The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Part 15

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1082

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The first important business to be transacted by this legislature was the election of a United States senator, as the term for which M. H Carpenter had been elected would expire on the fourth of March ensuing. Much interest was manifested in the matter, not only in the two houses, but throughout the State. There was an especial reason for this; for, although the then

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incumbent was a candidate for re-election, with a republican majority in the legislature, yet it was well known that enough members of that party were pledged, before the commencement of the session, to vote against him, to secure his defeat, should they stand firm to their pledges The republicans met in caucus and nominated Carpenter for re-election; but the recalcitrant members held themselves aloof. Now, according to usual precedents, a nomination by the domi- nant party was equivalent to an election; not so, however, in this case, notwithstanding the friends of the nominee felt sanguine of his election in the end. The result of the first ballot, on the twenty-sixth of January, was, in the senate, thirteen for the republican candidate; in the assembly, forty-six votes, an aggregate of only fifty-nine. He lacked four votes in the assembly and an equal number in the senate, of having a majority .. 1 each house. On the twenty-seventh, the two houses, in joint convention, having inet to compare the record of the voting the day previous, and it appearing that no one person had received a majority of the votes in each house for United States senator, they proceeded to their first joint ballot. The result was, no election. The balloting was continued each day, until the third of February, when, on the eleventh joint trial, Angus Cameron, of LaCrosse, having received sitxty-eight votes, to Carpenter's fifty-nine, with five scattering, was declared elected.

As in the previous session so in this,-one of the most absorbing subjects before the legisla- ture was that of railroads; the " Potter Law" receiving a due share of attention in both houses. . The result was an amendment in some important particulars without changing the right of State control : rates were modified. The law as amended was more favorable to the railroad compa- nies and was regarded as a compromise. The legislature adjourned sine die on the 6th of March. This was the shortest session ever held in the State except one of twenty-five years previous.

On the 16th of February, O. W Wight was appointed by the governor chief geologist of Wisconsin, in place of I. A. Lapham, whose appointment had not been acted upon by the Senate. On the 24th of the same month, J. W. Hoyt was appointed railroad commissioner for three years from the first day of May following, on which day his one-year term in the same office would expire. At the regular Spring election on the 6th of April following, Edward G. Ryan was elected, without opposition, chief justice of the supreme court for the unexpired term of Chief Justice Dixon, ending the first Monday in January, 1876, and for a full term of six years from the last mentioned date; so that his present term of office will expire on the Ist Monday in Jan- uary, 1882. An act providing for taking the census of Wisconsin on or before the ist of July, 1875, was passed by the legislature and approved the 4th of March previous. It required an enumeration of all the inhabitants of the State except Indians, who were not entitled to the right of suffrage. The result of this enumeration gave a total population to Wisconsin of one million two hundred and thirty-six thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine.

At the November election, republican and "reform" tickets were in the field for State officers, resulting in the success of the latter, except as to governor. For this office Harrison Ludington was chosen by a majority, according to the State board of canvassers, over William R. Taylor, of eight hundred and forty-one. The rest of the candidates elected were : Charles D. Parker, lieutenant governor; Peter Doyle, secretary of state; Ferdinand Kuehn, treasurer of state, A. Scott Sloan, attorney general ; and Edward Searing, superintendent of public instruction. The act abolishing the office of state commissioner of immigration was to take effect "on and after" the close of this administration ; so, of course, no person was voted for to fill that position at the Fall election of 1875.

During this administration the principle involved in a long-pending controversy between the State and Minnesota relating to valuable harbor privileges at the head of Lake Superior, was suc- cessfully and finally settled in favor of Wisconsin. The influence of the executive was largely

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instrumental in initiating a movement which resulted in securing congressional appropriations amounting to $800,000 to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement. A change was inaugu- rated in the whole system of timber agencies over State and railroad lands, by which the duties of agents were localized, and efficiency was so well established that many important trespasses were brought to light from which over $60,000 in penalties was collected and paid into the Treasury, while as much more was subsequently realized from settlements agreed upon and proceedings instituted. By decisive action on the part of the governor an unsettled printing claim of nearly a hundred thousand dollars was met and defeated in the courts. During this period also appro- priations were cut down, and the rate of taxation diminished. Governor Taylor bestowed unre- mitting personal attention to details of business with a view of promoting the public interests with strict economy, while his countenance and support was extended to all legitimate enter- prises. He required the Wisconsin Central railroad company to give substantial assurance that it would construct a branch line from Stevens Point to Portage City as contemplated by congress, before issuing certificates for its land grants.

