PREFACE.

The Blue Book for 1882, the twenty-first annual edition, is herewith presented, with the hope that it may be as favorably received as have been those of previous years. No great change has been made from the edition of 1881, though several new features of general interest have been added, among which is the census of the state for 1880, in a new and particularly interesting form. A table showing the distance of each post-office in the state from the capital, a list of banks doing business in Wisconsin and other minor features will be found useful. The compiler has carefully revised the rules and orders, and "annals" of the legislature, and he believes that they are are now correct. In the collection of so many names and figures as appear in a work of this character, it would be strange, indeed, if some errors were not found. But so much pains have been taken to guard against them by careful proof-reading, and by applying to several sources for the same information, in order to compare results, that the compiler is confident that such mistakes as may be found will, in no essential degree, impair the value of the work as a book of reference. Errors there doubtless are, and the compiler will regard it as a particular favor if his attention be called to any error in name, figure or date, that its repetition may be avoided in future publications.

The illustrations in this edition have been printed on a lighter quality of paper than has been customary, as it has been found that the heavier illustrations cause the backs of the book to break very quickly. The views of the State Hospital for Insane and of the Washburn Observatory are new, and show improvements lately made on those institutions.

The compiler would respectfully suggest to the legislature that it should authorize new stereotype plates of the first half of the book, as those now in use are nearly worn out, and have been so often patched that they are no longer fit for good work. Moreover, the plates owned by the state should include not only those now used by it, but should take in the " "Legislative Annals" and lists of state officers, for the composition of which the state now pays annually, although there is little or no change made from year to year. An index to each department should immediately follow such department; but this cannot well be arranged unless the manufacture of new plates is authorized, while if such plates are provided for, the state could own at least 300 pages for which no pay for composition need be made after the first year, thereby effecting a great saving in time and money to the state. The compiler believes, that in view of the great and yearly increasing demand made upon members of the legislature for copies of the Blue Book, and in view of the information it contains, which causes it to be read and studied by all classes of the people, that the propriety, if not necessity, of providing for a more extended distribution in the future, is fully apparent. J. E. H. MADISON, February 6, 1882.

168459

PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF BLUE BOOK.

Sections 119 and 12) R. S., 1878.

SECTION 119. The secretary of state shall cause to be prepared and printed by the state printer, annually, for the use of the senate and assembly, a book to be denominated "The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin," which shall contain “Jefferson's Manual," the rules and orders of the senate and assembly, joint rules of the senate and assembly, lists of senators and assemblymen, and employes of each house, diagrams of the senate and assembly chambers, statistical and other information of the same description with that heretofore published in the "Legislative Manua'," with such other matter as may be deemed useful.

SECTION 120. The stereotype plates, heretofore procured for the purpose of publishing the "Legislative Manual," shall be kept and preserved by the secretary of state, and be used by the state printer, under his direction, in publishing such manual. The state printer shall receive no pay for composition of any matter embraced in such plates, and shall be answerable to the state for any loss or damage, not occurring by reasonable use, which shall happen to them while in his possession for such purpose.

Chapter 123, Laws 1880.

SECTION 1. Section one of chapter one hundred and forty-one of the laws of 1879, entitled an act to amend section one hundred and twenty-one of chapter two of the revised statutes of 1878, in relation to the distribution of blue books, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: The secretary of state shail cause to be printed four thousand and five hundred copies of such blue book annually, to be distributed as follows: Twenty-five copies to each member of the senate and assembly, five copies each to the chief clerks and sergeants-at-arms of the two houses, one copy to each of the clerks and em. ployees of the two houses, whose names appear in the blue book; fifty copies each to the governor, secretary of state, and superintendent of public instruction; twenty-five copies each to the lieutenant governor, state treasurer and attorney general; two copies cach to the rest of the state officers in the capitol, and one to each of their assistants; one copy each to the state agricultural society, the state horticultural society, the state board of charities and reform, and to the academy of arts and science; one copy to each regent of the state university and normal schools, one copy to each of the college, academy, free high school, normal school and free public libraries of the state, and to the state charitable and penal institutions; one copy each to the county clerk and superintendents of schools of the several counties in this state, and to the clerk of the supreme court of the United States courts for Wisconsin; one copy each to the reporters in regular attendance on the legislature; one copy to each