Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-29
THE DELLs BILL VETOED.


that by his own testimony, given before
the investigating committee, be had at
tempted TO bribs member 10 vote for
the bill. The friends Of the measure on
posed the amendment. not in endorse
ment Of Mr.. GIeasOn's conduct, but be
cause the amendment would compel them
to return the bill to The assembly for its
concurrence, and the battle would have
TO be fought over again, which would
delay its passage. and perhaps result in
Its defeat. After a protracted debate the
amendm, ut was rejected aid the bill or
dere'l to third reading by vote of IL
to Is.
On the succeeding day the bill wa.
brought up and passed by the following
vOte.
Arn-Senators Clark. Flint. Foster. Hall.
Ives Krouskop. Ma-onn. Morgan. Pratt.
Price. Rice. Schmidt. Walker and Williams
Id.
AID. CameTnn.i COiladay. Grisw oil. JOEes
Little. Miner, Reed, Schantz, Strong aud
TOwn-l3
The S majors not voting were paired
of. Senator Baldwin afterward changed
bis vote which made three majority in
favor OF the bil
Everyone, not vitality Interested, seemed
thankful that this scheme, which had
largely occupied the time of three sue
eessive sessions Of the legislature, was at
last disposed cf. 10 such proportions
had il increased that it fairly overshad
owed. and. in great degrse, controlled
measures OF general importance. and ex
ercised most perniciOus influence upon
legislation. The bill hal raised both
houses and only nee'Iel exeuiive approx al
TO become law. But to the surprise and
rsg:et of all non-coubatants it was an
nounced that the governor intended to
veto the bin. The veto message was re-
ceived and read Not one word was
said about the merits or dement's of the
measure. The only reasons given ty
the governor were that g. r. Geason's
name was in the bill. and that he be
leved corrupt means bad been used to
SECURE its passage. The veto therefore,
was TO rebuke corruption and purify leg
islation-an this was ALL
While we do not impugn the motives
ofGov. FairchiId we can but think he has
made great mistake. In no case was
1t proved single vote was bought Not
a member was corrupted. Doubtless
the Hobbies of either side had money and
were willing to use it, but there is no
positive evidence that any member was
guilty of bribery. Hence the veto did
not affect the legislature for it had done
nothing TO merit rebuke. On the devo
ted heads of the lobby. then. must fall
This gubernator blow at corruption
nine out of ten of whom were paid for
their services and care not straw wheth
er their way of doing things meets with
the governors approval or disapproval.
The veto of an important bill of this
character for its moral effect, and TO pu>
riIy legislative lobby, will hardly stand
the test Of impartial and candid criticism.
Tho legislature of 1871 closed its In
bors, aud adjourned sine de, il A. n
Saturday, the 25th list. The last week
of the session was repIete with excite
ment. In many respects il stands wi,h>
out parallel in the Annals Of Wisconsin
legislation. The charge that bribery and
corruption were used to secure votes for
OF against the Dolls bilI-Ihe appoint
mehtof committee to investigate these
eharges-the facts disclosed BY their re.
port-the battle Of ideas in the senate
during the discussion of the bilI-its pas
sage By one msjority-the petition OF
Al members of the legislature TO gov
ernor Fairchild, representing that the
passage of the bill was aided by bribery
and cOrrupt:on-ihe veto of the bill by
the governor and the debate that follow
ed-the members of the assembly who
signed The petition TO the governor interro
gated in open session in relation to their
knowledge of any member being corrup
3. ted on the Dells questionable denial OF
any knowledge of that fact-the appoint
ment of a joint committee of investiea
ton TO examine this corruption business
and report ut the Dext sessi, of the leo.
islature-sll cOnspired to surround the
closing scenes with ciIcums ances of the
most intense aud absorbing interest.
The legislature has passed an act crea
ting new Office. State Commissioner OF
Emigration. This provides place for
some gentleman from Europe on the
next state ticket.
By legislative enactment the official