The closing year of the century of our national existence-1875, was one somewhat discour- aging to certain branches of the agricultural interests of Wisconsin. The previous Winter had been an unusually severe one. A greater breadth of corn was planted than in any previous year in the State, but the unusually late season, followed by frosts in August and September, entirely ruined thousands of acres of that staple.

FIFTEENTH ADMINISTRATION .- HARRISON LUDINGTON, GOVERNOR-1876-1877.

The fifteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, January 3, 1876, by the inauguration of State officers-Harrison Ludington, as previously stated, having been elected upon the republican ticket, to fill the chief executive office of the State; the others, to the residue of the offices, upon the democratic reform ticket: the governor, like three of his predecessors-Farwell, Bashford, and Randall (first term )-having been chosen by a majority less than one thousand ; and, like two of his predecessors-Farwell and Bashford-when all the other State officers differed with him in politics.

The twenty-ninth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin began on the 12th of Janu- ary, 1876, at Madison. The republicans were in the majority in both houses. Samuel S. Fifield was elected speaker of the assembly. On the 13th, Governor Ludington delivered in person, to a joint convention of that body, his message, communicating the condition of affairs of the State, and recommending such matters for the consideration of the legislators as were thought expedient : it was brief; its style condensed ; its striking peculiarity, a manly frankness. "It is not the part of wisdom," said he, in his concluding remarks, " to disguise the fact that the people of this State, in common with those of all sections of the Union, have suffered some abatement of the prosperity that they have enjoyed in the past." "We have entered," he continued, " upon the centennial of our existence as an independent nation. It is fit that we should renew the spirit in which the Republic had its birth, and our determination that it shall endure to fulfill the great purposes of its existence, and to justify the noble sacrifices of its founders." The legislature adjourned sine die on the 14th of March, 1876, after a session of sixty-three days. The chief measures of the session were : The amendment of the railroad laws, maintaining salutary restric- tions while modifying those features which were crippling and crushing an important interest of the State ; and the apportionment of the State into senate and assembly districts. It is a pro- vision of the constitution of the State that the number of the members of the assembly shall never be less than fifty-four, nor more than one hundred ; and that the senate shall consist of a number not more than one-third nor less than one-fourth of the number of the members of the

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assembly. Since the year 1862, the aggregate allotted to both houses had been one hundred and thirty-three, the maximum allowed by the constitution; one hundred in the assembly and thirty- three in the senate. The number of this representation was not diminished by the apportion- ment of 1876. One of the railroad laws abolished the board of railroad commissioners, confer- ring its duties upon a railroad commissioner to be appointed by the governor every two years. Under this law. Dana C. Lamb was appointed to that office, on the 10th of March, 1876. On the 2d day of February, previous, George W. Burchard was by the governor appointed state prison director for six years, in place of Joel Rich, whose term of office had expired. On the same day T. C. Chamberlin was appointed chief geologist of Wisconsin in place of O. W. Wight.

The application of Miss Lavinia Goodell, for admission to the bar of Wisconsin, was rejected by the supreme court of the State, at its January term, 1876. "We can not but think," said Chief Justice Ryan, in the decree of refusal, " we can not but think the common law wise in excluding women from the profession of the law." "The profession," he added, " enters largely into the well-being of society, and, to be honorably filled, and safely to society, exacts the devotion of life. The law of nature destines and qualifies the female sex for the bearing and nurture of the children of our race, and for the custody of the homes of the world, and their maintenance in love and honor. And all life-long callings of women inconsistent with these radical and social duties of their sex, as is the profession of the law, are departures from the order of Nature, and, when voluntary, are treason against it." By a law since passed, no person can be denied admission to any court in the State on account of sex; and Miss Goodell has been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court.

