Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-02-15
Editorial Correspondence
OUR MADISON LETTER.


Senate fixing the time Of final adjourn
ment March Est, next; also providing
that no new business should be received
after February 18th, and no amendment
considered after the 25th inst. After
going back and forth between the two
Houses the resolution has been showed
into the hands of committee where it
will remain for time. Doubtless its
object is to hurry up the members who
have bills in process Of preparation. to
perfect them as soon rs possible and get
them before the legislature in due season,
already nearly 400 bills and resolutions
have been introduced in the Assembly
and about Us in the Senate, "and the
cry is. still they come" l am told,
however, that there is not much business
of a general nature before the Legislature
this session, ms there was at the same
time last year. But 1 think the fight on
the Dells improvement bill aOd the bust
ness of redisiricting the state will pro
long the session well into March.
THE DELLs BILL.
The committee on Laundering and
manufactures hold daily sessions aud are
busily engaged in hearing the testimony
of witnesses for and against the prcjec-
led improvement of the Chippewa river
at Eau Claire. Each side has two law
yers TO run the machine. Messrs j. c..
Sloan, Of GAINESVILLE and ]. G. Gregory,
of Madison, represent the Eau Claire in
terest; aud Messrs Ii. l.. Palmer, Of ii il
waukee and Geo. B. Smith of Madison,
compose the eminent counsel for the
Chippewa side. Four or five meetings
of the committee have been held and
only two witnesses Capt. Wilson of
Menomonee, and Daniel Shaw, a heavy
lumberman, Of Eau Claire, have testi
fed. The greatest care is taken in ma
king correct report Of the testimony
and hence the COMMITTEES make haste
slowly. The statements of Capt. vii
son were clearly aud positively in favor
Of the Eau Claire Improvement. Com
ing from one 50 thoroughly informed 10
every branch of the numbering business,
aud SO well acquainted with the points
at issue between the parties in this strug-
gte and, at he same time, having no pc
cuniayy interest that should prejudice
him in favor Of either party, bis testimo-
nv must have great weight in determin
ing the action Of the committee. 1t
covered nearly the whole case. He said
be thought the improvements at the Dolls
could be made without any detrment to
parties above; that they would improve
the navigation of the river for boats up
and for RATS down, and that the improve
ments, when made, would add to the
value per aero Of pine timber above.
F. a. Moore. correspondent of the
Evening Wisconsin,, is clerk of the com
mittee aud on him devolves the laborous
duty of taking down the testimony and
putting it in proper shape for publication
If be don't earn his regular per diem
am mistaken. 1t is expected that fully
another week will be required to finish
taking the testimony. when the commit
tee will be prepared to report. Messrs.
Geo. A. Buliington, Daniel Shaw. o. II.
Ingraham, and other mill owners of Eau
Claire are here.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
Petitions have been presented TO this
honorable body from various sections of
the state praying for return to the
commissioner system of county governs
ment, and among them l notice one
from citizens OF Polk county and another
signed by the board of supervisors Of
Pierce county. While it is evident that
change Of some kind should be made
still it is not at all plain how it can be
best elected. Some localities are salts
feel with the present system, and others
are very much dissatisfied. Now while
the constitution expressly provides that
there shall be but one system OF town
and county government which shall be
as nearly uniform as practicable, it is diff
ticut TO enact law that will suit all
counties and be constitutional 1t was
probably this view of the case that led
to the introduction of a joint resolution
by Mr.. Swain, of Sack, to amend the
constitution by striking out section % OF
article 4, which now uecessitates a uni
form system. The constitution so amended
will permit each county to adopt the sys-
tenn that shall seem best adapted to its
wants and circumstances. | think the
passage of the resolution doubtful.
WOLVES AGAIN.