Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-01-16

ton of the guard for active service
q dgo the last last biennial period. This
u.s. Que so,,d. b b to the good sense OF
that the Wisconsin National Guard has been an
effective educator in this direction, and that too,
for other states and nations as well as tor our
selves This body OF disciplined citizen soldiers
is the peoples puissant right arm. 1t gives us
confidence in the present and security for the
future. The commonest Dictates whether OF
gratitude or prudence or economy, demand that
Its efficiency should be promoted by continuing
appropriations to meet necessary expenditures
and by considerate attention to all propositions
looking to improved methods of organization and
INSURANCE
The magnitude of the insurance interests OF
Wisconsin is stronger commentator OF the
commissioners report to your consideration than
any can make. The statistics embraced in the
report OF the commissioner are worthy of the most
serious stu0y. This officer occupies 6 mest i'm.
portant and Responsible position. 1t is his duty
to know whether the companies seeking
business in Wisconsin are solvent am:
worthy of confidence. To ascertain the
facts as to their standing it is some
times necessary to make personal examinations
which involve travelling expenses, for the pa,
ment of which there Is now no provision. J
would recommend that this defect be remed 90
l would also recommend that the law be amen,
ed SO as to req uire the appointment of the com
missioner by outside companies an agent upo
whom service of process can be made
A further defect in the law, TO which the com
missioner calls attention, relates to the socalie.
fraterual life associations. Not ONLY are me,
not sub iect to supervision but they are not RI,
quired to render any reports 1t seems altogeii
er reasonable that such associations Should a.
least be required to make annual sworn ate
ments as to their business and condition, AND
that the statements should be published.
MEETING OF ELECTORS
Section 95 of the Revised Statutes provides
that the electors of president and vice. pres deaf
shall meet at the capitol and give their votes on
the first Wednesday in December next following
the general election at which they are chosen
By act of the Congress of the United States ap-
proved February g. 1887, the day for the meeting
OF such electors Is fixed for the second Monday
in Janusry next after Their election at IL o'clock
noon. While 1t is very clear that the act of Con
gress determines the day on which the electors
shall convene and give their ballots, I recon-
mend that our statutes be so amended az to har-
monte with the United States law
CITY CHARTERS.
The last Legislature wisely provided for q COM
mission TO frame general bill for the incorpo-
ration OF cities. am informed that this mniis-
sion will be prepared to submit report at u
very early day; and 1 commend this matter TO
your attention as one OF the most important sub
jects that can claim legislative considerations
The evils of the present system not only too
many, but they are also too well known, to jus
tify reorganization here.
ELECTIONS.
The importance Of periecting our election laws
so as to give the greatest possible assurance that
every voter may cast his balloJ as he wills with
out m ole5tation, interference or unirendy scrtl.
tiny deserves your attention, The elections i'll
this state are, without doubt. as honestly con-
Quoted as those in any part of the country. But
in many Instances voters are subjected to crowd
ing and unpleasant opportunities as they
approach the ballot-box. In 1887 The
LEGISLATURE enacted law applying to CITIES
Of $4,000 or more inhabtante, and therefore
operative in the city of Milwaukee alone BY
the provisions of this law most. il not ALL the .l,-
noyances that beset the voter at the polls are oh,
waited. This act has now been in force duriu
two important elections in that city, and / Ell.
informed gives universal salts faction. l see III,
reason why the provisions of that law should nnl
be made applicable to all incorporated cities aud
villages OF the state If not to township election
commend this subject to your thoughtful Al
tention.
STATE SOLDIERS HOME.
dezire to call your attention to the ADVISABLE
ty OF such legislation as shall place the Waupaca
Soldiers Home undtr state supervision and con-
troll. such action IS Ceemed advisable to enable
each inmate to receive the sum of 500 annually
from the United States, IN accordance with the
provisions OF law passed by Congress in 1888.
Our state, to ali exceptional extent, IS the
home OF complex population Over 20 per
cent. Of its peope IRE or foreign birth or the
children of foreign born parents. Many do not
speak the lang uage Of the country, while Others
have but an Imperfect knowledge of T. Their
acquaintance with our laws and institutions and
with current affairs is largely gained through
the medium of a foreign tongue They have
been invited here by our liberia! lolicy. They
have come to laase our country their home and
the home OF their child en- They have common
interest with other citizens in t he gem
eral welfare, and all are being moulded into
homogeneous whole. In community thUs COM
posed. each retaining something of the peculiar
sentiments and traditions brought irou other
lands, it becomes the duty of the legislator to
consider well in all general legislation the char
acter of those who will be affected by u. In the
government OF the people and by the people the
laws must be adjusted to the general temper and
sentiment of the great majority They must
have the support. not merely OF a comparatively
few advanced and radical spirits, but OF the great
body of citizens, or such laws will prove more
than unavailing WILLIAM D. HOARD.
MADISON, Wis.