The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-03-07

enterprise stopped tor the want OF iunoS' IL is
designed to be an elegant building; the Estone
carvings over and about the doorways, are quite
elaborate. The work of completing the church
will be resumed as soon as the requisite means
can be obtained, which its friends expect will be
realized before long.
MADISON, March A, 1861.
No great amount of legislation has been trans
acted. since the re assembling of the Legislature,
on Wednesday last. Many members are seeming
Iy more ambitious to fill up the time by making
speeches. than by earnestly driving business for
ward. To see ones name in the daily papers, as
having spoken on some question, holds out strong
temptations to keep talking.
COMMISSIONERS AGAIN.
The Legislature having failed to elect Commits
soners to the peace Congress- the Democrats,
| last week met in convention at Madison, for the
purpose of taking this matter into their own hands
There was quite gathering of our Democratic
friends most of whom were from Milwaukee and
Madison. The first speaker on the occasion, was
Harlow Orion, of Madison. who has formerly been
democrat, but last fall professed to be Bell
man Mr. Orion exhored his hearers to forget all
platforms and past differences, and rally around
Mr.. Seward, as a leader in these perous times
Z. G. Ryan, one of the fiery leaders, heretofore OF
the Milwaukee Democracy, made speech, in
which he took great care to speak kindly of Re-
pubcans He too took the ground in favor OF
casting old party lines to the moles and the bats,
and ralying under the banner of Seward MIR.
Ryan spoke at considerable length, in terms of
high praise of Mr. Lincoln, declaring his abiding
faith in his integrity, firmness and ability to meet
the demands of the country, Other speakers fol-
lowed in pretty much the same strain; all profess
ing to believe it safe to stand the platform of
principles, indicated by Mr.. Seward in his recent
speeches. lit is possible these gentlemen will in
due time, learn that Mr.. Seward has recanted none
of the principles ne has avowed in past years, and
that his more recent expressions of sentiment have
been misrepresented.
The meeting proceeded to appoint Commission
ers to the Peace Congress, condtionally; that is,
if the Legislature should persist in its refusal to
send Commissioners, then NJ. M. Strong, j. H.
Tweedy, H. L. Donseman NJ. C. Darling and n.
Dewey, were requested to proceed to Washington
and ask for seats in the Peace Congress Inasmuch
as the labors of the Peace Congress were brought
to a close two days after this laudable attempt of
our Democratic neghbors to save the Union, these
gentlemen will not be required to proceed on the
mission. The noticeable feature this Democratic
State Convention is the evident disposition of the
party to abandon its hitherto declared PLATFORM
and rally under the banner of one of the old lead
ers of the Republican Party.
FARM MORTGAGE BILL.
The Farm Mortgage bill, which has created con
siderable excitement for the past few weeks, was
finally passed to third reading, on Thursday last,
by vote of 48 TO AZ. It is generally given out
that this is test vote. but it cannot be regarded
as strictly The probabilities in favor of the
final passage of the BILL but the vote most likely,
will be close one. THIS measure, intended for the
relief of Railroad farm morgagors, is probably the
most extraordinary legislation which has yet been
devised in the State. As has been remarked in for
er letters the chief feature of the BILL is to delay
the prosecution to judgment, by the holders of the
mortgages. Some of the advocates of the measure
admit it to be equivalent to reputation. 1t pro.
vides for SO many hindrances and delays, that it
would be cheaper for the holders otthese securities
to surrender them at once, than to attempt their
collections provided the law should be held consti
tutional by the Courts.
1t is by no means reasonable TO infer, that all
who vote against the bill are not sincere friends Of
the farm mortgagors. By referring to the ages &
noes on this lesticn, it win be seen that many
whose votes have thus far been recorded against
this measure represent districts of country where
the farm mortgagors are most numerous These
members OF the Legislature are willing and anxious
to adopt any proper means OF relief; bat they be.
leve that the law under conside will prove
re-acsive, and ultimately produce bad results fol
the class of persons intended to be benefited
The friends of the law say, if it shall be found to
have constitutional objections, or if it shall work
mischief, it can hereafter be repealed. The oppo
sers reply, that the passage Of such law, is vir
tual acknowledgements on the part of the Legisa
ture of the legality farm mortgages, even should
it be found that the law now sought to be passed
should be pronounced unconstitutional. Hereto
fore the mOrtgagors have set up the plea, that
these mortgages were obtained by fraudulent
means, and therefore void; the mortgaeors have
rested their defence largely this point and have
trusted the Courts would ultimately rule accord
ingly. The present bill before the Legislature is
calculated to weaken this plea OF fraud on watch
so much reliance has BEEN placed
! But it is usees, to attempt to state the argu
ments for and against. There are many no doubt
who honestly believe that, That portion of our fel
low citizens who have encumbered their farms in
aid of Railroads, have been badly taken in, an d
are entitled to just such measure of reet as is
now before the Legislature. On the other hand,
very many believe, that should the proposed bill
become law, it would inevitably cause us to be
regarded abroad, as Regulating State, and prove
serious and lasting damage to our name and
credit.
BANKS AND BANKING