By an act of the legislature, approved March 13, 1876, a State board of health was estab- lished, the appointment of a superintendent of vital statistics, was provided for, and certain duties were assigned to local boards of health. The State board was organized soon after; the governor having previously appointed seven persons as its members. The object of the organization, which is supported by the State, is, to educate the people of Wisconsin into a better knowledge of the nature and causes of disease, and a better knowledge and observance of hygienic laws.

By a law passed in 1868, as amended in 1870 and 1873, the secretary of state, state treasurer, and attorney general, were constituted a State board of assessment, to meet in the city of Madison, on the third Wednesday in May. 1874, and biennally thereafter, to make an equalized valuation of the property in the State, as a guide to assessment for taxation. In the tables of equalized valuations compiled by this board in 1876, the whole amount of taxable property in Wisconsin, is set down at $423,596,290 ; of which sum $337,073,148, represents real estate and $86,523,142 personal property.

This being the year for the election of president and vice president of the United States, the two political parties in Wisconsin-republican and democratic-had tickets in the field. At the election on Tuesday, November 7, the republican presidential electors received a majority of the votes cast in the State, securing Wisconsin for Hayes and Wheeler. The eight congressional districts elected the same day their members to the forty-fifth congress, whose terms of office would expire on the 4th of March, 1879. Charles G. Williams was elected in the first district; Lucien B. Caswell, in the second; George C. Hazelton, in the third; William P. Lynde, in the fourth; Edward S. Bragg, in the fifth; Gabriel Bouck, in the sixth; H. L. Humphrey, in the seventh; and Thad. C. Pound, in the eighth district. A majority of the delegation was republican, the representatives from the fourth, fifth and sixth districts only, being democrats.

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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

There was a general and spontaneous exhibition of patriotic impulses throughout the length and breadth of Wisconsin, on the part of both native and foreign-born citizens, at the com- mencement of the centennial year, and upon the fourth of July. The interest of the people of the State generally, in the Exposition at Philadelphia, was manifested in a somewhat remarkable manner from its inception to its close. By an act of congress, approved March 3, 1871, pro- vision was made for celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of American Independence, by holding in that city, in 1876, an exhibition of arts, manufactures, and the products of the soil and mines of the country. A centennial commission, consisting of one commissioner and one alternate commissioner, from each State and Territory, was authorized to be appointed, to carry out the provisions of the act. David Atwood, as commissioner, and E. D. Holton, as alternate, were commissioned by the president of the United States, from Wisconsin. This commission gradually made progress in preparing for an international exposition. " The commission has been organized," said Governor Washburn, in his message to the legislature in January, 1873, " and has made considerable progress in its work. The occasion will be one to which the American people can not fail to respond in the most enthusiastic manner." The president of the United States, by proclamation, in July, 1873, announced the exhibition and national celebra- tion, and commended them to the people of the Union, and of all nations. "It seems fitting," said Governor Taylor, in his message to the Wisconsin legislature in 1874, "that such a cele- bration of this important event, should be held, and it is hoped it will be carried out in a manner worthy of a great and enlightened nation." By the close of 1874, a large number of foreign governments had signified their intention to participate in the exhibition.

The legislature of Wisconsin, at its session in 1875, deeming it essential that the State, with its vast resources in agricultural, mineral, lumbering, manufacturing, and other products and industries, should be fully represented at Philadelphia, passed an act which was approved March 3, 1875, to provide for a " Board of State Centennial Managers." Two thousand dollars were appropriated to pay its necessary expenses. The board was to consist of five members to be appointed by the governor ; and there were added thereto, as ex-officio members, the United States centennial commissioner and his alternate. The duties of the members were to dis- seminate information regarding the Exhibition; to secure the co-operation of industrial, scien- tific, agricultural, and other associations in the State ; to appoint co-operative local committees, representing the different industries of the State; to stimulate local action on all measures intended to render the exhibition successful, and a worthy representation of the industries of the country; to encourage the production of articles suitable for the Exhibition; to distribute documents issued by the centennial commission among manufacturers and others in the State ; to render assistance in furthering the financial and other interests of the exhibition ; to furnish information to the commission on subjects that might be referred to the board; to care for the interests of the State and of its citizens in matters relating to the exhibition; to receive and pronounce upon applications for space ; to apportion the space placed at its disposal among the exhibitors from the State; and to supervise such other details relating to the representation of citizens of Wisconsin in the Exhibition, as might from time to time be delegated by the United States centennial commission.

