The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-01-19

be amended in some particulars so as to in
port will be printed and as it contains
much that would be of service TO both en-
ployer and employee provision may. well
be made for some adequate distribution of
1t. 1t Is subject of the highest impor-
tance, and deserves, as l know 1t will re-
ceive, your earnest consideration.
Insurance Code.
At the last session of the Legislature
law was passed creating a commission to
prepare an insurance code for the state
The commission appointed consists of w. A.
Fricke. insurance commissioner of the state:
Emil Baensch, lieutenant-goyernor and NJ. G..
Phillips of Oshkosh. This commission has
completed its work and the result will be
laid before you.
Among the important things recommends
ed In the new code is that the duties of the
commissioner of insurance be clearly de-
fined and that every fee and perqusite here
tofore received by that official be eliminated
so that the only compensation will be the
salary.
The subject Of fire and life insurance is of
great and increasing Importance to the peo-
pie. and commend the commissions report
to your best consideration and attention.
The Dairy Industry.
The stringent law prohibiting the manu-
facture of spurious dairy products in our
state has had q salutary effect. In his re-
port, which will be laid before you, the
some changes to make the law more effect
i've. The law has proven to be so benehcent
in its workings that | have no doubt you
will view favorably any effort to increase
its good results
The National Guard.
The National guard of Wisconsin has
reached plane of efficiency never before
equaIed in its history. 1t is today probably
the best equipped and trained body of state
militia to be found in the country. This
high standard, which has been reached only
nv the most careful attention and wise man.
agement, should be maintained, and the
necessary provision for It's maintenance
should be made by your honorable body. In
his annual report which will be submitted
to you the acknowledgement makes some I'M
oortant recommendations which shculd re-
,eiye your thoughtful attention.
Soldiers Monuments.
The commission appointed by the Legi'
allure of 1895 to select sites and erect monu-
ments to Wisconsin troops who took part
the battle of Chickamauga has completed
is work, and its report has been filed. 1t
but just to say OF this commission That lt
aas succeeded in erecting what are conceded
20 be the most attractive monuments OF the
ield Of Chicka naug9, and yet 1t mas neen
able to keep far within the amount appfo-
oriated for the purpose. There still re-
mains of the appropriation the sum of
s4792.51. BY the provisions of the law the
commission is not authorized to eXpend this
money for any purpose but that specified.
The commission recommends that 1t be au-
thorized to expend the balance of the fund
the erection of q monument to the WIS
,onsin regiments which participated in TN.
battle of Mission Ridge. The suggestion
0eeds no argument to sustain IT. cordial
~ approve the recommendation that the un-
expended balance Of the appropriation be
used i'll the erection Of the additional monu-
ment
Banks and Banking.
The existing banking code of Wisconsin
ments Of the banking business of the pres
ent day. 1t does not sufficiently protect the
people, nor does it throw around the bust
ness itself those safeguards which are cal
PulAtp1
quite out of harmony with the most APP
proved methods of modern banking.
There should be careful and immediate
revision of our banking law, by the aid of a
commission or otherwise. The Legislature
Of Michigan has banking code which may
be worthy Of your consideration. 1t is
modelled upon the admirable national bank
ing system. Such measure must, under
the constitution, be submitted to vote or
taken upon it at this session if it be found
practicable.
l think in the existing situation that the
duty and responsibility of examining into
the condition of the state banks should be
placed upon the state treasurer, who was by
vote of the people substituted for the
fshed. 1t is the clear intent of the banking
law that thereafter the state treasurer
should stand in the relation to the state
banks which had been occupied by the bank
comptroller 1t is matter of grave doubt
whether it is in harmony with the law
adopted by the people that the work OF SUI
pefVlSlOn OF the banks. so eIaDOFdloly pro-
vided for by chapter 291 of the laws of 1890;
should be intruSted to an officer appointed
by the state treasurer with the approval or
the governor, and who is to report entirely
to the governor. The law seems to be
drawn upon the theory that it is the state
treasurer's business under the banking code
50 far that it would not be lawful to au-
thoriZe the appointment of a bank examiner
without his intervention. This theory seems
to be all right. but the law should other
wise conform to it. | recommend that the
Of NIX; no 6plpUafp1
state treasurer. and that he be empowered
to appoint competent deputy for the pur-
pose who shall report directly to him. This
would involve vastly less expense than the
present method.
Conclusion.
In conclusion desire to earnestly urge
upon you the necessity for wisdom and
economy in the expenditure of the public
funds. The history of every state shows
that in proportion as wise economy is
practiced in the expenditure of the public
money is the administration Of public affairs
clean and efficient. Yet it should not be
forgotten that economy does not imply in
adequate provision for the actual needs Of
public institutions.
1t is apparently the popular judgment that
he mes pen bard and ths
people are in no humor for ext 'avagant or
unnecessary expenditures and pledge my
self to cooperate in every possible way with
what know will be your wish. that the
work before us be carried forward with due
dispatch and economy.
EDWARD sCOFIELD.
Governor.
Executive Chamber.
Madison, Wis, Jan. IA. 1897.
Sensible Women These.
Sioux City, Iowa. Jan. $3.50 far as
the women of Sioux City are concerned
no legislative action is needed to abate
the high hat nuisance in the theaters.
Of no