Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-01-30
Legislative DOIngs-A Long Ses-
sion to be HeEd-Festivities-
"1fOCk Messenger" sc.
Madison, Wis, Jan. 18th, 1853.

aNiHOh
MR.ED1roR:-Commencing where | left
off in my last | proceed to give you ac-
count of the doings Of the servants. The
Legislature has been in session but two or
three hours daily but that time Las been
well employed, and habitues here speak
well of the Legislature as compared with
former ones. On the 18th the Senate
settled the chaplain question after the
usual debate, by inviting the resident eler-
gy and the newspaper question BY voting
80 worth to each member. The Com
mittee on the Jefferson Co. contested seat
reported in favor of admitting Mr.. Chap
pell to the seat, permitting Mr.. Butler to
take the necessary steps to contest. Their
report was adopted. In the Assembly
there was considerable. debate on the sub
ject of the extension of taxes, but without
any definite action. Several bills of local
interest were considered.
On the 10th in the Senate a resolution
was adopted directing the Secretary of
State to report to the Senate the number
of acres of Swamp Lands sold in theState,
the amount received therefor, and the av-
erage price per acre. There was consider
able discussion on the contested election
case but the report of the Committee was
finally adopted. The Senate then went
into Committee of the Whole on the Gov
ernor's Message which was referred t. the
appropriate committees. There was sou1e
sport in regard to the reference of that
part of the Governors Message relating to
gambling, which was referred to the Judi
ciary Committee, and some difference of
opinion as to the proper reference of that
part relating to corruption in granting the
lands TO Railroads, which was finally Sc mt
to the Committee on Railroads.
In the Assembly a communication was
received from the State Treasurer in reply
to a resolution calling for information inre-
gard to the railroads and plank roads of
the State saying that it was not in his pos
session but he, would obtain it as soon as
possible. Mr.. Dean introduced a %resolu-
ton calling on the Bank Comptroller to
furnish theHouse IA full account of the laws
and facts connected with the practical op-
Grafton of the New York and Massachu
sets Clearing House system, which was
.dortcd.
i report on stationery was sent in by
The Governor, stating the cost of stationery
for the year at $4,000 20. MIR. Bracken
refused to serve in u "subordinate place
on the militia committee. The Assembly
went into committee of the whole on the
Gov errors Message, which was referred to
appropriate committees and the following
resolution was adopted, almost unanimous
ly:
RESOLVED, That a select committee Of
five be appointed, with Instructions to pro
vide for a full investigation into the frauds
reported to have been perpetrated in the
disposal of the lands granted by Congress
to aid in the construction of railroads in
this State, approved June Sd, 1856; and
into any alleged cases of bribery on the
part of any railroad company, or individ-
uals, in securing or attempting to secure
said grant for themselves or company; or
in the procuring Of the appointment of
themselves or Others as directors OF the
Wisconsin and Superior Railroad Com
pany, or in procuring the resignation of
such directors at any subsequent time
And also, whether any member of the last
Legislature, or others, received any stocks,
bonds, or money, for the purpose of pre-
venting an investigation of alleged frauds
by the Legislature at that time and report
at AT early day.
Ga the 20th, the Senate elected IL. ii.
Giles, of Dane, President pro. tenn. by a
vote of Is TO 8. Besides complimenting a
worthy man by this vote, the Senate have
secured to themselves, for a part of the
time a competent and excellent presiding
officer. A resolution was also adopted in
structing the superintendent to clear out,
for the use of the Senate Committees, a
small room adjoining the Treasurer's office,
in the Capitol, of which DR.. John w
Hunt, being relieved from the office Of
Asst Secretary of State, had taken posses
sion as an office, probably concerning that
he had been in the Capitol long enough to
establish a presumption right.
In the Assembly there came the tug Of
war on the resolution of allowing theState
Treasurer to receive the bills o. specie pay
ing Wisconsin Banks in payment of taxes
The debate occupied a great part of the