Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-01-21


tention to the planting and growth of
trees would add greatly TO the wealth
of the state within few years. Much
Is being done 10 promote this work by
the forestry division of the agricultural
department of the federal government.
A state forestry commission. clothed
with powers to take title TO real estate
in trust for the benefit Of the state. had II
been in existence few years ago, could
a large tract Of land which would now
be very valuable as a forestry reserya-
tion. The immediate value of the rec
ommendation may be less apparent now,
worthy of grave consideration.
In any event | recommend such
statutes. and OF the chapters above
mentioned, as will prevent the employ
ment of indefinite numbers of persons,
with what ] believe TO be unnecessary
and extraYagant expense in connec-
ton with the supervision and care of
these lands.
Under the swamp land act the state
made claim TO certain lands. which. be-
fore patents were secured by the state.
We're conveyed by grant to the state
by the federal government to aid I'm
the construction Of certain railways
These grants were confirmed by the
state to such purpose. but the certain
lands mentioned never have been pat
ented by the state. II being held by
the responsible officers that the state
held prior claim by virtue of the swamp
land act and should not quitelaim it's
right until such time as the state should
be ind,mnifed bv the national govern
ment Tor these lands doubly granted.
For several years past efforts have been
made in Washington to secure this in
demnity either by allotment Of new
lands or by money award to the amount
of their value from the national gov
eminent MeanWhi' G some of these Ian Is
have been transferred by railway com
panies receiving the grant, and these
companies are pressing for some action
to quiet title am advised BY the iand
department that each administration
since 1892 has been given this subject
for consideration. and each in turn has
refused TO patent the lands TO the rail-
way companies pending settlement of
the states claims against the United
States. In my opinion IL any other ac-
ton is taken by the administrative Of
ficers. Ii should be by direction of the
legislature II the railway companies
claiming these lands have a legal right
to them at the present time. they can
establish that right, as other disnuted
questions of law are established by de-
cision Of the courts.
Monuments to Wisconsin Soldiers.
The commission appointed by authority Of
Chap. 2S1 of the laws OF 1901 to determine the
positions of Wisconsin troops in the campaign
and siege of VicksbuTg, and to make recommen-
dations Of action suitably to commemorate the
Saior az wisconsin troops participating in that
campaign, has completed It's work and made
thorough and comprehensive report IN harmony
NTH the purpose for which it was cBeated The
commission, composed OF seventeen representa-.
tives Of the several Wisconsin regiments aud
their difficult duty with hdelity and care and,
notwithstanding the large number Of members
and the naturally expensive journey. kept II :
expenditures below the modest appropriation Of
$1,000 provided for the enterprise. Their report,
recommends provision for separate monuments
htfy TO commemorate the services of the many
and Is commended to your consideration as en-.
tilted to most careful examination and prompt
action,
in its report the executive. recites inability to
execute It's purpose. under the restrictions Of the
provision that only Wisconsin granite shan be
used excluded comp, tttion, created doubt as to
authority to use breize for figures. and added
greatly to the expense In the matter Of trans,
pOrtation charges. The commission therefore re-
ports its conclusion to ask the Legislature 10
amend the laws of 1901 to remove these objec-
tionable features land 10 increase the aFpro-
pria ton By such sum as will enable the com
mission to erect monument that will be In
harmony with those Of other states, as well
be credit to the great state OF Wisconsin.
Protection Of Battle Flags.
At It's last session the Legislature appropriated
$500 70 remodel and furnish rooms for the
TO provide metallic for the preservation
OF the battle fags OF Wisconsin troops In tn,
furnished directed, but the dag cases have
not been procurd for the reason that the lowest
price 0btaInable for suitable repositories TO pre-
serve these priceless relics was $4,000 more
than twice the amount Of the total appropria-
Prompt provision should be made for the prop
er care Of these iiags
Fish and Game Protection.
For the first time since the establishment OF
the Office the state ash and game warden has
OF the operations of that department from the
date OF his appointment May =, 1901. TO DE.
amount re- rssyed f,am sp pg M
provide the funds for the salary and expenses
of all deputy game wardens-the number OF dep
uty wardens employed, the aggregate of theft
cost each month, the number Of arrests made,
the amount secured and paid into the state treas
ury through fines and through confscation and
sale Of tish and game Illegally taken. Instead of
being tax upon the public treasury this de-
partment has become a source OF revenue to the
school fund Of the state, approximating $4,000
per year. At the same time the department has
furnished a more ADEQUATE protectfou ID dsh and
game than has been heretofore known This pro-
lection has been afforded solely through cOllee-
tion Of license fees from those who are benefited
by the feryice and upon whom the small license
fee imposed Is in burden. During the
last two years the state warden has been allie to
aic0unt Of compensation allowed TO each, as an
thorized by the law Of 1901, He has bettered
the protection to FISH and game by increasing hts
force during those seasons when the laws are
most subject TO violation and by reducing the
number OF deputies after the close Of the deer
hunting season aud while inland lakes are not
available TO net fishermen One result OF the
more strict enforcement OF the law is material
IS reasonable to suppose have heretofore eyaded
II they have not openly violated, the laws. The
receipts OF the department also have been in
creased by OF the fact that accurate rec
ords have made possible prompt aud com
plete aecOuntings by county clerks and Others
authorized TO Issue licenses.
During the last year there have been $40 ar
the sum Of nearly $4,000 has been collected
through fines and by sale OF eOnhscAted fish and
game. The balance on hand 10 the credit OF the
department Is sufficient TO ensure an enforcement
Of the laws until the period when hunting II
censes again become due. Every dollar OF re-
80 llasazz4aas, -Ssss psr,2l sMSln
vouchers on file with the secretary Of state. The
department has become more than self support
have interested themselves in this work, X is
providing the most Efficient protection to ashland
game ever known In Wisconsin.
believe that With the better protection Of hsh
aud game creating new interest IN this form OF
recreation In wisconsin. Ii Is reasonable 10 OK.
pect some increase In the amount to be derived
from hunting licenses l therefore recommend
that the salary aud expenses of the game war.
den Amounting 10 siso0 ANNUALLY, he paid out o.
the hunting license fund. II Is now paid from
the treasury aud Is the only expense connected
with the department which Is tax upon the
people. | also recommend that the law be 30
changed that the owner may hunt upon bis own
lee While this may make considerable reeac-
tion In the license fund and increase the laboFs
tainiv seems lust provision, and believe that
II will still leave sufficient fund TO admit q
the payment Of the salary and expenses OF the
game warden.
Inspection of Illuminating Oils.
In harmony with recommends tion by the ex
ecutivs, the Legislature OF 1901 revised the ieN
regulating the inspection Of illuminating oils
Under the operation Of the new law the Work
has been at least as well persormed as N p,s,
vious years, and since June I, 1901. when tho
new law TOOK effect. TO January l, lNuS, pc
Rod Of eighteen months, without additional X
pense either to oil dealers OF consumers, thefe
has been saved to the state aud turned into ire
general fund the sum Of Stl.gi9 ~ This result
has been accomplished by reduction OF extraNa-
CANT tion to the supervisor of Inspectors
and to some Of the Inspectors
Geological and Natural History Survey.