Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-02-24
Editorial Correspondence
our MADISON LETTER.
Legislative OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES or's
eoom mn z udnfions and YetO--and
>somethfng q bout orr Senator'S.
MApIsoN. Feb. Is. 1870.

interest 10 LOCKER on. Auts 10 ['etoi"
ly apparent to the poor wight who es-
says TO gather for publication, matters
pertaining tothe doiDgs of our representa-
tiyes which may interest the readers oft.e
family paper Now that the time for re-
ceiving new business draws to close, a
great number of bills are being intro.
duced each session. Over six hundred
are already in the Assembly alone, while
the Senate has nearly half as many
A great majority of these are bills for
the enactment OF laws entirely local in
character, and which should come under
the jurisdiction of the board of Super
visors rather than this legislature, whose
action in the premises cannot possibly
be so intelligent and is certainly much
more expensive than that Of the Board
would be. The Governor is not blind
to the evils of SO much private and 10
cal legislation, and in his practical, com.
mon sense way, has sent to the Senate a
message recommending an amendment
to the constitution. which shall prohibit
the action of the legislature in the fol
lowing enumerated eases:
let For changing the names of persons or
constituting one person the heir-at-law OF
another.
ID. For laying out, opening and altering
highways, except in cases of State roads ex-
tending into more than one county. and
military roads, to aid in the construction OF
which lands may be granted by Congress.
Sd. For authorizing persons TO keep ferries
across streams at points wholly within the
State.
4th. For authorizing the sale or mortgage
OF real or personal property OF minors or
others. under disability.
9Th. For locating or changing any county
seat.
9th. For assessment or collection of taxes.
18th. Granting corporate powers and privi-
leges, except to cities.
Sth For authorizing the apportionment of
any part of the SC hool fund.
9Th For Incorporating any town or viii
lage, or amending the charter thereof.
The Governor believes with MAORI
ty of the thoughtful men of the state
that such an amendment would save the
state great item Of expense, aud re-
duce the legislation at least two THU ds.--
The legislature thus released from load
of proftless labor would be left free to
deal only with matters of general con-
Germ, and to give, them the fullest consid
Grafton.
A lively debate arose in the House on
Thursday over some resolutions calling
for an investigation into the affairs of the
late school land commissioners. The dem
ocrats endeavorcd to make capital BY
trying TO got through resolutions throw
ing opprobrium on the commissioners
Sharp speeches were made on both sides
and on an expression of The house being
taken a strict party vote was shown, de.
feating the democratic resolutions and
adopting others introduced by Hon. W.
II. Chandler of Dane.
The bill reviving the old supervisor
system which passed the house last week,
has passed TO the senate and was post
poned Till the 2Sd, tl.en to be made a
special order Of business till disposed Of.
A bill has also passed the assembly ap-
propriating Sl25, 900 or so much thereof
as shall be necessary to build an addition.
al asylum for the insane. Thursday the
Governor issued his fist veto "of the
season" on local bill from Milwaukee.
An attempt was made in the assembly
where the bill originated, to pass it over
the Governors head. but failed, as those
in favor did not constitute two thirds Of
all voting. Assemblyman Powell intro.
duced to day a bill Incorporating the
" Prescott, River Falls and Eastern Rail.
road Company, which gives the compa-
ny power to locate road from Prescott,
via River Falls, easterly to an intersec.
ton Of the road of the Mauitowoc &
Minnesota Railroad Company. The in.
corporators are w. G. LeDuc, Stephen
Gardener, of Minnesota; Truman Field,
]. S. White, D. J. Dill, w. j Copp, c.
B. Cox, o. S. Powell, H. G. Putnam,
c.. R. Gleason, John A. Walker and G.
L. Park, Of Wisconsin; Cakes Ames,
Peter Butler, of Massachusetts,, and John
|. Blair, Of New Jersey, and It's capital
stock is 81, 100000.
Should the st. Cro;x IL Superior land
grant be renewed, it is proposed by Mr..
Powell. Mr.. Baldwin, of Hudson, (who
BY the way is now stopping few days
at Madison), and several others interest
ed, to call meeting of the people of the
ST. Croix Valley at some convenient
point, and have general conference on
railroad matters. Mr.. Powell is thor.
oughly in earnest, and whatever great
energy and honest endeavor can do to-
ward tho acco,,,nt;s b,,ant &c l,;s a,,.,,so