, 1854-12-23
Remarks Of Frank Clark, Esq.~l


Council bill No. 8, providing for the 10
cation of the seat Of government Of the ter
ritory of Washington at Olympia, on the
land claim of f. Sylvester.
The bill being upon its second reading
Mr.. Stiles of Clark county moved that il
be referred to a select committee Of seven
Whereupon Frank Clark Of Steilacoom
one Of the delegation from Pierce county
arose and proceeded to remark upou the
motion as follows:
Mr.. SPEAKER Il arise to the floor oI
this house to give expression to at least
some OF the reasons governing and inducing
me to regard it as q duty owe to this
body, to myself as a member of this body
and to the people Of this territory to sup
port the motion now before the house.
Every gentleman Of this house is nc
doubt well acquainted with the origin and
progress Of this bill, particularly with the
action had thereon in this house.
l shall therefore state only, in reference
thereto what deem essential in order tC
render to this house and the citizens of this
territory whom l have the honor to repre-
sent my reasons for the sentiments | enter,
tain on this subject, and regard as my duty
to utter. ..
The Importance Of this bill for the loca-
tion Of the seat of government to the inter
ests of this territory, l esteem it as a pro-
position so well established that l shall fore
go comment thereon.
But Sir, it may be legitimate and pro
per for me inquire Of gentlemen of this
house what kind of legislation-what &c,
tion is expected by the high souled, indie
pendent freemen of Washington territory
our constituents-fromu US their represen.
tives upon questions like this Of paramount
Importance to their interests, both private
and public /?
Do they not expect that questions oil
this character will receive at our hands O
cool, careful and deliberate investigation
Is there any gentleman who has any rea.
sons to offer whereby he will be able 10 ap,
pease their just Indignation if we should bt
so listless as to act otherwise than deliber
ately3 Is there ought upon the score o.
expediency to offer as an apology for q
hair Drained haste in this matter?
uuI uellutTdLlOuS, CdTC anu scrutiny
should the friends of this bill desire it to bt
with in this house Yes, what ought they
to courtH And why, sir, is it sought tC
coerce members of this house to vote upol
this question blindfold as it were
Why II the site proposed in this bill b.
the most elegible point in this Territory
for the location Of the seat Of government
do not its friends demonstrate that fact tt
this house
So far as l am concerned, before l car
support the bill, l must be convinced thai
the interests of this territory will be nd
vanced thereby. 1t is not enough thai
particular individuals or localities are ben
Gifted. =.
consider my oath Of Office binds me il
my legislative action to the interestes O
the Territory of Washington.
And sir, l cannot "for the life of me-
see wherefore gentlemen upon this floor in
sist upon giving to this particular bill thii
railroad speed in its passage through thii
house. .
And it is not question suggesting it
self to me alone. Ii has forced itself upoI
others, and has been the prominent topic
of conversation for the last two days.
Is there any gentleman upon this fooI