The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-05-16
PERRY'S VICTORY BILLS
BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE
NAL Celebration in Wisconsn-One
Provides for Legal Holiday.

Three bills in the interest of the
Wisconsin celebration of the Perry's
Victory Centennial are pending in the
legislature. In substance they provide
that Sept. 10, 1913 Zone hundredth
anniversary of the battle of Lake Erie)
shall be a legal holiday; that funds
shall be available for the mobilization
of National Guard regiments at four
Wisconsin cities which will conduct
special celebrations, and for the par
ticipation of the Wisconsin Naval Mil
lila IN the proposed naval parade of
the Great Lakes; and that common
councils may appropriate not to exceed
$4,000 towards the expense of local eel
ebrations.
In view of the historical significance
and educatiC. al Importance of this
centennial OF military achievement
and ensuing peace between two great
nations, it would seem that these pro-
visions would be considered reason
able, are justified and ought to be en-
acted
The state is already committed to
the observance of the Centennial
through the existence of a Commission
created by act of the last legislature
and an appropriation, which enables
Wisconsin to participate with ten 9TH
er states in the erection of a perma-
nent memorial, and to create a state
wide interest in the Centennial as a
patriotic and educational opportunity.
In the several centers of population
where special programs for the cele-
bration are in course of preparation,
the large amount of labor and expense
necessary to successfully carry them
out will be borne chiefly by the public
spirited citizens of those localities, in
order that Wisconsin cities may not
less f1ttingly celebrate than their sis
ter cities on the Great Lakes, and also
| that the large community centers may
suitably supplement the efforts of the
state
The cities of Superior, Green Bay.
Madison and Milwaukee are so geo
graphically situated, and the dates of
their respective celebrations will be
so arranged that they will not con-
| f1ict; thus affording citizens of the diff
| ferent sections of the state an excel
lent opportunity to witness these spe-
cial celebrations without travelling
long distances, or being at great ex-
pense. 1t is confidently Anticipated.
however. that every city and village
| in the state will arrange celebration
of some kind in recognition of this i'm
portant historical event.
The National Government will as
sist in the lake port celebrations by
an imposing assemblage of it's vessels
| stationed on the Great Lakes, which
will act as an escort to the recon
structed flagship Niagara"
The principal event which the pro-
posed holiday will commemorate was
as important in its results as any that
can be found in the nations history
| and directly affected the settlement
and development of Wisconsin and
other states included in the old north
west territory" Combined with the
land campaign under Gen. Harrison
Immediately following. in which Perry
also took part, this brilliant naval ac-
| ton established our northwestern"
| frontier as confirmed by the Treaty
of Client, and ensured to us the own
| ership of still vaster territory.
| The bill by which it is sought to
| obtain financial help from common
| councils is offered as possible means
of distributing the burden, by permit
ting the cities to use municipal funds
in part, if they wish to do so. The
method is not new and is recognized
| as essentially just when the occasion
is of sufficient public Importance, as
| In the present case.