The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-01-19
$1,041,720 SO

~
This estimate shows that it will be necessary
for the Legislature to provide the sum of
100000 for the year 1884, which will be two
tenths of a mill on the assessed valuation.
CONTINGENT FUND.
] The balance to the credit of the Governors
Contingent fund on January s, 1883, was ST.
S3527, and the expenditures therefrom during
the year were S774.T9. In view of the possible
recommend that the sum of $4,000 be appro-
priated therefor at the present session.
WAR DEBT.
The account between the State of Wisconsin
and the United States for the direct war tax. as
shown by the statement of the First Comptroller
OF the United States Treasury, stands as fol-
lows; 81 Am AMOUNT due tn United Sites Septem-
Der 30, 1881, $207,6s5.16. During the year there
has been placed to the credit of the State.
Slot, 39h9, leaving 8, balance due the Uniled
states OF Sol 1857. There are now before the
departments for adjustment claims which will
be allowed and credited to the State amount
ing to $4,000.
The State claims as due from the United
States balance of $50, S45.04 upon the claims
presented by her for the equipment and pay
ment of troops during the war. This balance
has all been sallowed by the accounting Off
GERS, and consists of various items ranging
from $40 to $500. Many of the items have been
ruled out for want of proper vouchers and ev-
idence, and it is probable that with consider
able research and labor many of the items
may yet be allowed, but do not feel at liberty
to incur expense in that direction without
first receiving legislative sanction.
PUBLIC LANDS.
The sale of public lands during the fiscal
year was 2lS3y5.S4 acres, at prices varying
from fifty cents to three dollars per acre. The
report of the Commissioners shows that there
IS now on hand nearly 1,00o,000 acres of public
lands; that there are nearly 240 COO acres not
yet put in the market and that there have
been selected during the year $1,000 acres
for which the State will soon receive
patents. These selections were made by
sending competent man into the field to ex-
anime each tract, and am satisfied that the
work has been faithfully performed and thai
thereby the State has secured good lands. The
commissioners in their report suggest cogent
reasons for some changes in the laws regulat-
ing the sale of lands, to the end that the State
may be enabled to obtain prices nearer the
value Of the land sold. commend the subject
thereon, to your careful consideration The
Commissioners also ask that section ?5S of the
Revised Statutes be amended, SO as to give
wider field for the investment of the trust
funds. This subject likewise demands serious
attention.
EDUCATION.
The report of the State Superintendent af-
fords great cause for satisfaction as to the ed
ucational interests of the State, and for a full
discussion of the special subjects that may re-
quire your attention would refer you to his
report There seems to be no want of harmony
IN the various parts of our school system and
with the general development and progress we
have every reason to be pleased.
TIE attendance at schools of pupils between
the ages of seven and fifteen years, the time
when all children ought to attend schools, is
e1gaty-seyen per cent. of the whole number in
tho State between those ages. This percentage
proves Wisconsin to be fairly equal to the old
er Eastern States in appreciation of school
privileges. The total valuation of school prop
erty, including buildings, SITES libraries, ETC.,
is 1851, 1913. The total amount expended for
public and private schools during the school
year was $257 ,402. need not impress upon
you the Importance of fostering our common
school system and promoting in every way the
r y OF
The Board of Regents of the University re-
port satisfactory progress in all departments;
that the appropriation of last year has been
judiciously expended, but that there are vet
some repairs greatly needed in making the
older buildings what they should be. The am
bition of the young for higher and advanced
education cannot be too literally encourage !,
and commend all the needs Of this institution
to your lberality.
The departments of agriculture and practi-
cal mechanics would seem to demand particu-
lar notice. The experiments of the Professor
of Agriculture made by virtue of special ap-
preparations of the Legislature upon amber
cane and the ensilage of folders, have been in
large measure completed, and. Prof. Henry
reports that beyond doubt sugar and siruD
can be protitably made from amber
cane in this State, and that the soil of the
State is particularly well adapted to
| the growing of amber cane. The Pro-
fessor likewise reports that his expert
mentS with enSilage of folders demon sfrate
the fact that the food product for stock can be
greatly increased at very little cost to the
farmers. He also reports that there is still
needed an appropriation of $500 to pay the
Professor of Chemistry for six months serv-
ice, and hope this will receive Your early at
tention. The Interests represented by the
farmer and tina mechanic are 1cond in inn
portance TO none other, and any legislation
which will stimulate the efforts of either. or
which will open the door to more comprehens-
i've and intelligent effort, will be profitable in
the long run to the commonwealth To this
end recommend that there be appropriated
annually the sum of six thousand dollars for
the establishment and maintenance of an ex-
perimental station on the University farm. and
also recommend that provision be made for
the publication and distribution of reports of
the experiments heretofore made, and of such
as shall be hereafter made
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
There have been 94S students in attendance
at the various Normal Schools during the
year. There have been 81 gradu tel and 81
licensed, and there are now employed in the
public schools of the State 330graduates of the
Normal Schools, aid 1858 undergraduates.
Sixty institutes have been held in 81 counties,
with total attendance of 3,SS2, and at an ex-
pense of $5.423. The Regents report the schools
in Il prosperous condition. and earn silly en-
deayoring to perform the work assigned thenls