Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-01-13
MESSAGE.

January g, Is e.
Fellow Citizens of the Council
and House OF Representatives
You are assembled in conformity TO law
Of this Territory 10 perform the responsible
duties that devolve on you as the Represen-
ta,ives ofthe people.
We have abundant cause TO be thankful
TO the Almighty Dsposer Of all good, for the
very abundant harvesls with which he has
beea p!eased TO reward the husbandman du-
ring the past year. Our citizens, who
cultivate the soil, are rapidly developing the
agricultural resources Of the Territory
Our pralries are being converted into luxu-
rant fields. We have inexhaus,ible stores
Of mineral wealth. Our climate is of The
NEST salubr GUS character, and our soil suit
ed to the production OF everything neces-
sary for the comfort ofman. We have The
great LIKES. Michigan and Superior, Tour
inland seas on the east and north, and the
Father Of Rivers on the west; with several
large rivers passing through our Territory
in different directions. With population
intelligent industrious and enterprising, the
growth and prosperity Of Wisconsin musI
be onward; and the time is moi far distant
when she will form one of the most popu-
lous States Of the Union.
respectfully recommend the passage of
law. submitting to the people Of the Ter
ritory the cxpediency of determining by a
majority of their votes, whether they are
for or against State Government. lflhey
are in favor of that measure, the prepaIato-
Ty steps TO carry into effect their wishes on
that subject should he taken without loss of
time. IL they determine by their votes a.
ganst that measure, their will, will be as.
ccrained, and the public mind put 10 resi-
on that important subject.
The people arc the source of oil power,
under our republican form of government,
and are competent at all times TO determine
for themselves what will best promote their
political interests Their will, when known
and expressed, should always be obey
ed.
respectfully invite your attention TO the
existing laws of the Territory regulating
Common Schools. 1t is believed that a re-
vision of them would have salutary eff
feet. The present hus been denomnaled
an age of improvement. The human mind
is seizng and carrying out to practical re-
suits the momentous truths which respect
the relations of men 10 each other, and the
appropriate means of acco mplishng the pur-
poses of human society and government
Al The foundation of this vast movement
lies the work Of educating the great mass of
the people. The elective franchise is the
foundation of'our liberties; and the perma.
nency Of our republican institutions must
depend on the intelligence of the people,
who, knowing their rights, will maintain
them.
The Territorial Debt is a subject of great
interest TO the people. have not had the
means of ascer,aining the precise amount of
tho indebtedness Of the Territory, nor tie a.
mount of the tax created by the Legislature
T. for lis payment. It is certainly not a large
debt. As an act of justice to the creditors
of the Territory, their dem,nds should be
paid as early as possible as well
as to sustain the standing Of the Territory
abroad, in meeting properly tic public ell.
gagemenis.
The representatives, Of the people, coming
Immediately from their constituents, know
their wants and wishes upon all subjects of
legislation; they know the slate of lie Ter
rloTa. debt, and the means of discharging
it, aud the resources Of those whose inter-
esls they represent.
The situation of the Territory for want
Of Pen'tcnlary,is a subject worthy of the
consideration of the Legislative Assembly
BY tho laws Of the Territory, criminals con-
victcd of crimes ola high grade, are SEN
fenced 10 confinement i'll the SAFE Prison
for term Of Yeas, and are committed 10
the county Iails for safe keeping, or want
of PcnteniiaIy, where they are confined
at the expense of The Territory. have no
means by which TO make an estimate of the
amount paid by the people Of the Territory
for the maintenance and safe keeping ol
conylcis in jails, since the organization OF
the Territorial Government. | have no
doubt, however, that tho amount paid would
have been sufficient TO have erected suit
able Penitentlary for their safe kceplng,and
giving profitable employment TO lhom.-
With our increased population, it would
scom to require that some steps should be
taken to raise funds for the erection of a
Pcniten'iary. Ii would be proper 10 mem.
orialzc Congress, asking for an appropria.
ton for that object; that body appears dis
posed, however. to make our Territorial up.
propriations as small as possible.
The spirit of the age we live in, as well
as the Humanity of our laws are opposed tc
capital punishment, except for the highest
grade of crime. The great purpose o
criminal law is reformation. This purpose
is .hc foundation of the Pcnicnlarv system
which combines with Imprisonment, had
labor, and course OF moral discipline suit.
cd 10 reclaim offenders to the paths of rec.
titude and virtue. This effect cannot be
P'oduccd IN county jals where The convict
has no employmepi. But the continuance
Of MS confinement IS calculated 10 prepare
his mind 'or the conn ssion of higher of.
fences
recommend the mcmo,ial;zng OF Con.
gress on the subject of the sale Of the lead
MINES andreseved mineral lands. Tie &C
cupotjun otihe United States lead mines
under the present leasing system, has here.
iolore been and continues to be, source
OF much litigation in the courts of Justice
Improbable to the government, and cxpen-
slye and hanasSiug TO the Citizens of INC
IeTrtory. From statement made by the
Register OF the Land Office for the Wis
H. 4.