The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-04-06
CLOSE OF THE LEG1SLATURE--RE
VIEW OF ITS WORK.
From the Evening Wisconsin

crude and improper legislation was stran
gled IN committee, or dispatched in on,
House or the other.
The Dells improvement was the grea
exciting measure of the session, and was
powerfully lobbied from the opening t.
the day of adjournment.
j The Apportionment bill passed in near
ly the same state as reported from the
committee Members from Green, La
faYette, Kenoshs and Fond du Lac coun
ties had reasons for omplaint-otherw
the bill was acceptable and fair.
OFFICERS.
As a rule we take little interest in that
kind of talent that is called to presld g
Speaker VIM. e. Smith, ia the Assembly,
Tad difficult part to manage commit.
tees and engineer the parliamentary fights
ard heated discussions over the Dells
bill ard the bribery charges He may
have made mistakes, but never during
the entire session was heard murmer
OF complaint against his rulings or decis-
IONS All hearts were won to him, in the
chair and out Many old Democrats who
had attended. former Legislatures, APP
preached him at the close with trembling
lips and fearful eyes, and bestowed upon
him them heartiest thanks and warmest
expressions Of regard Mr. Smith voted
fer the Dclls bill, before and after the
veto Lieut.. Gov Pound in the Senate,
maintained his high character as o. pre-
siding officer in the Presidents chair,
though given to logrollipg with mem
War t,11f bo Of rtI. -
Young sustained himself fully. Clerk
Smith in the Senate did admirable; so
did assistant clerks, sergeants, and post
master De Wolf
EDUCATIONAL. Gf8}
No radical changes were made in our
school system except the one requiring
the constitution of the state and the
United States to be taught in our dis
trict schools. The township system was
extended to two years in sll counties
adopting it. The school clerks in their
reports hereafter are to classify all chill
dren between the ages Of and 7, 7 and
To- 10 and 90 also report the number of
blind, deaf and dumb, and feeble minded
Clerks are allowed to subscribe for the
Journal of Education and charge to the
town. Two thousand dollars from the
general school fund and the same from
the normal school fund, were appropria-
ted to defray the expenses of normal in
St ties in counties where there are no nor
NAL schools. Two hundred and fifty
dollars each was appropriated to educate
six scholars from the Soldiers Orphans
Home, in the normal school at Whitwa-
Tar &c IL ca -
twenty two days are made legal school
month, when not stated in contract with
teachers. The school fund may be loan,
ed to districts in sums not to exceed
$4,000, and not over three per cent of
valuation. Bill providing for compulso
ry education for an institution for the
education of the feeble mind a; for
county academies in counties of 1000
people, and for town superintendent,
failed
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
Every measure introduced by Mr..
Petit, chairman of the Committee on
Benevolent and Charitable Institutions,
was prepared with much care and labor,
and carried successfully through. Among
the work accomplished was the entire
revision OF the State prison laws, making
important improvements upon the bull
ding, &c radical change was made in
the policy of the Insane Hospital, max
ing counties and individuals divide the
burdens of expense with the State. This
feature was strongly advocated by Mr..
Keenan,, and will save 100000 annually
to the general State fund when the new
Oshkosh Hospital is in operation Bill
was passed organizing State Board of
Charities, consisting of five members;
also the appointments ola State Guardian
for the children of the Soldiers Orphan
Home, after September next. All the
appropriations recommended by the chair
man Of the committee were adopted
without a dissenting voice, as also were
his financial estimates for the current
State expenses for the year.
COURTS AND TRIALS
The bill changing the Grand Jury sys.
tenn was the most Important feature of
our Court trials Prosecutions hereafter
can be made upon information or in
dlctment; Grand Juries can be summon
ed if desired Pleadings in criminal
cases are simplified. Theoffence is to be
stated in few plain words, and any
variance as to facts may be afterward
amended. The Jurisdiction of Justices
is extended to 5000, in all cases, and fees
of Justices increased, especially in the
case Of long trials. Attorneys fees 10
Justice Courts are abolished A note of
issue, formerly filed four days, has now
to he filed eight days. Judges charges
may be given in writing, or taken by n
phonogra phic reporter A special jury
may be summoned after the entire panel
has been discharged or exhausted. Wit
ness fees for defence are to be paid in
criminal eases