Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1849-01-20

message OH this subject. The manner in
which the sentences of the criminal law are
enforced at the present time is calculated to
bring it into dlsrepute, IS expensive to the
State, and detrimental TO the prisoner. In
some cases State prisoners are permitted to
go at large without restraint and in other
case, they are strictly confined in unwhole-
some prison rooms, which makes the en-
iorcement Of this law operate unequally on
the same class of offenders, and the result
from this state of things is the frequent APP
picatI0n for the exercise Of executive Glenn
ency. As the most suitable mode of com
mencing the establishment Of such an insti-
tuition, suggest the appointment Of COM
missioners, whose experience in the con-
structon Of prisons, and prison discipline
can be relied upon, TO examine the different
localities OF the State, aud select "A suitable
point for the object. la making the seec-
ton, that point should be designated where
the labor of the conylcts would come least
in competition with the industry Of the
country. Power should be given them TO
procure draft of plan of the prison and
its grounds, subject, however, TO the appro-
val of the legislature. For this object aud
for procuring the materials for the commence
ment OF its erection, | recommend that the
ways and means he provided at this session.
The executive pardon has been extended
Internationally 70 three different conyIcts
since the organization OF the State, which
will be made the subject of future CONF
munication 10 the legislature.
| again invite your attention to the pun
ishment of the crime OF murder, and rec
omtnend that the views contained in my last
message on this subject be carried out by
legislative enactment. Sound reason and
natural justice direct that discrimination
should be made IN the punishment of this
offence, according 10 the degree of moral
guilt displayed 10 the commission Of tho
crime. Such modification Of the law will
subserve the hest interest OF society and hui
mainly, aud will secure a mere certain en-
torcemcnt OF the criminal code.
The commissioners appointed to revise
the statute laws of the State, learn, have
been actively engaged N tho discharge Of
the duties imposed upon them, aud viii re-
port 10 you such portion ot their abors as
they have perfected. From the limited tine
that has elapsed since their appointment, it
is not expected that they Will be able to
complete their revision during this session.
They will be prepared TO submit at an early
period, bills revising the laws relating 10
town aud county government taxation and
mend your early action upon these subjects,
so that the laws relating to them may be
uniform, rs recognized Ivy the constitution.
Early action in this respect is rendered ne
cessary that the laws may ho published and
circulated among the people before they are
called upon to carry them into execution,
and this is the more necessary in many parts
of the State, as tho town and county gov
eminent will be new, aud only short time
elapses prior TO the nextlu, election. For
further REASONS IN support OF the inperlous
necessity and justice OF establishing by law
such uniformity, ! would refer To my first
message,
Attention is called to the manner of keep
ing The books in tho auditors aud Iroasurer's
plhcos A plan easy, simple and compre-
hansisu, should be established by law, and
un tne principle ot double entry. Reference
Is niade TO IL 10 elicit investigation.
The secretary of State not being required
10 report 10 the executive, canuot officially
inform you of tho revenue aud finances oi
the State, | respectfully recommend that
nnpl- provision be made by direct taxation
90 discharge nll the liabilities against the
Stale, aud sufficient 10 anticipate the ordina-
r. expenses of the government for this and
tue .dccoe,llng year, rs they shall accrue,
that the public faith may at All times be- sus-
tanned, The treasury should always bo
supplied with funds 90 meet Us wants as they
occur, and the uuly way 20 do this Is to pro-
sIdo tho means IN advance, and IN the abb
soice ct other sources OF revenue this must
he met by diroel taxation.
The pswer OF the legislature 10 issue any
osidenee 81 the State debt Il restricted hy
the ninth section Of article eight of the con
susulion, except for such debts as ARE au.
Ihorized 10 bo contracted in the sixth and
seventh sections OF that article. From this
section y Is clear thai the issue, by the au.
horisy oi law, OF any script, auditors or
other warrants, i prohibited, and that the
act 81 the legislature itself should be tho only
marran, aud authority upon which none,
should be drawn from tho State treasury
In tAci, the law apProprlatiung tho money
Is the highest warrant that can b. drawn,
and tbs receipt of the person 10 whom the
approprlatSn Is nl.,,o Is the best evidence
pt us payment, With this method OF draw
Ing money from the treasury, the objection
OF double issues, or OF forged warrants is
removed, and the law itself becomes an uu-
failing check upon the paying officer
Doubts being entertained by the lcelsla-
turo AT its last session, whether auditors
warrants came within the restrictive clause
OF the constitution referred to, provision
was made by law that 40 money should be
drawn from the State treasury except on
the warran, Of the secretary OF state. Par.
ue.pating Ia these doubts, the executive
sanction was yiel,led 10 those laws directing
The issue OF such warrants. Sul,seq0ea,
reelection, however, has convinced me chat
these laws are IN contradiction Of the con.
s1ituiian, and that every warrant OF other
paper lssG.d by one ollicvr OF the State ou
another, for the payment OF moaCy, Is and
theraby becomes aa ev,cnae of STATE debt.
AMI Is the voucher ef payment. The APP
preparation directing the paymcut ct the
money Is merged 10 the warrant or other IN