Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-02-07
The Legislature

tTabshc1ed DY the Legislature, tae time /
thus FIR having mostly been spent in
making buncombe speeches and discussing
matters that have been brought up for &C
ton, some Of which might just as well be
let alone. In the Senate, bill has been
passed relative to redemption e banks, |
and extension Of time for pleading in GER
tain eases. This bill authorizes the sus-
pension of specie payments Of the banks
on condition that they redeem their bills
in exchange On New York, at premium
not to exceed three-fourths of one per cent
1t contains a provision, that banks here
after established are not entitled to the
privileges granted in this bill.
A bill is before the Senate, amending
the law that pays $500 extra per month
to such soldiers as have families, SO that it
shall only be paid to those who allot S., 90
per month of their wages to the support of
their families, and preef of this allotment
shall be required each month by the Sec
rotary Of State before he shall draw war
rant for the S. from the State.
In the Assembly, bill has been report
ed revising the school laws, and adapting
them to the county superintendent system.
It contains over one hundred and seventy
sections, and is a complete embodiment of
all the laws pertaining to our common
school system, with such changes as, after
careful examination, and consultation with
the Commute of Education, and the State
| Superintendent OF Public Instruction, it has
been thought proper to make.
| The bill taxing railroads four per cent
upon their gross earnings, which passed
the Senate TIVE weeks ago, is still pending
in the Assembly - and it is said that
weighty railroad influences are operating
to prevent its passage.
Mr.. Thomas, Of Crawford county, las
introduced in the Assembly bill for the
relief of Farm Morta5ors. It provides for
the appointment of three commissioners to
whom the railroads are to pay at the rate
Of one cent for each bushel of wheat they
carry and in thai proportion for ether
freight to create a sinking fund with which
to pay off the mortgages. The holders are
to be paid in proportion to what they paid
for the mortgages, The fund to be placed
in the state treasury, and paid out on the
| order of the commissioners.
We hear nothing more about army Off
GERS and soldiers engaging in the business
of catching and returning fugitive slaves.
That sort Of thing is done with Neither
the laws nor the object of their inlistment
require our armies to interfere in any way
| whatever with the relation Of master and
slave.-Chicdgo Journal.
On the other hand dispatch dated
Leavenworth Feby- 1st, says that indigna-
ton of the strongest character is gather
ing in the hearts of the people of Kansas,
from the fact that the army under Major
General Halleck is being used in catching
fugitive slaves and restoring them to trait
or masters, They are daily prostituting
the soil Of Kansas by pursuing the flying
fugltives across the border and using Fed
eral bayonets to force them back to traitor
masters. We agree with the Journal that
the army should not be prostituted to any
such purpose as that of slave catching
Our men did not enlist to perform any such
service, and in our opinion would be justi-
ed in laying down their arms rather than
use them in the wa they are ordered by
Cen Halleck. How much longer, we should
like to know, is the union army to be en-
gagged in this degrading, inhuman business?
Does the government suppose that in this
way it will ever qUell this shareholders and
slavedrivers rebellion Can the govern.
ment fight them successfully and at the
same time uphold. nourish and protect
their aecursed institution of slavery? Why
not let slavery take care of itself? If it
doesn't want to get hurt, let it keep cut
of the way. Jim, Lane bit the nail square
on the head when be said, eve march to
put down treason and let slavery take
care of ITSELF" That is all that the North
asks. We only clam that no partiality
shall be shown to slavery. Give Free
dom an equal chance, and do not hamper
her as the Hallesks, shermans and others
do and have done by tying the hands of
Freemen, when not forcing them to strike
blow in favor of slavery by playing the
part of bloodhounds and turning slave
catchers. Until this is done we need not
expect to emerge successfully from our
| present difficulties.
| Lane and misunderstanding Queer.