Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-03-29

D. Arthur, and that gentleman was in
terrupted in his work long enough to
have the all important question shot al
him. Mr.. Arthur said he had not read
the decision. but from the synopsis
given was of the opinion that the city
would be included within its opera
tons. In answer to question he SAID
he di | not think u separation of town
and city would be a good thing. He
base his views mainly on the fact that
the records have to be kept by the
town clerk and all mortgages etc. had
to be file with that functionary, but
thought the difficulty thus arising
might be gotten over by the town clerk
appointing deputy who should reside
in the city.
The next call was make upon the
firm of Bushnell q Watkins. The senior
member of the firm was found en-
trenched behind stack of law papers,
with the junior member near by, but
readily submitted to the probe. H,.v-
ing answered the Introductory question
in the affirmative, the inquiry was then
made. docs that decision effect this
city?''
81 think it does, but | understand
there is to be some legislation on the
subject in order to do away with the
difficulty"
But the decision as it stands, what
would be its effect on the city?"
Il think that if that decision is carried
out to its logical conclusions it would
result in divorce of city and town"
In answer to a question as to whether
this would not be wise, Mr.. Bushnell
entered Il very emphatic negative. He
thought it would cause great inconycni-
ence and eventually result in dividing
the town, thus forming three distinct
corporations where there is one now.
In regard TO the necessity for two SUI
peryisors if town and city were one, he
thought this was necessary. as there
were many interests in the city which
needed looking after ON the board, but,
said Mr.. Bushnell, II am not in fave
of separating the mayor and supervisor
in Il G city. The mayor knows the needs
of the city better than anybody else,
and can therefore represent the city
better on the board" In further con-
vcrSation, rcvcrtng TO the decision of
the court, he said that there would be
without doubt some remedial legislation
passed at the present session, as there
were several bills in, bearing OH that
point, and some of them would pass.
Mr.. Watkins views on the question
of the scope of the decision were much
the same as those of the senior member
of the firm, but on the subject of di-
vorce of town and city he was rather in
clined to think it would not work so dis
adyantageously.
Continuing the round. the scribe
brought to at the residence of Col. Clark,
and obtaining entrance, found the Col
onel busy but ready to give up few
moments TO the all-absorbing topic He
was not quite certain rs to whether that
decision affected us here or not, al d was
rather of the opinion that it did ne t, but
thinking some remedial legis alton
might not be out of place he had written
to Madison some time ago and was of
the opinion that some enabling act
would be passed at this session if, after
IA thorough examination, the legislators
should deem it Necessary. at will be
looked over this week. said the Colo
nell land if it is rot all light some bill
or enabling act will be passed" Dur
ing the recent term of court when law
ytrs were here from different parts of
the county, the subject had been talked
over and the general opinion was that
the decision did not affect cities How
ever, if it did, the matter would be set
right before the close of session. In re-
gard to the separation of city and town,
the Colonel expressed decided mega
tive. This closed the interview, and
the searcher for opinions turned his
steps toward the residence of Judge j.
I. Mills.
The Judge, with his usual good ma
ture, readily submitted to the reporto-
rial pump. No. he had not read the
decision. but had heard of it, and
smiling "they have caught us at last.
and we will have to abide by the ruling
of the court
A copy of the decision being produced,
the Judge gave it a careful perusal, and
then turned to the patient scribe with
the inquiry. 'Well. sir, what bearing is
that decision going to have upon our
corporations"
The reporter intimated that was the
very point on which he was seeking
legal light.
WELL continued the Judge, 1--WE
are 4 city, but when we became a city
we put ourselves pretty much in the
same position as We were in before,
but in so much rs we Lave a city char
ter, we must DE governed by that char
ter, and ! suppose our rights have to
he determined by the charter. Under
that charter sc claim The right to vote
and always have voted for town
affairs?''
81 believe so.
'.Then that right would be derived
from the charter
at would seem 50. But if no pro-