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time, embracing 415 acts, 16 joint resolutions, and 19 memorials to Congress.

The most important act of the session was apparently that relating to railroad, express, and telegraph companies in the State of Wisconsin. The main purpose of this law is to correct or repeal former laws which sought to regulate fares and freights of railroads. Such was the case in a special manner with the law commonly known as the "Potter Law," the enactment of which, two years previously, not only aroused so much ill-will in the railway companies operating in Wisconsin that they took an attitude of defiance against the law and openly violated its provisions as manifestly unjust, unconstitutional, and void, but alarmed those companies also whose lines are located in other States of the Union.

The new law, while it keeps the railway companies under salutary restrictions to guard the interests of the State and her citizens against arbitrary and unjust exactions, does also amend or repeal the objectionable provisions of former laws. A prominent feature of it is the abolition of the former board of three Railroad Commissioners, and the substitution of one such commissioner only, whom the Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, is required to appoint within ten days from the passage and publication of this act, "and who shall hold his office for the term of two years from the 15th day of February, and until his successor is appointed and qualified."

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The duties of this officer are specified by the act as follows:

SECTION 2. The Railroad Commissioner shall inquire into any neglect or violation of the laws of this State by any railroad corporation doing business therein, or by the officers, agents, or employés thereof; and shall also, from time to time, carefully examine and inspect the condition of each railroad in the State, and of its equipment, and the manner of its conduct and management with relation to the public safety and convenience. He shall also examine and ascertain the pecuniary condition and the manner of financial management of each and every railroad corporation doing business in this State.

In order to enable him to make the report and return required of him by law, the act in section 3 enjoins "the president, or managing officer, of each railroad corporation in the State, to make to the Railroad Commissioner annually, in the month of October, such returns, and in the form he may prescribe, as will afford the information required for his report; " under penalty of one hundred dollars for every day's willful delay, or refusal of such return, after the 31st day of October.

This law was enacted after a most vigorous and long-continued struggle, in which almost every member of the Legislature took an active part. It having been passed by the House of Representatives, in which it was first introduced, the Senate also, after repeated and excited debates, finally passed it on the 18th of February, by a vote of yeas 20, nays 7.

Among the sums of money appropriated for different objects by the Legislature of 1876 are the following: $25,000 for the publication of the Geological Survey; $1,500 for the State Historical Society; $20,000 for the Centennial Exhibition; $126,000 for the Northern Hospital for the Insane; $84,000 for the State Hospital for the Insane; $40,000 for the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb; $18,000 for the Institute for the Blind; $90,000 for rebuilding the Institute for the Blind; $31,000 for the current expenses of the Industrial School for Boys; also $15,000 for a shoe-shop in the said school; $27,870 for the current expenses of the State-prison; and $4,000 for the soldiers' orphans' pensions.

The Republicans of Wisconsin met in convention at Madison on the 22d of February, "to nominate a presidential electoral ticket, and to select twenty delegates to the National Republican Convention to be held at Cincinnati."

After organization, the following nominations were reported by a committee appointed for the purpose and by the eight congressional district committees in their numerical order, and all of the reports were unanimously adopted by the convention:

Electors at large-W. H. Hiner, of Fond du Lac County, and Francis Campbell, of Lafay

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Delegates at large-Philetus Sawyer, of Winnebago; David Atwood, of Dane; Mark Douglas, of Jackson; and James H. Howe, of Kenosha.

The following platform was reported and unanimously adopted by the convention:

1. The Republicans of Wisconsin, in State Convention assembled, in response to the call of the National Union Republican Committee for the Republicans of the several States of the Union to elect delegates for their National Convention, send fraternal greetings to the Republicans in all parts of our beloved land, with the cordial assurances to all patriotic citizens who honor the flag of our common country as the emblem of liberty, equality, and fra ternity, of our earnest desire to see the republic enter upon the second century of its prosperous career free from sectional strife or injustice of any name or

nature; and that we will endeavor to promote friendly feeling and permanent harmony throughout the entire country, and will maintain and support all measures, acts, and laws, the enforcement of which shall secure to every citizen his constitutional rights, including the full and free exercise of the right of franchise without intimidation or fraud.

