Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-01-20

Gentlemen of the Senate and Assembly:
In conformity with the provisions of
the constitution, submit to your hon
Orable body information pertaining to
the administration of the STATE goves1l-
ment, and such recommendations as seem
to me of great importance to eeery in
lerest and to all the people of this com
menwealth. The reports Of the several
departments, bureaus and State institu-
tons will exhibit in detail full and accu-
rate information respecting the public
business.
Con litiou of State Finances.
The balance in the general fund of the
State treasury ON Jan. l, 1903, was $2.;3}5,
SS4.54, sum sufficient to meet all cur
rent expenses, including those incident to
the legislative session, until license fees
aud other considerable revenues of the
State are again received. During the last
two years no transfer from the trust
funds to the general fund has been made
FOR the purpose of meeting temporary
able TO keep the trust funds fully and
probably invested as the law contem-
plates should be done. In order to main
tain this desi bile condition it was found
necessary by the executive to delay the
expenditure of some extraordinary applo-
priations during the year 1901. when leg
islative expenses were met. and until
revenues were received for the year 1862
no los limo olr, mis- trnt for
the sufficient reason that there were no
funds available. left n legacy of appto-
priations for Extraordinary purposes
made by the Legislature of 1899 aud az
gregating $3.50, S40S4 In addition to
these deferred appropriations. after max
ing allowances for current expenses due
and unpaid, and for railroad license fees
paid i'll advance of the time legally 10
quired, the present administration startad
with net balance Of S4125.94. The
payment of the aforementioned appt0-
priatiOns during the last two years offers
explanation for an excess of expenditures
during that period in comparison with
previous biennial terms.
Under authority Of an net by the last
Legislature the fiscal year has been
changed to end June 30. instead Of Sept.
80. and this fact should be borne in mind
by those seeking to make comparisons
or to reach conclusions from the official
reports.
q | have caused to be prepared by the
commissioner of statistics, and there VIII
be printed as an appendix to this mes
sage statements in detail showing the
receipts and disbursements by the Stase
in administrative, legislative. judicial and
educational departments, by years and
for biennial terms, since 1897 and 1902,
inclusive; also the funds and fund M
comes receipts and disbursements, in
separate tables. by years, for the same
period of time. These tables will enable
any one interested to reach a clear and
complete understanding of every source
of revenue and of the character of all
disbursements for each of the several
branches of State government.
Wisconsin Civil War Claims.
The agent appointed by the Governor
under authority of law to adjust claims
of the State against the United States.
since securing the final settlement of
claims growing out of the Spanish war.
has devoted much time and labor TO an
examination, determination and present
ment of the. claims of the State for OK
penses incurred in the prosecution of the
Civil War. and unsatistied by action of
the federal government. The State Viii
recover approximately half million dol
lars in adjustment of This just claim.
Tnxatios..
The Legislature of 1901 came from the
people commissioned to enact such legis-
lation as would require each individual
and every corporation transacting bust
ness within the State to pay just aud
equal share of the taxes. With Il ln;in-
unity net usual in any legislative ho,sy.
the bills designed 10 secure Il uniform
and more complete assessment of the
property of individuals and private cor
porations were passed through beth
branches of the Legislature. although the
bills designed to insure the payment of
q mere justly proportionate share of the
taxes from railroad and other public ser
rice corporations were defeated ia the
Assembly late in the session. and were
never reported for action from the com
mittee 10 which they Nsere referred in the
Senate
Uniformity of valuation lies Al the
foundation of equal taxation as between
individuals and localities. and complete
listing of all taxable property is not less
essential With the rapid accumulation
OF wealth.. me lItEtdSS tit AAtpu4Ai
and value of intangible property hflV
strengthens year by year the reason and
justice of its taxation in some form That
vast Accommodations of wealth may be IN
vested in interest-bearing securities. IA
suring large incomes TO the holders who
throw their share of the expense, Of main-
tanning streets and schools and public in
situations. and all the burdens of mmsi-
cipal and State government upon tttc
owners of factories and shops and stores
and farms aud homes. violates every
principle of equal rights and equal re-
spensibilities guaranteed 10 each Anleri-
can citizen.
commend tn your consideration the
plain precepts laid down by the late Pres
ident Harrison on this important subject.
The practical question, the aRe our pea
pie mast solve and solve speedily. Is tie
enforcement Of the personal property tax.
and the equalization OF real estate as
easements. l want To emphasize # L
can the thought that the preseryaiiOn if