River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-01-17

my approval. With a proper husbandry
of it's resources, the university will be
able to adjust itself to the receipt OF its
revenue provided under the present
law. During the current year the amount
to be borrowed will not exceed $25O,O00,
reduction of $4,000 over the previous
year. / am of the opinion that this de-
cheney can be entirely met within few
years without the aid of an appropria-
ton. Recommendation is therefore made
that the authority of the university to
borrow from the general fund be contin-
ued with the provision that this privilege
be limited to the sum of $250,000 for any
one year. 1t is, however, matter OF
supreme qualification that the financial
embarrassment of this great institution
is a result of its wonderful growth,
rather than extravaganza or mismanage
ment, and that the suspicious regarding
il were unfounded.
"Since the increase in the number of
students has been much larger than the
increase in CONSTITUTIONAL work, the pres
ent accommodations are inadequate in
many particulars. There is need for the
early construction of a womenS build
ing, a central heating plant, new pump
ing station and new machine shops
Primary Election.
''The primary election law passed by the
legislature of 1903, and adopted by a vote
of the people at the general election in
1904, was given it's first trial in 1906 While
opportunity had been previously afforded
to observe the operation of the law in
the nomination of municipal officers, it
remained for the general election of 1906
to subject this measure to the severe test
of state wide application. In general the
law has been success, and gives every
indication of accomplishing the results
promised for it, A strong interest was
manifested in the law in all parts of the
state, as was evidenced by the large vote
cast at the primaries. 1t can be said
that no grave defects have been. revealed
in the law, and while some complaint was
occasioned in regard to the workings OF
certain provisions, it must be borne IN
mind that the law was an exceedingly
radical one in the number of innovations
over the old caucus and convention sys-
tenn. ] am confident that in time the dlfh-
culties complained of will disappear as
the public familiarizes itself with the
methods followed. Criticism of much the
same nature was evoked by the first
trials of the present ballot system, but
they soon disappeared as voters became
more thoroughly acquainted with the
practical operations of the law. I am
inclined to regard present complaints as
only temporary. In view of the fact that
all members of the present legislature,
with the exception of senators elected
two years ago. were nominated under
this law, the experience and opportunity
valuable aid in determining what
amendatory legislation should be en-
acted at this session"
Land Titles.
The governor favors the instituting of
a system of transferring land titles that
will be less complex than that now in
use and says:
Our present system of transferring
land titles has become exceedingly COM
pick. In every sale of land it is neces-
sary to trace the title through a long
chain of transfers back to the original
patent. Mortgages, liens, judgments, ad-
mnistrations, and otner legal proceed
ings all present obstacles necessitating
careful examination before the land can
be safely transferred. 1t is significant
that many leading American states have
adopted the "TorrenS System" as SIM
plification of title transfers, while such
countries for many years Massachu-
sets, Illinois, California, Oregon, Wash
ington, Montana and Minnesota have re-
vised their systems to secure greater sim
plicity and safety in transfers. 1t is
Endorsed by many bar associations and
has received the recommendation of the
'Torrens System the title to realty is
registered as distinct from the deed. The
owner of the land applies to the register
of deeds for it's registration, and where
the title is found perfect, it is regis
tered and guaranteed. The official guar
anty of title is the distinguishing feature
'"The Importance of land titles requires
your most careful investigation, and II
in your judgment the present method OF
transfer is too cumbersome, safe but
adopted
Among other things he recommends
legislation that will prevent the estab-
lshment of branch banks without an in
crease of capitalization of the parent in
StitutiOn
Continuing under the heading of bank
ing the governor says:
''There is one inconsistency in the law
which should be remedied at this SEES
sion. 1t is in the interest of the state
to encourage the largest degree of indus
try and thrift on the part of all people
by protecting savings banks; Bank fall all
to no people are failures so disastrous
as to those whose savings were the re-
suits of hard labor and strict economy:
which has carefully limited the field for
investment of savings funds by mutual
savings banks. But there are IN TINS
state a large number of commercial
banks which conduct savings depart
ments in addition to their commercial
business or as their main business, ana
they are authorized in specific terms to
receive savings. To commercial banks
a much wider field for investment is per-
mitted, but with the Increased return on
some of those investments there is also
an increased risk. 1t is unfair that the
savings deposited in commercial bank
should not be guarded by the same regu-
lative statutes as apply to savings when
Entrusted to a mutual savings bank. l
recommend legislation to correct this in
consistency. 1t would seem that the So
rather than in the classification of banks
as under the law at present..
The passage of a law that will permit
railway employees to recover damages
for injuries if it is found that their negli-
gence was less than that of the railroad
or that of a co-employe contributing to
the injury, and that in all cases there
shall be submitted to the jury the ques-
ton of the existence of contributory neg
ligence and the comparison of the negli-
gence as between the railroad and the
employee.
On the subject of the civil service he
says:
II recommend that a reorganization of
the state service be made to the end that
duties be more specifically defined, unim-
portant offices for which there is not suf
ficient work be combined wherever feast
BILE, or abolished and their duties assigned
to other employees, and that salaries be
paid in proportion to the value of the
Service demanded. L am confident that
such a change would greatly increase the
efficiency of the different departments
and result in a material saving to the
state"
Conclusion.
In conclusion the governor says:
I'm conclusion let me express the hope
that in all your deliberations you will be
actuated by the supreme desire to legis-
late in the interest of the public veal.
Numerous and varied demands will be
made upon your attention. The absolute
growth of the state, and the increasing