Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-03-20
WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE.
WEDNESDAY. March II.


.SeHdte.-Senate bill were passed as fol-
lows: Amending the charter of Oshkosh
providing for the purchase of Simmons
Wisconsin Digest; to vaCate Elm street in
the city of West Bend; permitting the
sentence to state prison for a year Of per-
sons convicted of larceny of property val
ued at more than $40 and less than 800;
providing for a drainage commission to
ptrpetuate the system of drainage in Ra
cine and Waukesha counties; providing
that no accounting In the county court
shall be necessary before beginning an
action against sureties, when the guardian
shall die or remove out of the jurisdiction
of the court appointing such guardian.
AsScmbly.-Nearly all the entire ses-
sion was given up to Mr.. Williams bill
granting to all persons civil and legal
rights 1t came before the house for en-
grossment and third reading with an
amendment, proposed by the judiciary
committee, striking out certain provisions
which practically makes the measure of
little import, and leaves the colored man
in the enjoyment of all the rights he at
present enjoys. Mr.. Williams, the author
ST the BILL opened the discussion. He first
offered an amendment TO the amenoment,
making it apply to all "citizens' rather
than persons. He then went on TO say
that Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois and
other states had found such laws useful
and had therefore enacted them.
Mr.. Brown wanted sentiment to be elm
mated from the question and the matter
considered in Il practical way, and IN the
light of present conditions and prejudices.
He believed every man in the Legislature
cherished preJudlCeS against COlOred peO-
pie and would object to associating with
them on terms of perfect equality. He
did not want to discuss the rightfullness
or wrongfulluess of the matter, but from
rational, practical, common sense and
every dav standpoint Mr.. krez thought
the negro should have no further remedies
in law than the white man. After further
discussion the bill was ordered to a thr6
reading as it came from the Judiciary
committee 1t mentions only inns.
The speaker appointed Massrs. Warden,
McGeehan and Philip Rossman as the
house members of the joint committee on
adjournment.
Senate bills were concurred in amending
the charters of the cities of Ft. Atkinson,
Baraboo and Ashland. and creating mu-
nieipal court for Langlade county.
THURSDAY, March y.
Both houses adjo2rned for the day out
of respect to the memory of Assembly
man John Edwards, of Wood county, who
died at The Park hotel, Madison, at ! p.
M. March H. He had been suffering for
some time with a complication of stomach
troubles and which also affected the
kidneys. He was only in his seat
few times since the opening of the
session. Mr. Edwards was bern in Eng
land. Sept. Is, 1881. He came TO Wiscon-
sin the next year with his parents, who
settled at Hazel Green, Grant county. In
1851. he withrso many others, was seized
with the gold fever and moved to Cali
fornia where he resided eight years. In
1859 he returned TO Wisconsin and settled
at Port Edwards, where he has since re-
sided. Mr. Edwards received common
school education. He has held many pub
lie offices, having been school treasurer
In his town since 1850. a period Of over 30
wears. He has been postmaster OF Port
Edwards since 1854, a period of 26 years
chairman Of the board Of supervisors since
1873. chairman of the county board In
| 1884 and 1885. He was elected delegate
to the national democratic convention held
| at St. Louis in 1855 and 10 the state con-
yention In 1890. He was elected to the
assembly in 1890.
The body was taken to Wood county, the