2. We are in favor of vigorous efforts to prosecute and punish those who have been guilty of official dishonesty, and to detect and bring to punishment all who have in any way or form conspired to defraud the Government of its just and legal revenues. 3. We believe in the unwritten law of the land, which declares it unwise for a Chief Magistrate to hold his office beyond two terms; and we accept the declaration of President Grant in harmony with this law as but another claim to our veneration and gratitude.

4. We believe in international arbitration in lieu of war; and we regard the scene of two nations strong enough to be above fear and wise enough to be above passion, adjusting their claims before this tribunal, as among the proudest monuments of the republic.

5. While endeavoring to reduce the national debt that was incurred in the presence of organized treason and armed rebellion within a political party which again aspires to the control of the Government, we are opposed to impairing the credit of the nation by depreciating any of its obligations, and in favor of sustaining in every way the national faith and financial honor. We believe in honest money; that the currency of the nation should, as soon as consistent with business interests and safety, be made equal to gold, and, until that time, should continue as a legal tender.

6. We hold as of priceless value and of the greatest importance the common-school system of this country, which, supported by just and equal taxation of property for the benefit of all, and accessible to the children of citizens of every nationality, color, condition, or creed, should be maintained absolutely free from sectarian control; and that popular education is the right arm of the national safety under a free and tolerant government, whose guarantee of liberty can only be perpetuated while knowledge pervades the masses. 7. While reiterating our firm devotion to the prin

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ciples that were cherished and established by the American patriots of 1776, as incorporated in their Declaration of Independence, in the Constitution of the Union, and in the laws of Congress, we cannot ignore the fact, which is indelibly written in our national history, that, for the privilege of celebrating the centennial of this republic, the freemen of America are indebted not only to its founders but also to its defenders; and that if to-day we have a country or a government whose existence is worth celebrating, it is because, in the hour of its greatest peril, its interests and welfare were intrusted to a party which gave no aid or comfort to the enemies of our common country, and which now gives the only security or means for present or future safety, prosperity, and honor, as a power for good among the

nations.

8. With a renewal of our pledges to the platform of principles adopted by the Republican State Convention in July last, we enter upon the campaign of 1876 with assurances from all directions that the

party of law, order, progress, and freedom, will achieve another glorious victory.

The Democrats met in State Convention at Milwaukee ou June 7, 1876, for the purpose of selecting delegates to the Democratic Convention at St. Louis for the nomination of candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States.

The following were chosen as the four delegates at large: Theodor Rudolf, of La Crosse; James R. Doolittle, of Racine; George B. Smith, of Dane; and Alexander Mitchell, of Milwaukee.

The platform was reported as adopted at this convention. When the time arrived for the Committee on Resolutions to report, a motion was made to adjourn sine die, which was

carried. This method seems to have been resorted to as a means to prevent a disturbance in the convention, and perhaps a split in the party, owing to a disagreement among the members about the currency question. There would have been two reports submitted from it-namely, a majority report, wholly ignoring that question, and a minority report urging the emission and circulation of paper-money.

A third political party, called the "Independent" or "Greenback" party, from its preference for that kind of money before all others under certain conditions, held a State Convention at Madison, on May 10th, in order that Wisconsin might be represented in the Independent National Convention to be held at Indianapolis on the 17th of that month. Only a few persons attended. Their number, which was about a dozen at the hour fixed for the opening of the convention, did not exceed twenty-five at any time till its final adjourn

STATE CAPITOL, MADISON.

ment. The convention, however, was both temporarily and permanently organized, and, on appropriate motions, a committee of three was appointed to frame and report resolutions, and to nominate delegates to Indianapolis; an electoral ticket was nominated, and a Central Committee of nine reorganized.

The following platform was adopted: Resolved, That we are in favor of the following general principles and measures:

1. An exclusive Government currency, to be issued in such volume as will meet the average demands of the country.

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5. That for the present there should be a widely discriminating tariff for revenue only.

