The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-01-11

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corporated in 1875, the act occupying fifty
six pages of the laws. In 1876, for the pur-
pose OF making q few amendments, the
charter was reenscted and re-published at
length, occupying sixty pages, involving an
expense of 81, $40 for the two years. In an
othur case q charter was passed in 1876, sub
mltted to vote of the people and rejected.
A second charter was passed in 1876, and
this again was submitted to a vote OF the
people and rejected, Perhaps the most
fragrant instance is that city that was
originally incorporated in 1869, and has
since had it's charter re-enacted with few
amendments no less than five times at cost
to the State of $4,000. partial remedy
would be afforded by law requiring thai
charters shall be submitted to vote Of the
people before they are presented to the
Legislature. But the only adequate meas
ure Of reform will be q general law FOX the
incorporation Of cities. Until some pro-
visions of this character shall have been
made, in cases where charters are re-enacted
at length when it is only desired to amend one
or more sections, will exercise my prerog-
alive to protect the people against the impo-
sltlOn.
VILLAGE CHARTERS.
After the adoption of the amendment to TIE
constitution in 1871, sec. 81, art. w., it seems
to have been understood by the Legislature
that the ninth clause prohibited the enactment
of any special or private laws amending exist
ing town and village charters. Since the de-
clsion of the Supreme Court in what are known
as the railway injunction suits, IS Wis, 425,
contrary belief has prevailed, and been acted
upon based on the general expression en-
ployed in that decision, that 1.-THE amendment
is prospective only not retrospective From
the fact that only the seventh clause Of this
amendment WAS before the court, and the
ninth clause contains additional words of
prohibition not used in the seventh, there ia
reasonable ground for doubt as to the correct
ness of the later action by the Legislature;
and as an unwarranted extension Of the lam
guaSe of the opinion may lead to very grave
CT Implications in the affairs Of the municipal
corporations, | would recommend that the
question Of the Interpretation Of the ninth
clause of the amendment be carefully investi.
gated by you before further Legislation is had
hereunder.
EXECUTIVE RECORDS.
Many important records and valuable papers
are now and have been since the organization
of the territory and state, deposited In the
Executive Office, where public convenience
requires their detention. These records, or
copies thereof, are not unfrequeDtly needed as
evidence in our courts, and as there is some
uncertainty under the law what officer shall
certify to the facts which appear therein, |
would recommend the passage OF a law making
the certificate of the Private Secretary with
reference TO the records p1'lnad fiGcie evidence
of the facts certified by HIM. l would further
recommend that prIvy seal be authorized for
the Executive Office, and that the Official CERT,
Gates Of the Private Secretary be authenticated
thereby.
SUPREME COURT.
Your attention is called to Joint Resolution
No 10, adopted by the joint Legislature of
1876, proposing to amend section 4 Of article
VII Of the Constitution of the State of Wis
consin, providing for the addition of two JUS
tees to the Supreme Court. Should it be
deemed best to submit this question to the
people, the proposed amendment will require
your assent at the present session.
PUBLICATION OF SESSION LAWS.
A change seems desirable in the provision
of the act relating to the printing of the ses-
sion laws which declares that no volume shall
exceed one thousand pages. The laws of
1876 exceed by few pages the number to
which q volume is limited and in consequence
it becomes necessary to publish them IN two
volumes, at an additional expense to the state
of 80, 300 It would seem that the same dis
erection might safely be left with the Secretary
of State. or some other officer.
PEDDLERs' LICENSES.
Chapter 395 of the Laws of 1876, relating to
hawkers and peddlers. ought. in my judgment,
to be amended so as to allow all persons to
buy and sell the products OF farmers without
being subject to a license. 1t cannot be sup
posed that the Legislature intended to raise
a revenue from that source. 1t come to nv
knowledge that farmers Who were on their
way to market with the product of their farms,
and who have bought FRI m their neighbors to
fill up their wagons, have been arrested and
fined for peddling without license. Tbs is
grossly unjust, and the law should be SO
amended an to afford no pretext for such a
proceeding.
NoTARIEs PUBLIC.
1t often occurs that notaries public continue
to rransact business in that capacity after the
expiration Of the term for which they we're
appointed At every session of the Legisla-
ture there are number Of bills introduced to
legalize acts done under these circumstances.