Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-02-25
Legislative Assembly.

u ouT report OF Legislative proceedings VIII be
brief for the reason that there but little of interest
to report bill TO vacate a certain alley in the
village of Southport has been passed The bill to
renew certain tax warrant in Southport has passed
the Council. The Divorce business is progressing
finely, and new cases are multiplying rapidly. Plank
road projects to be disposed OF by general law
The applications for charters are numerous. Quite
mania piank-road fever seems to prevail in
many parts of the Territory. The following reso
luton, offered by Darling, was adopted on the 7th
in the Council:
Resolved, that the committee on the u-
dietary be instructed to inquire into and re-
port to the Council whether in their opinion
towns heretofore organized can elect their
officers at the approaching town meeting,
in A ril next, under the fifth section Of ar
tlcle No. IA, of the constitution, should that
be adopted by the people; and also that they
inquire whether any legislation is necessary
or can be had on that subject.
Mr.. Lowell has introduced bill TO incorporate
the Southport and Beloit Plank Road Company
also bill TO amend the several acts incorporating
the village of Southport.
ARE WE TO HAVE TOWN ELECTIONS?
Under the above head the Milwaukee Sentinel
has some remarks in reply TO an article which APP
peared in this paper short time since the
ing of the Sentinel is TO not quite satisfactory
The difficulty appears to be in settling the precise
time when we cease to be Territory, and become
State. The position assumed by the Sentinel is
that we do not become State until the proclama-
ton of the Governor is issued announcing the result
of the vote on the question of adopting the Constu-
ton; thus making the legality of change of gov
! eminent, depend upon the act of the Governor.
This construction in our Judgment is liable to
objection The Constitution, it is true, contemplaes
that the Governor shall make proclamation in the
event of its adoption, but it fixes no definite period
when he shall perform that duty. The Governor,
then holds the sovereignty of the State in his hands
and may confer it on the people when it suits his
pleasure. But suppose no proclamation should be
made by the Governor, would the Constitution
adopted by the people be nullity! After the
Constitution has been voted upon, the official returns
made and its adoption by the people rendered une-
quvocaly certain, must we still remain Territory
until the Governor gives public information of the
result Grit the Governor fails to act in the pre-
mises is the sovereign act of the people made voc?
But it is said, the Convention has made it the
duty of the Goyernor to make procamation What
power had the Convention TO impose duties on the
Governor, other than exist by law? The Governor
does not derive his power from the people of Wis
consin--he holds it by appointment under the
government of the United States. Therefore, the
Convention had no more authority TO prescribe new
duties for him to perform than it had to impose
duties upon the President of the United States.
That the Governor will fail to discharge the duty
the Convention have enoined upon him, we 40 not
pretend TO say; he doubtless will do as required
cheerully and promptly; we only suggest such
questions as occur TO us and such contingencies
might arise.