Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-02-03
OUR MADISON LETTER.
Especial Correspondence of the HERALD

OUR MADISON LETTER.
Especial Correspondence of the HERALD
MADISON, Jan. 3lst, 1876.
The wise men of the BADGER"
State have passed through another
week of the Legislative session: and
nothing unusual or exciting has hap
pened. Each days session has called
out considerable number of new
bills resolutions have been intro.
duced, and a few unimportant bills
have been reported from committees,
and enacted into laws. The dullness
| of the week has been somewhat
broken by the discussion OF memo
rial to Congress, introduced by Sena-
tor Flint, asking for an investigation
into the right by which George w.
Cate holds seat into that body from
the eighth district of this State. The
memorial was strenuously opposed by
the Democrats, Senator Silverth orn
and Hudd making speeches against it..
Its adoption was earnestly advocated
by Senators Flint and Barron. on the
Republican side A motion for the
Indefinite postponement Of the memoir
ial was tabled by party vote, and
its further consideration was postpon-
ed until the I'd, Feb.
The first "spread-eagle" speech of
the session was made by Senator
Hudd on the bill to appropriate $685.
900 mot $4,000, as your compositor
made me say last week. TO the Gen.
tennial Commissioners The bill was
not passed, on account Of some in.
formality but it will undoubtedly
pass the Senate with but little opposi.
ton. What its fate will be in the
Assembly is uncertain; though it will
probably pass after being reduced
s., 900 or $4,000 in amount. There
is but little opposition to making a
liberal appropriation for the represen-
tation of the State at the Philadelphia
Exposition But there is evidently
some doubt among the members as to
the ability of the State to do so, in
view of the condition of the treasury,
and the hard times, of which there is
great complaint. There is also a
conviction that the 50, 900 appropri.
ated last year have not been wisely
expended The report racantly cub
mitted shows the following disburse-
ment;
Expense account Of members Of the board s28O40
| Printing stationery and stamps 90,l5
Services in arranging collection Of minerals 20840
| Services of secretary 10000
Total $778.95
The question which arises is this {;
If, out of $4,000, it was necessary to
expend $778. 50 in personal expenses
of the commissioners, etc, how much
will be such expenses if $25, 900 is
placed at their disposal The read er
may make his own calculation.
BIENNIAL SESSION.
Assemblyman Book has introduced
a resolution providing for submitting
to the people an amendment to the
constitution, changing the sessions of
the Legislature from annual to hien-
NAL, and making the terms of Sena-
tors four years, and members of the
Assembly two years, providing that
the compensation OF members shall be
$3.50 for each regular session, and
that in case of an extra session they
shall receive three dollars per day.
There is but little doubt in my mind
but large majority of the people of
the state are in favor of this measure.
All who are should indicate it by
petitions or letters to their represen
tatlyes The whole influence in and
about the city Of Madison is, Of course
strenuously opposed to it and unless
the people Of the State make known
their wishes in the matter, this nor no
similar resolution will ever be adopted.
THE APPoRTIoNMENT
| have talked some with the mem
bers from Grant about the re-district-
ing of that county, and have learned
that their plan is substantially as fol-
lows The county is to remain a
senatorial district, and to have three
members of Assembly. The Assem-
bly, districts are to be composed thus
FIRST DISTRICT.