Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-11-18

our kcTTitOTidl eildCttIleuiSs hCh"@' 0oSS
the parliament of England often nulify the
laws passed by the provincial legislatures.
| Our governors are appointed by the Pres-
Ideni; SO are the governors OF the British
provinces appointed by the Crown. Our
/, Secretary is appointed in the same ma,i-
ne.- as the governor, and he IS usually inn
ported from ..olI Virginia." because the
old domiaion has generally superabun-
dance Of brok en- down politicians who
wan, places. In The appointment OF our
Judges too, the people have no voice what
ever; the judiciary is the most important
branch of the government, ve' u m"s' az
ways be defective until piace 90 w,,n'h me
reach Of the sovereign people. ha.es-
er abuse may exist in the admin Nra''on
| Of law, the people are obliged TO submit
tameiy, there being no means within thcir
power of procuring reform. So far as
relates TO our rights as guaranteed to uS
by the organic act of congress, our Polit-
cal privileges are no greater than those
enjoyed in the Canadian provinces; and it
greater lorbearance is exercised towards
US than towards her majesty's subjects, 1t
| is not because the strict letter OF our char
| tertered rights, guarantees US greater inn
muniiies.
Our relation to the government of the
United States is one OF complete depend
ence; we are obliged to take the attitude
of suppiants, to procure annual supplies
from the general government, to keep up
our territorial government; congress gives
us grudgingly small sum from year 10
year 10 satisfy our implorings. just as
mother gives her overgrown child toy to
still its teasing We have no voice an
the government ofthe Union; no matter
how momenloas the question at issue, we
| have not single vote to cast. 1t is true
| we are allowed a delegate in congress. but
his rights are so limited that he possesses
but few privileges. which are not allowed
to lobby. By becoming a state,we at
once become invested with rights and priv
ileges, which are held invaluable by a
| free people; in The Senate of the United
! States our numerical strength would be as
great as that Of any state however popu-
lous, in the Union; in the House of Rep
resentatives we should not only have a
voice, but ii vote, on every question per
tanning to the interests of the Union. or
the interests of Wisconsin. In matters Of
commerce, agriculture and whatever else
concerns this portion Of the great west.
the wishes of our population would be fully
represented; the necessity OF harbors on
oer lake coast and other improvements Of
a national character, ceu Id then be more
sscce ssfuly urged upon the attention Of
congress. Whenever the political infu-
ence Of Wisconsin can be brought to bear
upon the decisions of our national legisla-
!ure, then she will no longer be treated as
an inferior, but as an equal, and her po-
litical power will then be courted, instead
| Of being treated as it now is With indiffer
ence.
But the influence which state govern
ment wead have in correcting many of
the evils and abuses, which have hitherto
been attendent upon our territorial form
of government is entitled 10 consideration.
| 1t is IA republican maxim that all good gov
ernmen,s must derive their powers from
the consent of the governed; how inap-
propriate does this maxim apply TO the
condition of the people OF Wisconsin -
Whenever Il government in any of its de-
| partments is entirely beyond the reach of
the ballot box-when the people are de-
prived of the just exercise Of their legit-
innate sovereignty, abuses inevitably creep
into thu government. An immediate res
possibility Of the government to the peo-
Pile, is the true Safeguard of the peoples
rights. We have had abundant proof Of
the profligate tendency of u territorial gov
eminent, no rig d system Of economy can
be enforced, until the taxpayers of Wis
consln are directly interested in every dol
lar of public expenditure. The political
tendency of our territorial government. is
| calculated TO foster habits OF dissoluteness
and extravaganza; our territorial officers
seem to regard it as a prominent part of
their duty, Ia use up the funds annually
appropriated by the general government.
Many instances in point might be cited,
but one must suffice. A: the session of
the legislature in ls43, committee was
appointed expressly for the object Of de-
ler,nining how long the session could hold.
wilhou, exceeding the appropriation; or in
other words, how long a session it would
require TO use up the FUNDS.
Every one who has bestowed any at
tention to the matter knows, that the length
OF our legislative sessions, has always been
governed by the amount of the approprla-
ton made by Congress, and not by the
amount Of business 10 be done; large appro-
prialions. have produced long sessions. and
small ppropria,ions,short sessions-there
is always strict care taken to absorb the
funds. There perhaps would be nothing
particularly wrong in this. were it not for
its evil tendency; those who habtuate
themselves 10 squandering money obtained
from the general government with impuni-
ty, will be less likely to practice an hon.
est economy in the use of the peoples
money when we become a state. Unless
all the acknowledged maxims of morals
are false, the tendency of these things
must be .pernicious. Under state gov
eminent, the people will exercise strict
observance over the acts of their public
servants, and all wasieful expenditures of
the public funds, will be noticed as i, should
be; every department of the government
will be held accountable, and dishonesty
will meet IFS just rebuke al The ballo,-box.
| If our citizens wish 10 enjoy all the rights
and privileges that apperiain to ireemen,
and give to Wisconsin the attributes of