Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-01-17

which should be remedied at this session.
Il is in the interest of the State TO en-
courage the largest degree of industry and
thrift on the part Of all people by pro-
tecting savings banks Bank failures de-
moraliZe the habit Of saving and TO no peo-
pie are failures so disastrous as to those
whose savings were the results Of hard Ia
Dor and strict economy. This is recognized
in the banking law which has carefully linn
tied the field for investment of savings
funds by mutual savings banks. But there
are in this State a large number of COM
mercial banks which conduct savings de-
partments in addition to their commercial
business or as their main business, and
they are authorized in specific terms to re-
ceive savings. To commercial banks a much
wider field for investment is permitted, 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 regulative statutes apply to
savings when intrusted to a mutual savings
bank. l recommend legislation TO correct
this inconsistency.
During recent years Wisconsin has had
occasion TO witness the establishment Of
many branch banks. I cannot but regard
this as a tendency which may some day
develop disastrous consequences. Legisla-
ton is urgently recommended, either pre-
venting the establishment of branch banks,
or requiring an increase in capitalization
by the parent bank for each branch institu-
ton opened by it.
recommend the passage of a law which
will permit railway employees to recover
damages for injuries, if it is found that
their negligence was less than that of the
railroad or that Of a co-emplOye contribut-
ing to the injury, and that in all cases
there shall be submitted to the jury the
question of the existence of contributory
negligence and the comparison of the negli-
gence as between railroad and employe. II
seems no more than just that where the
negligence Of the railroad contributed to the
| injury the company should bear a proper
| tionate share of the loss.
Civil Service Commission.
This commission was created, pursuant
| to chapter 363 laws Of 1905, and consists
| of three appointive members charged with
| the administration of the civil service law.
The experience and investigation of the
| commission has conclusively demonstrated
| that the working organization of the differ
ent State departments is not suited to pres
ent conditions. | recommend that a re-
| organization of the State service be made
| to the end that duties be more specifically
| defined, unimportant offices for which there
| is not sufficient work be combined wherever
| feasible, or abolished and their duties as
| signed 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 eth-
cheney of the different departments and re-
| suit in material saving to the State.
Free Library Commission.
| The educational work represented by the
| activities of the Free Library Commission
| has been carried to many heretofore I'M
| reached sections of the State during the
| last biennial period. The travelling libraries
| have been multiplied several fold and now
| reach more than five hundred stations in all
| sections of Wisconsin. The number of pub
| lie libraries which have been established
| with the aid of the commission, now reach
| the gratifying total of Isl, representing a
| larger number than any other State in the
| Northwest, and in proportion to population
| comparing favorably with any State in the
| Union.
| Geological Survey.
| During 1905 and 1906 Geological and
| Natural History Survey, in cooperation
| with the L. S. Geological Survey carried
| on an investigation of the water powers,
| and full special report will be presented
| to the legislature. This important work
| should be continued until the principal
rivers of the State have been carefully sur
| veyed.
| State Board of Forestry.
The small beginning which the State
| made in scientific forestry in 1908 has
| grown until the forest reserve now COM
| prises 254 072 acres. under the supervision
| of the State Board of Forestry No State
| is more bountifully provided with great
/ rivers and lakes, and geological surveys
| show that Wisconsin is the greatest water
| power State in the Union. When it is borne
| in mind that the forests of the northern
| part of the State preserve the head waters
| Of these great streams and prevent both
| drought and floods, the necessity of a wise
! forestry policy is at once apparent The
financial returns in those States and coun-
| tries which have practiced forestry often
| show annual income of from $3.50 to
| $500 per acre.
| 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
| w crj re iris in
| While opportunity had been previously af-
| forded 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 statewide application. In general the
| law has been success, and gives every in
| dication of accomplishing the results prom
| ised for it. In view of the fact that all
/ members of the present legislature, with the
| exception of senator's elected two years ago
| were nominated under this law, the expe
rience and opportunity for study this afford
| ed should serve as a valuable aid in deter
| mining what amenda tory legislation should
| be enacted at this session.
| Commissioners of Fisheries
| The fisheries of Wisconsin are assets
| which the State should carefully foster
! The work which has been done by the COM
| missioners of fisheries in the past in the
| propagation of game and commercial fishes
| is commendable. Statistics tell us that
| 100000 was received by the fishermen of
| the Great Lakes in Wisconsin during the
| year 1905 and the inland fisheries of the
| State are worth as much to people
| Their value is not alone in the product, but
| is found also in the money spent within
| our borders by summer tourists and fisher
| men from without the State and the recrea-
| ton afforded for our citizens.
State Militia.
| From personal observations at the annual
| encampmentS of the State guards, and from
| an examination of the report of the Adiu-
| tant General, l able to state that the
| Wisconsin soldiery has been improved to a
| ed by the National Guard of any other
| State. This most satisfactory condition is
the result of the improved personnel in the
| different branches of the service.
Land Titles
| Our present system Of transferring land
| titles has become exceedingly complex. In
| every sale of land it is necessary to trace
| the title through long chain of transfers
| back to the original patent. Mortgages,
| liens judgments, administrations, and other
| legal proceedings all present obstacles neces-
| stating careful examination before the land
| can be safely transferred 1t is significant
| that many leading American States have
| adopted the ''Torrens System a simpli-
fication of title transfers, while such a sys-
TEN has been in vogue in European coun-
| tries for many years. Under the ''Torrens
| System the title to realty is registered
! distinct from the deed The owner of the
| Ianu appileS 10 tue register OF deedS 1or It's
| registration, and where the title is found
! perfect. it is registered and guaranteed.
! The official guaranty of title is the dis
| tinguishing feature of this system. The
| Importance of land titles requires your most
| careful investigation and if in your judg-
ment the present method of transfer is too
cumbersome, safe but more economical
! system should be adopted.
| State Capitol.
| The commission charged with the procure
| ment of plans for new capitol under the
! acts of the last legislature, have after
/ much care and consideration accented the
! design prepared by George 3. Post & Sons.
architects of New York City. The plans
! contemplate eventually, as the legislature
! shall direct, the construction of an entire
| building which it is believed you will find
! promises to be highly satisfa cory and
/ which if built OF materials adapted prop
! erly 10 carry out the design of the archi-
! tects. viii be such as not only to meet the