The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-03-20
MADISON CORRESPONDENCE.
The End-The Small Impeachment
bandOned-Plunder Chests
Presentations, State
Expenses for
1874, Etc.

MS eXcelIency, the governor OF w iScoh
sin, will have ended with the mailing of
this letter, in which I have to note the
last hours and closing scenes of our
Republican "corps legislatif," and the
return of the hundred and odd mem
bers of that distinguished body, to the
bosom of their families-which, by the
way, many of them ought never to have
left; there be those, however, who have
greatness thrust upon them, and are not
Individually responsible for the burden
they are called to bear. Thus it is with
some OF our western legislators, who,
while entertaining an abiding faith in
their inherent worthiness" and an inner
| consciousness of their overtowerlng
statesmanly abilities, are nevertheless
doomed by an unappreciating public to
"waste their fragrance on the desert
air. until the discussion of some local
measure, such as the building of bridge,
changing highway, or selection of a
school house site, brings them into
prominence at home. And then it is
that new light dawns upon them
They are suddenly smitten with the
charms and glories of political strife,
and eventually are rewarded for
their devotion to the public veal Cat the
expense of private interests) by real
ization of their brightest dream in an
election to the legislature, where they
spend their brief season of greatness and
return to their admiring constituents to
rehearse their oratorical battles of the
winter to admiring audiences of country
pumpkins in the corner store and
at spelling schools. But the meas
ure of their ambition is full, and hence
forth the right to prefix the "Hon." to
their names is assured, and the coun
try's list of "great" men increased.
These remarks are not intended to APP
ply to the Wisconsin legislature in par
ticular, many members Of which are
men of great ability and experience,
but are applicable to many members of
nearly all Legislative bodies, and partic-
ularly in new states.
FINAL ADJOURNMENT.
The final adjournment which takes
place to morrow at - NJ. has been fore
Swallowed for some time by the arrival
at the capital of load of significant
looking wooden boxes, exactly cores
ponding in number to the aggregate of
These are known to the iniated as
"plunder chests" and are destined to
receive the net receipts of plumber &C
cumulated during the session, in the
way of stationery, jack knives, docu-
| ments, etc. The manufacture of these
boxes is a source of annual revenue to
an industrious carpenter that 'herea-
bout doth dwell" and may be found
among the effects of every ex-member
of the Legislature, as you mu know
this perquisite of our honorable legis-
lators is not zone of the many evils fol-
lowing In the wake of the late liberal
uprising" but is custom which dates
back far into the past, and has been re-
igjously observed by all of our former
legislatures. The winters swag is an
nually toted home, and in most instances
exceeds the amount actually used dur
ing the session, thanks to the hberality
of the State superintendent who deals
it out.
THE DISSOLUTION.
The actual business of the Legisla-
ture closed at 100 clock Thursday night,
when Fred Horns gavel fell in the
House, and the Lieut.. Governor made
the same sign in the Senate. Nothing
then remained but to lay around and
receive messages. The usual presenta-
tons to officers have been made, and all
the scenes and incidents usual on the
breaking up, taken place In their regu-
lar order. In the Assembly, Thursday
evening, Mr.. Smart approached speaker
Horn and said:
Mr. SPEAKER HORN The hour is drawing
near when the sound of your gavel Will an
nounce the session of the Assembly of 1875
adjourned sine Gie.
The members of this House have delegated
me. before we part, to express to you our sin
cere thanks tor the able, courteous and
efficient manner il which you have conducted
and dispatched the business that has occu-
pied our attention.
Before parting we ask you to accept these
slight tokens of esteem. together with the as
surance of our friendship and our best wishes
| for your future welfare and prosperity. May
the gifts we offer ever reflect pleasant memo
ries of the past, and in the future recall the
days that found us here, laboring together in
one common duty. to advance the intere SITS of
our state and promote the peace welfare and
prosperity of its people. May these gems.
tinged with the bright rays Of heaven, remain
to you momentoes of friendship, occupying a
warm corner IN your memory, and when at
last they pass into the keeping of some beloved
child, and the members of 1875 be numbered
active scenes of busy life, may they remind
the loved ones gathering around the hearth of
your home, that the Speaker of the Assembly
of 1875 was one Of the peoples honored and
faithful servants, and in full possession of the
esteem, confidence ard respect of his fellow
associates.
With these fond recoilections of the past
may our hearts glow with Kindness and ever
merit just reward.
When he ceased speaking the cham
Der rang with applause, and every eye
turned on Fred, who looked like hap
Ply martyr at the clerks desk. He spoke
feelingly the following words:
Mr.. SMART AND GENTLEMEN How can
find language adequate to express my feelings
on this occasion / cannot do it. Permit me-
therefore, simT ly to thank you most sincerely
| for the magnificent present. and especially for
the very iattering remarks made by you in be-.
half of the donors For the few remaining
years that may be left to me / shall. when look
ing at your gift, remember the occasion and
each and all of you. 1t shall and will forever
remain all heirloom III nay family, and long
after l have departed this life, my children
will point with pride to this present as token
of the esteem in which was held by you gen.
tlemen.
can say no more-may Heavens choicest
blessings rest upon you and yours.
THE NEW RAILROAD LAW,
which is substantially the Potter Law
with slight amendments, is of course
unsatisfactory to the railway magnates.
The whole railroad question has be
come SO mixed by our legislative
! tinker's-bills IS, resolutions, and joint res
oiutions having been flung around with
such losseness--as to have an ordinary
intellect entirely in the dark as to what
1 IL. L Il
Gates of the measure now passed affirm
/ hot oca 1iha,ol opI oil +bo