The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-01-24
THE GOIERNOR'S MESSAGE.
Full Text of the Message Delivered by
GOV. j. VI. Rusk.


sions in Wisconsin, and ii Is fitting that first
reverently and gratefully acknowledge the bless
ipgs which under Providence have come, in rich
abundance, to us as commonwealth and as q
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 i'll 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 aoided with
our people. Justice has been promptly and faith
fully administered. Education, the life of ouI
governmental system, has gone forward with
vigorous step And in all we have abundant
cause for contentnent and gratitude
FINANCES.
The state finances are in good condition, and
the trust funds, kept constantly invested as far
as possible in interestbearing securities, produce
Ii satisfactory income.
The general fund account, as reported by the
secretary of state, furnishes complete statement
of the cost of maintaining the state government
Tor 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
Goth day of September, 1882, sS64, 220 6S. The
ceipts of the fund for the biennial term have
been 81. 90Z ,204.04, the disbursements therefrom
s. S32, ,S57 81, leaving balance on hand Septem-
Der 80, 1881, of S93S, 567. Is
By separate years, and by comparison with the
year ending september 80, 1882, the disbufse-
ments were as follows: For the year ending Sep
tember 80, 1888, Sl,296472.I0, being sl0966i. SO
more than for the year ending September 30 1882.
This increafe is explained by the facts that the
thpllDk eAltuslOn expenditure LOT 1885 WAS 49,
pa % than in 1872; the legislative expenses
S29,O0460 more than in 1882, and the expense OF
publishing the geological survey, as provided by
law, more by S26,2S2.02 than in 1882
For the year ending September 80, 1884. the dis
bursements from the general fund were Sl,056,
$50 II, being Sl50,i22.37 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
STA, 4,4S6.28 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
uid not deem 1t prudent TO delay and of the
purchase of furniture required for the new ex-
tensions
The expenditures thus made to January !, 1885,
are: For the rebuilding of the west steps and
portieo, which found to be In a dangerous con-
diti0n, the sum of S249303; for building and re-
pairing the walks and driveways around the new
wings and in the park, the sum of S4,796.sO; for
changing the old supreme court and library
rooms into committee rooms, and making a con-
meeting corridor, the sum OF s2,O9l y; for fnrni-
tu1e tor the new wings S4,7l9 9l for carpets for
The new wings, 81 II. and for gas fixtures and
! fitting in the wings the OF
| 81 ,35642 have also caused TO be placed in the
boiler room, at a cost of S2,200 two new boilers
for the purpose of supplying the additional heat
| required for the extensions.
| The expenditures from the Governors contin-
gent fund 10 JanuaTy J. 1885, were 81. 40, and
| Ia view OF The many possible urgent demands
upon this fund, | would recommend that the
usual appropriation be increased.
There was TO the credit of the School fund in
the treasury September 30 1884, S1S 492 e., and
the productive school fun on that day amounted
10 = l36l2.l6, ana the school fund income for
the Uienuitl term was S59s, 97362
The University fund has received during the
two years S2l, ,OS5 68: had on hand September go
1882, s., 80, ana has paid out for bonds and
loans So ,9i3:@. The total amount of the Univer
stty fund producing an income on September So
1851 was S22S eO9 20. The receipts of the Unver-
income
S52,J58, of which $3.50 was interest on the John
son Endowment, S2o, ,332 20 were received from
| the University, SZ7,sD1.77 from interest on The
University fund, and s1O3,O7503 from the tax
levied under the statute.
The agricultural College fund receipts for the
two years were S30,623 o.; balance on hand Sep
Iember 90. 1882, s., ,304.47. The disbursements
sf5,A8; leaving a balance September 80 1851
of s65.sI. The productive Agricultural College
fund, now drawing interest, is S2S6, g65.22, and
the income OF the iund for the biennial term was
S34. 947.54.
Tie Normal School fund has received during
| the two years S2}8,Sl35S. There was on hand
September 80, 1882 81, ,969.6 g.. There has been
discussed during the same time S302, ,33l.77, and
there remained on hand September 80, 1891, Sl4-
45ISs The total amount of Normal School tund
drawing interest is 81 2gO, ,572 36 and the iu-
come for the period, including interest, tuition
fees etc, $l76, ,225 96, all of which
ferrei 10 the regents of the Normal schools
There was to the credit of the drainage fund
September %, 1882, S4SS629 and it ltas received
| during the two years 1920 40. here was on
| hand September so, 1885,, S4S,6l9S s., and Sl3l,-
56S9 80 has been apportiOned TO counties and dis
bursed under the laws
| OF the 1t. Croix ana Lake Superior Railroad
| trespass fund there remained on hand September
| 30, 1884,, s36, ,0g2. 49, and as the companies have
completed their roads ana they protect
! ing their own lands, and but few lands remain
| unpatented this fund can now be adjusted be
| tween the state and the companies, and the
| amounts due them paid over ana the fund closed
! up.
ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES
| The secretary Of state estimates that the rev
a fCf no
| Sufficient to defray the ordinary expenses OF the
state for the years 1886 ana 1887. At the end Of
the fiscal year there was a balance on hand of
SS3S,567.l 10 Owing to this large surplus, the
retary Of state aid not include the item OF S2lO-
| Oc0 of state tax, which was authorized by the
last Legislature, IN the tax levy OF 1854 and 1t
seems 10 me that no additional tax Will be naces-
sary for 1856 and 1857. 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, as stated by the
nrst comptroller OF The treasury, shows that the
state is yet indebted TO the general government
the amount of S5I 1856. The accounting officers
Of the government have. from time to tine, cred
tied The state, upon the direct tax certain
sums which should have come to the state
trustee, and have been passed 10 the school and
swamp land funds. Thus ii has come about that
the state has paid portion of its direct war tax
out of these trust funds. As think these funds,
especially the school fund, should be carefully
and jealOuSly maintained, believe provision
shouli be made for reimbursing them the
amounts credited.
There is a bin now pending IN both houses of
Congress providing that the entire direct tax
be refunded to the several states, by repayng
such az have paid, aud by Crediting such as have
not paid The passage of this bin would eutltle
Wisconsin to receive back the of si29 1876 6S,
and have CreOit for the S5l, 1886 unpaid. sug
gest that the Legislature memorabilia Congress to
pass this bill.
CHARITABLE AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS
The charitable, retnrmstory and penal institu-
tions OF the state are, by the law as 1t now is,
under the control Of the state board of superyis-
ion, whose report viii be laid before you. OF
the whole amount appropriated for these s'itu-
ti0ns for the years 1853 and 1884 there remained
uueKuended ON the 50 day of September, 1884,
Sl15 Sel 50, and The lst day of January, 1885,
there remained S56.4741G.
The total number Of persons cared for in the six
state institutions under the charge OF this board
was 3 72l, and the daily average 2,O16: the
total cost TO the state for current expenses TO
September 80, 1854. was S65l, ,69l, and to the lst
day Of January. l>S5, was S72l,lUs 40
The State Hospital for the Insane has had an
average OF 40 patients under treatment for 1888,
aud an average of $40 for the year 1884, and cost
SOS 80 20 for the year OF 1888 and s9l 722 p for
the yesT 1891 weekly cost per capita for lSS3 of
81 90 and for 1854 of s. 46. The cost of subsist-
enCe, including farm products, for the year of
1888. was $50, ,g27.l5, and for the year 1884 was
sS7 500. II. The board estimates the expenses OF
this hospital for the years 1885 and 1856 to Ue
sioI.Q01 esch year, and estimates that there viii
be paid by counties for the term So, ,S5 u; there
remains Of the last appropriation unexpended,
S. 600, and this leaves 10 be appropriated by the
Legislature Tor current expenses for the two
years. sg4,O10 They also ask ;or special ap-
preparation of $40 9O for the Improvement OF the
water supply, which J. in tanks in the top
OF the building, and which is not safe nd not SO
available In case OF FIRE.
The Northern Hospital tor the Insane had an
average of 567 patients during 1885, and els dur
ing l>S+, and the current expenses for 1888 were
SlI4 .735 4s and for 1854 were sll7 1852 weekly
cost per cspi for 1888 OF sS s. and for 1854 sS o.
The cost OF subsistence proper, including prod
uCtS OF the farm in 1873 was q27 Is and in 1854
wss Sd,4+LOL The board estimates that the X
years SIS and $50 that there VIII be paid in by
counties St0i .57S34 leaving 10 be supplied by the
Legislature for current expenses Sl4S, 600. By
IRE ON November Is 1854, destroying the interior
OF the building containing boiler, pump. engine,
laundry, drying snd IrOniUg rooms. this inslitn-
lion sustained an estimated loss of $40 9e and 70
ns ke the repairs necessary by of this fire
The hosrd hsve been permitted 10 incur in
1ehtednesS IN excess OF their appropriation 10 the
amount Of $ 500 and Tor the payment OF this sum