The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1899-01-17

FIJI i LAS Decn IaIu oeIUfe you. 1n1S report
SHOWS very pleasing growth in the normal
schools and in their capacity for turning
OUT teachers. The normal school system
OF o. the state has grown in attendance in
Two years Hearty 81 per cent. and in four
years hearty 81 per cent In two wears
the ability of the schools to furnish trained
teachers has increased nearly 6S per cent
an! more than POS per cent. in four years.
rms rate of progress Indicates that the nor
ma! schools are rapidly coming to fulfill
their true mission in the state. that of
preparing competent teachers. The current
expenses of the normal schools for the.
present biennial period as estimated by the
board OF regents is already provided for by
fund incomes, from appropriations and tax
leyieS. The board asks for 4 special ap-
preparation of $4,000 for necessary build
ings and repairs, which request should re-
ceiye your earnest attention.
The State University
The board of regents of the State uni
versity report an increase in the enrolment
Of students for the present year of about
two hundred over any previous year This
Is but one indication of the increasing use
fulhess of this great institution The uni
Eerslty at present stands well up to the
front among the great universities of this
country, and the citizens generally, as well
as the regents, have a pride in maintaining
It's present high standard In their bien-
NAL report which will be placed before
you, the board Of regents asks for a spe-
cial appropriation of $50, 900 for additions
to the dairy department of the Agricultural
college, and 100000 for the erection of a
suitable building for the College of Engi-
herring. The current expenses of the in
Stitution are already provide for by tax
levies, permanent appropriations and other
wise, and these amounts asked are exclu-
Sively for the purposes named. / am sure
that these requests will receive your care
full consideration. The members of the
board of regents, after carefully studying
the needs of the university, believe these
appropriations asked for to be necessary
If the institution is to maintain its pres
ent rate of progress and keep pace with
the advances made by the other great uni
versies of the country.
The State Securities.
The quarterly examination of the state
treasurer's department by the governor.
required by law, has disclosed the fact that
the law is not sufficiently clear in specify
ing who shall be the custodian of the state
securities, and as result part of the Sc
curities are in the office of the state treas
urer, while some of them are in the of
flee of the secretary of state The conse-
quence has been that the quarterly reports
made to the governor have not shown all
of the securities held by the state, and
hence these reports are only partially re-
liable as records of the states resources.
| believe it was contemplated that the state
treasurer should be the sole custodian of
the state securities; and | recommend that
the law upon this point be so changed as
to make it clear that all securities should
be placed in his custody.
The governor then reviews the educa-
tional system of the state, including the
library feature.
He recommends that the Legislature pro-
vide for the expenses of the tax commits
sion.
A reorganization of the state militia on
the basis of the regulars is also advocated.
In the interest of economy the governor
recommends that the work of compiling and
publishing the blue book and the compiling
and publishing of the state census be dele
gated to the department Of labor statistics.
A revision of the method of state book
keeping and Il requirement of cOunterSIgned
receipts for every state officer collecting
money for the state, is advocated.
A law designating the state treasurer as
the sole custodian of state securities is
recommended.
Other recommendations are:
The addition of two or more factory in
spectors for the bureau of labor statistics.
A revision of the caucus law making 1t
applicable to every voting precinct in the
state
An advisory board to aid in Investigating
applications for pardons.
That the governor be given authority to
insure the capitol building.
Conclusion.
cannot hope in this review to have touched
upon all the vital subjects which will claim your
attention during this session, but have tried to
lay emphasis upon those which seem to me to
be of paramount Importance.
I believe that in a time of general prosperity
lilo this +bara is more need for close scrutiny
of appropria tons and a watchfulness of public
expenditures than when a general financial
stringency makes the necessity for economy to
each individual matter
A wise economy may be practiced without de-
port. 1 feel confident that every subject which
shall come before you will receive that considera
ton which will enable you to dispose of it in
the best manner possible. Be assured that in all
your work you will have my hearty and sincere
cooperation Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD SCOFIELD, Governor.