Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-03-05
MADISON CORRESPONDENTS.
The Legislature---A Long String OF
BilIs---yoman suffrage---Adjourn-
ment, &C.
Manson. Feb. OF. 1869

the "genius and spirit of our ins,i,u.
tons" the Legislature adjourned from
Saturday last till Tuesday, that the time
bonored birthday of Washington might
be properly observed. Tuesday morn
ing they came together with rush >
The look of determination plainly visi-
bic in the faces of We so!ons. evidently
meant business" An attempt was
made to spike" the talking members
in the Assembly by resolution limiting
the time for speeches to three minutes.
But very little notice is taken of the res
olutiOu, however, rs all manage to speak
their q little pieces" by simply asking
leave. which is almost invariably granted.
And now, as before,
"K you have little piece, speak 1t, speak IT,"
is the order of business on every impor-
tant question.
The "doctor BILL" prohibiting persons
from practising medicine without n d.
ploma from medical college or society,
called forth much discussion. and was f.
naliy passed by the close, vote of Al
to As.
The Joint resolution amending the
State Constitution so as to enable the
State to loan its credit to aid in the con.
struction of railroads, introduced by Mr..
Pound. came up for consideration in the
Assembly. Its rejection by srong
vote indicated the opinion of that body
upon the question of State aid to corpo
ra,ions. The friends Of the resolution
are working earnestly in its favor, and
the change they may be able to effect
among the members will come to light
when the motion TO reconsider, which
was postponed, is brought up again next
week. Mr.. Pound is confident of its Fl +
nal passage, believing that when the
members reflect upon the benefits to be
derived from it by the State at large, it
will receive their cordial support. II
was impossible to present the suLjec'
properly in a three minute speech when
the resolution came up, and no attempt
was made at discussion. The people
are fearful of extending State aid to
corporations, for while it mny prove
beneficial in certain cases, it opens the
door to numerous steals and swindlcs
which are sure t. be perpetrated il op-
portunity is given. If it can be honest
ly applied, the granting of State aid will
be eminonty sounl-but there's the
rub.
Mr.. Turner's joint resolution to amend
the Constitution abolishing the grand iu
ry system, passed the Assembly 10y n
vote of 81 TO 81. With the COZ cur
renee of the Senate this question will
then come before the people, and upon
their final judgment rests the fate of this
ancient institution. 1t las become so
obnoxious to the majority of think.
ing citizens well acquainted with the
workings of the system that is safe
to say it will be wiped from our
statutes by the voice of the people. AS
Mr.. Barron justly said in his minority
report on this resolution /: Z" II is but n
secret inquistion, where, in many cases,
bad mems malice has found an easy vent
where ambitious political aspirants, in
the dark, stab the characters of rivals
where the litigant for damages in civi.
suits has trieI his cause at the expense
Of the people, AMI where, upon mere
suspicion ana careless perjury, indict
ments have originated, to go on record,
forever against the character Of the re-
spectacle citizens"
Eloquent speeches were made in favor
of the system by several members, some
of them speaking very earnestly against
the tendency Of the ago to wipe out
tho sold landmarks of our legal
Institutions But the spirit Of pro-
gress and liberty says "down with them"
and down they go, while the world moves
on, growing better and better every day.
We have long since ceased to believe in
the truth, right and justice of any insti-
tuition whose greatest recommendation is
longevity. Our ancestors don't govern
US as much rs they did.
A bill came up for concurrence in the
Senate. relative to the encouragement Of
education, but was voted down. 1t plo.
vides that the board of directors or the
boards OF. education of any city or vii,
lage may allow the instruction of pupils
of the schools in foreign languages for
one hour each day.
The bill to repeal chapter 80 Ger.
Laws of 1868. and to provide for hold
ing oil terms of the Supreme Court at
Madison. was concurred in by the Sen.