Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-03-26
From our Special Correspondent. J
FROM THE CAPITOL
MADISON MARcu % lQ,

day being fixed on the Goth instant.
The constitutional amendment abol.
ishlng a certain class of special and
local legislation did not have the
desired effect in shortening the ses-
sion, but rather had the effect to
prolong it, The session will be one
day longer than last years. No
business, that is the consideration of
bills, will be done after twelve o'clock
to-day. More real hard work has
been done during the past ten days,
than during month previous, and
it is possible, that. by doing things
after fashion, the Legislature will
finish the business now before it,
OUR TEMPERANCE LAW.
Bill No. Z, amended so as to pun>
ish drunkenness by Imprisonment in
the manner prescribed in the Senate
amendment published in the Herald
last week, was concurred in by the
Assembly yesterday, which ends the
long and much agitated question,
and gives to the people of this State
a law TO prevent the evils resulting
from intoxicating liquors. The wine
amendment was defeated as it should
have been. Mr.. Bushnell's remarks
on the constitutionality of that
amendment, which Disseminated be-
tween wines manufactured in this
state and those manufactured in 9TH
er states, were exceedingly pcrti>
nent, and were an important aid in
securing the defeat of the amend,
ment. We shall soon have on our
statute books temperance law,
which certainly has merit in it, and
it is to be hoped that it will not re-
main there dead letter.
SUPREME COURT
Last winter the Legislature passed
a joint resolution agreeing to an
amendment to article seven of the
constitution increasing the number
of justices of the supreme court to
five. A bill has passed providing for
the submission of this proposed
amendment TO vote of the people.
This amendment seems to be dimand-
ed by the growth in population and
wealth OF the State.
RIGHTS OF MARRIED WOMEN.
A very important bill has been
passed which enables married wom-
en- to transact business, make con-
tracts and sue and be sued, and to
define the liabilities Of husbands and
wives, and to enable them to testify
in all civil actions and proceedings.
The bill inaugurates q reform much
needed by the advancement of our
people in civilization.
COUNTY INSURANCE.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Bush
nell adopting system Of county in
surance, a synopsis Of which | gave
the Herald several weeks ago, passed
the Assembly on Friday, with an
amendment which confines the OPP
GRAFTON of the act to Grant county.
1t is believed by Mr.. Bushnell, and
| doubtless he is correct, that the prac-
| teal workings of tho system will be
much superior to that of general in
surance companies, is that it will be
equally as.safe, and much more Geo.
nomical.
BUSINESS GENERALLY.
Since the organization of the State
probably no legislature has introduc.
ed so much hard labor upon the
the framing of laws Of general in.
terest, as the legislature of 1877
This labor was forced upon it by the
constitutional amendment prohibit
ing local legislation, thereby neces-
stating the passage Of general laws
whose provisions will enable the peo-
pie to secure the privileges and inn
munities heretofore secured by speci-
al and local laws. The magnitude Of
the work of the committee on gener-
al laws must DO known to be appre>
ciated. Frequently this committee
composed of the best legal talent in
the Legislature-has continued inses-
sion in the "wee sma' hours ayont
the twal," giving their best efforts to
the important duties devoIving upon
them. Among the most important
measures devised by this committee,
is the general railroad bill. Under
its provisions railroad companies may
/ % or .trs 20 Il
aid voted and roads built without re-
sorting to special legislation. AM
other bill worthy of mention is that
providing for the incorporation of
villages, which will relieve our future
statue books of hundreds of pages of
special village charters. There are
other general measures which meet
the wants of the people, but they
are two numerous to mention in this
letter.
GRANT COUNTY MEMBERS.
No county in the State has been
better represented in the Legislature
than "Old Grant, Senator Holo-
way has billed his position in the
Senate with great credit to himself
and his county. Throughout the
session his course has been marked
by rare practical good sense. By
his industry and activity he was won
personal influence and the abiding
confidence and respect of his brother
senator's.
In the Assembly Messrs. Bushnell,
| Cory Earrin and Cahopis hova ran
resented their constituents with sin
gular ability and fidelity. As Iegis.
lators they have made worthy rec
ord--a record credltablIe to them
selves and to the State. On all ques-
tons, especially those of local inter-
est, they have "pulled together" and
in their influence in the committee
room or upon the floor of the Assem-
bly,, they have been regarded as q