Prescott Transcript in Prescott, Wisconsin

Randall urges federal action on state court jurisdiction

A. W. Randall argues in Madison on January 14 1858 that state courts deny relief to poorer citizens and favor large debtors. He urges Congress to authorize federal cases over two thousand dollars in disputes between citizens of different states, warning of speculative excess and moral decline from inflated currency and reckless enterprise. He praises Wisconsin’s wealth and institutions and calls for broad protective, reforming legislation.