Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-01-15

bero passengers red . l2s s25 an increase
OF a'h6s. over last year. The tons OF freight car
whole number of passengers carried only two were
killed and two injured-most gratifying evidence
great care. The total absence of all serious COM
plant against railroads. shows most cenclusively
for which 1t was enacted and under the watchful
supervision of the commissioner is being faithful
ly obeyed.
SUPERIOR HARBoE.
- The adverse decision OF TIE supreme court OF the
United states, IN the y the state of Wisconsin
against the city of Dulu n brought for the pur-
pose Of enionlng the defendant from divertina the
natural nov OF water through the harbor Super
Tor and out through the mouth OF the ST. Louis
river, and thereby seriously in1uring the harbor
imposes upon Wisconsin tile necessity of eeking
and representatives in congres Will be vigiiant in
TINS behalf, but It may materially assist them, TO
the Facts. and asking that in the matter of appro
paia ti, 70 be made and in the manner Of ex-
superior harbor protected and improved may not
be overlook ed or Ignored
STATE FUNDS.
The provisions of sections Isl ana l59 of the re-
yised statutes, concerning the place of keeping
the state funds, are not IN harmony and 1t is found
In practice 1t is found convenient, and by many, 1t
Is considered less hazardous, 10 keep portion of
sidered that such practice is contrary TO the intent
Of the law think 1t is due to the treasurer
hnitely expressed.
PUBLIC LANDS.
The report of the commissioner of public lands
Will give you all needed Information IN regard to
to the state.
The claim Of the state for deficiencies in the
school sectonsShas been admitted 10 the extent of
about 81, OUo acse9, and selections are being made
therefor The claim of the state to the school
and swamp lands in Indian reservations is admit
ted at the department of the interior, but the dim
and occupancy of these lands, are considered to be
so grave that formal approval of them TO the
from congress authorizing the selection of lands
without the reservations in lieu of those within
them, and such legislation may be perfected dur
ing the present session of congress
Of hs als nS the
penses of the agent making the selection and the
mend the re- enactment of the law authorizing the
payment of such expenditures
VOLUNTARY ASSIGNMENTS.
The repeal of the national bankrupt law. has
brought into notice and use the provisions of our
statute in reference TO voluntary assignments for
the beneht OF creditors. and has In some eases re-
among them. This feature Of the law. or rather
of the practice under it. was always repugnant to
subject that the whole matter of the settlement of
Claims against insolyent debtors may be consid.
cred anu the law so amended, as best to protect
the rights and interests OF all concerned.
CITY CHARTERS.
The constitutional amendment prohibiting the
enacting OF laws to incorporate any town village,
or to amend the charter thereof, has seemed great
~ to multiply the demand for city charters. PIac-
ticay the bills for these charters are prepared by
local committee, handed to the representative
from the district III which the place is located, in
troduced by him, passed in both houses and sub
mitted 10 the governor, without reading scrutiny,
care Sometimes these bills are wisely drawn,
but in several instances last winter they We're
found 10 contain uuwise and sometimes manifestly
unconstitutional provisions necesstating their
recall for Amendment. fully appreciate the I'm
possibility OF giving proper attention, in ordi-
nary session, to many lengthy charters ana for
that reason. ana because the expense attending
their preparation. passage engTossing. enrolling
and publication Is excessive and unnecesS airy,
recommend thc enactment of q general law for the
Incorporation of cities, and persistent refusal,
charters. A most desirable uniformity would thus
be secured, great expense saved, and the time now
devoted to such matters prohtabiy occupied in
perfectiiig other legislation.
TRAMPs
The habit may say the crime-of yagabondage
is increasing in such unprecedented ratios as 70
respect and sympathy tor the honest man who in
employment, but modern tramps are not of this
character They have been thoroughly tried and
they viii not do, Is to work.
The assessments these criminal parasites levy
upon individuals and communities nearly equal in
value our whole state tax, yet this Is as nothing
compared With the fear and mental suffering they
the murders, robberies and outrages, too brutal to
larger cities they are somewhat restrained by IA
vgilant police, IN the villages and towns they have
well disposed persons. The little girl, on her way
to or from school the farmers wife, busy with
household cares the aged and iniirm are alike the
victims of their cowardly and licentous violence
Whatever may be urged In eXtenuation of other
crimes and vices, the responsibility for this crime
of vagabondage. which may now be justly said to
include every crime known to the law, is upon the
Individual and not upon society
social outcaSts turned their faces toward Wiscon-
sin, and their advance guard taking possession of
railway trains dictated the terms upon which they
might proceed. 1t is unimportant that the terms
proposed were only that the Invaders should be
furnished free transportation, for II that much
had been conceded then, more would have been de-
manded next time, Fortunately. tie good ludg-
ment and firm determination of the superintendent
of the Madison division Of the Chicago and North
Madison to meet the issue of lawleSsnesS against
PSn he hs ef m aG WIN he sa
however is too virulent and deep seated To yield to
e @ ore anG
fore recommend the enactment OF al law clearly
for its summary and severe punishment.
MILITIA.
The reports of the Adjutant and QuartermaSter
Generals VIII put You in possession of ali the faetS
and expenses of the State Militia. 1t presents but
meager showing Of l,iO2 officers and men, organ
Some wise provisions. looking TO the greater sta
the revision of the statutes but | am persuaded
that our State Militia will not become what II ought
To be, and what need to have ii, until provision
is made for battalion and regmental organizations
and annual enCampmcntS. | do not consider my
self an aarmist but in the present condition of
society II seems to me but the commonesU dictate
of ordinary prudence that there should be at least
organized regiment of militia in state as large
and populous as Wisconsin.
l commend to your attention, and most cordially
approve. the recommendations of the AdlOtant
General relative to "eTtecting the military records
If the state, and copying such portions as are be-
coming worn by use. ear by year these records
are becoming more and more valuable and the
state owes 70 its living soldiers and the surviving
relatives of its dead heroes the duty of maintain
ing the official record of their services.
AGRICULTURE.
Under the provisions of chapter 26O, laws of lS7S
an attempt has been made to collect the statistics
of agriculture. The returns appear TO have been
defective in many cases, but good beginning has
been made. and we may hope to arrive at reason
able accuracy, perhaps this year, The tabulated
reports show the following aggregates;
Product 1877 Growing lSIs