Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1849-03-23
Editorial Correspondence.
MADISON, March 10. 1919.


since 10 compile the laws Of the State that is such
laws as did not pass through the hands of the Re-
visors. This committee has been very industri-
ously employed, and are progressing rapidly with
their work. Mr.. Strong of Racine, is of the
committee, and | cannot forbear tribute to the
devotion he has manifested TO the interests of the
State, by his unremitting industry in the discharge
of his duty. 1t may not be amiss too, to state
what is the fact, that no stands higher, in any
respect, The estimation of members generally,
than MIR. Strong, and it is position he has by his
talents and honesty fairly won, and well deserved
entertain opinions, OF many important questions
widely different from those entertained by him. but
believe, nevertheless, Racine county may be
justly proud of her representative. Mr. Strong
The b: in relation to Homicide, came up in the
House to-day for final action. The vote upon lis
passage was ayes IS, noes 90. The opposition to
1t arose from its containing the death penalty All
though the death penalty has not been stricken
from the bill, it is gratifying TO know, as we do by
this vote, thata very powerful feeling exists against
it in the State. We know that this feeling will
not diminish, but must, from the very nature of
things, progress, SO that the death penalty cannot
much longer exist upon our statutes 1t will be a
proud day for our State when it is stricken from
our laws. 1t will be distinct indication of the
popular march upward, TO a higher and better hu-
manity. How revolving the idea of deliberately
AMI cooily taking the lives of our fellow men, If
mar ho cla -. IL A. {
avarlce, or promptings of revenge, is to be cons
demned, how much more shall we, who take his
life cooly, and with promptings of this charac-
ter. Suppose man HONESTLY conceives himself to
be deeply wronged, and takes the law into his own
hands, and Stays the wronger. We deliberate upon
his case, and conclude by Staying him. Is our
judgment any more likely to be right than his ?
Human judgment is fallible, and under the circum-
stances, we have no right to pass and execute a
sentence from which there can be no appeal
None but an iniallible mind should assume such a
prerogative. No man, nor no set Of men, can
claim that their judgment may not be wrong, and
such being the case, what right have they to take
life which they cannot restore. But hanging is
prejudcal TO the interests of society, in every re-
spect. 1t does not restore to life the victim who
was murdered ii does not sustain his widow, nor
educate his children. Society can be just as well
protected by imprisonment and its teaching is OF
the worst character. There is but one way TO
eradicate crime, and that is TO so educate and ex-
pand the moral and intellectual part of mans ma
ture as to make crime revolving to him. The gal
lows has an opposite tendency in its instruction
and plunges the moral and intelle,tu man into
deeper degradation.
An act which had passed the Senate, relating 20
the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers
occupied the attention of the House during the af-
ternoon. There is some strife and some feeling
between the residents near the Wisconsin river and
these near the Fox; each apprehensive that one
stream or the other will get an undue share of the
fund The bill proposed TO vacate the offices oil
the present board, consisting of s. and create a
new board consisting of 3. No decision was had
upon 1t.
There is vast deal of business doing to which
cannot and need not allude, even generally ]
venture the prediction that when the people come
to understand fully the whole business which has
been completed by the Legislature, they will con-
cede that they have been both industriousy and
proGtaby employed The whole laws of our
State will have undergone a complete and thorough
and careful revision and are in good shape. There
will be no necessity for session of the Legisla-
ture, in length, over 80 days for ten years Let us
get, as state fairly under way, and square up
our debts ana we can have a safe and economical
government ] cannot allude to these laws even
generally; can only speak of such prominent and
important features as are particularly interesting TO
the people. a bill which had passed the Senate
settling with the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal
company, has passed the House, and become law.
There will be no more legislation on that subject
MADISON, March l2.
In the Senate, to-day, the only matter of import,
ance was the bill relating to Homicide. An effort
was made to strike out the death pen, lty. But 10
members were present, and there were s noes and
4 ayes. The ayes were Chase, Goodel, Botkin.
and Sholes. Seven members are absent, and action
will be delayed on the bill until some of them re-
turn. The Senate will not strike out the death
penalty.
MADISON, March II.
An article has been going the rounds of the pa
pers of the State, and among others, has appeared
in yours stating that the seat of the Hon. Samuel
Goo9ell, the member from Calumet Brown. &c
had been declared vacant. Such is not the fact
The committee on the Judiciary, reported in favor
Of his retaining his seat and think the report will
be sustained by the Senate. The point appears TO
be that Mr. Goodell was postmaster at the time of
bis election and consequently was not eligible TO
be elected. On the other side it is claimed that
Mr.. Goode not being postmaster at the time Of
his taking his seat is not ineligible as a member
This latter opinion; which 1 think is the correct
one, will probably be sustained by the Senate, and
Mr. Goodel will retain his seat
The present week has been somewhat eventG,I
one, IN the matter of legislation. l will not nre.
tend TO give detail of what has transpired bp,
will speak generally. An act amending the act in
relation TO paying in State revenue has passed both
Houses. 1t provides that county treasurers shall
the Indebtedness Of. ha =