Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-01-27
MADISON CORRESPONDENCE.
TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE,
Madison Jan. II, 1916.

Madison Jan. IL, 1916.
DEAR SrR:-t will briefly notice for the
benefit of your readers, some of the most
important transactions in the Legislative
Assembly, during the past few days. The
House of Representatives have passed a
bilt to divorce John J. briggs Of Green Bay
fiom his wife. The case Of Mr.. briggs is
represented as being peculiarly hard one,
and entitled to legislative action, provided
it is proper for the legislature 10 interfere
in the matter Of divorce. In more than
three-lourths Of the states of the Union, the
legislative power has been exercised IN
the granting Of divorce. That the House
regarded the case of Mr.. briggs as an ag-
gravated one, may be inferred from the fact
that the bill passed by vote Of % to A.
II is said the bill cannot pass the council,
inasmuch, as the majority Of that body are
believed to be hostile TO granting divorces;
yet bill has actually passed through the
council the present session, allowing the
courts TO grant divorces for causes COMPARE
lively triv' al.
The house have passed bill in relation
to Constable fees; the bill proposes 10 allow
ten cents mile travelling fees, instead OF
six, as is now allowed by law. believe
that every member in the House from Ra-
cine county voted against this additional fee
to constables. hope the council will not
consent to pass it.
The council had the bill relating to the
formation Of state government, under con-
sideration in committee Of the whole on FRI
day and Saturday. There was no opposi-
ton to the bill in general; the time of the
council was mostly occupied in fixing upon
the details. The first section however,
which prescribes the qualifications ofvo,ers
confirming the right 10 vote on the ques-
ton of forming state government TO white
inhabitants; elected lengthy and spirited
discussion, which was conducted mainly by
Marshall NJ. Strong Of Racine, and Moses
NJ. Strong of Iowa, the former being in
favor Of striking out the word "white," the
latter opposed. ! have heard it remarked
by several, that Mr.. Strong OF Racine made
one of his best efforts on this OCCASION
The whole question of colored suffrage,
was considerable sharp shooting by some OF
the speakers. The motion 20 strike out the
word "white,'' on the question of forming a
state government, was lost ayes five, noes
eight.
The Secretary of the Territory, has no
money 10 pay the legislature; the money is
ready at Washington, and the Secretary
says he expects it TO be sent on. People
here only speak in whispers as TO the cause
of this state of affairs; but see no necessi-
~ for concealment; if there is something
wrong about it, let il be spoken out boldly.
Thorn is something rotten in Denmark, and
it is sheer nonsense for any one to attempt
TO deny it. The territory has been subject
TO infections of this sort, nearly ever since
our territorial existence; this importation of
officers from old Virginia and elsewhere
must be stopped-.he people must take the
government into their own hands, and as
sumo the control Of their public servants
Congress grants the territory beggarly ap-
preparations; but as small as is the pittance
given us,it is fooled away frequently by the
agents, whom Congress appoints TO pay it
over 10 us.
A Territorial Educational convention was
held in the Capitol on the evenings of Thurs
day and Friday last. The convention was
we'll attended,qu number oftried friends
Of education being present from different
parts Of the Territory. On the first eve
ming Of the convention able and interesting
addresses were delivered by Messrs NJ. M.
Jackson Of Mineral Point, L. H. Loss of
Beloit and Gen. Hubble of Milwaukee. On
the second evening the convention was a.
gain addressed by Messrs Loss, Hubble, Day
and Darling. The proceedings were Of an
interesting character, and several important
recommendations on the subject of general
education, are presented to the friends of
common schools in this territory. 1t is bo.
ped the proceedings Of the convention, will
be published in the different papers in the
Territory.
X.