Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-11-01
Benjamin Ferguson's Record.

" e animated two or three weeks ago
that the Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor is not good Union man, or rather
that those acquainted with him assert that
such is the fact, and charge upon him an
unfriendliness towards an earnest and de-
termined prosecution Of the war We
have since taken some little pains to post
ourselves in the premises and are eonvinc-
ed that the fact is as has been stated
Happily, Mr.. Ferguson has printed rec
ord which throws all the light upon the
subject that is needed to explsin exactly
his position. We present the same here
with for the consideration of our readers
and ask whether such a man should re-
ceive the votes Of any true hearted friend
Of the Union.
On the 9th of April, 1861, on motion
of Senator Gill, the Senate passed reso-
luton to adjourn on the 10Th of that
month, which resolution was ooncurred in
by the Assembly on the same day. The
"War Bill, as it was called, had been
passed in the meantime. and signed by the
Governor, and as every one supposed, ac-
complished all that was necessary for the
Legislature to do; but on the day prior to
the one fixed for the adjournment it was
discovered that the bill spoken of contain
ed several defects which rendered it en-
tirely inefficient, aud failed to meet the
requirements of the Government Govern
or Randall at once directed the Sergeants
at Arms of both Houses to notify such
members of the Legislature as were yet
in town that the act above alluded to
was imperfect and that further legislation
would be necessary, which would require
their presence the next day in their re-
spectiye places. Such members, therefore.
as had not already left for home met on
Monday morning at 9 O'Clock. to which
hour the Legislature stood adjourned, and
OF course, had no alternative left but to
roscind the resolution for final adjourn
ment, or to adjourn at that time A mo-
ton to reseind the resolution spoken of
was accordingly introduced in the Senate
and PASSED by the following vote, viz !:
Ayes, Is. Noes 4. Those voting in the
negative being Senators Decker, FERGU-
son, Quentin and Sweat.
To show that the object of prolonging
the session was as we have stated we give
below the Governors Message sent to the
Legislature upon that occasion, which ex-
plains the defects in the War Bill to which
a1usion has been made, and shows how
important it was that the Legislature
should leglslate further upon the subject ::
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Madison, April Is, 1861.
TO The Honorable The Legislature
Extraordinary exigeneies have arisen
which may create the necessity of further
legislation in order 10 aid efficiently the
Federal Government to maintain its intec-
rity. The act approved April Is, 1861
IS entirely inefficient. 1t provides for an
expenditure and outlay of money, and pro-
vides nowhere for drawing money until af
Ter it has been expended. Before any,
thing can be done under that act it re-
auires material amendment 1t is time
when party politics sink into iusiguiGcance
and when the patriotism of Legislators and
of the people must be manifested by works.
An amendment to the law at this time
will save the expense of special session
of the Legislature which l shall be COM
PEELED to call unless the necessary legisEa-
tien is passed before an adjournment
ALEX. ". RANDALL.
These are tie simple facts of the case.
as cleaned from the Senate Journal, and
are therefore official. We need do no
more than publish them, for every man
not blinded by partizan zeal. will be able
to make such comments as are becoming
in the matter and deserved by Mr.. FersG-
saa. He IS on the record as having voted
against lueaisbine men and money TO ear
rs on tae war, for such would bave heen