Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-06-16

! general government the 500, 900 acre
of land donated to the State by Con
greSS.
Under the existing laws Of the State
two different systems of county govern
ment are in full operation, which has
produced much difficulty in leg,sIatinc
for them. and will continue to create
confusion and require multiplicity O
enactments whenever legislation NAV
affect the government of counties.
All general laws should be uniform
and int uniformity ought not to be do
parted from except in extraordinary
cases.
In view Of the evils arisini from the
present systems of county and town
government, the constitution has wise
y enjoined the legislature to establish
bat ane system Of such government.
and to make the same uniform through
out the State. therefore recommend
that this provision Of the constitution be
carried aut in detail, at your present
session, as a measure of great public
utility.
Criminals sentenced to punishment
in the state prison for violations of the
criminal laws, are now confined in the
county jails during the period of their
punishment, at great expense to the
State. and without any corresponding
benefit. either to the criminals or to the
people The object of punishment is
the prevention of crime. 1t has two
fold influence: one is. the reformation
of the offender; the other, to deter 9th
erS from a violation Of the laws. The
life of the criminal is now spent in a de-
morallzng inactivity, in the county Jail,
without any opportunity of receiving
that lnvigofating exercise in the open
air, 50 necessary to health Humanity
towards the unfortunate of1enderpleads,
and sound public economy demands
that a State prison should be provided
by tie State, in which the sentences un-
der The criminal law NAV be executed.
and the health and morals of offenders
cared for under a iudicious system OF
prison discipline
The propriety therefore, Of providing the
ways and means ofat least commencing the
erection of suitable penlentary for the
state, is respectfully urged upon your con-
alteration.
Your attention is also invited TO the cen
slderatlon ofcapltal punishment. The pen
atty inpdscd for the violation Of the laws
should be graduated according to the mag
nitude of the offence, and Ire degree of mo-
raj guilt manifested in the commission of the
act. Upon this principle the punishment,
of all criminal offences is based and carried
out under existing laws Of the state. except
for the crime Of murder. The present laws
make no distinction. IN the penalty inflicted
on the assassin, who. for the purposes oil
gain or black revenge, in midnight darkness
steals upon the slumhers of his victim, and
takes his life, or secretly administers the
deadly poison to effect his end, and one who
III euddcn passion and heat of blood, takes
life. The offender in both cases would be
guilty Of murder, their punishment CT Jital
/ There is a wide difference in the degree;
of moral guilt in the two cases, and reason
would dictate that there should be cores
ponding difference in lie punishment Lee
The first be caplaII ard the second imprlson-
ment in the state prison for life, or some
fixed time. To be regulated by the circu M
slanc y of each case. The passage of law
so modifying tie punishment of the crime
of murder, recommend rs humane meas
ere.
respectfully suggest a revision Of the
militia laws Of the state, and that they be
placed upon such basis as can be enforced
nv the state government, and sustained by
public sentiment. The utility of military
nusters has become question Of doubt
aud experience shows that il is conmensu.
rate with the burdens imposed upon those
liable to do this duty. Hitherto, under tel.
ritorlal government, the efforts To organise
the militia have proved unsuccessful so laI
as have been informed. and it is believed
hat any attempt by the state government
to enforce the mastering of the militia, and
company drills, will prove equally abortive
Public opinion will not sustain it, and the
reason is obvious. In a military point Of
view the martial exercise of the militia is
Of no substantial benefit when brought into
actual service.
The patriotism of the people is equal to
any emergency. The substitution of enrol
ment for mastering and tr dining, and, tho
payment of a small sum as communication
money by those subject TO perform military
duty, would accomplish all the real and use
ful advantages of the system, and be less
burihensome to the people. submit the
subject, however, to the wisdom of the leg
lsIalurc.
would invite your attention 10 the sub
ject Of the Canal Lands" as one worthy
of important consideration. The reports oil
tie register and receiver Of these lands, with
such other information and suggestions re-
laung to the subject, as the public welfare
NAV require, will be communicated 10 the
legislature, for its considerali. at an early
period of the session.
The state treasurer and auditor NOW the
Secretary of slate) are by law required tc
make their reports in relation to the condi
tier of the f>c~I affairs of the state, TO the
legislature. and not 10 the executive depart
ment. am unable. therefore, 10 inform you
of the available means in the treasury, oil
of the accounts OF the safe, in the auditor
office. doubt not that those officers will
at an early day, submit their reports fol