The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-02-18
Our w ADDISON Letter.
Madison, Feb. Is. 1864

W treat Cnoin III Uile inverse order OF = nlngS
and Men" A few day residence may posi-
bly, warrant some notice of Things but men
will need longer study.
The most of the readers of the TsIegraph
are SO well acquainted with Madison and its
surroundings. that few words in respect to
these will suffice.
Much as l had heard, and read of it's FAM
ed beauty of situation, was scarce prepared
to find its claims to the celebriety it enjoys,
SO fully sustained. After many rambles I'D
and down its many hills, with gIimpses from
the best points of its beautiful lakes, join
most cordially in the general verdict. Could
nature have added Mountain Peak or two
in the dstance-Mt. Tom, Or, the Catskills,
her work would have been complete.
The town, in common with most of ouI
young Capitals has little more of village
air, than accords with our notions, of the seat
of Government, but, time and art will soon
remedy this, The State Buildings, and the
University on the noble nights they occupy,
with rural scenes or water views catching
the eye at every turn suggest some of those
German Capitals where Learning, and, ele-
giant ease so love to dwell. Such a retreat
for scholars and men of quiet taste, the many
Educational interests here concentrating,
seem to presage.
The Capitol proper becomes a more inter
esting feature as each year the Plan of the
Architect approaches completion. The North
ern wing has been added the last summe.
and enables you to form pretty good idea
of the whole when finished. The general eff
feet is imposing and much admired. 1t is
presuming, to indicate the least dissent yet
| cannot refrain from expressing regret
which | often feel as look upon its Grecian
porches and chateau~like wing, that the ar
fist should have sought to combine in one the
forms of Sunny Greece and the 'Nebulous
North" 1t is, however, a noble pile and
does great credit to the muni6cence of our
young State.
But it will interest you more to learn what
our Law Makers are engaged upon, within.
Had time Or space l should like to present
to you these ''dignitaries'' as they appeared
amid the ''snoke and din" of the Capitol
House, the evening before the opening Of the
Session-the perfect am of Honorable
Men"-then cordial greetings-then pleas
ant interchange of Legislative jokes, and, the
perplexities of ''Mine Host" as without re
spect of persons he was constrained to dis
pose of them on chairs, Sofas and ''Shake
Downs"
The Opening" affords one of the best
scenes az yet. rhe Halls of theLegislature are
pleasant. That of the Senate is especially
so, That of the Assembly is spacious and
commodious, but, the effect is much injured
by the heavy, ill supported coonnades which
forms the front of the Gallery.
The whole was quite impressive as the
presiding officers took their seats, the gavel
sounded, the new members were sworn in,
and the Houses organized.
First in order then, was to appoint the sub
ordinate officers for each of which appoint
meuts applicants were in waiting by legions'
These disposed of, 'the disappointed" left i'll
the swearing train" so called from the OBJ
jurgatory habits of its passengers on their
return, and. the Lobbes for time subsi.
ded
The delivery of The Message gave favor.
able opportunity to view the assembled wis
dom, chivalry and beauty, which please i'm
agine, with liberal reccoIIections of Byron a
la mode of correspondents.
With stationery, stamps and documents
for constituents literally provided for, the la
bors Of the Session were fairly Inaugural.
ted.
There have not been as yet many very
important bills presented, and, short session
seems inevitable unless former precedents
have established "Ploughing Time" as an
unaltera Bile limitation.
Perhaps the most stirring event in the
Legislature thus far has been the introduc
ton of Mr.. Starks' Resolutions. AS these pas
sed the Assembly they occasioned considera
BILE debate and no little 'fluttering" among
new Union recruits not yet prepared to de-
clare their adherence to men as well as meas
ures. You will observe they have not vet
passed both Houses, these differing more as
to force of expression than i'll regard to their
nature.
Quite spicy debate sprang up in the Sen
ate on the introduction of the Bill authoriz-
ing the investment of the School and Swamp
Land funds in the State Bonds. Some Of the
'irrepressibles, of the minority thought it "a
fitting opportunity to throw lance at the
''wasteful expenditures and ruination policy
| in general of the Administration and it's
abettors A few sharp rejoinders, with pun
gent illusions to the palmy days Of Barstow
and his compeers, terminated the discussion
and satisfied all that this kind of proiectile, "
was quite dangerous in case of rebound.
The most important bill yet passed is that
authorizing the towns to pay bounties to vol
unteers The Senate Bill was de-corpitated
in the Assembly, nothing being left but the
enacting clause. The amendments which
were substituted perhaps provide more fully
Tor many emergencies. 1t is quite comment
upon Legislation, that the first day after its
publication, two amendments were found
necessary-oDe for voting in cities by wards
and the other in cases where the chairman
of the Town Boards refuse to sign the
scrip.
The Bill for establishing an Agricultural
College and that in relation to interests are
still on the ''tapis." The last proposes the
repeal Of the forfeiture clause as regards the
principal in case of usury. 1t may interest
your city readers to know that the Bill au-
thorizing Kenosha city to offer and pay
bounties to volunteers has passed both houses.
Without the Capitol, the throngs of military,
the posted bills announcing masquerades,
concerts at cetera, apprise us that Legislative
doings constitute but part of the life of Mad
iSon. But Of them anon
OCCASIONAL
n wv