Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1849-01-19

efty therein named," requires sJme notifications
10 make Its provisions harmonic with pre-existins
contracts, and the former laws on this subject -
This act repeats all previous laws exempting any
personal property from forced sale on final process
and enaets a new one. AS some doubt exists as Il
Tue proper construction to be placed upon this act
recommend that such notifications be made tina
the provisions of the prior act may apply to con
tracts entered into since its passage. Much unnrc
essary litigation might be avoided by such an altera
ation and will be within strict constitutional limits
The act Of the Legislature to exempt "a home.
stead from forced SALE took effect on the first da,
OF this month. Whether the beneficial results thai
nave been anticipated will follow from the praeti.
cal operation o. this measure, remains yet to be
proved.
This subject is brought to the attention of the
legislature at this time, with view of urging
such change of its provisions, as will correspond
with my sentiments expressed in my message OF
lne 9Th OF June last. In reterating the opinions OF
That message be sustained by public sentiment but
without IT, it is feared that the whole law would BE-
repealed. Its provisions can be extended if expe-
hence shows that it promotes the public welcome
trust that this humane provision will forever re
MAN on our statute book it throws the mantle OF
protection around the unfortunate and shields them
from unjust oppression its tendency is to elevate the
moral and social conditions OF the people. would
suggest as matters of detailm carrying ont this mea-
sure, that the person wishing to avail himself Of it,
should make selection of his homestead, and have
the same described and appraised in manner to be
dcfned by law, which selection, description and APP
pFalsai he shond cause TO be recorded in the office
OF Register OF Deeds Of the proper county.
These details would prevent fraud and make de-
finite what Is now uncertain He immediately up
on the passage Of the act giving the assent OF the
State to the grant of land made by Congress- to aid
in the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin, iv-
ers Steps were taken by me as required by law,
to locate the lands thus granted. Onthe 29th day
CT June last, being the day OH which the act Of the
Legislature referred to was approved, addressed
the general government, notifying it Of the assent
OF the State TO the act of Congress at the same
time informing it that selected the alternate sec
tons unsold in the limits Of the grant numbered with
odd numbers; and also requesting to be furnished
with diagram of the grant, with other information
necessary 10 complete the locations--to which
received no reply, until the 29th of November last.
In consequence of this delay no locations have
been completed The odd numbered sections within
the limits Of the grant unsod, compose about 1876
COZ ecccs. These lands have been selected, and
the approval of the President of the United States
only wanted to bring them into market The re-
sidcAs OF the lands granted cannot be finally loca-
ted without further action of Congress-
W efforts on the part OF the Executive will be
spared to secure speedy and judicous location of
a the lands, so that they may be made available
ioT the fn:theranco OF the object of the grant.
Some legislation viii be necessary in order to Sc
cure to the settlers these lands the right Of pre-
emp'on granted TO them by the act of the 9Th of
August last. The tosty-rst section of this act will
require some modification to accomplish this CD
Jcct Your attention is therefore directed to this
subject.
The act providing for the improvement Of these
rivers make it The dgy Of the Governor to appoint
register and treasurer. whenever the selection Of
the lands Granted shall b. completed and sale Of
any portion Of them required; The contingency re-
tcrrcd 10 not occurring, no o1icers have been APP
pointed. Is soon Us the President approves Of the
locations already made, The appointment of these
oihcers Will become necessary, and should this i'll
formation be received during your present session.
You will be advised that these officers may be elect
ed by joint vote Of the Senate and Assembly, as
required by law.
The board OF public works, appointed under this
law, Were convened at the Capitol early in Sep
teihber last, when an organization took place. an en-
glnecr was appointed and other measures taken to
ensure at an early day, preliminary survey of the
proposed canal, and Of the Fox River, upon which
estimates could be based
Tins survey, have been informed, has been
completed, and is highly satisfactory, and exhibits
the capacity and facility for the improvement of
these streams, not before anticipated bv the most
ardent friends Of this great internal channel of
commerce. The Importance Of this improvements
to very large portion Of the State, traycrsinC its
whole extent from the northeast to the south
west, IS too apparent, and well known to require
comment.
The valley of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. com
prises some of the best portion of the State and it
may be safely estimated that one half of its geo
graphical area is interested in the improvements
II,
consideration of the Legislature, and should receive
from II an energetic impulse.
The board public works will meet at the CAPT
to Gil TIE 10th inst, when report of their doings,
anc the result of this survey will be submitted in de-
tall Some legislation will be necessary immediate
~ III order TO prosecute the wogk cnergctcallv and
economically. which viii be suggested IN the report
Of the board and engineer. When these reports are
received, such additional suggestions will be made
as vigorous prosecution of the work may seem to
demand.
Under the act directing the 500 coo acres grant
cd to the State by Congress, TO be located, about
10000 acres have been selected, but the approval
OF the locations has not vet been made by the Gem
eral Government. The farther location of these
lands has been suspended until they can be made
OF better quality and at less expense than at the
present time. As the title to some of these lands
has not yet been perfected in this State, no recon-
ncndatlons Oh the subject of their sale is made.
The condition Of the capitol, and the property
connected with it is brought 10 your notice. Some
provision houid be made to repairs, and for furnish
ing aud finishing the Supreme Court room. and
State Office, III manner becoming the character
of the State The capitol and it's grounds, with the
other pbblic property, should be under the cont; o.
and supervision OF one OF the State officers, and is
use shonld be confined 20 such purposes only Us
were intended by its construction.
4 contingent fund should be placed at the dispo-
sal OF the officer having such supervision, for the
purpose Of dischargmg, as they are incurred, such
incidental expenses as are necessary to keep the
capitol and its grounds in proper order. Economy
would dictate this course, the time consumed BY
the Legislature in making separate appropriations
o these expenses TO different persons costs the state
more than the aggregate amount of the Claims al
lowed. Such legislation will carry out these
views IS urged
The Constitution has appropriated to tho schoo,
fund all monies and the Gear proceeds of all prop
eTy that may accrue TO the State by forfeiture or
cscheat, and all monies that may be paid for cx-
enpiion from military service in the several coun-
ties, for any breach Of the penal laws and also the
per ccntum OF the nett proceeds of the public
lands Some legislation is required, directing the
revenue received from these sources TO be paid into
the proper fund for investment, and authorizing some
person TO draw the per centum referred TO, from
the U. S. Treasury.
Provision has been made to carry out that clause
in the Constitution, which requires III, school aud
university lands 10 be appraised and where sale