Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-12-22

We believe it has been a custom during the seeson
of the legislature for those of the sovereign peope
who may be present at the seat of government md
who choose TO DO II, to assemble in the CAPITOL after
the houses have adjourned and as an Organized body
give their attention TO such matter as may recon-
mend itselfto them. They do not assemble for the
purpose of giving making law they are the sove-
reign people assembled in their republican capacity:
they have their servants 10 make their laws and
merely hand over TO them the material TO make to
order In the present session of this assembIage H.
n. Wells, Esq has been chosen their governor fyho
may be said to occupy the same position that b.
naparte once did in Europe, being ruler of the sove
regns,) and Ebenezer Childs of Brown county their
speaker. We copy below portion of Ills Excellen
oyS message, delivered at the first sitting After ex
pressing his approval generally of the views previ
viously put forth by Governor Dodge, he delivers
some views of his own, which will be found below
end which we think are good. We have bu, little
doubt, should these recommendations generally be
favorably considered by the legislature the " soye
regns" generally of the territory will be prepared
to say" well done thou good and faithful ser.
wants.
| would therefore respectfully suggest
that you recommend to our servants in the
lower branches of the legislature to act
speedily, promptly md efficiently upon the
following subjects, in addition to those al
ready referred to.
lst.-To abolish the present county COM
missioner system, and establish in lien
thereof a system of county and township
government similar to that Of New York.
2d.-To repeal the law which allows par
ties TO be witnesses in their own cases.
3d.-To pass a law explanatory Of the
law now in force in relation to the sale of
real estate taken upon execution.
4th. 10 so amend the law in relation 10
Schools, that it may better meet the wants
of the people, and advance the cause of ed
ucation.
9Th. To so amend the law in relation TO
owners Of Grist Mills, as not to compel
them to grind grain for the purpose of dis
tillation.
9th. To memorialize Congrens, urging
the necessity of immediate appropriations
for the construction of harbors at Milwau-
kee, Racine, and Southport, on Lake Mi
chigan.
9TH. To memorabilia Congress, asking
appropriations for the Improvement of the
Fox, Wisconsin, and Rock rivers.
9Th. To change the mode of appointing
the clerks, and other officers of the two
lower branches.
Time will not permit me, fellow-ci,i-
zens, to point out so definitely the evils
which now exist, or TO GO so fully into the
merits of the proposed changes, as could
wish. | must, therefore, content myself,
and you gentlemen, must be satisfied, with
a brief touch al those which consider most
prominent.
Our common school system, is undouht-
edly defective in many respects. Perhaps
the most prominent evils are
lst The large amount of taxes which
districts are permitted to raise, for the pur-
pose OF erecting school houses.
"a. The exemption Of personal proper
~ from taxation, and,
Sd. The uncertainty as 70 the mode of
lowing and collecting the same.
There are others of minor Importance,
which your past experience and good sense
will readily point out, and trust and be-
lieve, that the benfits of well regulated
common school system, are too highly ap-
prcciated by the citizens Of Wisconsin, to