Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-03-21
Madison Correspondence


DEAR SIR:-Th- great 10 Jc of in,eres, here -,
present is the attitude of the Governor towards the
Legislature. Doubtless in your county, Won imso
Inc from what has come thus far to your k,ovi
edge, as having trauspred; that all difficulties have
been settled, that the Governor has abandoned his
hostile position, and that the business oflegislaion
is peacefully progressing. Such, however, is far
from the TACT and II does TO be the settled in
tentlon of the Governor, under any and every cir
cumstance, to prevent any legislation to destroy
the power of the people in their own governance
and to to take and to himself the whole
power OF the Territorial government
1t is Impossible .or me 10 convey to you an idea
OF the deep and universal feeling OF Indignation
which here prevails against the Governor confined
to 10 class OF politics, class OF men; an indg-
nation which is at felt and entered into by all
who, coming here, become acquainted with the
true state of affairs There is difficulty here in
understanding the true position of affairs. There
is, and there BE-, bat opinion in the premi-
ses, pom full understanding of the matter, that
the Governor has acted contrary 10 law, ttat he
ka0los II, that h dare not submit his acts to the
scrutiny OF the Legislatures that he has private
aims, OF his own to accomp .lshs and that in conse-
quence, Legislation must be prevented at all haz-
ards.
BY law, it is made the duty of the Librarian, an
nualy, TO ontract Tor quantity OF stationery, for
the use of the Assembly subject to demands of
the chief clerks Of the two houses. AT the Assem-
bly, IN December, repeated demands were made
upon Mr.. Shacklesord the librarian, for this sta
uonecy also al the session in January. These de-
mands were evaded-though Mr.. Shackleord f.
nay promised to deliver it. But after this promise
he utterly refused, and assigned as a reason that
ne had Instructions from MIR. Ward (who furnished
the stationery not to deliver it, that the session
was not legal, &c. thus violating the provisions of
the law, and taking upon himself to decide ques-
ton which in no-wlse interested, nor belonged
t. him. AT this session. however, Mr.. Ward and
Shackletord, both came in and claimed contract
made by the librarian some time last summer and
demand that the stationery shall be taken off their
hands by the Legislature. This demand was trea-
ted as it deserves. twas laid on the table: and a
resolution was passed by both houses, authorizing
the chief clerks to purchase stationery. This
luton was sent to the Governor who after retain
ing /. the full period allowed by law. returned it
with his objections. Pending the debate recon
sldering the matter, the whole transaction IL the
premises were la : bare, and 50 clear AMI couciu-
sve was 1t, that certain iu2;?1uo.s had, aud wer"
attempting to throw every OBSTACLE in the way Of
legsIation and that hey had not hcsitated to vio
LAKE. contracts Git any We're made) to accomplish
this end, that Mr.. Capron, wing member from
WfiWorh, stated in his }ee, that from the detail
OF facts (Which lie had not before heard) he must
change h opinion, and vote 10 pass the resolution
The resolution was paesod Wi h bnt one dissenting
voice Mr.. Palmer o! Dlnc) and being sent to the
Council, It there passed unanimously. ACcompa-
nyl1g this veto message, WAS some remarks, and
most singular indeed were these marks. They
set forth that men hose opinions were entitled IN
WEI -ht, had expressed strong doubts to whe ,hcr
tAe session WIS leg i unler aay c!rcum3tapces.-
That thc Sc doubts rom question to whe-
Their the law of the Leg stature making the last ap
pontment, did not conflict with the law OF Con
gress, dividing the Territories Of Wisconsin ani
lowa--whether the Legislature had not delegated
J to him power viii h he had right to exercise
(probably the first time h. has objected to Of
power, however obtained) whether under the cir
ccmstanccs he had a right to call special session
and whether, in fact, the Legislative power of
the Territory is not dissolved, without the possibll
y of being again resuscitated except by elton Of
Congress Here is a sagacious man FOR you, not
outstanding he has by his action three distinct
times recognized the validity ofthe law in question
he has now serious doubts Truly, truly, man
must be hard run, inde"l to resort to III misera
lie expedents. This MESA ge received no action
the part of the Legislature its import was too
plain. But last evening came the real thunder
! The Council received a massage from his Exc3l-
l"ncy requesting them to plainly inform hun whe-
Their they met pursuant to Adjournment or pursuant
to his proclamation. That ne Legislature met on
the 9Th At o'clock. the hour to which they ad-
journed, and two hours previous to the time on
which he called them together, his tXcel,ency we'll
knew before he del .ered hs 6ts' message, he had
the ouru Is Of the houses under his nose Tor hive
days previously stating that TACT, bat yet alter tic
lapse Of six days, when he became convinced hat
the Legislature could not be used by him he com
municates this message to the Council Thus
stands the matter-b It Of one thing you may rest
assured that tie members Wll not be driven rom
their duty. >.