Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-04-01
PECK VETOES THE BILL.
Message to the Senate Giving Reasons
State Should Have Control.

A Message to the Senate Giving Reasons
State Should Have Control.
MADISON, Wis, March 24.-Gov. Peck
sent his veto of the Waupaca Home APP
preparation bill to the Senate to-day.
1t was accompanied by a 1000 word
message stating his objections to the
bill in it's present form. The Governor
said:
I see some serious objections to the bill
in us present form. 1t appropriates sou
000to the Waupaca Veterans Home, Wnlcn
is a private corporation for, the care OF
soldiers and sailors Of the volunteer SarV-
ice. and their wives. The Institution was
established by the Grand Army OF
the Republic and has been largely
supported by that order. 1t is
but it is state institution under state
maintenance. 1t is true that the olll makes
some show of guarding the state III the dis
bursement of the appropriation, but CHS is
practically a useless formalty, and does
not really provide any guard IN
to the president and secretary OF the Board
of Managers. I deem this provision too
loosely drawn. 1t is not to be tolerated in
our system of government that money
taken from the taxpayers shall be given
to private persons to DE enPemddGtf all the
Safeguards possible. 1t is not enough that
the managers of the Home are honor
able and high-mInded men. Other
safeguards are necessary. Ine
Legislature of 1889 made an approprlatlon
of $4,000 for the Home, providing that
the title to the Home should be vested IN
the state. The deed executed in compll-
ance with this act falls far short OF beng
satisfactory, being clogged with debt OF
$4,000
Viewed in it's most charitable light the
whole matter has been characterized by
looseness, a departure from the provisions
of the law; an attempt to defr9ud the
state that cannot be justified. Although
the government of the Home is vested In
board OF ten trustees, the management is
practically left to part OF the board:
Such a system is unwise and against
sound policy. The well-being OF the asy-
lum demands more careful legislation.
Gifts to it should be made with more care.
The people only ask that their liberality
shall moi be abused by lrrespon-
sist that the management Of the
present board, bat it is best that some
State control shall figure therein.
| therefore withhold my approval from
this bill, and recommend that a new bill be
introduced IL which the appropriation
shall be allowed On the following condl-
tons:
l. That the sums designated for paying
off the Indebtedness be used as far as pos
sible for paying the mortgage.
2. That all title for land hereafter pur-
chased for the Home shall be vested IN the
state, and the deed approved by the at
torney-general. :,
3. That the city of Waupaca relinquish
all interest in the Home.
4. That the objects of the appropriation
shall be clearly set forth in the bill.
5. That the State Board Of Supervision
examine annually into the affairs OF the
Home and report to the governor.
8. That trustees file a bona that the ap-
preparation shall be used in accordance
with the act.
T. That the board shall report biennial
ly to the Board of Supervision the imam
clal transactions of the institution, and
such other details as the Board may re-
quire.
s. That all permanent improvements be
made with the approval of the State Board
of Supervision and that all money for such
purposes be paid by the treasurer on war
rants audited by the Board.
Some such steps to clear up the cloud on
the management are necessary.
GEORGE w. PECK. Governor.