Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-02-20

so many uses aud calls for their money.
Suppose it had been provided, thatthc
House Of Representatives should con-
SYST Of thirty nine MEMBERS, a number
equal 10 both houses Of our present
Legislature, instead Of seventy nine
The mileage ofthe forty extra mem
bers, upon the same basis, estimate
the expenses of the new convention,
would be seven hundred and four dol
lars. If the session should continue
forty days, and the first two or faree
sessions must he much longer, their
per diem FOR that time would be thirty
two hundred dollars. II owing 20
their great number they protracted the
session ter days Longer than il would
have been with a smaller number. and
they would cause greater delay than
tha,, ihcn the per diem OF all the mem
bers of both houses, which is one hun
dred should be added, making two
thousand dollars Now these certain
additional expenses would amount to
sixty four hundred and four dollars,
besides which, there would be other
expenses for printing, postage, &c
This large number was very unpopu-
lar in the convention. but il wa adopt
ed, for the purpose Of bringing repre-
sentation nearer home TO the new
counties. But ! cannot see how those
counties will be benefited BY it. They
will have no gre tier representation, in
proportion to the whole number, than
they would in a smaller body. The
local legislation which, they may need,
would not suffer without an immediate
representative. do not think there
has a local &C. been passed for Racine,
Wolworth or Rock county, which has
not passed almost without opposition,
aud which would not have passed, If
those counties had had no representa-.
tive in the legislature. The same
may be said of other counties. 1t is
The general laws, in which we are all
most deeply interested, and these can
be far better made by less numerous
legislature.
Another master evil Of the constitu-
lion, is the provision for an elective
judiciary, 10 hold their Offices for five
years. The manner Of selection, and
the term Of Office, taken separately.
are The worst features which could be
incorporated into any Judiciary sys-
ten, and taken together, they viii OPP
crate with ten fold power Of evil. No
man, however experienced in lie
however profound in thought, howev-
&c far-sceing into futurity, or however
exaberant in Imagination, can too much
magnify the importance Of a good Judi
ciary. 1t is the very bulwark and
safeguard Of our whole frame Of gov
eminent. Of What consequence is it
10 have good laws, il they are incor-
recily expoupded, or improperly ad-
mlnistcrcd? The Judge has FAR greater
power than any other officer in the
government; and the property, and
the reputation, and the liberty. and
the life Of every citizen, may be sub.
iect TO his decision. Our courts are
the fountains OF Justice, aud il they are
corrupted, il injustice can prevail in
The land with impunity. or If those
who seek redress for wrongs are ham
pered aud delayed 10 their search, then
our Institutions, instead Of being be-
loved, will become odious to the PEG.
pie, and their best and dearest inter.
ests will he sacrificed These consid-
cra,ions. the correctness Of which none
deny, should induce all persons to ap.
proach this subject with a wise diff.
denee in their own opinions, and with
a determination not TO be governed by
first impressions, bot TO give 10 the
subject that calm, and deep considera.
ton which its Importance merits. Yet
n majority OF the convention, having
conceived that an elective judiciary
was popular-that il was an expert.
mens which must be tried, although
many of them said that they had not
much faith in il themselves, their
mia DIS were cneeIually closed against
all consideration OF the subject, and
hence this provision was Incorporated
into the constitution. The fact of It's
being there, is no evidence TO nv
mind Of the opinion Of the members is
to the merits of the question, but Only
as to their opinion Of its popularity
This assumed popularity, both Of this
provision and Of several others, shall
notice hereafter. But will now brief
y STATE some of the reasons hich con-
vince me that an elective judiciary
VIII not operate well,