Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-01-25
{ kdstorizl Correspondence
FROM MADISON.
MApIsoN. Jan. 90 |

the more experienced soions. 1t Is con
81 'ered better for the interests of the
state to give the new members ample
time to carefully inspect the contents of
their stationery boxes, and test the quail
itv of the state muciIage, before burth>
eniOp their brains with the concerns of
legislation. Basires before pleasure
is good motto and we are right glad TO
see i, so strictly observed.
SeyeiaI.b bills of importance have been
introduced during the past week. Many
of these are of local nature, and in no
way interesting to the JOURNAL readers.
Two bills have already been introduced
aiming at change invite present sys'
TEN of county government-oneo of them
repeating the present law and reviving
the law repealed last winter. | doubt
its passage this session, though it has
mary ardent md determined supporters
The other bill have not examined and
know nothing Of its provisions.
Mr.. Orion, introduced bill 10 pro
vide for the trial Of offences. aud to
make the laws of the state applicable
thereto" The bill is intended to make
the necessary changes in the statutes
Which the amendment to the constitution
abo!ishing the grand jury system re
quires. Ii is query with persons not
familiar with law what the statutory pro
visions must be 10 take the place of the
time honored grand jury in the courts of
this state. The provisions of this bill
contain all that is required to make this
radical change. Grand Juries are MT
entirely abolished. The Judge is EN-
powered to summon grand jurors when
ever lie deems it advisable Another
excellent provision is that whenever a
prisoner desires to plead guilty to the
charge made against him in the com
paint, he can do SO at any special
term Of the court aud be sentenced i'm
mediaIely without being obliged to re-
main months in Jail awaiting the regu
lar term. To Gen. Bryant, private sec
rotary of Governor Fairchild is entitled
the greater share of the credit in flaming
this important enactment. 1t has been
submitted TO the criticism of the best 10
gal minds of the state and TO the inSpec
tion of our most thorough legislators
snd, in their judgment, pronounced un
excsptionable.
A resolution amending section 10 OF
article of the constitution was intro
duced by NJ. King. When amended
the section will read as follows: Sec
ton 10. Any bill may originate in
either house of the legislature, aud bill
passed by one house may be amended
by the other: Provided, that no law of
this state shall be altered, amended or
repealed by the legislature for the term
of ten years from the date Of its passage
and publication, unless two thirds of each
house shall concur, in such alteration,
amendment or repeal"
| would like 10 notice several other
bills and resolutions of general ntesest,
but must defer them till write again.
The startling committee have been an-
nounced. Our Senator Ives is member
of two-ou Roads, Bridges and Ferries
and OH Railroads. Assemblyman Pow
ell is member Of committee on Swamp
aud Ovel1owed Lands, aud on Privileges
and Elections.
The appOrtionment of the joint com
miitee on redistricting the state into
assembly, senate and congress DUAL dis
,ricts is anticipated with much interest =
/ The commi tee wi consist Of fifteen
! MEMBERSHIP from the senate snd nine
from ths assembly -and il IS genera y
understood that Senator Cameron viii
be chairman of the senate w. ". Field
of the assembly committee.
The patriarch of the legislature i:
Hon. Joseph Mccormick, member from
/ the count es of Door and Kewaunee -
He was born in 1887. AS soldier and
| legislator his career has been one o.
usefulness and honor. During the wal
of 1912 he participated in the battles o.
Tippecanoe. Luudy's Lane, Queenstown
Heights, and Fort Erie. In 1910 be
was elected a member Of the Indians
legislature, and be was also member OF
the convention which framed the state
constitution of Texas He came to Wis
consiu in lS47, and has been resident
! of the state since its admission into the
| Unicn In consideration of his advanced
age. the assembly unanimously voted him
the first choice of seat in the chamber
Ii is little unusual to observe in legis
Iatiye bodies of the present day one so