Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-03-31

for the people, and not for the of.
fee seekers.
We have heard the expense ofstate gov
eminent for this territory varously estima-
ted. The Wisconsin Argus thinks a state
government will cost for the first year $780,
900; This is wild estimate. The govern.
men, Of the new state of Florida, with all
rs pecuhary embarrassments and the high
salaries allowed 10 its state and judicial Of
ticers, it appears by a late official estimate
made by legislative committee. will cost
about $4S, 900 for the fret year, and con.
siderable diminullon is anticipated thereaf
ter. The constitution formed by the Con
venton in Iowa last year, contemplated a
state government at a cost Of about $50, 600
with biennial sessions equal to about $50,
coo with annual sessions. 1t is considered
however that too cheap government in this
case was contemplated. The difference in
the cost Of state government with bienn
al legislative sessions and one with annual
sessions, will be at least fifty per cent. If
the convention determine that the legisla
ture meet only biennially, there will be no
necessity for having the executive, legisla.
tive and judicial departments of the govern
ment, exceed twenty or twenty-five thou
snnd dollars.
ARE THE PEOPLE ABLE TO SUPPORT STATE
GOVERNMENT?
Wisconsin will exhibit greater popula.
ton at the next census, than any new state
had at the time Of its admission into the I'm.
ion with perhaps one exception. The ter
ritorial tax ofthe present year. will probab'
ly pay every dollar of the public debt, for
which the territory is justly liable; we shall
therefore 60 into state government free from
debt. The assessed valuation Of taxable
property in the territory in the year 1915
was 1870 ,4O5. The amount of taxable
property will be rapidly increased every
year. Any one can therefore see the per
cent Of taxation, which will be required TO
pay the expense of state government, provi'
ded every dollar of ii is raised by direct tax
alton
DO THE PEOPLE WISH TO GOVERN THEM
SELVES.
The British crown appoints the Cover.
nors and principal of officers in the Cana
das, and holds controlling power over the
acts of the provincial legislatures. The
Government Of the United States appoints
our Governors, Secretaries, Judges, &C.,
and has supervisory over the acts Of our
territorial legislature. The privilege of
self government is said to be priceless
blessing; if so, how sorbid, how savish to
talk of the expense free government. II
the cheapest form Of government were the
only ambition Of the people, it would be well
TO let out the job ofgoverning 10 the lowest
bidder. But we cannot believe that the
people of Wisconsin, will be deferred from
going INTO state government by mental con-
siderations.
HAVE WE MEN CAPABLE OF FORMING A
STATE CONSTITUTION?
There are some people who dstrust ev
cry body; hence we sometimes hear the
objection raised, that there is not enough
talent or honesty in the territory to form
a state con sttulion. We entertain none
of this distrust we have full confidence in
the intelligence of the people. We be.
lIeve our population contains as much sub.
stantial talant. a. any othar in propartion
TO numbers. II is true that by waiting a
few years, we should have a greater mum
Der of talented men among us; but it is fair
to calculate that there would be a proper.
tomato increase of office seekers and am.
bilious aspirants; what then is be gained
by waiting? We have advantages which
no other new state ever possessed; because
we have more models Of government, and
a greater amount OF practical experience,
derived from TIE history ofthe past.
Our Political INFLUENCE.
Our influence now in congresses nothing;
we have not single vote to cast on any
question, however much affecting onr inter
esis. BY becoming sovereign state, we
should be represented in both ho2sos Of
Congress; our rights would then be better
tho want Of harbor improve
menls on our extended lake coast; the nav.
igation Of our large rivers, and other
works Of national character, could then
be more successfully urged upon the a;ten.
ton Of Congress. All the new states after
their admission, were enabled to obtain
from Congress large grants in lands for
various state purposes we may expect a
like success, when We have representatives
admitted on the floor Of Congress as
equa!s-not as supplicants.