STATES AND TERRITORIES. — WISCONSIN.    161

and justices of the peace. The Supreme Court is composed of at least four of the six judges
of the Circuit Courts. Prior to the formation of the state government, the Supreme Court con-
sisted of a chief justice and two associate justices. There are now five of the latter. During
the continuance of the territorial organization, (some fourteen years,) Charles Dunn, of Elk
Grove, held the office of chief justice: under the present state government, this office is held
by Alexander H. Stow, of Taycheedah. The judges are elected by the people, each for the
term of six years.

Education. — The subject of education has received, as might be expected from the charac-
ter and origin of the settlers, a due measure of attention. Ample provision has been made by
law for the establishment of a college; and corresponding means have been set aside in every
township for the support of common schools, all by dint of bountiful grants of land. The value
of the school fund thus created is estimated at $2,780,912. Annual proceeds $60,000.

Finances. — The state has as yet incurred no public debt.

Surface, Soil, fyc. — In its external features, this state exhibits considerable variety. The
northern part having never been fully explored, excepting by traders and trappers, is conse-
quently but little known. It is, however, represented as a rugged and mountainous wilderness,
though frequently presenting large tracts of extraordinary fertility, and watered by numerous
broad and rapid streams. The surface, in the southern part, consists mostly of prairie land,
well timbered along the river sides ; in the central part of the state, the face of the country is
more diversified. The rough and hilly tracts at the north produce the white pine in great
abundance. The entire region is bountifully supplied with navigable streams, by which it is
penetrated in all directions; and although on its eastern border it has a lake coast of some
200 miles, very few safe or commodious harbors exist in that quarter. The soil is generally
of an excellent quality, and varies from one to ten feet in depth. It is especially productive
on the margins of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, where also are found extensive forests
of ponderous timber; and the land throughout the state, so far as it has been surveyed, proves
to be admirably adapted to agricultural purposes, particularly to the growth of corn and wheat.
Indeed, every species of vegetable suited to the climate can be cultivated with perfect suc-
cess ; and multitudes of cattle may find ample pasturage upon the rich and almost boundless,
prairies.

Rivers. —Its principal rivers, besides the great Mississippi, which flows along the western
limits of the state, are the Wisconsin, a branch of the former, 500 miles in length; the Chip-
peway, a noble stream, emptying into the Mississippi north of the Wisconsin; Rock River,
taking its rise within, and running partly through, the state; and Fox River, the proximity of
which to the Wisconsin often causes an inundation of the intervening lands. There are like-
wise numerous lakes and ponds, some of great magnitude, in the northern section. Lake
Winnebago, which connects with Green Bay, a branch of Lake Michigan, is 24 miles in length
by 10 in width.

Internal Improvements. — Numerous internal improvements are in progress. The most im-
portant yet undertaken is that for improving the navigation of Wisconsin and Fox Rivers.
This work is prosecuted by authority of Congress, half a million acres of the public lands
having been appropriated for the purpose. Steamboat navigation between Lake Michigan,
via Green Bay and the Mississippi, is secured by the improvement of Fox River, and the com-
pletion of a canal to Lake Winnebago. A railroad connects Milwaukie with the Mississippi;
and convenient plank roads run into the interior from many places on the lake.

By reason of its contact with Lake Michigan and the waters thereto adjacent, together with
its extensive means of inland navigation, Wisconsin enjoys great commercial facilities. On
the margin of the above lake lies Milwaukie, the most thriving and populous town in the state,
which has sprung into being and importance, almost magically, within a very few years, and
has rapidly become the centre of a vast amount of trade. Possessing the best harbor between
Green Bay and Chicago, it is the chosen resort of most of the steamers from Buffalo and other
ports on Lake Erie, thus commanding a controlling interest in the entire business of the state.
Madison, the capital, is situated on a beautiful elevation, midway between Lake Michigan and
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