Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-02-06
REPORT

TO WHOM WAS REFERRED so MUCH OF THE
GOVERNORS MESSAGE AS RELATES TO
STATE GOVERNMENT.
The Minority of the joint committee to
whom was referred so much of the Cover
por's Message as relates to the cxpedicncy
of forming State Government in Wiscun-
sin, beg leave to make the following
REPORT:
That we dissent from the opinion OF the
majority or the committee, with regard 10
the expediency of our taking the preimina-
ry steps preparatory 10 our admission into
the Union as free, independent and sove.
reign state: that we shall proceed, with as
much brevity as the subject will allow, to
state the several reasons which have in
duced us 10 arrive at conclusions differing
from those of the majority of the commit
Zee:
We are aware that the op' MON is fire.
~quently expressed, that it would be prema-
ture for us, at this time to adopt measures
preparatory 10 our coming into the Union,
inasmuch as our governmental expenses
are now paid by the General government
This consideration is entitled to weight; but
when we consider the imperfect orgnniZa-
sion Of the territorial government, and the
consequent embarrassment in the admins
tration Of its internal affairs, and when we
consider, too, that our institutions and in
tcrnal arrangements must necessarily be
unstable while we retain our territorial re-
lations. the pttaEce we receive from the
United Ststes must be regarded as but a
poor equivalent for the evils attendant upon
US. Besides, if we refer to past history.
compare the states of Ohio Indiana and H.
limos, while under a territorial gov ern-
mcnt, to Their subsequent prosperity after
their admission into the Union az indaren.
dent states. the prcponderanc7 is much in
favor Of Slate Government. The prospe-
Iny and Improvement Of each of these
states languished while they remained tie :
riNcrps, but advanced with rapid strides
Immediately after the admission into the
Union. Ii is true we shall be met with
&c rctort that these new states now pre-
sent to the world empty Golfers, eXtrava-
g,nr~ schemes Of unfinished internal i'm
provements, aud large Indebtedness. -
Grant all this-yei it is idle TO pretend
that these states were brought TO this con-
diion in consequence OF the necessary ex
lenses att, ndant upon q state government.
b Their career in extravaganza and folly is
iracsble 10 that notable period in our histo
ry when no; only the new put the old
states were intoxicated with sehemes of
wealth and grandeur; and when the states
G'rhc west aad the east were alike brought
ioti.n verge Of bankruptcy and ruin. Ii is
N<ttualy idl7 TO pref nd that the new states
"Which arc hcrca ter 10 come mo the I'M
son mast necessarily follow those VIII CHI
have preceded them in til, same career Of
cAtravagan. internal Improvements, and
hunauhorZ u l. gisatlon; nay, we shall
pttft by their example Of improv;deace,
aud the spectacle Of their impotic legisla-
,ion'wiIl warn Us against like calam, ties.
Every one acqun'ed with the history Of
the new states Of the west, will admit that
Tor n number % years alter their admission
into the Union, heir progress in wealth
~ ri Improvement was marked with rapid
STRIDES, and it was not until that un!orlu
-rate period in our cou try's history before
aHu led TO, that their march in prosperity
was interrupted.
Ii is an opinion which cannot be contro-
verified, that III territories there is less Sc
curly FOR persons and property than in
state governments. Our judiciary, the
E}'s. important branch in our government,
must ALWAYS be defective unit. placed UNI
der the control'cf an independent state
From the executive branch of the govern
,ment, the people will be liable TO continual
insults ard indignites, so long rs that de-
?partnfent is beyond the reach o! the ballot
box. fThe legislative branch, too, will ne
tver cease is wastetuI expenditures Of the
public moneys, nor will the people hold
their public servants strictly accountable
Tor their extravaganza, while the general
government furnishes the means. No sys-
.;cm Of rigid economy can ever be enforced
Ia either branch of government, until the
tax payers of W isconsin are directly ine-
rvs'eJm every dollar Of public expeRdi-
lure. The practical workings OF our sys-
lem ef governmental affairs is calculated
10 foster habits of d ssolUteacss and immo-
ra.ity: mark the catalogues Of worthless
demagogueS that have been forced upon the
people, and placed in responsible stations
N power, since the period of our territorial
existence; mark the high handed wrongs
and crimes that have stained our br.el has
tory, and which have escaped unwhipped
law, and the corupting influences which
control our territorial judica;ures. The
only correction for the frequent occurrence
of these abuses, and for the establishment
OF more heaIthful public opinion, is TO
give the people power TO organize and con-
troll their own judciares, aud TO fill the
offices of state with men Of their own
ca Ice. Ii our citizens wish to enjoy all
Tie rights and privileges that apperain to
tFeemen' and give TO Wisconsin, the altri-
0l'es of sovereignty; if they wish TO ex-
v5e'se tull and unconditional franchise in
''e election Of their rulers; and il they de-
sre 10 enact laws, independent of supe.
'Sory power from abroad, they must as
sumo the rank 10 which they are entit d
1"'ons the independent states Of the Union.
" is urged that the people of Wisconsin
ae unaO'e 10 sustain the burdens of state
government. If, however. it is intended
convey the impression that the exnensos
fha i