Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-01-22


on the part of the State, and of exredien-
cy on the part of the several localities
requiring such legislation, that it be left
to the action of the local legislatures
the county boards of supervisors.
The Legislature have also entertained
business, such as vacating streets and
village plats, the disposition of which is
at leastequally within the iurisdiction,of
the courts. The right of the Legislature
to exercise this power is doubtful, and I
consider its exercise conceding that the
power exists, unwise and unsafe, with
out previous notice to the parties inter
ested.
Entertaining these views, would ear
nestly recommend that the Legislature
act upon no measures, the purposes of
which can be attained under general
laws; which come within the jurisdiction
of the County Boards of Supervisors, or
which may be properly disposed of by
the Secretary of State, acting in the cap
aeity of State Auditor as hereinafter re-
commended. BY adopting this course,
the State will avoid, not only the expen-
ses Of protracted sessions of the Legis-
lature, but save large sum arising from
the incidental expenditures attendant
upon such sessions and from the public
alton of mass of laws of no interest or
consequence to any but a few private in
dlvuals. Several years experience in the
legislation of the State, has fully salts
tied me that the only practicable method
OF securing short sessions, and con-
sequent reduction inpublic expenditures,
IS to be found in faithfully carrying out
the views here briefly suggested.
The Legislature, should they deem it
Iexredient to adopt any of the general
laws herein recommended, might in some
instances, instruct the Revisers of the
Statutes, to incorporate them in their re-
port. thus obyiating the necessity of
consuming the time of the present Sess-
ion in passing upon such acts in detail
Anotherevil whichmay be appropriately
mentioned IN this connection, is the
propensity manifested by past Legisla-
lures for continually amending. repeal
| ing, and re-enacting the general laws of
the State, leading to great confusion and
uncertainty in the laws, and giving Use
to frequent and unnecessary litigation.
! The general statutes should only be
lamended when there is a manifest defect
to be remedied, or as manifest good to
be accomplished thereby.
Section two, of article four, of the
Constitution provides that the Secreta-
ry of State shall be 'ec-Q1fcio AUDITOR"
evidently intending that the Legislature
should confer upon that officer a gener-
al authority to audit and allow certain
class of claims against the State. Not
outstanding this provision, however, III
Legislature have, in most instances, ex-
ercised this entire power themselves.
The following are respectively the
number OF Acts Of appropriation passed
during the last four sessions,
Session of 1853, 27S
1854, 255
4" 60 1855, l41
@ " 1856. l61
Much time is occupied in acting upon
these appropriations, materially protrac-
ting the sessions, while a very great pro-
portion Of such claims would properly
come under the disposition of the Audi
tor. | would therefore recomend, that
power be conferred on the Secretary of
State to audit and allow all accounts
against the State, where the amount due
may be accurately ascertaiued by COM
putatlon, and III such other cases IS NAV
seem to you advisable, placing that Office
under such additional restrictions and
guards rs will secure the State against
an abuse OF the trust thus cOnfided. By
adopting this course, legislative expcn-
ditures' would besensibly diminished, and
the public interest be better protected
than under the present system.
The expenses for stationery and pos
tage furnished to tht several State off
GERS, and to the legislature, have greatly
increased during the past few years, and
various abuses are growing up under the
present system. 1t would be matter
of economy, and at the same time, pro-
badly quite as satisfactory to the persons
entitled to these perquisites, to receive,
in lieu thereof, money sufficient to make
their own Purchases. The quality ofth
stationery purchased for the State is al
most invariably complained of by those
receiving ii. All complaints of this char
acter might be thus obviated, and the
annual saving to the State would amount
to several thousands of dollars.
The Commissioners appointed by the
act ofthe Legislature, approved October
I'd, 1856, to hear and determine the claim
of Andrew Proudft, growing out of his
contract with the State, for the erection
Of Lunatic Asylum, after a nj hearing
Of the proofs and allegations Of the par
ties, awarded the sum of $7,4s2 to Mr..
Proudft. This award, by the act. is f.
nal and conclusive between the parties.
This yexed matter being thus disposed
of, immediate steps should be taken for
the erection Of an asylum for the Insane.
The present condition of that unfortu-
nate class of our citizens, renders suchear-
ly and efficient action on your part an
obvious duty. Many of them are unable.
through lack ofrequisite means, to find
refuge in foreign asylums Such are
now confined for safety in prisons and
poor houses, eking out wretched exis-
tence, destitute Of all the comforts and
all the appliances which modern philan-
thropy and science have devised for the
ameioration of their condition and their
ultimate reclamation. | therefore trust
that the subject will receive your early
attention, and that you will adopt meas
ures for the speedy erection of an asy-
lum of sufficient dimension to meet the
wants of the State The late Commits
sioners Of the Lunatic Asylum purchased
one hundred and four acres of land on
the North shore Of Lake Mendoza, near
the city of Madison, for the site of the
Asylum then contemplated. fairgrounds
thus selected are finely adapted for the