The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-04-10

4
during his Senatorial term he was ap
pointed and discharged the duties o
Chairman of three important Commit
, tees, Finances State Prison, and Joint Com
mittee OF Charitable and Benevolent In.
sttutions, and was member of the Com
mittee on Engrossed Bills. AS Senator
. he socn obtained the respect and conf
dence of the Senate and was often called
J to preside over It's deliberations. And
by his sptness, ability and impartiallty as
presiding officer he established his fitness
tor President of the Senate and opened
the way for his nomination and election
for Lieutenant Governor. And he was
elected to the Office ut the State election
in 1871. AS President Of the Senate he
was able and impartial and secured and
maintained the respect and confidence of
the Senate over whore deliberations he
presided. And as Acting Governor in
the absence Of Gov. Washburn he dis
charged the duties of the Office with
ability and credit tn himself and satisiac
torily to the Governor and the people.
During the first session Of the Legisla.
lsture over which Lieutenant Governor
Petit presided he enjoyed good health.
During the last session he was in feeble
health the most or all of the time. Per.
haps in justice to himself he ought not TO
have presided any or but very little of the
time. Bnt be was faithful in the dis
charge of the duties of the Office at the ex-
pense of his health and perhaps mis- life.
He, however,like others,did not know his
danger and continued his labors till the
business close of the Legislature. Ofthe
last six days OF his life he occupied the
chair and presided over the deliberations
of the Senate the first three. Monday ne ,
occupied the chair both forenoon and
evening sessions. Tuesday he occupied
the chair forenoon, afternoon, and even
ing sessions. At the afternoon session the
Senate passed the following resolutions:
Resolr.d, That he most sincere thanks
of the Senate are due and are hereby
rendered Hon III. Il. Petit, Lieutenant
Governor, for the eminent ability, imp4r-
ptiality and courtesy with which he has
presided over the deliberations of this
body during the present session.
Lieut. Gov. Petit responded to the
above as follows: &-H.
SENATORS II desire TO say in response
to the resC lution SO kindly offered and
unanimously adopted by you, l sincerely
thank you.
My aim has been,as my promise was at
the commencement of the session,to deal
fairly with you all, and it at any time
nave seemed TO do otherwise, it has been
the result of inattention to my dn les ow-
ing to the state of my health. To me the
session has been very pleasant. Acquant-
ances have been made, which 70 me have
been desirable, and have grown into al
affection and esteem which I shall fondly
cherish through subsequent life.
Wednesday forenoon he occupied the
chair, and during the session the La
Crosse Bridge Bill, the Governors Veto
and Message from the Assembly was taken
up, the Bill having passed the Assembly
ever the VeGo. When announced that
the Senate refused to concur with the
Assembly great applause followed which
was promptly checked by the chair The
Chair announced that the time for al.
journment by joint resolution of the .wo
Houses had arrived and the Senate ad-
jourDed till 10 O'clock Thursday, to al
iourn 8ine die at noon. This was the last
official action of Lieutenant Governor
Petit.
Mr.. Petit, as the adjournment of the
Legist ature approached last year, hastened
home to celebrate his Silver Wedding
At the adjournment of the Legislature
this year he came home to die. Not in
expectation but in fact, for he expected
by rest and travel to regain his health
Man may propose. God .disposes. This
days Of Milton H. Petit were numbered
and came to an end But 80 unexpected
was his death that his family and the
people of Kenosha, the people of MAdi-
son, of the State, aud of portions of ad
joining States, were taken by surprise
: The State manifested its respect and sor
row by placiLE the flag at half mast
. suitably drapipg the Capitol in mourn
ing, and closing the State Offices on chs
day of the funeral. The Governor anC