Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1854-02-02
Acknowledgements Discussion.

A1SeAoAy-SeWSpRpoI ODCuD31O0.
About half Of the forenoon session of to-day
was spent in discussing that most novel and thrill
ing topic-the propri.ty of taking newspapers
Other subjects grow DID, lose their interest, are
disposed Of but this seems eternally fresh endow-
ed with power to reiuvenate itself, and bound "to
flourish in immortal youth" Every Legislature
finds it full of charms as il appeared to their
predecessors. 1t seems like some species of weeds
which rerplex the husbandmar, and which. the
more they are hoed down, the more they spring
up or like certain plants that grow in paths. and
seem TO gain strength by being trodden upon
Railroad charters have occupied considerable Of
! the time of our Legislators in days past so has
the Fox River improvement; SO has the Bank
/, Law, and numerous other matters but the sub
ject of printing claims precedence in this respect
1t is 10 Legislative body what the game of whist
was to the celebrated Mrs. Battle. She was wont
TO relax herself by performing the ordinary duties
of life, and reserve her best energies for whist
So with the Legislature. They relax themselves
by occasionally devoting their time to business,
but reserve their strength, their highest powers,
their moments of peculiar exaltation for the sub
leNh VI CHSpaPcie ohu PfiHhtiS 1heulOcIS seem
to feel what Shakespeare terms "dvine thrusting
on an irresistible impulsion towards these top
les If economy is to be exercised in any quar-
ter, there is the first place to strike blow. If a
man wishes 10 make his constituents believe that
he is willing to sacrifice himself for their interests
newspapers and printing arc the subjects upon
which he first pounces.
"One stroke he aims.
That may determine and not need repeat"
There has been more expended in the time
spent in windy discussions upon these subjects
than upon any other; and get there is less COM
plant among the people with regard to them, than
any other. If there is any complaint it arises
more from the exaggerated importance given
them in this manner, than from any real cause
Nos so far as newspapers are concerned, we do
not care three straws whether the Legislature
takes any OF not If they do we shaI! endeavor
TO get share. But if they did not, we believe
our subscription list would increase sufficiently,
so that we should not be losers in the end. 1t is
very small matter. The expense, though it
might be large item in the account of private
individual, is IN no manner commensurate with
There can be some good reasons adduced for the
practice of taking papers. But there are numer-
Gus extravagances INDUCED in almost without COM
ment and wholly nexcusable. These are winked
at while weeks are expended in declaiming against
the expense of few hundred dollars, which are
annually laid out for newspapers.
The Legislature, as is we'll known passed
resolution early in the session, allowing each
member 10 daily papers. There were those who
expressed hopes that the matter would then be
allowed TO rest until the close of the session, when
another general fight on the subject of paying for
them may be expected of course. Yesterday,
however, report upon certain memorial from
Grant CO, was made, which, among other things,
condemned the practice OF taking large number
of papers by the Legislature. This was taken
up this forenoon, and discussed at length
motion was made by Mr.. Lake, to refer the report
back to the committee, with instructions to report
bill TO stop the practice of taking papers This,
of course was expected to apply to the next Leg
islature Those who immortaized themselves
in opposing this practice were Messrs. Donaldson
Hadley, Lake, Hale and Noggle.
Messrs. Knowlton, Earnest, Lees, DAVIS and
Scott spoke on the other side and did not seem
disposed TO stutify themselves by condemning the
policy Of any act which they had but short time
since deliberately DONE or by attempting to con-
troll the acts of future Legislatures. MIR. JOINER
proposed TO amend the motion to refer, by adding
instructions TO report bill providing for deliver
ing back TO the State the stationery, gold pens,
knives. &c. which members had appropriated to
themselves. This motion the Speaker decided
could not be entertained. The House adjourned
at last without coming TO any decision
A bill was introduced by Mr.. MArrs this morn
ing, the object of which is to prevent the taking
OF Illegal fees by the State oficers--a matter
that has occasioned considerable complaint of
late.
P. S. Mr.. Lakes motion was lost this after
noon, and the portion of the report respecting
paper. rejected by decisive vote Madison Daily
Journal, Goth ult.