6. That our common schools should be free, nonpartisan, and non-sectarian. administration of the Government. 7. A genuine civil-service reform, and the honest

The election of November 7th resulted in favor of the Republican candidates. The aggregate votes polled in the State for President numbered 256,038; of which the Republican nominee received 130,067, the Democratic 123,926, the Independent or Greenback, with some scattering votes included, 2,045. The votes for presidential electors in 1876 were

nearly 90,000 more than those for Governor in 1875, when they numbered 169,469, of which Mr. Ludington received 85,155, and Mr. Taylor 84,314.

Of the eight Congressmen from Wisconsin, five Republicans were elected, namely: in the first, second, third, seventh, and eighth districts; and three Democrats, in the fourth, fifth, and sixth.

The State Legislature was divided as follows: In the Senate-Republicans, 23; Democrats, 10; doubtful, 1. In the House of Representatives-Republicans, 58; Democrats,

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42.

The whole amount of public revenue from all sources during the fiscal year ending September 30, 1876, including $277,681.44, balance in the State Treasury on October 1, 1875, was $1,976,074.09. The aggregate disbursements for all public expenditures during the same year were $1,660,207.48; leaving an available surplus in the Treasury, on October 1, 1876, of $315,866.61.

The estimated receipts for 1877 are set down at $1,300,696.64; the expenditures at $975,727.98.

The entire amount of the State debt on September 30, 1876, was $2,252,057, and consists of the following items: State bonds outstanding, $14,000; certificates of indebtedness to trust-fund, $2,238,000; and currency certificates, $57.

The amount belonging to each of the pro

gate, of whom there were 318 remaining in the school on September 30th.

The number of convicts in the State penitentiary on September 30, 1876, was 266, their average number during the year having been to- 261.

ductive trust-funds of the State, at the same date, was as follows: School-fund, $2,625,798.06; university fund, $222,735.56; Normal School fund, $963,917.34; and Agricultural College fund, $238,479.40; making a total of $4,050,930.36. There was in these funds tal decrease during the year of $8,063.32. A State Board of Assessment, consisting of the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer, and the Attorney-General, was appointed by law to make an equalized valuation of the property in the State, as a guide to assessment for taxation; many complaints of too high valuation of their property in previous assessments having been made by parties from different sections in the State. The board completed their work at the beginning of June, 1876, and the total results were as follows: The aggregate value of the taxable property in Wisconsin, as assessed in the preceding year, amounted to $353,021,413, composed of $271,820,329 of real estate, and $81,201,204 of personal property. In the tables of equalized valuations, compiled by the said Board of Assessment, the whole amount of the 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; making a total increase of more than $70,500,000 over the preceding assessment.

In 1876 returns have been made to the Secretary of State from all the counties in Wisconsin, exhibiting the description and value of real and personal property within their limits not liable to taxation. The aggregate value of such property in the State is $18,524,196. Of this sum, $4,516,459 represents church property, and $7,487,627 railroad property.

No reports were made in 1876 by the Regents of the State University, or by the Superintendents of the normal schools, concerning their respective condition and management.

In the Wisconsin Hospital for the Insane, the number of patients under treatment during the year was 557. The number remaining in the Hospital on September 30, 1876, was 355. The cost of their maintenance for the year was $97,279.27, including payments for repairs and minor improvements.

In the Northern Hospital for the Insane, at Oshkosh, the whole number of patients under treatment during the same year was 604; and those remaining in the institution on September 30th were 503. The sum expended for the support of this institution was $97,857.26. In the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, the whole number of pupils during the year was 191. Its expenses amounted to $42,624.14.

In the Institution for the Education of the Blind, the entire number of persons receiving instruction during the year was 86. The cost of maintaining this institution for that time was $22,710. The sum of $47,610 was also expended on its new building.

The Industrial or Reform School for Boys during the year had 415 inmates in the aggre

The geological survey of the State has been prosecuted during the year in six different fields.

