River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-07-11
State Capital Notes
Weekly Budget Gathered by Special CORES
pondent Madison.

Madison. - The total appropria-
ton of this legislature will be ap-
proximately $4,517,545. This is the
largest amount ever spent by legis-
lature in Wisconsin, exceeding the
amount two years ago by a few thou
sand dollars. Of the total amount
$760,OOO comes under the head of
standing appropriations, $3,917,545
being entirely for temporary purposes.
Many of these amounts have been
asked for many years and the penal
and charitable institutions were in
such shape that large amount was
absolutely needed this year.
In the matter of temporary appro-
priations there exists feeling in
some quarters that Gov. Davidson
probably will veto some of the bills
which have been sent to him. While
no hint has come from the executive
office as to the intent of the governor,
yet it is known that some of his
friends have advised him to veto the
appropriation of $125,0O0 for the es-
tablishing and maintenance of bind
ing Irvine plant in connection with the
state prison at Waupun and also the
$4,000 appropriation for the mining
school at Platteville.
1t has been estimated that if the
legislature had made no appropria-
lions of any nature and there had
been no taxes levied, except that for
the common school fund income,
there would have been a balance of
ST. ,0S1 ,622 in the state treasury July
/, 1909. But the legislature has ap-
propriated $76OO00 for the standing
or fixed needs of the state and has
appropriated $3,917,545 for special
purposes, thus leaving deficit of 3d.
435, 1923, or making it absolutely neces-
sary to levy all the taxes that have
been authorized by the legislature for
specific purposes. These include the
taxes for the university, normal
schools, free high schools, graded
school. and interest on trust fund
amounting in all to $2,560,140 for edu-
cational purposes. A state tax is also
authorized for the new capitol
amounting to $9OOOOe for the two
year period, or $45O,00O a year.
If these taxes are levied the state
will have credit of $24,217.
For several years all state taxes
have been RENTED This was made
possible by the increased taxes Gu
railroads and corporations, which was
sufficient until this year to meet all
| the growing needs of the state, in
Guiding even the erection of new
| capitol building.
| OF the temporary appropriations
the largest item is $1,063,000 for
maintenance of the states charitable,
penal and reformatOry institutions.
The legislature also appropriated
$474,S00 for repairs and improve
ments in these institutions, and ap-
| propriated $4,000 TO meet a def
cheney in the appropriations for past
maintenance, making a total appro-
priation of $1,5S9,S00 for state insti-
| tutions.
There was appropriated 100000
for new buildings at the state univer-
sity, but 100000 of this does not be-
1909, or after the next session of the
legislature.
The normal schools have received
appropriations aggregating $365,000.
Of this amount $4,000 was appro-
priated for additions and improve
ments at River Falls, Oshkosh and
Superior schools, and $4,000 for
building and equipping new nor
NAL school at La Crosse, while $780,
900 was added to the appropriation
for the new site and building at Mil
waukee..
The university appropriation is
somewhat smaller than it was two
years ago, by far the larger increase
this year going to the normal schools.
Friends of the administration argue
that no one can criticise these ap-
preparations and the appropriations
for the charitable and penal institu-
lions have long confronted the state
as a necessity.
For more than two years there
have been important additions need
ed to various state institutions. The
board of control has asked for new
cottages at the home for feeble-mind-
ed at Chippewa Falls, where there are
about 500 feeble-minded children on
the waiting list to get into the insti-
tuition. So long ago as two years the
board asked for an addition at the
state hospital at Oshkosh in which to
house the criminal and violent in
sane.
Ack for HopfarercA on Bill