Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-02-14
CAPITAL DOINGS.

Legislative affairs, by any means,
and if the state of things that now
exists continues we may be sure
that the prediction made by your
profound correspondent last week
will not be far out of the way, and
that the legislature will proroguc its
honorable self by the 1st of March.
Such at least is the popular feeling
at the Capitol at present,
Last week it was reported i'll the
DEMOCRAT that the property Edge
wood" offered to the State by Gov.
Washburn had been accepted; such,
however, is false, but as it is the
popular opinion that all newspaper
men are habitual torturers of the
truth, it will only be given Il passing
notice. The real facts in the case
arethese The committee to whom
was referred the resolution accept
ing the gift, have in a lengthy docu-
ment explaining their action report
ed it back unfavorably; and of
course the legislature will act accor-
dinghy, and the resolution will he
lost. The committee thinks that
the property would be Il white ele-
phant on the hands of the people
and that it will make by far a bet
tcr residence for Gov. Washburn
than 4 home for homeless boys. 1t
is probable that the State will not
have another chance to make n
thankless refusal of this mmifccnt
gift, as Gov. WaShburn will not fur
thcr urge it upon an mgrateful
community, but make some party
who can better appreciate the good
ness of the act, recipient.
As usual petty party machines
have started to grind axes for the
next election by making tremend-
Gus howls about rctrenching public
expenses. Members are not at all
backward in donating to themselves
large amounts Of stuff at the public
expense, but they seem to think
they can make themselves immortal
Eby lighting upon the State officers
and cutting down their salaries
without any regard to the capacity
and ability which they are required
to have in order to be eligible to the
offices held by them. The latest is
q bill cutting down the State officers
salaries in general and the members
Of the judiciary Of this State in par
ticular The salaries of the Judges
Of the supreme court are at present
$4,000 Il year; the bill thinks that
$1,000 is enough. Not one of the
occupants Of the Supreme Bench
but could earn in practice at least
twice the sum now given them, with
less labor, and it is Il most repre-
hcnsible niggardliness that would
ask them to accept the pittance Of
$4,000 year. What is true of the
Justices Of the supreme court is also
true Of the circuit court Judges.
whose salaries it is proposed to re-
ducc from fifteen to twenty-five per
cent. 1t is well known that the
circuit court Judges Of this State are
not always men Of the highest legal
attainments, and the main reason
lies in this, that the remuneration
is not sufficient to attract any but
those classed as second-ratc, and il
the bill becomes a law, then the cir
cult court benches will be filled
with members Of the bar who know
about as much about law as a hog
docs about holidays. OF course
some good may come out Of evil,
and the only place where this bill
is Of any weight and usefulness is
where it proposes cutting down the
salaries of some of the State Capitol
employees.
On Friday the Tramp bill came
up in the Assembly before the com
lmittee Of the whole, and is still pen
ding there. It gives rise to great
deal Of discussion, especially the
clause which introduces hogging in
to this State, as a method Of abating
the framn nuisance. We have no