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ANNUAL MESSAGE

OF

LUCIUS FAIRCHILD,

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN,

AND

ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS.

1871.

MADISON, WIS.:

ATWOOD & CULVER, STATE PRINTERS,

1871.

GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.

TO THE LEGISLATURE:

We should be wanting in gratitude did we not thankfully recognize and appreciate the many blessings which have been vouchsafed us during the year just closed. In all that contributes both to the spiritual and material welfare of a peoplein all that contributes to their comfort and happiness-our Heavenly Father has blessed us beyond our needs.

In submitting the annual reports of the several State departments and institutions, I congratulate you upon the fact that they show the public affairs of the State to be in a prosperous condition. Our State polity is so wisely adapted to the needs of the people, and so favorable to the growth and prosperity of the commonwealth, as to require but few changes at your hands, and those rather of detail than of system.

By the reports of the Secretary of State and State Treasurer it will be seen that the balance in the State Treasury belonging to the various funds, at the close of the last fiscal year, was $133,627 11.

The receipts and disbursements of the general fund, during the last fiscal year, were as follows:

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The above disbursements are properly classified by the Secretary of State, as follows:

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Which deducted from the total disbursements, leaves as the ordinary

current expenses of the State the sum of....

The same expenses for 1869 amounted to the sum of.

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STATE DEBT.

The amount of the State debt has not been changed during

the year, being for-

State bonds outstanding.

Certificates of indebtedness to the trust funds of the State.

Currency certificates outstanding......

$68,200 00 2,183,800 00 57 00

$2,252,057 00

The resources of the State for 1871 are as follows:

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It must be borne in mind that should you appropriate more than the amount of the above balance for extraordinary purposes, the result will be a deficiency in the general fund at the close of the year. It is entirely safe to carry a deficiency of

about $25,000.00, which, with the above balance gives for building purposes or other extraordinary expenditures, should such be determined upon, the sum of $50,000.00 this year Should you find it necessary to appropriate more than the above sum for such purposes, the excess should be made payable during the year 1872, so that the financial officers may not find themselves embarrassed with a deficiency in the general fund greater than can be provided for.

It is not necessary for me to urge the propriety of the greatest prudence in making appropriations for the ye. Economy has long been the general rule in our State affairs; extravagance and waste the rare exceptions. The State can afford to do anything which is right, and necessary to be done. Provide for doing that, and no more, and the people will not complain.

There was expended from the Governor's contingent fund, $1,707.61. Balance in the fund, $192.65. A small appropri ation should be made to the fund.

TRUST FUNDS.

The last legislature adopted the system of loaning the trust funds to school districts for the erection of school buildings, enacting a number of laws, each authorizing such loan to a certain district, instead of one general law to govern all loans . from the funds. Such general law should be enacted, giving the commissioners of school and university lands discretion to loan to districts as application is made; the sum to be limited to a small per cent. of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the district; the terms and time of payment specified, and power to collect principal and interest to be vested. in the Secretary of State, with authority to levy and collect a tax whenever such payments are not promptly made. I know of no better way to invest these funds. It is safe, because the loan is made upon perfectly good security, the State reserves the power to compel payment according to contract, and it

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