River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-01-18

shall exceed one thousand pages. The laws
OF 1876 exceeded by few pages the number
to which volume is limited, and in eonse-
quence it became necessary to publish them
in two volumes, at an additional expense to
the State OF g, 800 1t would seem that some
discretion might safely be lett with the Secre-
tary OF State, or some other officer.
PEDDLERs' LICENSES.
Chapter 395 OF the laws OF 1876, relating to
hawkers ana peddlers, ought, in my judg-
ment, to be amended so as to allow ali per-
sons to buy and sell the products OF farmers
without being subject to a license. II cannot
be supposed that the Legislature intended to
raise revenue from thatsource. 1t has come
to my knowledge that farmers who were on
their way TO market with the products of their
farms, and who have bought from their neigh
bors tO fill up their wagons, hav, Neen arrest
ed and fined for peddling withol license.
This is grossly unjust, and the law s. MD lie
so amended as to afford no pretext for such
proceeding.
NoTARIEs PUBLIC.
II often occurs that notaries public continue
to transact business in that capacity after the
expira ton OF the term Tor which they were ap-
pointed. At every session OF the Legislature
there are a number OF bills introduced TO le-
galize acts done under these circumstances.
Very serious consequences are likely to result
from the loose practice that now prevails. |
recomr1 end that a law be passed requiringthe
Secretary of State to give notalies not less
than two weeks notice OF the time at which
their commission will expire.
STATIONERY AND SUPPLIES.
So much oil chapter OIL of the laws OF 1874,
respecting the advertising for proposals to FUR
nish stationary and other supplies, as requires
publication In New York papers, ought TO be
repealed. The cost is considerable and no
corresponding benefit is realized. The publ
cation in this State and in two Chicago pa
pers answers every necessary purpose.
LUMBER.
Il would afford statistics of considerable
value, il law were passed compelling persons
cutting logs in this State to report to the lum-
Der inspector tor the district the number OF
feet cut, and requiring inspe ttors to consoli-
date such reports and forward them TO the
proper authorities OF the State.
INTERNATIONAL PRISON CONGRESS.
request has been received from the Amer
lean Social Science Association urging this
State to send a delegate TO the lnternatioal
Prison Congress, which will convene at Stock
holm by invitation OF the Swedish govern
ment, in August, 1877. Should it be thought
best TO have Wisconsin officially represented
in the Congress, it will be necessary for you
TO authorize the formal accrediting OF the del
egate.
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS.
The present election has fully demonstrated
that our election laws are deficient, and es-
pecially so respecting the powers and duties
of county canvassers and the State Board of
Canvassers. II would be difficult to express
my opinion more forcibly than by quoting the
language OF the Supreme Court in the case OF
The State ex rel. McDill VS.. The Board of
State Canvassers and the Secretary OF State
(36 Wis, 69S.l "The State carefully guards
against excess of election returns, but tails to
provide adequate means tor supplying de-
ipianpioC and correcting therein II
we'll worthy the consideration OF the Legisla-
ture whether these tabular atements should
not be required to be made and returned and
whether the Board OF State CanvasseTs should
not be clothed with power to enforce the cor
rection OF returns which are maniiestly er-
roneous, to the end that the person who IS
the choice OF the electors Tor any public Office
may, in the first instance, receive the certit-
cate of election, and not be driven to assert
his title thereto by proceeding in court, or
before a tribunal having jurisdiction to try his
right to such Office"
Experience tends strongly to the conviction
that our present law for the registration OF vo-
tiers fails to realize the purpose for which it
was enacted, and that it should be made
more efficient or repealed. The facility with
which voters who have not registered can
makG the affidavit required by the statute de-
unquestionably opens the way for a great
deal of illegal voting. 1t Is submitted to
your judgement whether some more stringent
provision should not be enacted for the pro-
lection of the purity OF the ballOt-box.
THE CAPITOL
The Capitol is in urgent need of many re-
pairs, and the Senate and Assembly chambers
require painting, calcminiDg and partial re-
furnishing This work will Involve the ex-
penditure OF a considerable sum OF money. 1t
is probable that the present law gives the Ex-
ecutive sufficient authority in the premises, but
Iperfer that you should make an appropriation
Of such an amount as you think proper tor
the purpose.
REVISION OF THE STATUTES.
The revisors appointed by the Justices OF
the Supreme Court, in pursuance OF chapter
203, laws OF 1876, to collect and revise the
general laws of the State, are now engaged in
the prosecution of that work. 1t viii not fail
to occur to you that their labors should dot be
embarrassed by the passage OF amendments
and new laws, except as demanded by urgent
considerations.
THE CENTENNIAL.
The International Exhibition in commence
ration of the centennial anniversary of Amer
lean independence was held in the city OF
Philadelphia during the past year. 1t was
success that should crafty every citizen OF
the United States. The products of our own
country we're brought into comparison with
those of other and older nations, and the re-
suit was flatterng to our people. Nearly all
of the civilized nations participated in this
Exhi Oition, and the combined efforts pro-
dIoed the most extensive and most complete
showing of the products OF the world, that
have ever been brought together in any cOun
try.
The part taken by Wisconsin in this exhi-
bition was highly creditable TO the State.
The Board of Centennial managers have been
jealous in their efforts to have the natural
resources and products OF the State duly
represented, and their efforts were emf
nently successful. They will give detailed
report oftheirwork at an early day, and feel
assured it will show judiciOus expenditure
of the money placed at the disposal of this
board and that the State viii realize, in the
future, large advantages from it. Some two
thousand dollars of the sum appropriated Tor
the use OF the board will remain III the treas
ury, after all expenses have been paid. The
attendance from this State was about $4,000
persons.
The active part taken in this enterprise by
the women OF Wisconsin is worthy OF high
praise. Their exhibits occupied prom
inent position in the Women's Pa
Wilton and in elegance of design, superiority
OF execution, and in the skill and taste OF
their arrangement, were e2celled by few, 1t
any, in that department Our ladies have
worked with much industry, and their labors
have been crowned with gratifying success.
An examination of the awards given by the
United States Centennial Commission TO our
State, and to individual exhibitors from it, will
show that the articles presented were very SUI
perior in quality. The wool growing, the
fruit growing ana the dairy interests of the
State were fully represented, and the exhib-
its received marked attention from all visit
ors and numerous rewards
All in all, our people have abundant cause
for being satisfied with the position Wiscon-
sin occupied at this Grand international Ex-
position.
RAILROADS.
The report OF the Railroad Commissioner
will put YOU in possession OF the necessary IN
ormation concerning the condition and oper-
atoms of the several railway companies hav-
ing lines in this State. From this it will ap-
pear that the whole number OF miles OF rail-
roads in this State is 2,647.06, an increase OF
l4l 20 miles during the year 1876. The law
passed by the last Legislature, entitled an act