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To the Honourable Senate of Wisconsin
Your memorialists the Milwaukee Lodge Brothers of Free Masons respectfully represent that we have been informed that the Governor has vetoed the bill authorizing the Lodge to receive a conveyance of certain real estate for the benefit of this institution.
We learn from the veto message that the Governor objects to the bill on the ground that "it creates a private corporation without limitation or restriction of its powers or privilege." In this we think the Governor is in error but do not feel at liberty to enter the lists to argue the subject - In addition to this objection the Governor assumes that "all the legitimate objects of such a confirmation may be attained under general laws." In this we think the Governor is clearly in error. We are advised by able counsel that an organization of a Lodge under Chapter 74 R.S.
Would not make the Lodge to be appointed a trustee nor to receive proptert in trust now to execute the trust that might be created by a deed directing how the property should be use and disposed of, and that under the statutes, a deed made with such conditions would be null and void. We are therefore bound to presume that the mind of the Gov being just at this time filled with far more mighty matters, he has not duly reflected on the difficulties which seem to us inseparable of obtaining title to the property with a general law, which would be of my validity for the purpose designed. The object of this Lodge is to use said property for the
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legitimate purpose of the Lodge only, to be devoted mainly to purposes of chemistry and literature, it is intended to use the rents and income from the property to found and maintain a library of useful knowledge and also to maintain the charity fund of the institution which embraces many objects of public charity in which society generally is as much interested as are the members of the order, these matters which would be fully set out in detail in the deed cannot with propriety be defined in an act of the Legislature, we do not believe that the Gov would needlessly restrict the sphere of usefulness of an institution like ours, which carefully avoids all contact with politics and restricts itself to acts of charity and the cultivation of the social virtures, but we are led to suppose his objections arise from the want of sufficient information a to the nature of our institution and the purposes for which it is designed to use the property in question, we are not able to see how any powers dangerous to the public interest could be exercised under the act which has passed over the Gov's veto, and believing that none such can exist we respectfully pray your honorable body to pass the said act notwithstanding the said veto.
Respectfully submitted
L Phillips NE of Milwaukee lodge No 3
