Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1857-02-24

account partly of the numerous appropriations
asked for in other qsarters, and partly for want !
of proper appreciation of its Importance. In
fact the question of continuance of the Geo |
logical Survey of the State was attacked in the |
Senate by J. Allen Barber, IN speech that |
would have done honor to the Middle Age, but !
is considered by most, it is to be hoped, as a
disgrace to the intelligence of the present age.
No one here was surprised at the discovery
of more Barstow frauds, and steals, as appeared
by the report of the Committee on State affairs,
a few DAYS since. A bill FOR Books purchased
for the Library was sent in for payment by
Appleton & Co, of New York, which was ac-
counted for as paid by VIM. A. Barstow, out of
funds appropriated by the Legislature two years
ago. OF course Il second payment was disal-
lowed. It is also said that the salary of Prof
Percival, or large part of it, was pocketed by
the same worthy functionary, for which the
claim has come in. What a satisfaction it must
be to the honest Democrats TO reflect, that they
did their utmost to relnstate such an Admins
tration! Ard further to force Mr.. Buchanan to
appoint none but the miserable remnant of this
faction to Office !
The Habeas Corpus Act or Personal Liberty
Bill, passed both Houses yesterday, the amend
ment of the Assembly being struck out by the
Senate TO which the House acceded to-day
The provisions Of this Bill, a copy OF which l
have sent you, make it the duty Of the District
Attorneys of the several Counties to inform the
Judges Of the Comfy, Circuit and District
Courts wherever q Fugitive IS claimed under
IL
act-aud to use all lawful means to protect such
Fugitive-grauting trial by iury-and confcrs
on all County Judges the right TO grant writs
of Habeas Corpus. It also provides that no
property of citizen of this State shall be sold
under any execution issued under such act It
passed by a strict party vote with the exception
Of Senator Rose and Assemblyman Pagan ofthe
House, two honest Democrats who dared TO vote
their own convictions
Mr.. Reymert Of Milwaukee offered IN amend
ment for which all the Party voted except
Taylor, declaring the Fugitive Slave Act valid
an Constitutional, and repeating the decision Of
our State Supreme Court. It is we'll to place
them on record. The people will remember
who are in favor of protecting our own citizens
To-day the fight has been on 4 bill to release
Mr. Jansen. defalcating State Treasurer, from
all further liability. Much rs all svmpathize
with him for allowing himself TO be the dupe Of
his underlings, justice to the State and people
compelled . majority to let the law take its
course. 1 am willing to pay my share OF what
ever tax might be levied to assist Mr.. Jansen /:
but until the question is decided whether his
bondsmen are liable, or not sympathy should
not be exercised at the sacrifice Of principle
Strict accountability must be required of all
public officers
As you will perceive, as yet very little gen
eral Legislation has been done and vet all the
members Of Committees have been industrious.
No time is wanted, the sessions of both Houses
commencing at 10 o'clock A. NJ, adiourning to
dinner and working on until night If ncccs-
sary tue determination is expressed to have
evening sessions and all business which cannot
be completed by the ID Of March WI go over.
Among the Bills 10 come up, Is one reported by
Committee on Swamp Lands, reducing the min
imum price to $3.50 per acre, and providing for
their sale in the several counties. As there arc
/ some two millions Of acres and some portion Of
them very valuable, the fund realized must he
immense. The question arises what disposal
shall be made Of this fund The object Of the
grant is ostensibly to provide for draining hose
tracts susceptible Of drainage but there IS ey-
/ identity more than sufficient for this purpose -
SO it is proposed by some 10 eudow an Arri-
cultural College with portion to enlarge the
4 Capitol with Il portion TO distribute to the
/ several Academies and Colleges in The State u
q portion and 10 put large portion into the
Common School Fund. All the objects, how
ever praiscworthy in themselves, are not within
the original purpose Of the grant. But it is not
possible to suppose that a State should have
more money than can properly be disposed Of
some project viii be devised to relieve the State
of It's embarrassment, without the sacrifice Of a
great deal of principle
In my next l viii say something Of the State
University and its management, which has been
the subject of some complaint, and give your
readers daguerreotype view of some of the
members Of the two Houses-an undertake.
which time Will not justify me in attempting
this week. ScnPsr.
The Legislature of Wisconsin have rescind-
ed the resolution to adjourn on the 23d, and
adopted another to adjourn finally, on tie I'd
of March, next Monday.
Is Late accounts from Nicaragua report
Walkers prospects as somewhat more flatter-
ing He IS said 70 have gained another victory.