Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-12-21
VOL. ii. NO. XVII.

either in places unknown, or of very inconvenient
access. Offices which held only for the adj
vantage of the Incumbent-tor his proht and con-
venience rather than that of the pubLc-oughi
either to be resigned or abolished
When the Seat of Government became located,
under the authority OF Congress, our citizens had
a right 10 expect that the offices of that Govern
ment would thereafter be held there, also the
sessions of the Assembly. Indeed tins appears 10
be the only object for establishing seat OF govern
ment and the duty was implied, lflt was not ex-
pressy required, by the law.
In June last when arrived here, there not
a single Public Record of the Executive Depart
ment at this place, nor any information gwen
where the records could be found. The govern
ment papers had, in fact, been carried off in por.
tons by each officer to his own home, as though
they were his own private property-the public
being entitled to only the temporary of them
while ar the Capitol.
Geatlcmen of the House:
A member of your body rendered his resignation
of his seat TO the Board of Commissioners of the
county of Racine, whose Clerk sent by mail TO the
Executive a certificate of tho fact, dated on the
18th day of September last, and was received here
the 18th. As this was an offer to the commits
soners to resign, and not the Governor, and
there was no session of the Assembly between its
reception and the time of the general election, 1
did not think | was authorized by the law to issue
a new writ of election, and therefore | now submit
the subject with the papers received, to you.
Gentlemen Of the Council:
In the act OF Congress to establish this Govern
ment find the following sentence: THE Cover
''nor shall nominate, and by and with the advice
'and consent of the Council, shall appoint all u
- dicial officers justices OF the piece sherlfis, and
call militia officers, except those of the staff, and
"aU GIRL officers not herein prorided for"
This is duty, enloned upon the Governor and
Council, and from which neither can be relieved
/ elat,,r In
therefore, where the legislature has attempted to
assume this power, or TO delegate it to others, |
shall feel it my duty to make nominations to you,
that the offices may be filled by your advice and
consent.
1t appears by the Executive Record that several
persons appointed TO Office by my predecessor,
after his removal from the office of Governor
Where appointments have been made by the Gov
to fill vacancies, tits his duty send the names
of the persons he may have placed in commission,
to the Council at its next session. The names of
those who were thus appointed by my predecessor
| cannot present TO you, because 1t is my opinion
he had no authority for performing any Executive
act after he was removed.
1t is provision of the act to which have referr-
ed, that - in Of death, remoral resignation
necessary absence of the Governor from the Terri
tory the Secretary shall have, and is hereby au-
thorzed and required TO execute and perform all
the po,ccrs and duties Of Cor. during such "a
cancy, or necessary absence. Until his successor
was qualified, it was therefore the duty of the Sc
cretary of the Territory to fill all such vacancies.
Gentlemen:-To this exposition of the affairs of
country and her INTERESTS and of the views
which | entertain respecting them, | beg have
to add the assurance, to the Gentlemen of both
Houses, that | shall earnestly endeaver to co-ope
rate with them in all such measures as may be
proposed by them, to correct the evils of govern
ment, secure the civil and political rights of
divduals to strengthen the foundations Of society,"
or to render more permanent the institutions Of
freedom.
J. d. DOTY.
MADISON, Dec. 10, 1S41.