Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-01-23

the past year, and are consequently reiter-
ated, of corrupt conduct in the Legislature
which disposed of the Grants Of land do
noted to this State for Railroad purposes.
The charges are that individuals connec-
ted with the Milwaukee d Lacrosse Rail
road, either as officers or otherwise, offered
and paid to members of the Legislature of
II856, either in money or bonds, or other
wise, large brides TO procure a particular
disposition Of those grants of lands. 1t is
also charged that there was the
same species of corruption in the DISPOSE
ton OF a portion of those lands designated
as the North Eastern Land Grant. These
charges are so open and bold, that good
I~ci,izcns have become alarmed at the idea
If such official misconduct, and the repu-
tation of the members of that Legislature.
land of the State, have materially suffered
in consequence.
If there has been no such corruption and
wrongs as those indicated, it is due to the.
honorable men Of thai Legislature tina,
tHch pc Cichicu W tiioSc CiidtSoN, anu Iiidt
the ISLANDERS be stopped. If there have
been scuh frauds upon, and corruption in
Legislation IN this State, public justice de
mands that by exposure and punishment
an end should be put to such venality.
The man who would dare to approach
a sworn public officer witha bride, to turn,
him from his honest co~nviakion of duty,
should be hunted down by the law and Sc
verely punished. 1t is due TO the people
of this State to know whetl e their repre-
in the market, or like cattle in the sham
bl,s. Honest Legislation in protecting the
rights of all by wholesome laws, is the
great safeguard Of the people, and they
have a right to demand that at the hands
of their representatives. 1t is time this
clamor ceased, or the guilty par les were
Exposed and punished. The self respect
which every Legislative body should feel
should lead without hisltation to- exposure
Of wrongs and crimes. No countenance
should any longer be given to causes Of re
proach against a high and honorable body
of public men. Public morals like private
morals are never improved by winking al
delinquencies. Covering up crimes after
they have been committed, neither oper-
ates as a punishment to offenders or to de-
often es. Legislation should be as pure
in motive and action as the administration
ofjustice or execution Of the law. If the
making power is suffered to become cor
|rupt with inn unity, the administration
of the law by Courts of Justice will be suf-
fered to become corrupt with like impuni
ity, and tbe..rights of The people be jeopar
died. Justice to the Legislature upon
which the corruption is charged, justice to
the people of the State who have been
outr. ged, if the charges are true, and jus
tice TO your selves, demand that the Leg
~islation Of this State be pnrged of these
charges, if they are but charges,and of the
offences if offences have been committed
| will sustain the Legislature, to the full
extent of the power of my department, in
any investigation upon this subject, without.
any regard to where the blow will fall
1t is a question which concerns the honor
Of your department, I submit the whole
question to your self respect, your honest
convictions Of duty, and your obligations
to the law and to the people, as to what
your duty is upon this subject.
The manner in which theRail road com
pauies TO which the grants of land were
given by the State, have fulfilled the con-
%litions of the law, necessarily comes before
you. A strict compliance with the mater
ial requirements of the law must be exact
ed. Stockholders in many of the Rail
road companies of this State, and a large
class of the best citizens Of the State who
have encountered their farms to aid rail
road companies, have suffered great losses
and are liable 10 suffer still greater losses,
on account of the criminal Encouragement
and breaches of trust Of their agents and
officers. As far as possible the Legislature
should establish safeguards against such
wrongs, and pass laws making it a Grimm
al offence for any director, officer, agent OF
servant of any R. R. Co. to appropriate.
sell, transfer, or in any manner dispose Of
any funds or securities belonging to any
Railroad company, or to the stakeholder,
thereof, for any other object than for the
necessary and legitimate purposes of such
road.
An alteration should be made ia many
of our criminal laws, which in cases o
light offences, and particularly with youth
fil offenders, will give the courts a greater
discretion in imposing punishment.
The law on the subject of gambling
needs amending. The penalties Of this
vice operate as invitations TO indulge in it.
At every session Of the Legislature, gam.
'lers and black legs thropg this city, dog
sing the footsteps of citizens, e%nticing the
Dung and confirming an evil habit in the
Did. Severe punishment should be i'm
posed upon these professional gamblers
armed with all the paraphe.nila of a dis
graceful profession, to drive them if posi-
ole from their pursuits. Officers should be
compelled to a strict performance of thei
luties in this respect. | shall take grea'
pleasure in attending to the execution 0