Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-01-16

present law is well suited to the purposes Il
winch It was enacted. and, under the watchf,
! supervisor OF the commissioner. is bein
faithfully obeyed
SUPERIOR HARBoR.
Inc adverse decision of the supreme cour
2. Inc United States. in the case Of the stat
~. Wisconsin against the city of Duluth
Drought Tor the purpose of enjoining the &c
PENDANT from diverting the NATURAL flow o
water through the h.pDor at Superior and gu
through the mouth Of the St Lonis river. an,
tnereoy seriously injming the harbor, impose
upon Wisconsin the necessity of seekin.
redress and protection in Congress. Our sen
a.ors and representatives in Congress will b,
visiant IN this behalf, but it may material,
assist them, to adopt q legislative memorial
oriefy setting forth the facts, and asking tina
IN the matter of appropriations to be made
ana IN the manner of expending them, the
rights OF Wisconsin to have Superior harbol
projected and improved, may not be overlook
ed or ignored.
/ STATE FUNDS.
The provisions of sections l57 and l5s o,
me revised statutes, concerning the .place Of
| keeping the state funds are not in harmony
ana It Is found difficult to determine the real
purpose OF the law. In practice, it is found
convenient. and by many it is considered less
hazardous. to keep portion of the funds on
deposit IN banks. 1t it should be considered
Inat snch practice is contrary to the intent OF
tue law, think it is due to the treasurer and
20 all concerned that such intent should be
more definitely expressed.
PUBLIC LANDS.
The report of the commissioner of nnblic
iands VIII give you all needed information in
regard TO the quantity and condition of the
lands belonging to the state
Inc claim OF the state for deficiencies in the
schooi sections has been admitted to the ex.
tent OF ABOUT 80, 900 acres, and selections are
being made therefor The claim Of the state
70 the school and swamp lands in Indian
reservations is admitted at the department of
the interior, but the difficulties that might
arise from permitting the sale and occupancy
OF these lands, are considered to be so grave
tnat formal approval of them to the state is
withheld. Meantime legislation is sought from
congress authorizing the selection of lands
without the reservations in lieu of those within
them, and such legislation may be perfected
during the present session of Congress.
Some expense has already been incurred in
the selection at the school land indemnity. for
expenses OF the agent making the selection
ana the fees OF the United States land Offices,
ana recommend the re- enactment OF the law
authorizing the payment Of such expenditures.
VOLUNTARY ASSIGNMENTS.
The repeal OF the national bankrunt law
has brought into notice and use the prov;s;ons
OF our statute in reference to voluntary aa.
signments for the benefit of creditors, and has
IN some cases revived the old practice of maxi
ing preferences among them. This feature of
the law, or rather of the practice under it, was
Always repugnant TO my sense of Justice, and
call your attention to the subject, that the
whoie matter OF the settlement of claims
against insoivent debtors may be considered.
and the law so amended, as best to protect
lhe rights and interests of all concerned
CITY CHARTERS.
The constitutional amendment prohibiting
the enacting of laws TO incorporate anv ,oy5
or village, or to amend the charter thereof.
has seemed greatly to multiply the demand
Tor city charters. Practically the bills for
these charters are prepared by local commit.
Tee, handed to the representative from the
diStricl IN which the place is located. introduce
ed by MIN, passed IN both houses and submit.
ted to the governor, without reading, scrutiov
o. care. Sometimes these bills are wisely
drawn, but in several inst ances last winter
tney were found to contain unwise and some.
times manifestly unconstitutional provis;ons
necessltating :heir recall amendment.
July appreciate the lmpossibility of giving
proper attention. in al ordinary session. to so
many lengthy charters, and for that reason.
a"d because the expense attending their
preparation, passage, engrossing. enrolling
and publication is excessive and unnecessarv'
1 recommend the enac nent of general law
tor the incorporation of cities, and persistent.
refusal, except IN extreme cases, to grant or
amend special charters. A most desirah.e
uniformity would thus be secured. great
expense saved, anil the time now devoted 10
such matters profitablv occupied in perfectine
other legislation.
TRAMPs.
The habit may 10y the crime of yaga.
bondage IS increasing in such Unprecedented
ratios as 70 demand most serious Consideration
al your hands during the present session. I
have most profound respect and sympathy for
the honest man who in good faith travels from
place to place in search of employment. hut
moe rn tramps are not of this character
lhey nave been thoroughly tried, and it is
conclnsively established, that the only thing
they will not do, is to work.
The assessments hase criminal nara ,;.es
levy upon Individuals and communities nearlv
equal in value our whole state tax, vet this "a
as nothing compared with the fear and mental
suffering they incite among defensele.s women
ana ehildren, and the murders, robberies and
ou'rages, TOO brutal to be here named, BY them
committed. II IN the larger cities they are
somewhat restrained by ,igllant noI,ce- in
the villages and towns they haye become the
daily dread and nightly horror of all well
disposed persons. The little girl, on her wav
to and from school, the farmers wife. bu,v
with household cares, the aged and infirm. are
aike the victims OF their cowardly and licen-
tious violence. Whatever NAV be urged in
extenuation OF other crimes and vices, the |
responsibility TOR this crime of vagahondage,
winch may now De justly said to include every
crime known to the law, is upon the indiyid,i.
al, and not upon society.
In July last, a small army of these self.
made social outcasts turned their faces toward
Wisconsin, and their advance guard, taking |
possession OF railway trains, dictated the |
terms upon which they might proceed. II is
unimporiant that the terms proposed were |
only that the invaders should be furnished |
free transportation, for If that much had been /
conceded then, more would have been de. |
manded next time. Fortunately, the good |
judgment ana hrm determination of the super |
intendent OF the Madisoa division of the |
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, enabled |
the cities of Belot and Madison to meet the /
issue OF iawiessness against law, fairly upon |
the merits, and with most satisfactory results. |
for the time being The disease, however. is
too virulent and deep seated to yield TO the |
mild remedies provided for common varrancv.
II demands more vigorous treatment, and / |
recommend the enactment Of law
clearly defining the crime of vagabondage. and |
providing for its summary and severe punish.
ment.
MILITIA
The reports Of the Adjutant and Quarter
master Generals will put you in possession of
all the facts relative TO the organization.
strength, equipment and expenses OF the State
militia. II presents out a meager showing of
! ,402 officers and men, organized into twenty.
three independent companies. Some wise
provisions. looking TO the greater stability of
these companies, were incorporated into the
revision of the statutes, but I am persuaded
that our state militia will not become what il
ought to be, and what we need to have il.
until provision Is made for battalion and regi.
mental organic atoms, and annual encamp.
ments. do not consider myself an alarmist,
but in the present condition Of society, II seems
TO me but the comnonest dictate OF ordinary
prudence, tia; there should be at least one
regiment cf militia in a state as
arge and populous as Wisconsin.
| commend TO your attention, and most |
cordially approve, the recommendations of the
Adjutant General relative TO perfecting the