Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-01-15
IMMIGRATION.

IMMIGRATION. =
The Board of Immigration, provided
for by chapter l26 of the general laws of
1867, was originized by the appointment
of B. Domschke, Esq, of Milwaukee,
John A: Johnson. Esq, of Dane and Ed
mund .Sweeny, Esq, of Jefferson, the
Governor and Secretary of State being
members &c obfc,o. Under the direction
Of the board pamphlet has been prepar-
ed, giving an accurateland instructive ac-
count of the resources. climate, lands,
laws, institutions, and an outline map of
the state. Twelve thousand copies have
been printed, which are now being cir
culated in Europe, and will no doubt
efficiently disseminate information which
will greatly tend to the increase of immi-
grafton to our state. The board, in their
report, advise an appropria ton of So, 600
for use this year. The powerful aid
which increased immigration would exert
in the material development of Wisconsin
cannot be over estimated; therefore
cordially indorse the suggestion Of the
board. -@>
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
The proposed amendment to section 81
of article 4 of the state constitution, pro-
viding for the payment to each member of
the legislature tf salary of $3.50 per
annum, and mileage, was submitted TO the
people at the last general election and by
them ratified, 80. $50
The last Legislature adopted the follow
ing joint resolution, proposing an amend
ment to the state constitution: e..
"Resolued By the Senate, the assembly
concurring, That section four of article
eight of the constitution of the State of
Wisconsin is amended, to read as follows:
The State shall never contract any pub
lie debt except in the cases and manner
herein provided, but the legislature shall
provide by law that for every tweoty con-
tinuous miles Of railroad, operated by
other than horse power, hereafter built
and equipped as first class railroad with
in this state, there shall be donated from
the state treasury to the company build
ing the same, one hundred thousand dol
lars. For that purpose public debt
may be created, and bonds may be issued
in addition to the debt provided for by
section six and section nine of article
eight" - H..
Also the following:
"Resolued ty the assembly, tie Senate
conca~riug, That section |, Of article 3,
Of the constitution of the State of Wis
consin, be amended so as to read as fol-
lows:
Every person of the age of 81 years
or upward, belonging to either of che fol-
lowing classes, who shall have resided in
the state for one year next preceding any
election, shall be deemed qualified cleo
tor at such election 1st. Citizens of the
United States. I'd. Persons of foreign
birth, who shall have declared their in
ten tons to become citizens, conformably
to the laws of the United States on the
subject of naturalization. Sd. Persons
Of Indian blood, who have once been de-
clared by law of congress to be citizens
Of the United States, any subsequent Law
of congress to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. 4th. Civilized persons of lndian
descent, not members of any tribe pro
riding, tha. the legislature may at any
time extend by law the right Of outrage
to persons not herein enumerated; but no
such law shall be in force until the same
shall have been submitted to q vote of the
people at general election. and approved
by majority of all the votes cast at such
election E-...
These propositions have been before the
people for year, and have doubtless
elected considerable discussion. You are
therefore probably quite well Informed as
to the views of your constituents upon
the questions involved Should your in
formation upon the subject lead you to
believe they desire the ratification Of the.e
amendments, you will of course ratify
them, and provide for their submission.
They are fraught with interest and i'm
portance, and should perhaps be consid-
cred by the people when free FROM the
excitement of "a presidential campaig
In this view it might be well, should they
receive your ratification, to postpone their
submission to some general election sub
sequent to the next one.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
During the past summer an accurate
survey of the Wisconsin river was made
under the direction of the United States
governments, the result Of which | am in
formed demonstrates. beyond doubt the
practicability of rendering that river nav
igable at much smaller expense than
has hitherto been thought necessary.
The interests of Wisconsin, and indeed of
the entire northwest, still call loudly for
the Improvement of the Fox, Wisconsin
and Rock rivers The former Of these is
being constantly improved by the company
having it in charge. A detailed report
upon the necessity of the Rock river i'm
provement has been made to me by COM
mittee Of gentlemen appointed for that
tltat purnnSe conias of which will at IN