The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-29
Our Wisconsin Correspondence.

MADISON, Wis, Jan. 23, 1855
Land Grab and Bribery Investigations in ne legislature
Enclosed send you copy of resolution for an nvesu
CATION into the disposal OF the lands granted 10 this State
for the construction Of railroads The companies that OBJ
tanned the grants the La Crosse and Chicago, st. Paul
and Fond du Lac.
The impression general that the lands will be given 10
other companies, account OF fraud In their disposal
You will also by the proceedings that an fnvest-
eating committee on bribery is to be appointed.
LESIsLArURE OF WISCONSIN,
SENATE, Jan %, 1858.
INVESTIGATION TO
Mr. WHEELER from the Committee on Railroads TO whom
referred that portion Of the Governors message re-
lans to bribery. reported that the unanimous OPT
MON Of the committees Of both houses that the nvestgs-
ton INTO the alleged frauds and briberes of the last SEES
sion should be Immediately entered upon.
ASSEMBLY, Jan. q, 1858.
GRAB INVESTIGATION.
Mr. KH0wIroN, from the select committee 10 whom was
referred the subject OF corruptops alleged in the land
grant Legislation Of 1855 and 1857 presented the following
Resolved by the Assembly the Senate concurrng, That
JOINT committee, composed OF three members OF the
Senate and five of the Assembly, be raised whose duty
shall be fully and mpartiay TO investigate into tbs
frauds bribery and corrupt acts reported alleged t.
have been perpetrated committed by members OF the
disposal by the Legislature Of this State in the year
eighteen hundred and nftysx of the lands granted TO
this State to aid in the construction of railroads. by act Of
Congress approved June g. 1856 and into any and all cases
OF alleged bribery and other corrupt acts the part oany
railroad company, by any Of the officers stockholders or
agents thereof other Individuals in securing, or at
tempting TO secure the lands aforesaid granted for
themselves fer any and what company, companies.
procuring the appointment Of themselves or others
directors OF the Wisconsin and Superior Railroad Com
pspy in procuring, attempting to procure, They're
signaon Of any ouch directors at and what time and
also any and what member OF ohe
year eighteen hundred and or other person or
persons and whom received stock bond, money or
other valuable thing accepted the promise that he or
they should receive at any and what time, any Stock
bond money other valuable thing for preventing or as
sistng preventing investigation into the alleged
frauds bribery corrupt acts aforesaid by the Legsa
ture last aforesaid and said Joint Committee, and a ma
jory of the members thereof, are hereby invested with
perary power perform and discharge the duty by this
resolution enjcned and in the exercise Of the penary
power Aforesaid among other things may send for and
compel the attendance Of persons before hem and the
production Of papers documents and records for their in
epecon and evidence
Said committee shall also have power 10 appoint clerk
clerks whose duty II shall be to do such writing as
shall be directed by said committee.
Said committee SHALL among other things, by any mem
thereof have power administer TO persons brought
appearing before them witnesses all necessary oaths
and moreover may exercise the powers conferred on
Ia gsative committee by section twenty two OF chapter
fifty -four Of the Revised statutes.
Said committee shall with all reas unable despatch, dis
charge the duty hereby imposed AM report to the Legs
the facts found and the testimony taken by them
The resolution unanimously adopted.
Assembly adjourned.