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

ed | part by the STATE. neSo INSTITUTIONS have
q normal capacity tor the care of 1870 patients
and at the close of the fiscal year had 1,425 in
mates.
In addition to these hospitals proper there are
now sixteen county asylums tor the care of the
chronic insane, with two others in process of
erection. The Combined capacity of these asy-
lums will be sufficient TO accommodate !. 5o5 in
mates. The popularity of these asylums 10 that
while they are maintained and managed by the
counties exclusively in which they are situated,
yet, when conducted in manner satisfactory to
the State Board of Charities and Reform, they
become entitled to assistance from the state at
the rate OF $1.50 weekly for each inmate. From
personal observation OF limited degree l am
convinced that these ssyums are furnishing a
practical solution OF the vexed question, how
shall we provide for the constantly accumuat.
ing chronic insane in way economical, humane
and CONSISTENT with the civilized spirit OF the
age? The per ca pta weekly cost for the main
tenance OF these asylums averaged for the year
1887 Sl63 and tor 1883, S1.60 The creditfo sug-
costing, pertecting aid maintaining this system
in all It's excellence Is due to the Wisconsin State
board of Charities and Reform.
BUREAU OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS.
This bureau was created by the Legislature OF
1883 for the purpose imp piled in its title. Subse-
quent acts of the Legislature have greatly en-
larged the scope and character OF its work, and
i'll a sense conferred upon 1t executive powers for
the enforcement of the laws for the prevention
OF accidents to employees and others II cases of
fire. and from unsafe machinery, unguarded ele-
vators, hatchways, etc. The third biennial re-
port OF this bureau contains much valuable in-
formation great variety of topics. II is
here shown that the annual per capita earnings
OF 81 9S5 employees in manufacturing establish
ments in Wisconsin, including men, women
and children, average SS76.7 and this is re-
rorted to be $50 more than the highest
rate ever developed by the United States census.
The average annual earnings of skilled mechan-
les Is reported at $641.11. These statistics are
very gratifying. but they are not fully complete
In their significance without mention of the fur
ther fact that never before in the history of the
world did these wages have so large purchas-
ing power in the necessaries of life as now. Ed
ward Atkinson, of worldwide fame as q statis-
tican has published tables proving conclusive
ly that from 1860 to 1886 the purchasing power In
food, fuel, and materials tor clothing, Of the
wages OF specially skilled workmen, increased 10
per cent. of common mechanics SO per cent,
and of ordinary laborers Dc per cent.
The report OF this bureau shows further that
1,22l manufacturing and commercial establish
ments, with an aggregate of 6S, ACT employees, and
374 hotels and public buildings, were officially
visited and inspected. AS result of this inspec-
tton hre-escapes were ordered to be erected in
245 instances and other directions looking to the
greater safety of employees were given in 400 in
stances-nearly all meeting with cheerful and
prompt compliance.
ESTIMATES OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
The secretary of state estimates that the annual
revenues for the years beginning January |, 1890,
and January /, 1891. will reach So, 161 PAL 95 OF
which 81. POI, 700 will be derived from licenses
and fees, and 1863, BAL 95 from taxes to be levied
under existing laws. He further estimates that
binary and fixed expenditures for those years,
and that 1t will be unnecessary to levy any
further tax unless extraordinary appropriations
are made by this Legislature. If such appropri-
atoms are made, it will be necessary for you to
provide for their payment.
STATE FISH INTERESTS.
The important interests committed to the care
OF the commissioners of fisheries appear to have
been zealously and successfully prosecuted. OF
their appropriation of So 900 for each of the
years of 1887 and 1883 there renamed at the close
of 1888, 1869 IT, A detailed accout of the labors
OF the commission will be found in their valua-
Die and interesting report. Both the Nine
Springs hatchery, designed for the propagation
OF tish-for inland waters and the Milwaukee
hatchery, designed for the propagation OF fish
for Lakes Michigan and SUPERIOR have been
greatly enlarged. Wisconsin now takes rank as
the first of states for the replenishment of inland
waters, although Michigan still leads in the ca
pacity of stocking the great lakes.
The LEGISLATURE two years ago made pro-
reports OF these wardens for 1887 of necessity
cover but portion of that year. The report Tor
1888 was not made until December 81, as this Is
the date provided by law. would recommend
an amendment to the law fixing an earlier date
for the rendering OF such reports The value of
the catch on the great lakes as given by the fish
wardensin 1887 was $3.50, 1853. SS; value of prop
perty employed S269776.65, and the number of
persons employed regularly in that year was
612. The value of the catch in 1888 was S270.-
595.06: value of property employed, 1887, 706;
number of persons employed, 628
1t cannot be disputed that the fish industry oc-
cupies very conspicuous place in the well-being
of the state 1t contributes an important part to
the iocd supply OF the people, and adds greatly
to the attractiveness of the state IN the estima.
ton of tourists and pleasure seekers, and should
receive liberal consideration at your hands.
AGRICULTURE.
The fact that the value of the annual product
of the farms of Wisconsin exceeds 100000 600 Is
a sufficient warrant for the care .Gnd solicitude
which has been felt by the people of this state
for the cause of agricultural education. That so,
licitude has found expression in Judicious and
liberal appropriations for the encouragement of
thought discussion and experiment. IL has been
rightly telt that just in proportion to the amount
of study and intelligence the farmer himself pos
will be the progress and profit of the farm:
and further, that the progress and stability OF
all other avocations depend very largely on the
prosperity OF agriculture. The instincts OF the
people are right on this question; and to
the credit of the intelligence of our stats be 1t
said, that all classes have united in an earnest
desire to see agricultural interests advanced.
Our lines of thought and action In this interest
are in most excellent state of effective organ
izatlon. At the head stands the Wisconsin Ex-
pertinent Station, which has become source of
light and instruction, not alone to the people of
our own state, but its bulletins are eagerly
sought tor by intelligent and thoughtful farm
ers throughout til 8 continent and Europe.
splendid i'm petus has thereby been given to the
development OF practical thought and under
standing along all the lines of agriculture which
it is profitable for us to pursue.
The farm institutes, now IN the fourth year OF
their operation, have proved wonderful stimu-
lus in the promotion of useful knowledge con-
corning the most profitable and economical
methods OF farm practice. Since the organiza-
ton of the institutes nearly 200 meetings of two
days eaCn nave Deen nelQ IN various portions OF
the state, at which practical questions relating
TO all branches OF animal husDandry, hOrticul-
ture and general farming have been discussed.
These meetings have been well attended, and
thoroughly appreciated by all classes in the COM
munltles where they have occurred.
The State Agricultural Society, by its annual
exhibitions, is accomplishing 8 very important
work in the material advancement of our state.
Of necessity il has required frequent and liberal
appropriations from the state to do the work it
had in hand. But these appropriations have
failed somewhat of their full purpose through
the fact that its fairs being yearly held in differ
enc portions of the state. there was constant
outlay for primary expenses.
THE WISCONSIN DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION.
Our dairy interests fast becoming of the
highest Importance TO the financial well-being of
the state. When 1t is understood that the milk
product of Wisconsin is worth annually over $780,.
00O OOO aud the state is taking rank one of the
foremost among the states OF the Union in the
prosecution of this industry ample Justification
can be found for the appropriations which have
been made to this association. 1t is to this or
ganization tnat credit Is largely due for the
spread of such in Ormation as has enabled the
state TO greatly prosper in this particular, and
/ would recommend an appropriation to the same
of 50 900 for each of the years of 1889 and 1890.
In connection with this subject, desire to call
your attention to the necessity tor more prac-
teal legislation against the manufacture and
sale OF fraudulent limitations of butter and