774 



WISCONSIN. 



Company that the railroad not having been 

 completed within tin- specified time, the lands 

 had reverted to the I'niu-d Si:. 



In hU communication to the Governor, the 

 president of the company adds : 



It is true that the Circuit Court of the United 

 Statea for the State of Minnesota, in June last, in 

 the cases of llurrimun r. Sehulenberg, and the same 

 r. Schow, held that the legal title to the lauds (em- 

 braced in the land grant) was in the State of Wis- 

 consin, until otherwise determined, either by a de- 

 cree of the court, or by an act of Congress. 



These judgments have been appealed from, and 

 the appeals are now pending in the Supreme Court 

 of the United States at Washington. 



If the judgment of the Circuit Court should be af- 

 firmed, the title of the State would undoubtedly be 

 perfect, but otherwise an act of Congress would bo 

 necessary, which might be difficult to obtain, with 

 the feeling now prevailing against the making of 

 further land grants by Congress. It is well known 

 that two unsuccessful attempts have already been 

 made to extend the time for the completing of this 

 road, and it is fair to presume that any further efforts 

 would meet with the same ill success. 



Until a favorable judgment is rendered by the 

 Supreme Court, or an act be passed by Congress 

 further extending the time for the completion of the 

 road, so groat a doubt will rest upon the title, that 

 the director) deem it impossible to obtain the neces- 

 sary means to complete the road. 



The political campaign was opened formally 

 by the Union Republicans, who held a largo 

 and enthusiastic convention in Madison, Au- 

 gust 27th, and nominated the folio wing ticket: 

 for Governor, C. 0. Washburn, of La Crosse; 

 Lieutenant-Governor, Robert IL Baker, of Ra- 

 cine; Secretary of State, Kphrmtn \V. YHHIIL-, 

 of Sank ; State Treasurer, Ole O. Johnson, of 

 Rock ; Attorney-General, Leander F. Frisby, 

 of Washington; Superintendent of Schools, 

 Robert Graham, of Winnebago ; Commissioner 

 of Immigration, George P. Lindman, of Mil- 

 waukee. The platform adopted was as follows : 



In view of the fact that the Republican party has 

 o met the vital issues of the past twelve years as to 

 secure the support of a vast preponderance of the 

 patriotism and intelligence of the nation, it has fairly 

 won for itself the title of being the true reform party 

 of the country ; and recognizing the importance of all 

 the questions recently raised, and now for the first 

 time attracting general public attention, relating to 

 labor and capital, trade and commerce, prod 

 and supply, transportation and exchanges, corporate 

 franchises and monopolies, and to all other subjects 

 embraced in our political economy, we pledge our- 

 aelres as such, to adopt and carry into execution nnd 

 effect all judicious measures of prnirross and n li.-i' 

 relating to theae and all other kindred subjects ; and 

 u a party, we can (five assurance, from our |..,litical 

 ascendency both in the national and State Govern- 

 ments, of a more apeedy and effectual remedy of ex- 

 isting evil, than would be possible through any ex- 

 UttM opposing party, or any party yet to be formal. 



Raoltvl, That the Republican party is responsible 

 only for uch measures as It indorses and approves, 

 and for an honest and faithful administration of the 

 Mrnont; and cannot be expected to vouch for 

 the individual honesty, in all cases, of 

 promote to office; yet, when such are found unfaith- 

 ful or corrupt, they should be exposed, dintnissed 

 from the public service, and punished. We denounce 

 all official frauds, and corrupt legislation, wl. 

 j land grants and subsidies to railroads, In Credit 

 Mobilicr*. or in the management of the revenues. 



JMwr</, That we disapprove and condemn the 



recent measure by which Congress allowed additional 

 compensation to itself, for past service, and .;. 

 that the provisions of that act by which congressional 

 salaries were increased, shall be promptly and un- 

 conditionally repealed. 



JiavlttJ, That it is contrary to the theory of a 

 representative government that any legislative body 

 should make laws exclusively for their own bcndil. 

 and we therefore favor an amendment to our national 

 Constitution which aliull forever prohibit am 

 greaa from increasing its own couipi n.-:itin. 



Jietolotd, That the .subject of cheap and reasonable 

 rates of transportation has become of pressing im- 

 portance to the great body of our peopl. . 

 and West, and to the producer and consumer, and 

 that it is necessary that some propel 

 urea should be speedily adopted to si -eure reli 

 protection against the greed und oppn .^M.MI off 

 ing monopolies. We urgently recommend what has 

 been already urged in two annual messages o 

 present Executive, the creation of a Board of Kail- 

 road Control, whoae duty it shall be to exam: 

 whole subject of transportation and freights, and re- 

 port the facts in relation thereto, and prescribe and 

 adjust such regulations as will be fair and equitable 

 both to the people and the railway < 



JlaolvtJ, That the vast importance ot railroads to 

 the general prosperity and business of the country 

 is cheerfully acknowledged, and we would extend to 

 them all proper facilities for their management so 

 as to produce a fair return for capital 

 them ; that wo claim, nevertheless, the right, under 

 our constitution, to regulate their conduct, or. if 

 necessary, to repeal the charters under which they 

 exist; that while we should deprecate the ntfuwity 

 for the rxtrnte of this power, still, i:' su. 

 should arise, will insist upon it to such an extent as 

 will protect the people against extortion from mo- 

 nopolies of this kin 1. 



Rmofotd, That we disapprove of the practice which 

 has heretofore prevailed, of public officers aec 

 free passes upon railroads. It creates an embarrass- 

 ing obligation upon the part of an officer which he 

 can only properly cancel hy the payment of an ade- 

 quate sum in money. It ha* a tendency to influence, 

 and often docs influence, official actions. They are 

 given u a tribute to the office, and not a mark 

 spoct to the man to whom the pass is giv. .. It im- 

 poses a large tax upon the stockholders of rn 

 companies, who indemnify themselves by in. 

 and oppressive charges upon the legitimate paring 

 hiKinosa done upon their roads : mid we believe that 

 the use of such passes by public officers should be 

 prohibited by law, with suitable penult ic. 



Rftolvfd, That we regard, with eminent satis: 

 nnd approval, the very able, wise, and judicious man- 

 agement of the Kxocutive Department of this E 

 by his Excellency Governor Washburn, during the 

 lost two years. As our Governor, he has stood fear- 

 lessly and constantly the guardian of the people's 

 rights, without regard to consequences to himself, 

 and hi* administration will bear the closest scrutiny. 



Jitnohtd, Thnt the discharge of t i 

 by the various elective State officers has )>. 

 by efficiency and integrity, and meets with our hearty 

 commendation. 



Saalred, That wo sympathize with every move- 

 ment to secure for agriculture and labor their due iji- 

 fluenop, interest*, nnd rights, and the Republican 

 party will bo their ally in every just effort to attain 

 that end. 



Raohtd, That we regard the settlement and devel- 

 opment of the northwestern portion of our State so 

 rich and valuable in natural resources of soil, ti 

 and mineral, and upon the very highwut 

 communication with our harbor on Lake Superior 

 and with the North Pacific Railway of momentous 

 interest and most urgent importance. Having com- 

 pleted, in good faith and proper snnsnn, railroads 

 from Portage Pity to Tomah, and from Toinah to 

 the St. Croix River, by the expenditure and judi- 



