River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-03-10
MADISON CORRESPONDENCE.
MADISON. March 7th. 1881

MADISON, March It'll. 1881.
EDITORS During most
of last week the capital city was shut
off from the outside world by snow
blockade the like of which has Eever
been witnessed here by the coolest in
| habitant. On Saturday, February
| Goth. rain fell all day, followed by a
snowfall on Sunday that blOckaded all
railroads centerng here. The rail
roads running north, south and west
We're opened by Tuesday morning, and
on Wednesday one train came through
from Milwaukee, having been over
two days coming from the Cream City
to Madison. On Wednesday evening
the greatest snow storm of the season
set in, and continued forty eight hours,
blockading railroads, streets and high
ways. Mining for sidewalks buried
unde huge drifts of beautiful snow
was The principal occupation of resi-
dents of the city on Thursday and Fri
day, scarce an attempt being made to
traverse the streets with vehicles of
any kind during the two days named.
Livery teams enjoyed IL rest from their
labors. the rattle Of milk carts were
hushed, delivering clerks had holt
day, and even the teams which had
been daily used in the distribution Of
the "foaming beverage" to the various
liquor saloons were left in their sta
bles. Those who had become habitu-
ated to tender slices of juicy steak were
compelled to fall back on soup bones,
salt pork and bacon, as the blockade
uIcvontad b,,tahnrs fron, e"ttinG
beeVes from the neighboring ranches.
Those who were we'll supplied with
wood, coal and flour felt that they
could stand quite siege, even if they
were compelled to do without milk.
butter, steak and bottle beer. While
Madison people have been showed in,
a number of members of the legisli
ture have been ''snowed out and I'M
able to reach here to take their seats
in that august body, since their Sun
day recess of one week ago.
News of the death of Senator Car
porter was a signal for the legislature
to suspend consideration of all impOr-
tant business then pending, for the
election of United States Senator, in
consequence of which but little work
of especial Importance to the general
public has been accomplished thus far
during the present session. Fifty-one
laws have been enacted about One-half
of which are of local nature and do
not affect the people at large. The
legislature has authorized the pur-
chase of two thousand copies of the
Blue Book for 1881, to be sold to those
who may desire to purchase, at cost,
limiting the number of copies to be
sold to any onpperson OF firm to twenty
five. The cost will be ninety cents,
with fifteen cents additional to cover
postage if ordered by mail, orders 10
be addressed TO the Superinten dent of
Public Property. | am of the opinion
that the end of the year will show
that the legislature ordered the pur-
| chase of too heavy a stock of Blue
Books; if the number sold exceeds
five hund ed copies ! shall be very
much surprised. The bill fixing thu
legal rate of interest at six per cent.
| and the contract price at eight per
cent. has passed the Assembly and now
awaits the action of the Senate There
will he a lively contest over the pro
hibition and woman outrage amend
ments when they come up for final
action. The members seem to dread
to have these questions come to vote
and postpone them as often as they
come up on a special order.
The Senatorial contest is now at Its
hight, the first caucus being held this
afternoon. Cameron led. with Keyes.
Dixon, Hazelton and Williams follow
! ing in the order named. Cameron has
not enough 10 nominate, and the OPP
position swear that he cannot be NOM
mated. The caucus adjourned to meet
1t eight oc,ock this evening. but /
doubt if nomination is effected be-
| fore tomorrow. Cameron is regarded
as the candidate OF the corporations
and the Milwaukee Custom House
Ring. ami the legislature win hardly
defy public sentiment entirely by
electing him. You will probably be
advised of the result of the contest 10y
telegraph before you 60 to press on
Thursday. NJ. B. X.