Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-11-11
Madison Politics. -Large Majorities:-
Their Significance. ~.


Their Significance.
The result of the election in Dane
county, very naturally attracts some at
tention; not because great political
changes in these times are surprising,
but for other reasons. With the people
of Madison, state and national political
issues, dwindle into insignifcance, com
pared with other interests, which appeal
more directly to the craft Of the politi-
ticians and SPECTATORS Most of the
older settlers of Madison, have enriched
themselves by various contrivances to
bleed the State Treasury; and those who
have not accumulated competence in
this way, have only been too improvi-
dent to keep their gains. The history
of Madison from the first location of the
capitol until now, has exhibited a con-
tinued series of speculations and defal-
catiOnE-the funds appropriated by the
general government during the terrific
rial period, were perverted from their
legitimate purposes to private benefits;
so there has been since that period. a
continual series of abuses upon the treas
ury and property of the state. The long
practice of plundering the treasury has
become ystematized-indeed almost a
profession. ..tr
The retaining of the State Capitol at
Madison, is consideration with the
people of that vicinity, which overrides
all others. Hence in the election of leg
islative and other officers, the great end
sought, is to put forward such as are
deepest skilled in chcianery, manage
ment and intrigue. If this be not SO,
why are men nominated and triumph
antly elected who stand convicted before
legally constituted tribunals of being
implicated in various stealings, public
plunderings, and numberless acts OF dis
honesty Why are those who have
been the leaders in supplemental forge
ries and school land robberies, preferred
to men of honesty and integrity? IL.
The state has suffered loss of more
than $4,000 900 in the school fund, from
unwarra utable speculation and abuse of
trust by public officers at Madison. Yet
the Investigations of legislative commit
tees, exp osing the wrong doors, has been
made the subject ofridicule by the Mad
iSon presses. An ignorant democratic
State Treasurer, has been taken advan-
tage Of by the harpies who hang about
the capitol, and the money of the people
tilched away to the tune Of many thou
sands of dollars. An investigation had
before committee of the legislature
shows where the money went. The As
sistant Treasurer testified as follows:
State officers ,oould come into the treasury take
money out, and leaUe slip of paper ruth the
amount eTitten on it. Think the dedication
has arise" from these practices.
Who are these State officers tn
thrust their hands into the State Treasu.
ry whenever they pleased? Who made
as free with the peoples money, as if it
were every ones right to take what he
wanted? Some of these have been vo-
ted into office at the late election by the
people of Madison, thereby not only en-
dorsing past transactions, but evidently
providing for future continuances of this
system of plumber. Candidates, prior
to the late election, were put in nomina-
ton with no intention of being support
ed, but to be dropped, the better to Sc.
cure those more experienced and adroit
in managing to keep the state capitol
from running away, and retaining the
public crib within convenient reach.
This condition of things at the state
capitol, is no new revelation, nor is it
one which is likely to be remedied very
soon. For whoever interferes or at.
tempts to cleanse the Augeaon stable. is
sure to be assaulted with all the ribaldrv
and abuse of which venal press at
the capitol is capable. The best men in
the State have been pursued by the low
scurrility of the Argus and Patriot, for
attempting any interference with the
existing order Of things; Legislative bod
les, proposing reform or investigation.
are assailed with the most unscrnnplons
malignlty by these unprincipled sheets
Legislative committees, for refusino to
report favorsbly on accounts for nrin.
ting, have been misrepresented and
held up to ridicule-perhaps carica.
ured in some ridiculous wood cut en-.
craving in the columns of the Pqtr;o,
Such is the character of the locality
where the people are obliged to send
representatives to make laws. Must Il
always be so?
Il Democratic stronghoM.-Ozankea
county, in this state, gives Larabe.