Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-01-21
THE GOIERNOR'S MESSAGE.



To THE HONORABLE THE LEGISLATORS You
assemble after the lapse of longer period than
any which ever before separated legislative ses-
sions in WISCONSIN, and it is fitting that we first
reverently and gratefully acknowledge the bless
ings which under Providence have come, in rich
abundance, to us as commonwealth and as a
people.
During the two years just gone we have happily
been spared the presence of pestilence, famine or
other cause of general distress. The commercial
depression prevalent in the country at large has
touched us more lightly than many other states.
Peace has dWelt continually within our borders.
The spirit of obedience to law has abided with
our people. Justice has been promptly and faith
fully administered. Education the life of our
governmental system has gone forward with
Vigorous step And in all we have abundant
cause for contentment and gratitude.
FINANCES.
The state finances are In good condition and
the trust funds, kept constantly invest ed as far
as possible in interest-bearing securities produce
a satisfactory income
The general fund account, as reported by the
secretary of state, furnishes complete statement
of the cost of maintaining the state government
for the past two years, including interest paid
upon certificates of Indebtedness to the several
trust funds.
OF the general fund there was on hand on the
3Oth day of September, 1882, 1864 220 6S. The re-
ceipts of the fund for the biennial term have
been So, 907 204.04, the disbursements therefrom
So, 1872, S57.57, leaving balance on hand Septem-
Der 80, 1884, of $685., 567.15.
BY separate years, and by comparison with the
year ending September 3d. 1882, the disburse-
ments were as follows For the year ending Sep
tember 80, 1885, 81 296, 472 49, being $l09, 664 Sc
more than for the year ending September 80, 1882
This increase is explained by the facts that the
capitol extension expenditure for 1888 was $751;
pa. % more than in 1882 the legislative expenses
800 OO4. go more than in 1882, and the expense of
publishing the geological survey, as provided by
law, more by $26,282 OF than in 1882.
For the year ending September 80, 1884, the dis
bursements from the general fund were 81, $780,
9S5.17, being $150,422.S7 less than for the year
1882 The greater part of this reduction arises
from the fact that, while in 1882 the legislative
expenses and cost of publishing the laws were
4,4S62S the biennial system obviated the
necessity of any expenditure for either purpose
in 1884.
The expenses incident to the care of the capitol
building have increased somewhat during the
past year, because of the many repairs which
did not deem 1t prudent to delay, and of the
purchase of furniture required for the new ex-
tensions.
The expenditures thus made to January 1, 1885.
are: For the rebuilding of the west steps and
Dortico which found to be in dangerous con-
dition, the sum of S2493.03; for building and re-
pairing the walks and driveways around the new
wings and il the park, the sum of $4,796.80 for
changing the old supreme court and library
rooms into committee rooms, and making con-
Meeting corridor, the sum of S2,091 IL; for furni-
ture for the new wings SAFE. 9l for carpets for
the new wings, So, 764 II. and for gas fixtures and
fitting same in the new wings, the sum of
81 356.42 have also caused to be placed in the
boiler room at cost of $1,000, two new boilers
for the purpose of supplying the additional heat
required for the extensions
The expenditures from the Governors contin-
gent fund to January l, 1885, were ST. As, and
the balance to the credit of the fund was 81 08782
In view of the many possible urgent demands
upon this fund, j would recommend that the
usual appropriation be increased
TRUST FUNDS.
There was to the credit of the School fund in
the treasury on september go 1884 SIS 492.67, and
the productive school fund on that day amounted
to 50 9l3, 612 l6, and the school fund income for
the biennial term was s39S, 1882
Thn TIuiv itU fund hoc d11rir Tho
two years S2l ,085.68; had on hand September so,
1882, 81, 900. 80, and has paid out for bonds and
loans S24. 93S 49, The total amount of the Univer-
sity fund producing an income on September So
1884, was S22S 80 The receipts of the Univer-
sity fund income for the two fiscal years were
S152, O5S, of which $3.50 was interest on the John
son Endowment, S20,33 20 received from
the University, $27, 801.77 from interest on the
University fund. and S103,075 03 from the tax
levied under the statute.
The Agricultural College fund receipts for the
two years were $30,628 IS; balance on hand Sep
tember 3d. 1882, S5,SO4: AZ. The disbursements
$50, S66. 4S; leaving a balance September So 1884
fund.- now drawing interest, is $3.50, 965.22, and
the income of the fund for the biennial term was
S34, 947.54.
The Normal School fund has received during
the two years S25S,S1S.5S. There was on hand
September &c. 1882, Sl7,969.62 There has been
disbursed during the same time S262, H. and
there remained on hand September 30 1884, S14.-
45l.3S. The total amount of Normal School fund
now drawing interest is 81 800 572. Sc, and the in
fees, etc. was SIG 223 &c. all of which was trans
ferred to the regents of the Normal Schools.
There was to the credit of the drainage fund
September 3d. 1882 S4S, %, and it has received
during the two years Sl3l ,57546. There was on
hand September So 1881, S48 619.8 80, and S131,-
1853 93 has been apportioned to counties and dis
bursed under the laws.
OF the st. Crofx and Lake Superior Railroad
trespass fund there remained on hand September
80, 1884, $50, 0s279 and as the companies have
completed their roads and they are now protect
ing their own lands, and but few lands remain
unpatented, this fund now be adjusted be-
tween the state and the companies, and the
amounts due them paid over and the fund closed
Wp. tFr
ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES
The secretary of state estimates that the rev.
enues received, under the general laws will be
sufficient to defray the ordinary expenses of the
state for the years 1886 and 1887. AT the end of
the fiscal year there was balance on hand of
$685., 56715 Owing to this large surplus the sec
rotary of state did not include the item of $24O-
600 of state tax. which was authorized by the
seems to me that no additional tax will be neces-
sary for 1886 and 1887. This is the first time in
its history the state has reached this desirable
condition.
The account between the state and the general
government for direct war tax, stated by the
first comptroller of the treasury shows that the
state is yet indebted to the general government to
the amount of S5l 1855. The accounting officers
Of the government have, from time to time, cred
tied to the state, upon the direct tax certain
sums which should have come to the state as
trustee and have been passed to the school and
swamp land funds. Thus it has come about that
the state has paid portion of its direct war tax
out of these trust funds. AS I think these funds,
especially the school fund, should be carefully
and jealousy maintained, believe provision
should be made for reimbursing them the
amounts so credited.
There is a bill now pending in both houses of
Congress providing that the entire direct war tax
be refunded to the several states, by repaying
such as have paid, and by crediting such as have
not paid. The passage of this bill would entltle
Wisconsin to receive back the sum of $429, 1856 g.
and have credit for the $51, 1886 unpaid. sug.
gest that the Legislature memorabilia Congress to
pass this bill
CHARITA BILE AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS.
The charitable, reformatory and penal institu-
tions of the state are, by the law as it now is
under the control of the state board of superyis-
ion, whose report will be laid before you OF
the whole amount appropriated for these institu-
lions for the years 1888 and 1884 there remained
unexpended on the 90h day of September, 1884.
$125, 89l50, and on the LIST day of January, 1885
there remained $56, 474.10.
The total number of persons cared for in the six
state institutions under the charge of this board
was 1921, and the daily average was 2,O16: the
total cost to the state for current expenses to
September so, 1884, was 1851, 691, and to the LIST
day of January, 1885, was $721, 108.40.