Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-01-24

Iowa has not been questioned by any one.
If i, was illegal for Wisconsin to hold a
session, was it not equally so for lGwa?-
For what purpose was the appropriation
for Iowa made? was it for the session Of
| IS44?--that is altogether improbable.
REFORM.-Our able and efficient del
esate, Gen Dodge, is untiring in his efforts
to secure the interests Of tho people Of this
Territory. A great variety Of matters con-
nected with the welfare and prosperity OF
the people, have been introduced to the at
tention Of congress, since the commence
mentof the present session. Harbors, roads,
| improvement Of river navigation, mining
interests, &c. &c. have each been brought
to the notice Of congress, and the respect
i've claims Of each enforced.
On tie 18th inst. Gen. Dodge presented
the following resolution in the House Of
Representatives:
"Resolved, That the committee on Ter
ri'ories be instructed to inquire into the ex-
pediency Of providing by law for the cleo
ton by the people Of the Territory Of Wis
consin Of sherIffs, judges Of probate, ustl-
ces Of the peace, and of all other officers
now elected by the people Of the Territory
Of Iowa."
The change which this resolution pro-
poses TO effect, is one which every demo-
crat and liDera minded man will most cor.
daily approve. Ii is but giving to the peo-
pie prerogative to which they are justly
entitled, and one, the exercise Of which
would reform many existing abuses The
people Of Iowa are privileged to elect their
own sherifis, judges Of probate, and justi-
ces Of the peace, and why should the right
be withheld from the people Of Wiscon-
sin?
1t is true, that the proposition to give
the people the right to elect their officers,
sounds like a death knel in the ears Of
many Of the Office holdcrs; they shrink
aghast from the idea Of having their claims
submitted to the ordeal Of public opinion,
expressed through the ballot box; and we'll
they may, many Of them have sold their
political principles for a far less consid-ra-
ton than Judas Iscariot received as the re-
ward Of his treachery. Give the people
but the right TO cleanse the Augean stable,
rendered obnoxious by the appointing pow
er Of the Executive, and multitude who
are now invested with little brief author
ity,will soon learn 10 their utter dismay the
estimation which the people set upon them
We hope our delegate in congress will
press this measure, so congenial with de-
mocratic principles, and 80 much demaded
by the interests Of Territory. Tha, the
hangers-on Of the Terrific rial admins
| tration, should treat such a measure Of re-
form with apparent Indifference is not to
be wondered at:--deprive Doty Of the pow
er TO appoint justices, shcriffs, &c. and he
is but mere political dwarf, shorn Of his
sirens th-feared by none, and unheeded
| by all.
The evils resulting from placing the
| great mass of important offices in the gift
of an executive, have been seen and mark
ed in every period of history. The some
man power" is favorite theory with ar
istocrats, and blue light federalists. Give
any man, however reckless or Abandoned
or prohigate may have been his character,
the power of appointing all the justices Of
the peace. sheriffs, and judges Of probate,
in Wisconsin, and he will secure set Of
adherents and pretended indicators of his
character. There are always enough to
be found, who have such an Unsuitable thirst
after Office, that they will follow after any
leader, or worship any image, provided
they can but secure a little patronage