,000 acres, and in addition
neatly 81, 600 acres were patented to counties
under the provisions of chapter 261 laws of
LOU. 1no iauus no" neld Dy tne state, 1nclu-
sive of about $4,000 acres reserved from sale,
amount to 1,455,202 acres, and embrace
many thousands Of acres of excel
lent farming lands,-lands destined at
no distant day to rival in the variety, excel
ence and amount of their products, the very
| best lands in the state now under cultivation.
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 prosecution of these claims ]
have, at all times, had the jealous cooperation
of the commissioners and the efficient clerical
force of the land department.
STATISTICS.
| The returns Of the principal farm products
raised in the state in 1879 and growing in 1880
as reported to the secretary of state by the
town assessors, and by him tabulated and com.
piled. show the following aggregates:
| ~