Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-03-31

Mr.. EDiroR:-In an article in the Telegraph
saw II stated, in substance something like this
That men sometimes have good ideas in their heads
and always keep them to themselves, when, if they
were to be communicated 10 the public would end
some place 10 do good. This / believe is true
and believe it is also equally true that bad IDEAS
IN almost every case are soon made public. | am
humble citizen but, humble as ! am. believe
wrong exists in these United States which is sauc-
toned by popular opinion, which ought 20 be
mecied and might be with perfect safety to the
institutions OF our great republic, and much to the
interest OF the great mass oil our fellow citizens
l he wrong Is one borne without a single murmur,
for have never heard any man say have TOO
much Legislation. But whether we see ii or feel
il, We are burdened with unnecessary legislative
expenses. Every State can boast of its Use men,
hut what state ca" booo. of its wise legislators
say not one; and 1t seems to me 1t must be plain
tact to every man of common sense. 1t seems to
ME wise Legislators night enact la VS. al one session
which would not need repeating or amending at
the next session. 1t is true some laws stand for
years without any alteration. Others are altered
SO often, that one scarcely finds out they exist be-
tore they are twisted into another shape. Hence
all county officers and all town officers must be
constantly looking up to the law in order to have
their acts valid. am of the opinion that these
and many more evils mi ght be remeGied by dong
away annual sessions of Legislative bodies In The
several States. And now, Mr. Editor, the ques
convinced of the importance of applying remedy
for all the great evils that exist in our State gov
ernments. One great evil that exists, is the I'M
proper manner in which our laws are worded.-
Instead OF being made easy 10 be understood, they
are filled with lechnicalitieS and Worded in such
manner, TINT even lawyers themselves quarrel like
cats and dogs about the true spirit of the law
One says 1t means this, another says means that,
and another 1t means something else. This be- |
eve ls the reason why there is much litigation
amongst US. 1t Is evident to every ore who will
reflect for moment that than one half OF the
costs OF all kinds grow out of the imperfecons of
our laws; whilst il the law SO worded as to be
understood, and its true meaning put beyond dis
pute, as X should be, every man would be his own
lawyer and Judge, and almost any difficulty might |
be adjusted and settled by the parties at variance by
taking the law and sitting down as Judge and jury
themselves. Now the question arises, how is this |
evil to be remedied? ] answer, by keeping law |
yers, who get their living out of the honest people
IN lawsuits growing out of the techucali,ies and
impertectlons OF laws which they themselves have !
made, out OF our legislatures, and selecting the
honest, plain farmer mechanic 10 make our laws
-men who do not have it in view to so fix them as
TO enable them TO live in deness on the spolls of
litigation. Wisconsin is soon to become an indie |
pendent State, and suggest the proprety of hav-
ing an "rtcle In the Constitution allowing annual !
sessions OF the State Legislature for three years
succeeding the formation of State government so
that laws may be enacted to suit all the wants of
the people, and 20 get things in proper order; and
after three annual sessions allow the Legislature to
mold Its Sessions only In two years unless war
or something Of the kind should make it absolutely
necessary for the Governor call an extra session
1t seems to me this could be done with perfect |
safety to institutions, and at the same time |
prove advantageous to our citizens. Wisconsin is
situated as to need considerable internal i'm |
provements, such canals, &c, as the situation
routp IaIr, nf Ia
halt OF the expenses of lie gisaon could be dispensed
with, it would enable US TO make such internal
improvements interests require, and am
we have men who could and would SO arrange
gu. laws, that we could be happy to live under
the two years without alteration as we should be
to have our legislature enact such laws absolutely
require TO be amended OF repealed every year.
Would IT not be good policy to save from ten to
fifteen thousand dollars every two years. to be ex-
pended on internal improvements for the good of
not only the interior Of Wisconsin, but also our
Lake ports. Internal Improvements we need and
IN all probability shall have and would it not be
more for the interests of the citizens of the future
State of Wisconsin to own these internal improve.
mens, and to have them the property of the future
State, than TO incorporate companies to make them
and own them. Incorporated companies are con.
SANITY asking legislatures 20 grant them this pIivi-
lege, and that hence 1t would require more
legislation if the State owns the internal improve.
did; and by this means add to their resources for
raising revenue to support is government, as does
the Erie canal the State of New York.
Now, Mr.. Editor, if we blessed with wise
legislators men who understand the true prin.
cipes of government, and who have a desire TO
make laws for the lasting good of our citizens
laws so simple and plain that lawyers cannot quar-
rel over them enough to get heir living withou,
soiling their fingers with work-laws so plain that
differences among neighbors can be settled without
the cost of a lawsuit. and thereby drive lawyers
to some honorable employment to gain livelihood.
laws that would do to live under two years with.
alteratlon-woud it not be safe to abolish annual
sessions OF legislature at the end Of three years
after we become independen, S,atel Perhaps
popular opinion will differ with me on h. subject;
expect 1t will. But among SO many reforms as
there are at the present day, have long wondered
why some of wise statesmen did not try TO
effect some reform In our State governments. As
general thing eur American people are industrious
ard civil, and generally cultivate moral habits. and
this makes IT seem the more strange that it should
require the legislative action Of thirty e gi.laye