, 1854-04-15

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State and Territorial laws
Mr. Bradford and Mr.. McConaha COM
batted these doctrines, and argued against
the soldiers being DISTINGUISHED. The ar
guments have before been reported, and are
much the same as when the bill was first
proposed in Council.
The clause prohibiting soldiers voting
was rejected by vote of to 2.
The bill as amended in committee of the
whole, was reported back and passed the
Council by the following vote:
Ayes-Balch Bigelow, Bradford, Say
ward, Tappan, Presidents.
NOes-Yantis. y
Mr.. Bigclow gave notice that he would
introduce at an early day a general road
law.
Mr.. Tappan withdrew his notice of intro
ducing bill locating the public buildings,
stating that he deemed such measure in
expedient at present
Council Bill, No. 2l--an act relating
fcrries-was read third time and passed
First reading Of House Bill, No. 37-an
act to provide for the assessing and collect
ing of the county and Territorial revenue !;
of ii. b. No. 40-an act to appoint JUS
tice Of the peace for Clarke county. Rules
suspended and bill read three time and
passed
Message from the House announced the
passage Of q memorial praying that Budd's
Harbor may be created port of delivery.
On motion, rules suspended, and memo
rial read.
On motion Of Mr.. Balch, BuddJ Harbor
was stricken out and Port Ludlow inserted; /;
as thus amended, memorial adopted
First reading Of II. b. No. 5O-an act
relative to prosecuting attOrney-rules sus-
pended, bill read q second time, amended
and passed third reading.
Adjourned till tomorrow morning
WEDNESDAY, April l2, 1854.
Council met pursuant to adjournment.
Absent, Messrs. Catlin and Miles.
Council took up the prohibitory liquor
law, and resolved itself into committee of
the whole, Mr. Sayward in the chair, and
reported back the bill, after having spent
some two hours in committee, with slight
amendments which amendments were sew
orally adopted, when the bill as amended
was put upon its passage
Mr. McConaha rose and stated his rea-
sons at length for supporting the bill,-
giving notice Of his intended publication Of
his remarks. The reporter took no notes
Of his speech.
Mr.. Bradford followed, speaking sub
stantiully as follows:
Mr.. PREsIDENr-I do not rise to make a
speech, nor do believe that anything |
can say could change vote ON this sub
ject; nor is it required, for firmly believe
this measure will pass the body without a
dissenting voice. What Inow desire to
say is only explanatory of the course am
about to pursue. You all know that l
come from the Cascades. In those noun
tains | have lived for some years a pioneer
amongst the aboHgines Of this country,
and whilst there have never heard the ques-
ton mOoted in reference to the adoption,
by this Territory, of the "Maine Liquor
Law" or law based upon that principle,
or even the question raised. True it is, VIC
have read in the newspapers that the old
States which we have left, are all enacting
a similar law, but it was not thought Of
in the canvass which resulted in me being
returned to this Council. had not the
remOtcst idea that we should be called upon
to vote for or against this measure while a
member, or while hold seat here, but
thand God that /, in the first Legislature
Of our young Territory, have the Opportu-
nifty to record my vote on the journals of
this body in favor of this bill. .
On my way to this Capital, at a house
on the Cowlitz river l first saw petition
lying on table for obtaining signatures,
praying the enactment of a prOhibtory
liquor law 1t was the FIRST time the mat
ter had been directly presented to my
mind, and | must acknowledge l -slighted
the idea Of the probability that such pc
tition would be presented or even entertain
ed seriously by this body. On my arrival
here l saw several petitions, and soon for
the first time gave it my earnest and sin
cere attention. have visited several pOr-
tions of the Sound, and have conversed
with many of the inhabitants, and although
some were in the daily habit of using intoxi-
eating drinks, still almost universally they
demand the passage Of some act which
shall serve to allay this great curse.
Let us take another view of this subject.
Reflect what will be the effect of the pas
sage of this law. Will it not hold up to the
view of the world Territory, which, in its
infant legislation, engrafts upon its statute
book the elevated notion that Righteous
ness elevateth nation that encourages
by law temperance and good morals-that
prohibits the sale Of intoxicating drinks,
and protects from himself the poor slave
to his own taste for liquor Will not the
emigrant come here with prouder feeling
of hope 7 Will it not serve to sNay the
mind of many an intelligent good citizen,