Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 09.pdf/88

The Supreme Court of Wisconsin. It must not be supposed that these early Adopting the common law and equity systems, the whole was simplified, the more legislatures met in marble halls. Speaking technical features eliminated, and so much of the Representative's Hall, Colonel Childs, as comported with common sense and was who was a member of the body, says : " The adapted to the situation was retained. The floors were laid with green oak boards, full statutes of 1839 have been the basis and of ice; the walls and room were iced over; laid down the analysis, it may be said, to green oak seats and desks made of rough the subsequent revisions; and much of their boards; one fireplace and one small stove. In a few days the flooring near the stove language is still retained.

and fireplace so The sessions of the shrunk, on account Legislative Council of the heat, that a were usually held in person could run his thewinter. Thejourhands between the ney to the capital was boards. The base a serious undertak ment story was all ing. Members from open, and James the North came Morrison's hogs had sometimes on snowtaken possession. shoes, and few had The weather was the benefit of traveled cold, the halls were roads. When the cold, our ink would first session was held freeze — so that when at Madison, it was we could stand it no ascertained and re longer we passed a ported by a commit joint resolution to tee that only fifty per adjourn for twenty sons could find ac days, and I was ap commodations at the pointed by the two hotels and private Houses to procure houses where board carpeting for both ers could be taken. halls, during the re An old witness CHARLES H. LARRABKF. cess. I bought all writes : " Having or I could find in the ganized the legisla ture, the next question was for members, Territory, and brought it to Madison and officers and lobby to find places to eat and put it down, after covering the floor with a sleep in. Though we paid metropolitan thick coating of hay." prices, it cannot be said that we had metro In the session of 1840, Mr. Whiton was politan fare." One of the hotels had a large elected speaker of the House of Represen garret, and beds were laid upon the floor, as tatives, which place he filled during an ex thick as they could be spread. This was citing session with great ability and such called the " school section." The floors of impartial justice and dignity as to gain the the taverns were nightly covered with confidence and respect of all parties and to "shake-downs " for transient guests. Those place himself in his judicial candidacies af who could find board at private houses and terwards above all partisan feeling. He sleep four in a cold room, ten by twelve served in the sessions of 1841, 1842, 1843 feet square, were considered fortunate. and 1844, in the House of Representatives,