, 1874-03-04
WISCONSIN.
Tho Dlppoaltfon OF tAo st. Crolx Ln:ltl-
Grant--Etniisvuy F4cGislntio7a a. The
Lcgisltttivc Clllpltli7ts.

Tho Dlnpoaltfon OF tl.o st. Crolx land.
Grant--ItnilVuy Legislation ~ Ills
Legis1tttlvo Ulauplniaas.
sptciul Correspondence Of TAs Chfcayo 7rib1ns
MADISON. Wis, Fob. 28-TAoro has boon
gonoral fellcitation to-day over the satisfactory
disposition OF the st. Croix Land Graut, in Tho
contest oyor which 30 much time and money
were spent yoar ago,-by giving tho lands to
tho ouly companies that havo an intereat in
building tito road, tho North Wisconsin aud til {
Chicago l. Pacific Air-Lino. tho formor being tho
only ono TINT las done myth nE to eayo tht
grant to tho State. The voto in The Assembly
on cononrrins IN tho bill WIS 80 to 27. The op-
ponents OF the bill In tho Sonato llbuatcrcd all
t4oy could to prevent concurrence In tho AsHe1n-
bly, amentlmout about the price OF lands but 1t
was carried a5 to 9, and tho bill only awaits tho
Governors signature.
Important actiull III regard to regulating rail
roads has been taken by oacll House. aud It re-
mains to 10 aoen whAs will got through both
Houscs. Tho bill which has passed tho sennto
ways, aud create q Bolrd OF hallway Commits
Hioners, divides railways into three cLasscB,--A,
D, aud @; Ainclualng the st. Paul. Northwestern,
and Western Union, md all roads leased or opo-
Bay i minnesota, and Wost WISCONSIN, with tue
lines leased and operated by them; and q, MI
other limos. Passenger ratey arc fixod at to 1
cents n milo. freight is divided iuto four gem
cral casacs, and each Of thoao into oight specinl
classes, and tho maximum l.. price for trans
porting sud ftoght il fixed Violation Of The law
IL punishable by 1iuo not exceeding :3200 for
each otrense, aud liability to the complainant
for three times auy overcharge, and roatls are
prohibited from charging higher freiEhtH than
or before May l, with tho senalos consont,
to appoint, for one, two, and tllrco
yoars, three Railway Commissioners, who shall
have power to hcltd for persons mud papors, to
examine books and accounts Of railways, to ritio
flee on roads, and who arc to receive 80, 800 a
year aud 80 d day travelling expenses. Thoy
Bhall have power to Inquire into nnd report tho
.aotual cost OF roads, the gross earnings, tho ill
terest-boarlng indebtedness, ko They also
Of articles placed by law III special classes, aud
arc empowered to roauco rates in general Or
special casess when it can be donc without in-
jury to roads.
Tho bill passed by the Assembly laat night,
No. 46G, by d vote Of 10 to II, is bill raising
the ratio Of railroad lieenso gu gross earnings,
aud for tho appointment Of throe Railroad Com
lniHBiohors, with powera less than those con-
fcrred in tho Senate bill; with $4,000 salary
oilco ut the Capital; free transportation, and -
u Gny for expenses.
Mr. Wcat introduced q humorous resolution In
the Assembly this morning, Which WIS tabled,
for general Thanksgiving In Wow Of tho fact
tint this bill WIS equally satisfactory to Changers
S1a Sa 4 99as aaa a ara %aaabv ad
passed bill TO regulate railroad passengers
fare and tho number Of brukemon employed Oh
railroad trains.
1t appears tho only man to bo paid for open.
ing Legislative sessions with pruyer is the 1lby.
Mr. Thrrlrgor, II Jow. There were 10 many
hard things said about paid prayers In the Legs.
lature, Mt tho opening Of tho session, TINT the
Protestant clergy Joined i'll q noto declining any
pay for tlloir services. Alr. Thurluger did nol
siEn and hnB olllciatcd in turn. So tho Senate
nfler lively discussion, has voted him s25 com
ronsatiou, III which tho Assembly vii! doubt1oss
CONCUR,