INTRODUCTORY. In the preparation of this the twenty-eighth consecutive volume of the "Blue Book of Wisconsin," or the "Legislative Manual," as it was termed prior to 1878, every effort has been made to secure the two features of completeness and accuracy. A number of new features have been incorporated, most of which are not of sufficient individual consequence to demand mention here, but will, doubtless, add to the usefulness of the work. The skele ton history of the state has been continued and somewhat extended, a statement of the assessed valuation for 1894 of the leading cities of the state has been inserted, and the lists of the federal and state court commissioners within the state and of foreign consuls resident in the state, have been added to the lists of officers previously published in the book. A considerable amount of statistical information has been added, which, it is hoped, may be found advantageous to those having occasion to refer to the book from time to time. The election statistics are more ample than have been usually inserted. The presidential vote for 1892 has been inserted by itself, and the gubernatorial vote of 1892 compared with that of 1894. In other respects, no material change is made from the election matter in serted in previous volumes. While every effort has been made to avoid error, many errors will doubtless be found in matter necessarily compiled from unofficial sources. Much even of the election statistics is compiled in this manner, and errors have unavoidably crept in, which so far as possible have been noted in the erratta at the end of the book. The matter relative to public institutions and to many of the state boards and commis. sions has been entirely re-written and revised by the authorities of such institutions and boards. It will be found to give a reliable and comprehensive statement of the work and organization of the boards and institutions covered. The State University, particularly, the growing importance of which is proudly recognized by all the people of the state, occupies more space and is more exhaustively described than in any previous issue of this work. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. By Chapter 211 of the laws of 1895, the Secretary of State was directed to prepare and issue a second edition of the Blue Book of 1895. In the preparation of this edition an earnest effort has been made to detect and correct every error which crept into the previous edition. A circular was sent to each member of the legislature, and to each of the departments in the Capitol inviting such corrections as might be suggested by those having occasion to use the book. It is hoped that these efforts have effected the result desired, of making the second edition substantially free from error. The only addition made is to insert the vote of the judicial elections of 1895, at pages 349 and 351. The various appointments which have been made since the first of January have also been incorporated. D13295 IIENRY CASSON. |