The board was required to meet on the first Wednesday of April, 1875, at the capitol, in Madison, to organize and adopt such by-laws and regulations as might be deemed necessary for the successful prosecution of the work committed to their charge Governor Taylor appointed Eli Stilson, J. I. Case, J. B. Parkinson, T. C. Pound, and E. A. Calkins, members of the board. Its organization was perfected, at the appointed time, by the election of J. B. Parkinson as pre- sident, and W. W. Field, secretary. The ex-officio members of the board, were David Atwood,

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WISCONSIN AS A STATE.

United States commissioner, and E. D. Holton, alternate From this time forward, the board was untiring in its efforts to secure a full and proper representation of the varied interests of Wisconsin in the centennial exhibition of 1876. E. A. Calkins having resigned his position as member of the board, Adolph Meinecke took his place by appointment of the governor July 24, 1875. Governor Ludington, in his message to the legislature in January, 1876, spoke in commendation of the coming exhibition. "The occasion," said he, "will afford an excellent opportunity to display the resources and products of the State, and to attract hither capital and immigration."

Soon after the organization of the United States centennial commission, a national organ- ization of the women of the country was perfected. A lady of Philadelphia was placed at its head; and a presiding officer from each State was appointed. Mrs. A. C. Thorp assumed the duties of chairman for Wisconsin, in March, 1875, appointing assistants in various parts of the State, when active work was commenced. This organization was efficient in Wisconsin in arousing an interest in the general purposes and objects of the exhibition.

By an act of the legislature, approved March 3, 1876, the sum of twenty thousand dollars was appropriated to the use of the board of centennial managers, for the purpose of arranging for, and making a proper exhibition of, the products, resources, and advantages of the State at the exposition. The treasurer of Wisconsin was, by this act, made an ex-officio member of the board. By this and previous action of the legislature-by efforts put forth by the board of managers-by individual enterprise-by the untiring labors of the "Women's Centennial Execu- tive Committee," to whom, by an act of the legislature, approved the 4th of March, 1875, one thousand dollars were appropriated-Wisconsin was enabled to take a proud and honorable position in the Centennial Exposition-a gratification not only to the thousands of her citizens who visited Philadelphia during its continuance, but to the people generally, throughout the State.

In Wisconsin, throughout the centennial year, those engaged in the various branches of agriculture and other useful avocations, were reasonably prosperous. The crop of wheat and oats was a light yield, and of poor quality ; but the corn crop was the largest ever before raised in the State, and of superior quality. The dairy and hog product was large, and commanded remunerative prices. Fruits were unusually plenty. Trade and business enterprises, however, generally remained depressed.

By section five of article seven of the constitution of Wisconsin, the counties of the State were apportioned into five judicial circuits : the county of Richland being attached to Iowa, Chippewa to Crawford, and La Pointe to St. Croix. In 1850, the fifth circuit was divided, and a sixth circuit formed. In 1864, Crawford and Richland were made part of the fifth circuit. By an act which took effect in 1854, a seventh circuit was formed. On the first day of January, 1855, the sixth circuit was divided, and an eighth and ninth circuit formed, the county of Columbia being made a part of the last mentioned one. In the same year was also formed a tenth circuit; and, in 1858, Winnebago county was attached to it; but, in 1870, that county was attached to the third circuit. In 1858, Kewaunee county was attached to the fourth circuit. An eleventh circuit was formed in 1864, from which, in 1865, Dallas county was detached, and made part of the eighth. By an act which took effect on the first day of January, 1871, the twelfth circuit was formed. In 1876, a thirteenth circuit was " constituted and re-organized."

