Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-01-20
State Finances.

/ state FINANCES.
At the beginning Of the administra
ton In January, 1891, there was defci
in the general fund Of the state.
take great pride, which 1 am sure vii
be shared by every good citizen of thi
commonwealth, in stating to you toda.
that we commence our second term il
office with a general fund not only
solvent, but showing a handsome sur
plus.
On January 9Th, 1891, there was
balance on hand in the general fund 6.
SO, 599.32, with warrants already drawn
| aggregating S36, O96.S7; actually show
ing $12,497.55 more money spent thar
there was in the general fund Agains1
this showing there is a surplus in the
general fund today.
On January LIST, 1893, $312, 939. 70 wa
the magnificent sum to the credit of the
general fund Of the state, with no un
paid warrants outstanding. OF this sur
plus but sos, 466.10 came from the di
rect war tax refunded to the state in 1891
by the United States government. There
is therefore an actual balance to the
credit Of careful and wise economy #
S22G,97124
In addition to this, by an Improvement
i'll methods, the interest on state funds
deposited in banks, has, during the past
/ .iuiy, while all the other coun-
two years added $53.41O.11 to the in
come OF the state, without cost or tue
loss OF dollar, as d result Of sucn
method of tpmnOrarv loans
! Six Of the counties in the state now
pay the amount Of state taxes charged
! to them. on or before the second Mon
ties pay on or before the first Monday
! in February. This tends to make con-
4 fusion and causes much annoyance, and
would recommend that the law
be so amended that all such taxes shall
he payable at the same time.
! Australian EatIpt. Law.
The Australian ballot law has now
been in operation in this state at two
general elections, and it has more than
met the expectations of its trainers
While deprecating too frequent and
radical changes in this important law,
there are points for further improve
ment in extending it's provisions for the
secrecy Of the ballot, and the law itself
should be made to cover all parts Of the
state without exception.
! salary of $t.,tr Superintendent.
J 1t is apparent that the salary of the
superintendent of public instruction as
/ now fixed by the constitution, is entire
ly inadequate. Subterfuges have been
rcS0rted to to increase the amount, but
these have been decided by the supreme
court to be unconstitutional. | would
therefore recommend the submission to
4 the people of IN amendment to the con-
stitution which shall provide u proper
salary for this most important officer.
t.o;,nn!. Ii" 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 borrowers specifically named. These
funds are held in trust for the benefit
Of our schools, and Il default in the in
tereSt, however well the loan is secured,
defeats the legal purposes for which
these moneys are placed in trust, and a
precedent is set that may lead to most
dangerous abuses. | hope the legisla-
ture will deal with such bills in future
with the utmost caution.
! PROTECT ian ~ put,iir lands.
The principal value Of our public lands
consists i'll their timber. The fact that
these lands are Il part of our public.
school endowment makes their protec-
ton of vital Importance. To this end,
: l recommend that the unauthorized cut
| ting of timber upon state lands be made
Il criminal offense, regardless Of the in
, tentiOn of the hespasser.
public Iie;.irt,.
Statistics show that Wisconsin Oc-
cupics an enviable position in the list
Of states rs regards healthfulneSS. Yet
Il reasonable fear is expressed by the
state board Of health that cholera may
invade this country during the current
year. Every precaution should bC
taken against it. TO this end Il con
tingent fund should be provided to be
used under suitable restrictions. SucI
fund has, on three occasions, beel
created III our SJ;lIe, buJ 1OEluuitely III;
not been needed, and in each case ha:
reverted to the state.
G--EmpInye Law.
The question of liability Of ra1lWa!
companies for injuries sustained by thei
employees while in discharge Of thei
: duties, through the negligence of co-em
ployes, is worthy Of the most careful
consideration
Those who are employed in runnin
OF operating locomotives or cars, an
are constantly exposed to danger, no
4 only from the hazards incident to thei
e employment, but from carelessness .
$ negligence of fellow workmen, are Ell
n titled to the fullest protection consisten
with a due regard for the rights an
d interests of employer as well as employ
} ed.
: | earnestly recommend this importar
It subject to your consideration, and noI
n n law will he enacted that will NEE