Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-01-18
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gubernatorial Communi alton to the Wis
constn Legislature.

| EOllOWluk 10 Gu0 lull G0AG VI OON.
Peck's message to the legislature:
FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE SENATE
AND ASSEMBLY: The people of the state
| OF Wisconsin have reason to be thankful
Divine Providence for the manifold
blessings which have been bestowed
upon them during the past two years.
! We have been secure, happy and peace
full in the enjoyment of the products
! of our labor. While IN other portions Of
the Union conflicts of the most serious
character have arisen between employers
and their WOrkmen, Difference to the plain
| PROVISIONS OF the constitution and the laws
have enabled Wisconsin not only to avoid
all serious results from such difficulties
but to save the expense and the too fire.
quent evaporation attending needless use
Of state troops.
The reports Of state officers, boards and
institutions Of the state, required by law
20 be made, will be presented to you in
full. From a careful examination of these
reports it appears that the affairs OF the
state have been conducted economically
and we'll. 1t is not my purpose to present
to you any extended detailed statement,
but to depart somewhat from the usual
method. | urge upon you the adviSability
of your careful examination into all these
reports; assuring you on behalf of those
IN authority in the several departments of
their desire to have you ScrutIniZe with
care the present manner of conducting the
business Of the state. They invite criti-
clSm and suggestion from you, looking to-
ward more economical and satisfactory
administration.
! | feel it a privilege to be able to extend
to the people of Wisconsin congratulations
that the highest court in the state has af
tirmed the decision Of the circuit court
against former state treaSurerS who have
miSapprOpriatCd the interest on state funds
to private uses. The aggregate of the
judgments will be a large sum of money,
but the recovery of the money is triflng
matter compared with the principle eStab
liSbed, which is a great victory for the
doctrine that pubic Office is a trust that
should be honestly administered.
STATE FINANCES.
| at the beginning of the administration
in 1891 there was deficit in the general
fund OF the state. [ take great pride
which l am sure will be shared by every
good citizen of this commonwealth, in
stating to you to-day that we commence
our second term of office with a general
fund not only solvent, but showing a hand
some surplus. On January l, 1891, there
was balance in the general fund of S23,-
599.32, with warrants already drawn ag-
gregating $50, O96.S7; actually showing
S12, 49, SO more money SpeEt than there was
in the general fund. Against this showing
there is surplus in the general fund TO-
939.79 was the magnificent sum to
the credit Of the general fund
OF the state, with no unpaid warrants out
standing. Of this surplus but S98, 466. 10
came from the direct war tax refunded to
the state in 1891 by the United States gov
eminent. There is therefore an actual
balance to the credit of careful and wise
economy of $226,97L24. In addition to
this, by the improvement IN methods, the
interest on state funds deposited in banks
has, during the past two years, added $53,
410.11 to the income of the state, without
pnct lose of dollar q G q rpCnlf of C1IPh
method Of temporary loans. Six Of the
counties in the state now pay the amount
Of the state tax charged to them on or be-
fore the second Monday in July, while all
the other counties pay on or before the first
Monday in February. This tends to make
confusion and causes much annoyance,
and | would recommend that the law be so
amended that all such taxes shall be pay
able at the same time.
AUSTRALIAN BALLOT.
The Australian ballot law has now been
in operation in this state at two general
elections, and 1t has more than met the eX-
pectatiOnS of its trainers. While depre-
eating 100 frequent and radical changes in
this important law there are points for fur
Their improvement IN extending It's pro-
visions for the secrecy Of the ballot, and
the law itself should be made to cover all
parts OF the state without further exceD-
ton.
| STATE sUPERINTENDENT's SALARY.
perintendent Of public instruction. as now
fixed by the constitution, is entirely made
Quate. SubterfugeS have been reSOrted to
j to increase the amount, but these have
been decided by the supreme court to be
unconstitutional. | would therefore rec
Ommend the submission to the people of
an amendment to the constitution which
shall provide proper salary for this most
important officer
| LOANING THE TRUST FUNDS.
! Experience has shown the danger of
special legislation empowering the COM
missioners Of public lands TO loan trust
funds on specially favorable terms to bor-
rOWerS specifically named. These funds
are held in trust for the benefit of our
schools and default in the interest, how
ever well the loan is secured, defeats the
legal purposes for which these moneys are
placed in trust, and precedent IS set that
may lead to most dangerous abuses. I
hope the legislature Will deal with such
bills in the future with the utmost caution.
PROTECTION TO PUBLIC LANDS.
| The principal value Of our public lands
consists in their timber. The fact that
these lands are part of our public school
endowment makes their protection Of vital
Importance. 10 this end | recommend
that the unauthorized cutting of timber
upon state lands be made a criminal
OffenSe, regardless of the intention of the
treSpaSSer.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH.
Statistics show that Wisconsin occupies
an enviable position in the list of states as
regards healthfulness. Yet a reasonable
fear is expressed by the State Board Of
Health that cholera may invade this coun-
try during the current year. Every pre-
caution should be taken against it. To
this end contingent fund should be pro-
vided to be used under suitable reStric-
lions. Such fund has on three occasions
been created in our state, but fortunately
has not been needed, and in each case has
reverted to the state.
CO-EMPLOYE BILL.
The question Of the liability of railway
companies for injuries sustained by their
employees while in the discharge of their
duties, through the negligence of co-em-
ployeS, is worthy Of the most careful con-
sideratiOn. Those who are employed in
running or operating locomotives or cars
and are constantly exposed to danger, not
only TO the hazards incident to their en-
plOyment but from careleSSneSS or neglI-
gence Of fellow wOrkmen, are entitled to
the fullest protection consistent with a due
regard for the rights and interest of en-
plOyer as we'll as employed. | earnestly
recommend niS important subject to your
consideration and hope law will be en-
acted that will meet the just demands of