Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-01-21
DAIRY INDUSTRY,


The stringent law prohibiting the manufac-
ture of spurious dairy products IN our state has
had a salutary effect. In his report, which will
be laid before you, the state dairy and food
commissioner suggests some changes TO make
the law more effective. The law has proven %
be so benefcent in its workings that l have 90
doubt you will view favorably any effort to in
crease its good results.
NATIONAL. GUARD.
The national guard has reached a plane
of efficiency never before eQualled 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 by the most careful attention
and wise management, should be maintained
and the necessary provision for its maintenance
should be made by your honorable body, In his
annual report, which will be submitted to YOU,
the adjutant general makes some important
Recommendations which should receive youI
thoughtful attention.
SOLDIERS MONUMENTS
The commission appointed by the legislature
Of 1897 to select sites and erect monuments to
Wisconsin troops who took part In the battle OF
Chickanauga has completed its work, and its
report has been filed. 1t is but just to say OF
this commission shat it has succeeded in erect
ing what are conceded to be the most attn active
monuments on the field of Chickamauga, and
yet it has been able to keep far within the
amount appropriated for the purpose. There
still remains of the appropriation the sum of ST.
1921. By the provisions of the law the commits
sion is not authorized TO expend this money for
any purpose but that specified. The commits
sion recommends that it be authorized to e1-
pend the balance of the fund in the erection OF
monument to the Wisconsin regiments which
participated in the battle of Mission Ridge
The suggestion needs no argument to sustain 1t.
the unexpended balance of the appropriation
be used in the erection of the additional monu'
ment.
BANKS AND BANKING.
The existing banking code of Wisconsin is
utterly inadequate to meet the requirements OF
harr hI1sl of tha
not sufficiently protect the people, nor does ID
throw around the business itself those safe.
guards which are calculated to secure the best
results, and is quite out of harmony with the
most approved methods of modern banking.
There should be careful and immediate revi.
sion of our banking law, by the aid of a commits
has banking code which may be worthy of your
consideration. 1t is modelled upon the admirable
under the constitution, be submitted to a vote OF
the people. l recommend that action be taken
upon it at this session if it be found practic-
able. I 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 a vote of
the people substituted for the bank comp
troler when that office was abolished.
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 supervision of the banks, so
deliberately provided for by chapter 291 of tho
laws of 1895, should be entrusted to an officer
appointed by the state treasurer with the APP
prOval of 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 treas
urer's business under the banking code so far
that it would not be lawful to authorize the APP
pointment of bank examiner with
out his intervention. This theory seems to be
all right, but the law should otherwise conform
to it. recommend that the duties of bank ex-
aminer be delegated to the state treasurer, and
| that he be empowered 80 appoint a competent
deputy for the purpose who shall report directly
! to him. This would involve vastly less expense
than the present method.
The normal schools are warmly en-
dorsed and liberal treatment Of them is
urged. 1t is recommended that San APP
preparation be made to furnish the
home for the predetermined at Chip
pewa Falls The good feeling between
the people and the railways is briefly
noted and the submission of another
proposition to amend the stitution
to enable the legislature to increase the
state superintendent pay above 81 200
IS urged as we'll as a short session of
the legislature.