Year: 1870

have been so repaired as to render them
pleasant and comfortable. look for the best
results when th Sc children shall leave tht
II me and go out into the world as L believe
they will discharge, in a becoming manner
every duty which may hereafter devOi9e upon
them. Some of the older children ardently
desire to pursue their studies further than
the limits Of the course in the Home can
permit. This laudable ambition ought to be
gratifed. [ therefore recommend that the
Trustees be authorized to support such as are
best qualified, at the State University, or at
one Of the State Normal S hOols, for limited
number Of years, at limited cost per year.
It is quite certain that had the fathers OF
these little ones lived, a portion of them would
have given their children such educational ad-
vantages. The state ought not to do less in
this regard for these orphans than their fatli-
ers would have done. again call attention
to the fact that this Home has not capacity
to receive One-third of the soldiers orphans
who deserve and would rejoice to be admitted.
While this state is doing nObly for those I'M
der its charge, other states are doing the
same for much larger number. Our sold
iers, when they left their homes to brave
danger and meet death in heir couutry's
service, relied upon the promise that their
children orphaned by the casualties of war;
should never want for care and protection.
It is a burning shame that this promise Is not
now fully and faithfully kept. [ am not will





state so mean as TO object to the expenditure
of any sum Of money necessary to its fulfill
ment. | heartily recommend that another
home be provided, at some suitable locality.
Whole number OF children in the Home dur
ing the past year was 278. Amount expended
for it's support, $32 ,645.22 Current expenses
for 1870 are estimated at $40 600.


Senators [. W. Fisher, II. e. Town and IL.
H. Gray, and Assembl, men Nathan Brick,
John NJ. Bingham, Thos. A. jackson, U. D.
Mihills, S. A. Pease and Theo. Rodolph, were
appOinte members of the visiting committee
of the state for 1869, and, as required by law,
they made personal examination OF the
charitable and penal Institutions. The re-
port of the committee will be laid before you
in due time.


I suggest for your consideration the policy
of reducing the number Of each board OF
trustees having charge of our charitable in
stitutions to FIVE, and that there be appointed
a state board of charities, which shall have
the general oversight Of them all, and the
iails and poor houses in the state, and over
the Reform School, with power of investiga-
ton and recommendation only, or with power
to act when necessary. [ believe, from my
knowledge Of the experience of other states,
that such change will be of great benefit to
this state.


INDUSTRIAL.


Thirty county Agricultural Societies have
reported to the Secretary of State, in accord
ance with law. Their reports show that they
are successfully accomplishing the objects for
which they were organized. The State So
ciety is doing all that is possible with its re-
sources for the benefit of the great interests
it is designed to promote, and is worthy of
some yearly assistance from the public treas
ury. The State Horticultural Society," with
limited means, is laboring efficiently, and
awakening interest in an important and too
much neglected branch of husbandry.


Our manufactures are constantly increasing
in importance and variety. No state in the
West presents ampler facilities for such en-
terprises, and it augur5 well for our future
progress in this direction that they are being
so rapidly improved. Whatever encourage.
ment you can properly give to this important
department of home industry know will be
given cheerfully, and [ shall be glad to CO.
operate with you therein.


But while state legislation can do something
to foster manufactures thevOluntary action of
the people can do everything. If they will,
as far as is practicable, patronize home man
instead of purchasing articles fab
ricated abroad, even though the articles
made here cost, for a time d little more, but
few years will pass before the whole state will
be alive with the rattle and hum of machinery.
Better by far than protective tariffs to build
up Wisconsin manufactures is such vOlunta-
ry prOte ctinn by the people themselves.


The small amount thus contributed by each
purchaser will be returned to him many fold,
as diversity of employments and increase of
capital and population give him a home mar
zet for the products Of his own labor. None
are more vitally interested in the growth Of
our manufacturing interests than those en-
gagged in agriculture al pursuits, and none can
do more to promote them, if they will.


I respectfully call your attention to the
suggestions in my last annual message re-
garding thorough geological survey OF the
state. I am convinced that such an investi-
CATION of the hidden wealth Of the state
would be Of vast benefit to the people.


INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.


There has been some activity displayed in
the work of constructing railways within this
state during the past year. Several lines are
being extended, and many very important
ones have been projected, with every pros
pect of an early completion. There Is reason
to believe that when our national finances
shall have become more fu ly settled, there
will be constructed many miles OF railways,
much needed facilities for the trans
pOrtation Of freights, and opening up the
vast tracts of rich agricultural and mineral
lands in the northern part of our state.


One hundred and forty miles of the military
road from Fort Howard to the Michigan State
line have been completed and accepted.


The company upon which was conferred
the lands granted by Congress to aid in con-
the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, have
not, so far as [ know, taken any steps to-
wards the prosecution Of the enterprise.


It is indispen sable to the settlement the
northwestern portion Of the state that the
grant of land to aid in building a railroad
from Lake St. Croix 30 Superior and Bayfield,
be renewed by Congress, and | recommend
that you memOriaEze Congress for such re-
newal. If the grant is renewed, and there
is no good reason why it should not be,
have no doubt that the companies now char
tered will construct the roads at an early day.
The Department of the Interior having, at
my request, given to the state full control of
the lands embraced in the grant, for the pur-
pose of protecting the valuable timber grow
ing thereon, measures have been adopted by
Gen. Saml Hartman, the agent appointed for
that purpose, which will, 1t is believed, entirely
prevent future trespasses. His efforts already
have secured the payment of large sum
of money to the United States aid state au-
thorites, IN settlement of past trespasses.
submit herewith the agents report. If the
grant is renewed, the state will continue to
protect the lands.


Kindred to the subject of railway facilities,
and of equal Importance to the people of the
northwest is the necessity for the improve
ment of the Wisconsin river by
the general government. This is an
enterprise which affects alike the citizens
of every state interested III the question of
cheap freight3 between the east and the
west. The expenditure of small sum of
money for such Improvement will give to the
people benefits that will amount to millions
Of dollars annually, and the consequent in
creased development of the country will add
vastly to the amount of light freights to be
transported by our railroads. No one who
has investigated the subject doubts for mo-
ment the advis stability of the governments
entering at once upon the prosecution of
the work. There is no point in
the United States where the expenditure of
S., 600, 600 will contribute so much to the gen.
eral good. The effect will be to reduce the
cost Of transportation not only upon the
frelghtg carried by water, but also upon those
carried by every other means. II is estimat
ed that, with the rates fixed at one cent per
ton per mile, about the tariff of the Erie
canal, the yearly saving, which will enure
equally to the producer and consumer. will
amount to at least twice the total cost of the
improvement. The shipments east are
estimated to be full $500, 000
tons annually. and those west 1,250,0G0 tons.
Should one-tifth of this freight go by way of
the Wisc0nsinrver tolls at above mentioned
rates, would, after allowing for repairs and to
the carrier fair profit. amount to nearly or
quite a million Of dollars annually. Thus
the general government could be reimbursed
within six years after the completion of the
improvement, should reimbursement be de-
manded. Then the rate Of tolls could be re-