At that time, the whole sixty counties of the State stood apportioned in the thirteen judicial circuits as follows : First circuit, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha; second circuit, Milwaukee, and Waukesha, third circuit, Green Lake, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, and Winnebago; fourth circuit, Sheboygan, Calumet, Kewaunee, Fond du Lac, and Manitowoc; fifth circuit,

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Grant, Iowa, La Fayette, Richland, and Crawford ; sixth circuit, Clark, Jackson, Monroe, La Crosse, and Vernon; seventh circuit, Portage, Marathon, Waupaca, Wood, Waushara, Lincoln, and Taylor; eighth circuit, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix; ninth circuit, Adams, Columbia, Dane, Juneau, Sauk and Marquette; tenth circuit, Outagamie, Oconto, Shawano, Door, and Brown eleventh circuit, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, and Polk ; twelfth circuit, Rock, Green, and Jefferson; and the thirteenth circuit, Buffalo, Eau Claire, and Trempeleau, Marinette and New are now in the tenth ; Price is in the seventh circuit.

The thirtieth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced, pursuant to law, on the roth of January, 1877. The republicans had working majorities in both houses. J. B. Cassoday was elected Speaker of the Assembly. Governor Ludington delivered his message to the joint convention of the legislature the following day. "We should not seek," said he, in his concluding remarks, " to conceal from ourselves the fact that the prosperity which our people have enjoyed for a number of years past, has suffered some interruption. Agriculture has ren- dered less return ; labor in all departments has been less productive, and trade has consequently been less active, and has realized a reduced percentage of profit." "These adverse circum- stances," continued the governor, " will not be wholly a misfortune if we heed the lesson that they convey. This lesson is the necessity of strict economy in public and private affairs. We have been living upon a false basis; and the time has now come when we must return to a solid foundation." The legislature adjourned sine die on the 8th of March, after a session of fifty- eight days, passing three hundred and one acts-one hundred and thirteen less than at the session of 1876 The most important of these, as claimed by the dominant party which passed it, is one for the maintenance of the purity of the ballot box, known as the "Registry Law." On the 3d day of April, at the regular Spring election, William P. Lyon was re-elected, without opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court for six years from the first Monday in January, 1878, his term of office expiring on the first Monday of January, 1884.

Under a law of 1876, to provide for the revision of the statutes of the State, the justices of the supreme court were authorized to appoint three revisors. The persons receiving the appoint- ment were David Taylor, William F. Vilas and J. P. C. Cottrill. By an amendatory law of 1877, for the purpose of having the revision completed for the session of 1878, the justices of the supreme court were authorized to appoint two additional revisors, and assign them special duties on the commission. H. S. Orton was appointed to revise the criminal law and proceedings, and J. H. Carpenter to revise the probate laws.

Governor Ludington declined being a candidate for renomination. His administration was characterized as one of practical efficiency. As the chief executive officer of Wisconsin, he kept in view the best interests of the State. In matters coming under his control, a rigid system of economy prevailed.

There were three tickets in the field presented to the electors of Wisconsin for their suffrages at the general election held on the sixth of November, 1877: republican, democratic, and the "greenback" ticket. The republicans were successful, electing William E. Smith, governor ; James M. Bingham, lieutenant governor; Hans B. Warner, secretary of state; Richard Guenther, treasurer; Alexander Wilson, attorney general; and William C. Whitford, state superintendent of public instruction. At the same election two amendments to the constitution of the State were voted upon and both adopted. The first one amends section four of article seven ; so that, hereafter, "the supreme court shall consist of one chief justice and four associate justices, to be elected by the qualified electors of the State. The legislature shall, at its first session after the adoption of this amendment, provide by law for the election of two associa e justices of said court, to hold their offices respectively for terms ending two and four years, respectively after the

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The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Part 15

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1082

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1082