The Board of Fish Commissioners, which was partly reorganized by the Legislature of 1876, has purchased a suitable site for a hatching-house near Madison, and provided the necessary buildings and appliances. In this place, and at Milwaukee, great numbers of fish of different varieties have been hatched during the year. They are to be introduced into Lake Michigan and the interior waters of Wisconsin.

The aggregate length of railroads operating within the State is 2,427 miles, of which 141 miles were built in 1876. The law concerning these railroads, which was passed in February, 1876, and went into force from its passage and publication, appears to have been in practical working for the rest of the year to the satisfaction of both the railway companies and the people of the State.

The application of a Miss Goodell for admission to the bar of Wisconsin was rejected by the Supreme Court of the State. The main reason of the refusal is rested by Chief-Justice Ryan, in his decree for that purpose, on the plain ground of Nature, saying:

We cannot but think the common law wise in excluding women from the profession of the law. The profession 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 callsocial duties of their sex, as is the profession of the ings of women inconsistent with these radical and law, are departures from the order of Nature, and, when voluntary, treason against it.

An artesian well of great depth (960 feet) has recently been bored with success at Prairie du Chien, Wis. The flow is 603 gallons per minute.

WISE, HENRY ALEXANDER, died at Richmond, Va., September 12, 1876. He was born at Drummondtown, Accomack County, Va., December 3, 1806. He graduated at Washington College, Pa., in 1825, studied law, and settled in Nashville, Tenn., but in 1830 returned to Accomack. In 1833 he was elected to Congress by the Jackson party, and after the election fought a duel with his competitor for the office. He was twice reëlected. In Congress he went over to the opposition on the development of Jackson's bank policy, and took strong ground in favor of slavery. In 1837 he was second to Mr. Graves, of Kentucky, in his duel with Mr. Cilley, of Maine, in which the latter was killed. In 1842 the Senate rejected the nomination of Mr. Wise as

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minister to France, but he was subsequently appointed minister to Brazil, and resided at Rio de Janeiro from May, 1844, till October, 1847. In 1848 and 1852 he supported the Democratic candidates for President. He was elected Governor of Virginia in 1855, after a very vigorous canvass, directed especially against the "Know-Nothings." Toward the close of his term occurred the seizure of Harper's Ferry by John Brown, whose execution (December 2, 1859) was one of the last acts of his administration. In February, 1861, he was a member of the State Convention, in which, from the Committee on Federal Relations, he made a report which aimed at compromise and a peaceable adjustment with the seceded States. After the secession of Virginia he was appointed brigadier-general in the Confederate army. His force was driven out of the Kanawha Valley by the national troops under General J. D. Cox, and at Gauley Bridge lost a large quantity of arms and stores. Subsequently he commanded at Roanoke Island, N. C., where his forces were defeated by Burnside's expedition, his son, O. J. Wise, being among the killed.'

WOLOWSKI, LOUIS FRANÇOIS MICHEL

RAYMOND, a French senator, born at Warsaw, August 31, 1810; died August 4, 1876. He took an active part in the Polish Revolution of 1830, was a staff-captain during the first struggle, and subsequently a Councilor of State. He went to Paris as secretary of legation, where the disasters of Poland forced him to remain. In 1834 he was naturalized, was elected to the Legislative and Constituent Assemblies in 1848, and after the coup-d'état returned to private life. He founded the first company of the Crédit Foncier of Paris, which afterward became the Crédit Foncier of France. He was nominated to the Legion of Honor in 1857. In 1871 he was elected to the National Assembly from Paris, and in 1875 was chosen life-senator, the fifteenth, by 249 votes, acting in both bodies with the Left Centre. He was the author of several valuable works on political economy, of which we mention "De l'Organisation du Travail" (1845); "Etudes d'Economie politique et de Statistique" (1848); "De l'Organisation du Crédit foncier" (1849); "Les Finances de la Russie" (1864); "La Banque d'Angleterre et les Banques d'Ecosse" (1867); "La Liberté commerciale" (1868); and "L'Or et l'Argent" (1870).

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