Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1852-02-06
MADISON, Jan. 80, 1852.

you anticipated, you may set il down to the fact
that there is little of real importance to conmu-
nicate. The Legislature is in session, and sits
the customary number of hours each day; but
l am not aware of any thing of general interest
that has yet been completed, or indeed fairly
commenced. An immense amount of local bu-
siness is before each body. hear bills as high
as No. 81 announced in each house, and of the
whole of them. four-tiiths probably, are purely
local in their character. The constitution pro-
vides that local Legislation may be conferred up
on local boards, and it seems to me almost self
evident proposition that all matters should be
confined for their settlement 10 the people who
are alone interested IN them. There is no good
reason that can think Of why the whole state
should be troubled with matters that interest but
one county, or, perhaps, one town, or school dis
trict. And again, the constitution provides that
matters which may be accomplished by general
laws shall not be subjects of special legislation ;
and hence, general laws were passed on the sub
ject Of plank roads, rail roads, &c. Noiwith-
rail roads and plank roads asked, which are act
ed upon and granted, just as though there were
no general laws or the subject. The present
session of the Legislature bids fair to be three
months of duration, and yet it will be short COM
pared with many that vii! follow, unless there
is reform in the matters Of which ! speak,
trust there may be such reform-otherwise the
state expenses must 60 on increasing, and where
they will stop no man can tell.
Mr.. Graham's bank bill has been printed and
is on the desks of members. 1t is generally pro-
nounced mo 60" The committee on thst Ques-
ton have not reported--nor has the committee
on the petitions for the Maine liquor law. Pc
ttions have been presented asking the abolition
OF capital punishment, which were referred to q
select committee, consisting Of Sholes, Utley
and Barbar-GH, believe, in favor of granting
the prayer Of the petition. Petitions lave also
been presented praying the repeal of the colec-
ton laws, which were referred to a select com
mitteo of Sholes, Worlhington and Phelps. |
know not what are the sentiments of this COM
mt,ee or the subject referred to them. l think,
however. ifthe prayer were granted i. would be
of vast benefit TO the people.
You have seen in your exchanges statements
of the transactions of the late Governor, with
reference to the fund drawn from the Govern
ment at Washington l will only say that there
are two sides % every story and |, for one, am
quite willing to wait ill the whole thing is far-
" canvassed.
Another development has excited some little
interest here. BY examination OF. the books, it
appears that some Of the State lands located in
Bad Axe county are appraised as low as 53S for
a whole section. Something like ix-pencc an
acre, and at that price have been entered BY the
late Governors private secretary, and other dug
niaries about the seat of government This
land is par, of the 100000 acres 10 which our
State was ouutled on coming into the Union,
and was selected By OH agent appointed hy the
State government, and appraised by Commits
sioners in the county where selected You will
at once perceive that these lands have either
been very injudlciously located, or else very
wrongly appraised, and this is the question which
is not yet solved. In the mean time, the Lee
gisIature hos hurried through q bill prohibiting
the sale of any more at less that 81 % per acre
Appropos to this subject. you have probably noti-
ced in the Madison Democrat Il very pointed
charge against the Lieut Governor of the State.
Of sWindhng in connection with this matter
The Lieut.. Governor took this matter pretty
mnch as most other people would, and not being
a member of the Peace Society, he made de-
II ct arms, upon the editor Of the
Democrat, on the occasion of meeting him.
of a skrimmage was the result, in
which neither party escaped entirely harmless,
but which had the better f,he fight, know MT,
| have no comments upon this matter.
This morning (,he 30,h) your member intro
duced resolution directing the committee on
Judiciary to inquire into and report as to the best
means of carrying out those provisions of the
constitution relating to locCl Legislation and spe-
cial laws. Could the purpose of the constitu-
ton be carried gu, in its spirit, it would save to
the State $4,000 per year.
Mr. Murphy, who ha, occupied n seat as O
member from Grant, this morning vacated it in
favor of Mr.. Hammett who has contested it, sta.
ling that the facts left no doubt as TO the right
Of Mr. Hammett TO the seat. Mr.. Hamrnett
was admitted to his seat by resolution OF the
House. He belongs to the democracy, as did
lis predecessor
Some days since, certain resolutions were in
into the House, sympathizing with
Smith O'Bren, and other Irish exiles, and ask
ng the British Government to liberate them, and
the Governor TO transmit them 10 the
general government, at Washington To these
resolutions Mr.. Sboes moved an additional one
20 the effect, that we sympa,hize with the op-
PRESSED the world over, and request our govern
nent to use all legitimate means in behalf of
such oppressed. This was adopted, and the res
buttons passed. The Senate struck ont this
general sympathy resolution, and the House
;oncurred in their action. They were sent to
he Governor, and he returned them, directing
o the language in which they were couchcd,
Is not calculated 10 accomplish the end sought.
IN receiving this message, the House reconsid-
'red their action, and unanimously resolved tina,
he objections of the Governor were well found.