Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-07-02
TELEGRAPH.
SOUTHPORT, TUESDAY, JULY 3. 1911.
STATE COVER NMENT.

| territory very naturally suggests the enQIiy
both here and elsewhere, as to the in
tent'ons OF the people of Wisconsin with
regard to the formation of state govern
ihent. what motive can exist with the
people Tor refusing TO assume the RESPONSE
p!ihy OF state sovereignty at this period
OF our history, or at least for refusing to
'aKc me preliminary steps, we are at loss
10 determine. If a majority of the cleo
tors at The next annual election, shall de-
ciae III favor OF remaining in our present
territorial dependency, it will argue that the
people either distrust their ability to govern
ana take care of themselves independent
OF political guardianship, or that the peo-
PIE oi TINS portion of the west do not hold
iii very hgh estimation, the prerogatve of
Poiitlcal freedom and independence. A
'ietuoii, independent of a supervisory pow
cf' mas always been regarded Of inestma-
Die value by republicans while condition
OF colonial dependence upon power, in
"hlch the people have no representative
Vote' has only been tolerated by the una
'oiaaole necessities of the case.
| l nat such necessity exists with The peo-
PIE OF Wisconsin in view of their present po-
puiation and resources, can hardly be pre-.
tended by any one disposed 10 reason the
case larry While our numbers were too
iiih!,ed, ana while there were not within our
borders all the elements requisite TO the cs-
tapl:silment Of State sovereignty. the nc
cessHy OF condition OF dependence was
| iaiu u"'h US ; but now our minority has
passed away, aud we have arrived at that
period contemplated by tie laws of Con
SfeSs, Tor our assuming Il rank among the
States of the Union.
mere is i'll some minds strong inclna.
'ion 10 subs2rVlency; hence they attempt to
palate our territorial condition byrcprcscnt-
my that we ENJOY now all the essential pr-
sIeSes OF Tree people. Let us examine
Tor moment the assertion of these obscuu-
Gus persons. Whether we are governed III
or well, is not material TO the question at is
sue, tor undoubtedly il might be possible for
Congress or some oihcrpowcr to govern the
people OF this Territory well, so far as the
mere m1tter of law and lis administration is
concerned. But are the rights and privil-
ges which are actually guaranteed to us, con
sonant with any mans notions of freedom
and independence? The people of the Sc
veral States Of the Union acknowledge thee
departments of government, each Of which
may be reached and controlled by the pco-
pie, to wit the Executive, the Legislative,
and the judicial. In what manner arc these
branches Of government secured 10 the pco-
pic of Wisconsin? Let us fist consider the
Executive. BY the Rad Section of the act
establishing the Territorial government Of
scons:n, the Executive power in and over
the Territory Is vested in a Goycrnor--he is
made the commander and chief of the mill
tla-he has the approval of all laws passed
by the Legislative Asscmbly-ac holds the
pardoning power of offences against the laws
of the Territory, ana has the colnmss oning
OF officers who are not made elective by the
people. The Governor receives his uppoint-
ment from the President of the u. Safes
he is entirely independent of the sutfragcs
of the people OF the Territory. and can no
more be reached at The ballot box, than can
the Governor of a British province. So
much then for the Executive department of
our government.
Let Us next consider the Legislative
branch of The Government. Ii is true the
Legislature OF this territory is made cleo
ton by the people, but by the 9Th section
Of the act establishing the territorial GOV
eminent of Wisconsin, tho following super
visory power Of Congress is established =
d" All laws o! the Governor and legislative
Assembly, sllll be submitted to, and if dis
approved by the Congress of the United
States, the same shall be null and void. =
1t may perhaps be urged that Congress sell
dom if ever exercises that supervisory pow
or, which it possesses over the lcgisla-
ton Of the territory. Nevertheless, oar
condition of tcalty stands upon the record,
aud although we arc unmolcs'ed by the sut-
tcrancc OF a superior power, yet We &C
knowledge the authority while we remain
i'll the attitude ola territory. AS it respects
the judicial department of our government.
it is we'll known that the people or the lc-
! gislaturc have no voice whatever in the ap-
pointmcnt of our District Judges, clerks or
courts, &c. The Ilth section of tho act
before referred TO, provides that the chief
justice, associate judges, and attorney.
shall be nominated, and by, and with the
advice and consent Of the Senate, appoint
ed by the President of the United States.n
| from The foregoing IL VIII appear that
the people of Wisconsin have no more voice
in the selection and control Of the Execu-
tive and Judicial branches of their govern
menl, than they have in the governmental
affairs Of Maine or Louisiana; and in the
Legislative branch. the exercise of power is
limited win any man who deserves the
name of freem rests his faith IN
the intelligence of the people for self 60
vernment, still insist that the people of Wis
consin enjoy all the essential. privileges,
that pertain TO free and independent go
vernment? We know some cantlng politi-
clans charge upon the friends of state 60
vernment, a desire 10 change our terrltori-
al relations, in order that the door may be
opened 10 more elective offices, and there
by CRAFTY the numberless aspirants. We
know not why this suberfuge may not aP-
ply as well 10 any other portion of The Tn
ion as 10 Wisconsin; if scrambIngs for of
fee and the Vaccinations of aspirants can
only be prevented by Withholding the right
of suffrage from the people, and if the evil
here complained of is more than equivalent
TO the advantages derived from the exercise