The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-04-18
Our Madison Correspondence.

lure closed without day. IL mas been IN sew
eral respects o peculiar Legislature, and has
given expression to some novel sentiments as
regards the acquisition of Webster's Die
tionary to each member female suffrage and
railway extension Among its majority, there
were plenty of ''good, easy men," who did not
allow the consequences of acts to severely
trouble their minds or consciences, and some
of the shrewd and active politicians of the ma
jority who could and did weigh consequences,
were singularly careless and Indifferent on crit
zeal questions, which in the Assembly, l espec-
tally attribute to disappointment, arising from
the organization of that body al the first of the
session. They have enacted mass of Legis.
lation in accordance with the requirements OF
localities, and some of their general meas
ures will draw from the people considerable
thought and speculation. One of these pro
vides for the collection of a per cent. tax for
1865 and 1866 the capital of the national
banks in this State; but it is said that re-
cent court decision is likely to make the pro-
visions of the law imperative.
The resolution for amending the State Con-
stitution so as to admit of female suffrage, has
been adopted by this Legislature, but before
becoming q law, it must be adopted by the
next Legislature and then be ratified by vote
of the people. And the proposed amendment
adopted by the Legislature granting State aid
to railroad extension will have to take the
same course.
There was bill introduced in the Assembly
providing for the compulsory education of
youth, but no action was had on it, ostensbly
for the want ofproper time to consider it, al
though, 1 think, there being no manifest ne
fN,.ae loxx
seems to me that the powerful moral suasion,
arising from the general intelligence of the
people, affords much healthier stimulus for
the education of youth than the one proposed
by this bill, and while equally effective for the
desired object, it is much more creditable to
the republican institutions of the country.
The tax bill which created so much discus
sionin the Senate and which originated from
a bill prepared at much expense by commits
sion OF three lawyers, appointed by the Gov
ernor, was refused third reading in the house
for the alleged cause of an insufficiency oftime
to consider it, although copies of the bill as
amended by the Senate, had been on the desks
of members for two or three weeks before this
decision 1t seems to me that if there had
been any pressing and generally felt need of
such an amendment to the existing laws on
the subject, no such dilatory and defeating
course would have been pursued toward it.
One joint resolution adopted by both houses,
provides for the distribution of complete in
dex to all the existing laws, which will afford
| a great and needed aid to town officers and 9th
ers who now stumble through the vast mass
of conflicting State laws without any guide to
| expedite their oftentimes weary and some
| times inefficient investigation. The assistant
Secretary of State, who is a pains-taking and
persevering lawyer, has been engaged on this
work for some time past, and has nearly COM
pleted it.
A bill passed both Houses, prohibiting the
opening of dance houses and ten-pin alleys on
Sunday. The bribery investigation committee
made another closing report, which does not
expose the great amount of corruption so gen
erally,but now apparently uniustly talked Of
They found no better foundation than hearsay
for most of the rumors, and the only discovery
Developed by their investigation relates to
j. @. Hopkins, Esq, of this city, being retain
ed by Mr.. Stimson, of New York, to get a
bin through the legislature of 1866 authori-
zingst common stock holders ofthe Milwau-
kee q Prairie du Chen Company to vote for
directors. Such a bill was got through, and
lit appears in the evidence of Speaker Cameron
who was member Of that legislature and the
Chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Com
mittee, that Mr., Hopkins gave him an errone-
GUS idea of the character Of the BILL leading
him to believe that it related to a petroleum
company, and to two other lawyers of this
city, whose acts needed the restraining influ-
| ence of such bill. Mr.. Hopkins has denied
truth of this sworn statement in an affidavit,
dHu GWO SUN obdlCIuGul Us lTOu TWO SUCH men
are occaSloning much comment and Gu
riosity. The scandal mongers are probably
disappointed at the result Of. this investigation;
but every Badger feeling an interest in the
credit ofthe State and its people, will rejoice
at its insignificant result.
7 Senator Sholes from the Finance Committee
and Mr.. Barron from the Assembly committee
on Ways and Means, acting jointly, reported
q clear and concise statement of the State FL
nances, putting the estimate of taxation, for
1867 at $644, 243.9S. AS this statement is not
over long and very interesting and informato-
ny, I will not further refer to it, as you will
probably publish it in full
AS we have published the first report of the
Finance Committe in relation to the condi-
ton of the State Finances, and as we have not
room this week for the report referred to, we
give the following brief abstract of it.
The report provides for the levy of State
Tax of $475 900, besides an amount already
required to be levied for interest on the State
debt, OF $l6O, SO3 70. Of the appropriations,
1915, 600 are for State Institutions and the
Capitol. The committee estimate resources,
aside from direct tax, at $274 900. Besides
this, the State claims balance due from the
General Government on account of war eX-
penditures, of $195, 93167, earnest efforts to
secure settlement of which will be made,
but no receipts into the State Treasury are
really expected from that source. The COM
mittee further say
eff the provisions of the law of the present
session for the collection of the IL per cent
tax for 1865 and 1866, on the capital of the
National Banks in this state are complied
with, or successfully enforced, the amount
derived from this source, in addition to the
3,0O0apald, will be about $65, 900. The com
mittee however, have not included this item
in their estimates of the revenue for 1868.
IAN increase OF revenue will result from
the naSSaUn of the nrOnncpd aPt i'm nnei0o
license OF one per cent. on the cash receipts of
home insurance companies. The estimated
receipts from insurance companies are $45, 600
for 1868, against $38, 600 already received for
1867. Your committee have placed the rail-
road license payable in 1868, at $780, 000, ag'nst
$406, 900 for 1851
Before the adjournment, Speaker Cameron
waSPresented by the members with com
plete set of the American Encyclopedia, and
LIT. Governor Spooner was presented by the
Senators with the remaining volumes of the
annual Cyclopedia, the first of which were
presented to him at the last session. Both of
these officers, by their constant courtesy and
have richly merited these tr-
butes. The chief clerk of the Assembly, Mr.
Young of Sank, was also the recipient Of the
''Dresden Gallery" presented by the men,
bers who esteemed his ability and attention
The lawyers for a time will be kept busy in
getting hold of the numerous amendments to
the general laws, very few of which will ever
be known to, or needed by the people at large
but among the important measures. l must
not forget 10 mention that the Milwaukee 81
Prairie du Chen road is now authorized to
unite stocks and consolidate with the Milwau-
kee IL st. Paul roads, both or either of them
being prohibited from consolidation with the
Northwestern road; but the principle of con-
solidation has been admitted and encouraged
and when the urgent necessity arises will I'M
doubtedlybe extended to the other road.
Having endeavored to give your readers
some idea of the leading business of this closed
18th session of the Wisconsin Legislature /
will close with the wish that Kenosha county
may continue to be as ably represented in the
as she now is and that her sensible
residents may continue to require as little
legislation as at the session just closed.
Work of the Late observation-disclosures
,@GL-F tive Statement.
The State Journal publishes the following
statement of business done