Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-06-06

the conclusion that, under this provision,
the bills above mentioned have failed to
become laws, and that have no power to
act upon them. Three days" must mean
three natural days, as the deception Of Sun
days negatives any other construction, and
the spirit of the section would seem clear
ly to cover every adjournment for more
than three days. This construction seems
to be the reason for rule no. % of your
joint rules, which prevents an adjourn
ment of either House for more than three
days without the consent of the other. If
it had not been that, in one or two instan-
ces in the history of our State, different
construction appears to have been placed
upon that clause of the Constitution, I
should have not had any serious doubt
about its true meaning. But it seems to
me that the construction | have adopted is
the only safe one, as no legislative preee-
dent would be of much weight if the ques-
ton should arise before a judicial tribunal,
and since an opportunity exists to re-enact
the laws thus defeated
Among the bills above mentioned, is
one in relation to the salary and pay of
military officers, and the consolidation and
winding up Of military departments. l
deem it proper therefore to lay before you
the present condition of these officers, and
the changes recently made therein:
The Commissary General has been re-
lieved from active duty, and his salary has
ceased. The books and papers of his Of
fee have been transferred to the Office of
the Quartermaster General, and the duties
yet remaining have been devolved upon
that officer.
The salary of the Adiuant General has
been fixed at $1,000 pre- annum, (Incluning
the statutory salary to take effect from
January 9th, 1862, according to a verbal
understanding between Governor Harvey
and that officer. He is allowed to employ
one clerk, and the State Armorer contin-
ues to be employed under his direction.
The salary Of the Quartermaster Gener-
al has been reduced to $1,000 per annum;
and bis force of employees has been re-
duced to two clerks, which he is permit
ted to employ until his accounts shall
have been placed in proper condition for
settlement with the General Government,
which, as I am assured by that officer,
will occupy but short time, and by the
1st Of July it is hoped that one clerk will
be sufficient for that department.
The salary of the Militrry Secretary has
been reduced to $500 per annum, since the
9th Of February last.
1t being difficult to determine in advance
TO what extent the service of the Surgeon
General would be needed, an order has
been made that his compensation shall be
fixed by future order, and to cover the
time since the Oh of January last.
The salary of the Paymaster General
has been reduced to $1,000 per annum
he has no clerk or assistant
The Office Of Adjurant General and that
of the Military Secretary, will continue to
involve considerable labor, owing to the
large military force in the field from our
State, and the recruiting service. The
services of Qusrtermaster General will
also, probably, have TO be retained, but
those Of the Paymaster General can soon
be dispensed with, if proper provisioas
are made by law for the winding up Of
his Department. | would recommend
that a law be passed authorizing the dis
continuance, at proper time, Of the active
duties of the Paymaster General, Quarter
master General and Commissary General,
aud that their dut es, SO far as they are
auditing duties, be devolved upon the Sec
rotary Of State. and so far as they are dis
bursting duties upon the State Treasurer
The books, papers and records of those Of
ha I'd 4.
of the Secretary to State.
Ii has been source Of very great en-
barrassment to the Executive Department
that no provisions had been made for
the contingencies which have arisen since
your adjournment, concerning The sick
and wounded soldiers from our State. Wis
cons!n has sent into the field $4,000 men,
and a rev regiment is now being organ
lied. AS our army has advanced, great
many of our brave soldiers have become
sick, aud many have been wounded upon
the battle field. Especially has this been the
case in the army of the Mississippi After
the battle of Pittsburg landing my lament
ed predecessor went to the battle field TO
aid and assist the wounded What he had
SO noby commenced, [ did not hesitate to
carry out, SO far as having. those soldiers
transported to their homes who had by
him been sent up the Mississippi River.
Subsequently, when reliable and continued
accounts reached me of the bel pless condi-
ton of our sick soldiers along the TenDes-
see River, of the inadequate relief granted
by the United States authorities when a
battle was hourly expected, and when |
was actually and credibly Informed that
great battle near Corinth had commenced |
sent another commission under the
charge of the. Commissary General Z. r.
Wadsworth, and the Surgeon General, Dr.. |
E. B. Wocott, to Pittsburg landing and
although no battle occurred then, the com |
mission, consisting of gentlemen who vol
unteeTed their services, saved the lives of |
many brave Wisconsin soldiers " ho were
lying sick from the effects of the climate,
and who would have died had thew not
been removed. Since then, all States aid
has been excluded by the military author
tiles, until after battle. But in that
event aid ought again 10 be granted 10
those who fall wounded upon the field,
trust that you will sanction what has
oeen done and will speedily make pro-
vision for future emergencies. The great
ana noble state Of Wisconsin ought not 10 |
let her brave sons. who fight the battles of /
The Union, die FOR want of attention. The
people, the poor sick, and wounded SOL
diers, look 70 the Executive for aid in
such emergencies; bat his hands are tied |