Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-04-04

The Public Bu,ldings.-The Join, Sc
ect Committee in the Legislature to whom
was referred the condition Of the Public
Buildings a. Madison, made their report on
the 25th ult. The subject matter submit
ted to the committee, was the enquiry, why
the public buildings have not been compile
ted, and what measures are necessary to
be taken for the completion Of the Capitol.
The report Of the committee exhibits a
discouraging aspect Of affairs, relative to
the unfinished state Of the Ca to-the
funds appropriated to this object have
been misappIed. Among the prominent
reasons which have prevented the compile
lion Of the public buildings, the committee
say:
" But the proclamation of Gov Doty of Septem-
Der 4. 1871, declaring James Morrison treasurer of
the Territory, and in effect repudiating the bonds
issued by the former treasurer, Il. l.. Ream, and
the consequent depreciation of those bonds are the
principle causes to which the contractor attributes
his failure in finishing the Capitol at the time lm-
ted in his contract.
4 lie meeting OF the LPPlSialUTe at MADISON III
December, tS4l, prevented further progress in the
work during that winter. The refusal OF Cover
| nor Doty to approve the only measures proposed
by the Legislature at that session for finishing the
building, viz: The bill entitled AN act in relation
to certain moneys In the territorial treasury, and
the bill entitled an act in addition t" pro-
vide for the completion Of the capitol a Madison
the Governors declaration in his veto message
on those bills that the bonds paid to Baxter had
been issued by r l. Ream without auhorty-the
refusal OF James Morrison to apply any part of the
moneys in his hands to the redemption of said
bonds-and the subsequent base and unmanly eff
forts of certain individuals in Madison the
further progress of the work by a variety of nfa-
nous expedients and annoyances-have proved,
by the event, to have been the most prominent .
mong the many fatal and nsurmountabe obstacles
which have Thus far prevented, and perhaps forever
will prevent the completion of this capitol
The committee 60 on to say that the amount of
money necessary complete the Capitol, in style
in which such building ought to be finished, may
be estimated at $4,000. But the committee re-
port that they are decidedly opposed to taking any
measures to complete the Capitol, so long J..
D: Doty is Governor, and James Morrison is suf-
fered with impunity; and in defiance of law, to re-
tain in his hands, funds belonging to the territory.
Therefore the committee in conclusion submit. the
following propositions to the Legislature for its
considerations;
1st To abandon forever the purpose of ever hav-
ing, building, or finishing Capitol at Madison.
2nd. To change the place of meeting of tho Lee
gisature to Prairie du Chen, Green Bay, or Mil
waukee, or wherever buildings and accommodations
might be had free of expense to the Territory.
3d. To settle on as reasonable terms as possible
with Baxter, and dissolve by mutual consent, and
| cancel the contract Tor finishing the Capitol
4th. To raise a revenue from The several coun-
ties which will be sufficient in a short time to
deem the bonds, and abolish the office of Attorney
General, useless burden TO the Territory, aad
apply the salary appertaining to that Office, to the
| liquidation Of said bonds.
| 9Th. To authorize the superintendent of public
property to commence suit forthwith against James
! Morrison, to recover the money in his hands,
belonging in the Territory.