Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-01-19
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gubernatorial Communicatfont to the Wis
constn Legislature.

ILL Wv y AANOI y MEOO AOE.
Gubernatorial Communication to the Wis
constn Legislature.
Following is the full text of Gov.
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 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 advlSablllty
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 ScrutlnlZe with
care the present manner of conducting the
business of the state. They invite crltl-
cism and suggestion from you, looking to-
ward q more economical and satisfactory
admin iStratiOn.
feel it privilege to be able to extend
to the people of Wisconsin congratulations
that the highest court in the state has at
firmed the decision OF the circuit court
against former state treaSurerS who have
misappropriatedt the interest on state funds
to private uses. The aggregate OF the
judgments will be large sum of money,
but the recovery of the money is trifilng
matter compared with the principle estab-
liShed, which is great victory for the
doctrine that public Office is 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 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 general
fund not only solvent, but showing hand
some surplus. On January l, 1891, there
was balance in the general fund of S23,
599.32, with warrants already drawn ag-
gregating S36,O96.S7; actually showing
So, 497. So more money spent than there was
in the general fund. Against this showing
there is surplus in the general 1Sds 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 1913, 466. 10
came from the direct war tax refunded to
the state in 1891 by the United States gov
SC
balance to the credit of careful and wise
economy of 1926, 971.24. In addition to
this, by the improvement In methods, the
interest on state funds deposited in banks
has, during the past two years, added 800
410.11 to the income of the state. without
cost or loss of a dollar, as result of such
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-
DectatiOnS of it's trainers. While depre.
eating TOO frequent and radical changes in
. this important law there are points for fur
Their improvement IN extending its pro
visions for the secrecy OF the ballot, and
the law itself should be made to cover all
parts OF the state without further eXcep-
ton.
STATE SUPERINTENDENT SALARY.
1t is apparent that the salary of the SUI,
perintendent of public instruction. as now
fixed by the constitution, IS entirely made
quate. Subterfuges have been resorted to
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. 1
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. TO this end | recommend
that the unauthorized cutting OF timber
upon state lands be made a criminal
otfense, 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 healthfulLess. Yet 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 restrlc-
tons. 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
fny of