Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-12-14
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
The Joint committee of the Council and House
of Representatives, to whom Was referred the In
quiry, relative to the legality and expedlency OF
holding session of the Legislative Assembly at
the present time, made their report on the 9Th INST
The report is ably drawn up and is we'll worth
careful perusal we cannot well find room for 1t
this week, but shall probably publish 1t entire next
week.
The point mainly argued tn the report is, wlle-
Their there is any valid objection to the Legislative
Assembly holding its session at this time. In or
der to the settlement of this question the committee
proceed to show, that the appropriation of $50
made at the last session of congress intended
to defay the expenses of the present session of the
territorial Legislature. In supper. Of this position.
the committee adduce mass OF testimony, drawn
from the past acts of congress in relation to the ter
ritores as well the acts of the last session. In
| conclusion this point the committee say: :" In
examining this part of the subject referred US, in
every light which has presented itself to our minds,
we cannot hesitate to give it as decided opinion
that there is no valid objection to the Legislative
Assembly holding its annual session at the present
time
| The committee conceive that the postponement
of the present session, will be highly detrimental
to the interests of the territory. Among the sub
jects enumerated by the committee, which demand
immediate public attention, is the present condition
of the Rock River Canal Company--the condition
of the bonds amounting 10 100000 issued to aid
in the construction of the canal--the asceraining
of the amount for which the territory irresponsible
on account of the canal-the leasing of the water
power at Milwaukee--the saving from forfeiture
1000 acres of canal lands--the condition of the
suits pending against the territory--,he suits pen
ding against the detauter James Duane Doty, &c.
&c.
The committee deem it incxpedient to hold any
Legislative session at the present time. "Io this
| conclusion, says the report, GO your committee are
forced by the act of the Governor himself who in
violation of all law has refused for reasons which
may be apparent, to hold any communication with
the LEGISLATURE
The repor, concludes by Offering the following
resolutions:
Resolred, by the Council and House Of
! Representatives Of the Territory Of Wis
consin, that in their opinion the Congress
of the United States did, on the 18th day of
May last, appropriate the sum of $40, 900
to detray the expenses of the Legislative
Assembly of the Territory of Wisconsin,
commencing on the first Monday OF Dccem-
Der, 1912; and that there is no law either
ofCongress or of the Territory which would
prevent the holding of a session of the
Legislature at the present time, or would
render invalid or nugatory any law which
it might enact.
Rtsoired That while we entertain the
opinion that there can be no objection to
| the Legislative Assembly holding its SEES
sion at the pre- sent time by reason of no
appropriations having been made to delray
its expenses; yet inasmuch as doubts are
entertained whether there can be a session
of the Legislature without the concurrence
of the Governor, we deem it expedient that
the present session of the Legislature be
! adjourned without day.
Resolred, That the conduct of the Gov
ernor in refusing to meet the Legislature at
the present session, thereby preventing all
legislation and centeringa all power in his own
hands, is unparalleled in the history Of this
government and a gross violation of all law
-evincing an utter disregard of the will
and interests of the people, and of those
laws which as Governor of the territory he
is sworn to support, and that his refusal to
assign reasons for so extraordinary a course
is an insult to the Legislature and the peo-
pie of Wisconsin.
ReSolced, That for the reason set forth
in the foregoing report, ii becomes the duty
OF the Legislature to memorialize Congress
and call for such relief rs the nature of the
case may require.