Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-01-12
FINANCES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE
State Control Of Public Service
Corporations Advocated
by Governor.
His Recommendations as 10 Insurance
LegisIatiOn-TaxatiO Work of
State Railway Commits
sion-InstitutiOns.


tie constitution and established pre-
cedent, I submit to you this message,
showing the condition Of the stat.
and therein recommend such matters
for your consideration as TO me appear
expedient.
Our state was never so prosperous
as Il is at this time. Labor is not
only fully employed at higher wages
than it commanded in the past. but
the demand for labor of all kinds has
been greater than the supply, and
there is no Indication that this condi-
ten viii not continue. Our farmers,
manufacturers and merchants fully
share this prosperity, which appears to
be universal throughout the nation
Money is abundant and rates of inter
est are low compared with prevailing
rates of other years. Evidences OF
comfort and luxury are all about us
and yet, in the midst of this great pros
perity, there is 4 spirit of unrest which
should engage the attention and com
m2nd the most serious consideration.
Of statesmen and thoughtful citizens,
This unrest is not confined to any
single state. It expresses itself IN
YaEious forms in every state. The
great body Of the people believe that
the agencies which they created for
the public good have been made instrn
ments to enrich the few beyond tie
widest dreams of avarice at the ex-
pense of the many. The develOpGi II Is
OF the past few years. showing the
determinations by transportation com
panies between individuals and local
tiles and the organized efforts to gain
control Of the agencies Of production.
prove that the great corporations have
wandered far from the boundaries set
BY the statesmen who first chartered
them to serve the public
In recent years this state has ac-
eomplished much in the way of bring
ing public service corporations under
state control and compelling them to
give the people better service at more
reasonable rates than before Obtained
While the advance made is i'm every
way commendable. the work along !hiS
line is fan from complete. The people
are supreme. What they want in just
legislation they will have, and if oh
BtacIes come in their path. no matter
III what form they present themselves,
they will be swept aside.
The people of this state have re-
eSntly expressed themselves in a man
ner which cannot be misunderstood.
They have chosen you 20 represent, not
your individual opinions. hut their
viii. They have commissioned you
while candidates, TO formulate the
principle that would govern your con
duct as lawmaker. You accepted their
commission, and now it remains for
you to fulfil, as I have no doubt YOU
will, every pledge made to the people
10 the political contest that resulted in
your election.
State Finances.
Never before in the history OF the
state has its financial condition been
SO gratifying Every public fund
shows a most satisfactory cOnatioI.
Receipts have grown far more rapiI.
than disbursements. despite the in
crease due to the enlarged admins
trative duties Of the state. leaving =
balance of 1862, 2O1.G5 AT the opening
OF the new fiscal year.
Since 1908, after meeting ell d
i andS upon the state. there remained
I'll the general fund 4 balance Of suf
fcient amount TO warrant the state
officers. authorized ~ law. TO mi. al
taxes for state purposes. During the
years 1904 and 1865 10 taxes what
ever were levied for the maintenance
OF the state. the only tax levied du iGG
that time being the Seven-tenJhs OF 4
mil school tax. no part of which goes
to the state but which has been dis
5ributed as provided 10y law FOR The
support of the public schools With 4
the payment of fees. the collection of
old war claims from the federal CAV
eminent the great increase Of rrvtn-'
from tho railroads and other corr On
tions. together with tile yield from
new sources Of revenue. funds have
accumulated permitting the s.itc I
ncers to % even further than - ,'ui,
the state taxes. In 1906. for i.o FIR
time i'll the history IF the state the"a
were RENTED not only M taxes f.
the maintenance of the state lrt Fl G
Cne-hIlf # TIE mill TAX for N e.
schools. and the amount neeJei j 81
these purposes was ordered tr,us-
ferred from tie general fund.
Were il not for the fact that tie di~
astrOus fire Of February. 1901 VII Il
partially destroyed the capitol ne-s
stating tho erection Of d new lri'a
ing. the entire one mill lax
have been RENTED and tie soaJ.