Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-22
The New Governor Believes the
Legislature Can Find USE
less Offices,
And He Advises Search in
the Interest Of Re-
form.
The Bennett Law Should be Re
pealed in the Opinion Of
the Governor.
FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND

Your honorable body having organized
for the transaction of business, 1t becomes
my duty to present to you such recon
mendatlons as seem to me for the best In
teTests OF the people of the state.
The electors of Wisconsin have spoken
in favor of reform IN conducting the bust
ness of the state It remains for you to
see that the will of the people, as express
ed, is carried out. A short business ses-
sion, with economy for your watchWord,
the passage of as few bills as possible, con-
sistent with the needs of the state; little
interference with existing good laws; the
repeal of bad laws, and the amending of
such as are defective, will create feeling
Of confidence on the part of the people,
and help to make prosperous and happy
all of your constituents. The way to bring
about a short session is for every member
to do his duty. The principal cause for
long sessions is delay in the action of
committees A few committees that do
not attend promptly to business, and al
low bills to accumulate on their hands,
cause the work of the session to drag, and
hinder those who are willing and anxious
to transact business and adjourn. The
presiding officers should keep close watch
on the committees. and not hesitate to
call attention to those who cause unneces-
sary delay.
Unnecessary Offices.
The pledge that state expenses would be
reduced to the point necessary for on econ
omical administration of state affairs
should be constantly borne in mind.
During the past 7elve years more than
seventy official positions have been created
by express acts Of the legislature, and the
reports OF the secretary OF state show that
some two hundred and sixty-ive more per-
sons drew salary from the state treasury
for personal services in 1889 than in 1878.
These are facts sufficient In themselves
to justify. if not demand, the closest
scrutiny and investigation, to the end that
unnecessary officials may be dispensed
with, anP Unnecessary expense cut OF.
| recommend that this matter, together
with all the proposed legislation looking
to the curtailing Of the salary list, anu
the reduction of expenses, be referred to a
special joint committee Of both houses,
appointed for The purpose, In order that
such action in the direction indicated, as
the Legislature may take. may be well con
sidered wise and effective.
Ny term of office as governor has so re-
CtlIIS DSpuH JldG L have DIS Jcb Detu
able to fully acquaint myself with this
matter in detail. Certain facts, however,
have already come under my observation,
which suggests the necessity of investi ga
tion.
For instance, the Office of the
State Veterinarian, created
in 1888, cost the state for
salaries and expenses in
1889. ..................... -. S3,sO6 6s
And for SO-Called glandered
horses, slaughtered and
then paid for by state..... 1,642 90
A total Of. ............ $3.50 70
And in 1870, salaries and
and for slaughtered iosses. i, 6Is 81 5,o7s Cs
Aggregate for two years. $40, 622 "a
Also that the number of senate en-
ployes in 1878 was. .................. Is
! Assembly employees in 1873 ......... sc
In 1889 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 15l
Total in 1878 80. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Isl
Total in 1889 .... .... ........... -. ga
An increase in both houses of. .. 123
The expenses on account of
senate employees in 1878
In 1889. -. ................ SIS, 40 90
Expenses on account of as
semby employees in 1873
WAS. is tUJ on
In 1889. ................ 49,. 80, s31 &c
Total in 1878. ...... SO, 255 81
Total in 1899 MINIMUM. s56, 0O2 SO
S26, 255 81
Increase. ss9, 747 OF