Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-10-20

AS the time for holding tho session of our next Ter
rorial Legislature will soon arrive it viii rot be I'M
proper for the people exercise free interchange OF
sentiments relative TO the subjects oflcglation W. c
called for in present condition. Oar legisll-
tors doubtless have desire to represent the wishes of
their constituents, and consequently will regard with
favour -rce expression Of opinion, with respect to
what ought 10 be accomplished at the ensuing session
From the infant state of Territory our laws are
necessarily impegfect-much remains to be done for
the advancement of our general interests, and much
will be expected from our present legislature We
can at this time, only briefly advert to some of the
subjects Of legislation, who deem OF primary i'm.
portance and shall hereafter enleavor to notice these
and other subjects more in detail
Ore OF the most prominent objects, we apprehand,
which the people will seek to plsh through their
legislature is u radical change in our county and town
organizations Our present system of county Govern
men, is extremely defective, and in many respects
anti republican, it has not the mari: of being system
Of economy of utility; bat is altogether behind the
age of modern AMI enlightened legislation The office
of county commissionar should be abolished; and we
glad to perceive that tho representatives from some
portions OF the Territory expressly pledged TO eff
feet if possible the adjustment of the Aforementioned
able to obtain on this subject there is not single
county in the Territory, i'll favor of continuing our
present county and town organizations and it safe
TO remark that five sxths of the electors in Wisconsin,
opposed TO the present system of county and town
government Our opposition TO the present system,
does not arise from any hostility to individuals who
now hitherto, have filed the office of county com
missioner, but it is the system itself that we object
I col,t. ho, 49,
cannot be ascrbed to any merit which it possesses
l he more Immediately an officer is responsible TO the
people for his ACTS the democratic is the opera
tons of government
We need a system OF county and town organzat on,
more simple more economical, and more democratic,
than that which now exists. Every township which
contains population requisite, TO cnte to an orgl-
nizatou by the legislature should be presumed to con-
tain within its limits, the clements and intelligence
necessary to The full control of its own internal affairs
with respect 10 roads, Schools assessment of valua-
lions eN wing of taxes &c. &c. There doubtless may
be difference of opinion, which of the states pre-
sent the hest precedent of internal organization for our
imitation; but we hazard the opinion, lhat majority
of the people prefer The supervisor system Of the State
OF New York.
Another subject which calls for the action of lcgis-
lation, is the enactment of efficient SYSTEM for
the regulation of common schools The radical defects
i'll the common school aw.a-e too manifest to need no.
tcing in detail; suffice it to say that the organization
of district schools under the existing law, is attended
with serious embarrasSments and difficulties. The
school law il this Territory, is extremely defective; it
is wanting in many essential provisions and is most
blind guide for the government ola school district
School laws should be PLAN in their provisions, and
decided in their application. 1t is Incompatible with
the true interests of school districts TO create them
body corporate by law and leave them to enact such
rules faction and bylaws, suits their convenience
Where each school district, is left regulate its own
internal police according its own peculiar notions
effective school system cannot be expected qrea:
majority of those who are concerned in the education
of children are familiar with the stature books and
the techDicalties Of the law hence their embarrass-
ment in legslang for themselves, in the matter of
school district; and hence the complaints which now
prevail in school districts, oflhe difficulties in eflectine
legal and efficient organizations.
The success ofour common schools, of vital impor-
,ance they are the foundation upon which must rest
our moral and political nsitutons and The hopes of
our future freedom and independence We cannot too
early the education of the rising generation in
this Territory by means oflbera legislative provisions
The most efactua IN ans for accomplishing this desi-
rable object, should therefore Immediately be adopted
One essential provision necessary the success COM
schools, is the appointment by The legislature of
Territorial Superintendent of common schools No
State in the Union, has succeeded in the estab
shmcnt of good common school system, without the
aid ola superintendent, or board of education excu
siyey devoted TO the supervision and care of schools
We trust the friends of education will urge upon the
legislature the necessity of taking immediate steps to
place our schools upon respectable basis-Oar repu-
tatlon as Territory, materially depends upon the cha
racter of OR schools, and the liberal aid which our
laws bestow, for the advancement of education
Another important consideration for legislative ac
on, is the immediate location Of the university lands