Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-02-18
legislative Summary.

than two-thirds OF the Senators were plescnS
petitions we're presented for relief to farm
mortgagors, and for law requiring officers
of railroad companies to be citizens OF this
State. aud to hold their official meetings
here. Bills were introduced concerning
trials and bills of exceptions, and relating to
the duties of District Attorneys, amending
section Sc of chapter Is, Revised Statutes
The bill TO incorporate the Farmers Mutual
Fire Insurance Company of the counties OF
Adams, Marquette aud Waukesha, passed
without important amendment. The vote by
which the resolution of inquiry as to the
amount of money raised for local bounties
and aid to soldiers families in the State, was
passed, was reconsidered, and the resolution
voted down, as impracticable.
Assem6ly.-Bills we're introduced to facili-
tate the collection of taxes on pine and
other timbered lands; TO amend chap. POI,
laws of 1862, respecting County Judges and
other officers; and memorial TO Congress
for a law making all able-bodied men be-
tween the ages of is and 80 liable to draft.
The Senate resolution in regard to the
purchase of supplies for the several benevo-
lent institutions of the State was concurred
in, and several bills considered in Committee
of the Whole.
TUESDAY, Feb. 7-Senate.-A resolution
was introduced requesting the postponement
of the draft till March LIST. motion was
made to extend the time to April 1st, and the
resolution then referred to the Committee on
State Affairs
Several local bills were passed, also bills to
protect bailors of personal property, by en-
abling suits to be brought against bailees for
the damage or destruction of property in their
hands: and to increase the maximum price
allowed Sheriffs for boarding State Prison
convicts to $3.50 week. The bill to increase
printers fees for publishing legal notices was
further postponed one week.
Assembly-Several petitions were present
ed for the relief OF farm mcrtgagors; alsope-
titions for a law requiring officers and direct
ors of Wisconsin railroads to be actual resi-
dents of the State.
Bills were introduced to increase the COM
pensation given papers for publishing general
laws; to procure the collections of the late
Geological Survey; amending the dog law
concerning bills of exception; relating to ev-
idence; concerning actions.
Several local bills were passed, and also
bill increasing the amount of stationary to be
distributed to members of the legislature
from So to $50 worth to each member.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. s.-Se1aate.-Senator
BOWMAN appeared, was sworn in, and took
his seat. A petition was presented for the
relief of farm mortgagors. Some local bills
were introduced, and few passed. A few
appropriation bills for contingent expenses
about the capitol were introduced, and sew
eral others passed. The only general bill in
troduced was one relative to grants of land,
and amending section 4, chapter Sc, of the
veyed, Notwithstanding adverse claims of
DO SCISSORS, unless the adverse title has been
held ten years. The bill to extend the priv
ileges of the Wisconsin State Telegraph
Company, relative to the construction of new
lines, was passed.
A message was received from the Cover
nor, transmitting an official copy of the amend
ment to the Constitution, and earnestly rec
ommending its ratification by the Legislature
of Wisconsin.
STATE OF WISCONSIN,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
MADISON, Feb. Z, 1865. y
To the Honorable, the Legislature Of the State Of
Wisconsin:
Article v Of the Constitution Of the United
States provides that 4" The Congress, whenever
twothirds of both houses shall deem il necessary,
shall propose ameL dments to this Constitution;
or, on the application of the legislatures of two-
thirds of the 81 States, shall call convention
for proposing amendment, which, in either case
shall be valid to all intents and purposes part
of this Constitution when ratified by the legisla-
lures of three-fourths of the several States, by
conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the
or the other mode of ratification may be proposed
by the Congress- provided, hat no amendment
winch may be made prior to the year one thousand
eight hundred and eight, shall in any manner af-
feet the first and fourth clauses in the ninth
ton oftne first article; and that no State without
its consent, shall be deprived Of its equal suffrage
in the Senate"
copy of joint resolution of Congress, approved
February /, 1866, assed pursuant to said article
v. proposing to the Legislatures of the several
States, amendment to the Constitution OF the
United states, to be designated as article thirteen
of the said Constitution, and to request your de-
cision on said proposed amendment.
Seldom has there been presented to any legisla-
tive body a more important question, or one in
which the people of the United States feel deeper
interest than is presented by this resolution.
Though the last few months have been crowded
with important events, imp ortant victories, causing
the people to shout for joy, yet the announce
ment of event has sent deeper thrill of joy to
loyal hearts, than will the announcement of the
adoption OF this amendment.
Upon its adoption hangs the destiny of nearly
four millions of human beings, and it may be the
destiny of the nation. trust, and doubt not the
Legislature of Wisconsin will record the decision
firmly, and nope unanimously, in favor of the
amendment. Let de wipe from our escutcheon the
foul blot of human slavery, and show by action
that worthy the name of freemen.
May God in his providence grant that this con-
templat ed amendment Of the fundamental law of
our land may be adopted by every State in our
soldiers to strike still harder blows for liberty, and
that il may rebound to the glory of our beloved
country. JAMES T. LEWIS,
Governor of Wisconsin.
Senator SMITH introduced resolution to
ratify the amendment to the constitution.
WHEREAS, The Congress of the United states has,
pursuant to article of the Constitution, propos-
ed to the Legislatures Of the several States the fol-
lowing article as an amendment to the Constitu-
ton Of the United States, namely:
ARTICLE Is.
Section j. Neither slavery nor involuntary sers-
itude, except as punishment tor crime, whereof
the party shall have been duly convicted shall
let within the United States, 10 any place in their
jurisdiction.
Section 2 Congress shall have power to enforce
this article by appropriate legislation.