Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-01-19


at the Paris Exposition, to be held
this year, that all nations may more
thoroughly understand our great wealth
and industry.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, SC.
Under the provisions of joint resolu-
ton number 6, 1866, the question
whether or not convention to revise
the constitution should assemble, was
submitted to the people at the last gen.
eral election, and by them decided In
the negative.
The legislature of 1866, by a joint
resolution, proposed an amendment to
the constitution, providing for the pay
ment of salary of three hundred and
| fifty dollars per annum, with 5mileage,
to each member of the legislature. The
resolution was ratified by the legislature
of 1866, but no authority was given
for its submission to the people for
their approval. This authority should
be supplied during the present session.
The wishes of the people should not
be thus thwarted by an oversight, and
TO prevent a recurrence, submit the
propriety of the passage of general
law, authorizing the Secretary of State
to give notices in such cases, as sug-
gested by him.
REVISED STATUTES.
No provision was made by the last
| legislature for the codifcation or revi-
sion of the statutes. 1t was thought
this should not be done until the CUES
ton whether or not constitutional
convention should be held, was deter
mined, because, if decided In the affirm
alive, the statutes could not be proper
ly codified or revised until it had com
| pleted its labors. / respectfully call
your attention TO this subject, being
fully impressed with Its urgent neces-
sity. If responsible parties viii I'M
dertake the work as a private enter
prise, with the understanding that the
state shall purchase q certain number
OF copies, / advise the adoption of this
plan.
| SPECIAL LEGISLATION.
[ again call attention TO the con
stanlly growing evil of special legisla-
ton,
During the session of the last legis-
Iature there were five hundred and
eighty seven private and local laws
enacted. Most of these laws were IN
necessary, as the object sought by them
could have been better attained under
the provisions of then existing general
laws. Over two hundred acts of incor-
poration were passed, creating corpo-
rations without banking powers, in
] plain violation of the clause in the
state constitution, which provides ''that
corporations without banking powers
may be formed under general laws,
but shall not be created by special act,
except for municipal purposes, and in
cases where, in the judgment of the
legislature, the objects of the corpora
ton cannot be attained under general
laws" and in face OF the fact that such
general law as the constitution con
| templates, did not then exist upon the
statute books. If that general law is
defective, it should be amended at once,
and all future corporate companies, ex-
cept perhaps railroad and insurance,
compelled to organize under its pro-
visions. 1t has not been unusual for
| legislatures to gravely include in acts
of incorporation a section stating that
Gin the Judgment of the legislature the
objects of the incorporation cannot be
attained under general avs. :" An ex-
animation of the great majority of
these acts would convince any man
that their object could very easily have
| been attained under existing general
laws. Such legislation is an evasion of
| the constitution, and should cease, If
you will comply strictly with the clause
of the constitution above quoted, and
will leave to the several boards of SUI
pervisors, and to the state courts, all
| business entrusted to them under the
provisions of general laws, you will
very materially shorten your session,
lessen the expenses of the state. give
better satisfaction to your constituents,
and am convinced, will in most cases
advance the ends of justice.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The trustees of the Insane Hospital
report shat the number of patients in
the institution, October list, 1866, was
III.
Number admitted during the year ........... IS
do September 9Oth, 1865. .........-...-... $50
OF which number 90 were males and "a
females.
The current expenses for the year
amounted to 81, 205 03. The expen-
ses for this year are estimated at $780,
600. The farm, worked principally by
the patients, has Melted profit during
the past two years OF over $6,00000,
the work of erecting the additional
wings provided for by your predeces-
sors, IS progressing satisfactorily.
When these additions are completed,
the institution will probably accommO-
date all cases of durable insanity within
the stale. Further provision ought to
be made for the care of the incurable
insane. For the completion of the
new wing, an additional appropriation
of 500, $50. 90 is asked.
The whole number of pupils in at
tendance, during the year, upon the
Wisconsin Institute for the education
of the deaf and dumb, has been 104 -
Number in attendance October 1st
1866, 81. The trustees received from
the State and other sources during the
fiscal year $40, 67S so, and have expend-
ed $24, 070.2S, leaving deficiency of
So, 39l As. for the payment of which,
and for the current expenses of this
year, they ask an appropriation of $27,-
6S4. AS. They also ask an appropria-
ton of S13. 901. 30 for the completion of
the west wing and work shop, now be-
ing erected, and for heating and light
ing apparatus.
The wants of the soldiers orphans
throughout the state, made it necef
sary to open the Home" before pro-
vision could be made 4Jr its crganiza-