Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-01-17

the law did not make more efficient provision
for the enumeration of the inhabitants, together
with some provision for the collecting of Stats
tics concerning our manufactures, products and
general resources, as these would have furnish
ed proof of our increasing prosperity, and formed
a valuable data upon which TO base many useful I
calculations.
By the same section of the Constitution, it |
was made your duty at the present session to
apporton and district anew the members of the
Senate and Assembly, according to the number !
of inhabitants shown by the census. The Con-
fixes the maximum of the Assembly at !
one hundred members, and of the Senate at not
more than /, nor less than of the number OF
the assembly. In my judgment, the present
number in each house is sufficiently large for
our present necessities and ample for all our
wants until the expiration of five years, at which
time, the Constitution provides for again re-dls-
tricting the State That even smaller number
than at present is allowed would quite as well
subserve the interests of the people, am firmly
convinced, as the tendency would be 10 essen
the length of the sessions and more definitely
fix the responsibility upon individual members
thereby ensuring greater regard for the con-
sequences of their acts, ard moro careful dehb-
Grafton III framing them.
Our State Agricultural Society during the
past year has given gratifying evidence ofits
utility. The practical ability connected with
the more recent management its affairs has
given encouragement to those engaged in agrl-
cultural and mechanical pursuits-thus stimu-
lating that desire to excel, which is 50 neces-
sary, not only for the we'll being Of those inme
diately engaged therein, but tends greatly to
the benefit of the state at large. All reasonable
encouragement should be extended by you for
the advancement of its objects.
The State Historical Society is another in
stance where mere triie of Legislative aid has
yielded ample reward. 1t will be seen by the
report of the Committee that the library OF this
Society now contains 2lI6 volumes being an
increase of over one hundred per cent, during
the past year. In addition to this, very nuIner-
ous and valuable collections other than books
have been added. Should the Legislature see
proper to aid this society in putting forth, in i'm
proved style, their annual publication, it would
tend greatly to facilitate the objects for which
the Society was established.
l feel it incumbent upon me to once moro
urge upon the Legislature the propriety of in
shutting investigations as to the conduct of the
different officers having in charge the interests
of the State. The plaincst principles Of justice
dictate that when men in their positions are ac-
cuscd doing a wrong, and of violating the laws
as they are liable to be, without good cause,
some mode SHOULD be provided whereby these
alledged infractions of right might be disproved
if Improperly made, and in such a manner as
would be satisfactory to all. 1t is also due to
/ the people that such matters as cannot properly
be embraced within the limits of an official report
should be examined by those whose business it
is, rs their representatives, to take care OF their
/ interests. l shall always discountenance and
oppose mere partizan action, and disapprove OF
all bills gotten up and passed for similar ends
! / viii lend my aid whenever called upon to for
ward such enquiries, properly instituted, as the
! people have a right to demand Of their represen-
tatves, and the latter the right to ask of the of
| iicers, who are supposed to be able to furnish
n,,I
that law be passed rendering it obligatory up
on the presiding officers OF the two houses to
appoint joint standing committee at the COM
menccment of each session whose duty it shall
be to investigate the affairs of every department
of the Government and report the result Of their
! labors during the session then convened.
! | must renew the recommendation contained
in my last annual message relating to the time
of tho meeting of the Legislature; also refer
you to that document as containing views IN my
opinion pertinent to the subjects of excessive
! legislation and the great necessity of a revision
of our laws. My former recommendation i'll re-
laton to county standard weights and measures
! is also one Of sufficient moment, IN my Judgment
1 to merit your attention.
AS one of the number of co moderate states
composing the Union, not only feel deep
interest in everything connected with our well
! faro as a nation, but we have voice III the de-
cision of whatever may occur affecting us near
I
as that of part of the common whole, equally
concerned with the others in the condition of
! the country. As such the people of Wisconsin
/ have long looked anxiousy at the threatening
aspect of public affairs, and have sympathized
deeply with those whose fears for the continu-
ance of oar beloved Union, have caused them
to battle cnergeticaly for the maintenance OF
those principles contained in the Constitutions
which the founders of our government deemed
of such vital Importance. AS patriots and sim
cere lovers Of these institutions, upon the per-
manence of which rests the hope and trust of
mankind for free government, they have de-
plored the action of blind fanatics and intocrant
bigots, aided by INSCRIPTIONS politicians, who
combined to overthrow them, reckless Of every
thing save the ends they wish to attain Many
were led to on them from motives of mistaken
philantrophy ard the enthusiasm of thc hour
added to their numbers, and TO the consequent
danger threatened the Union.
Those comprising the Democratic party, ar-
raycd themselves at once in opposition to such
as were contending for the prevalence of a prin-
cipie which, if adopted, would have shut out from
a voice in public affairs, all those whose resi-
dence among us was not determined by the ac-
cident of birth, and rs readily presented an nm
daunted front to those who under the cover of
specious pretexts, would have sacrificed the
Union of the States to accomplish ends which
must have resulted disastrousy TO the cause of
humanity and of free government. Happily for
all of the most cherished interests of mankind,
the struggle promises to terminate i'll favor of,
those whose desire it is to continue the blessings
Of civil and religious liberty to our race forev-
CIR.
1t is apparent that this country owes much
more than is generally conceded to foreign emf
grafton, and the results following therefrom. To-
its patient labor and to the operation Of the mas
ter minds of those who, at the commencement of
our history, sought this country as refuge from
tyranny, we are indebted for most of the bless
sings which we now enjoy. A little reflection
will convince any candid mind of this, and to-
day the existence of a powerful party, enter
taining such principles as tend to result in dis
franchising foreigners, is q stronger argument
than has heretofore been employed against the
capacity of man for sefgoyernmcnt. If a PEG
ple can be so blinded to their own interests, and
50 inconsistent in action. with reference to the
first principles of this government it betrays an
evident want Of judgment which should result
in their vassaage. When, however, the excite
ment of the moment has passed, and time is ia
ken for reflection, the people seldom or never
are mistaken in their conclusions.
We have then an complication of this in the
result everywhere of those elections by which |
the people were enabled to express their senti-
ments upon the exciting topics of the day, and a