, 1854-02-11
The legislative Assembly.

suance of the proclamation OF governor Ste
vens. As far as we are acquainted with
the members. elect to either branch, we
hazard nothing in saying that it will be as
intelligent an assemblagc as has ever been
convened in legislative capacity, before or
since Washington was part of Oregon
territory and although wings have been
elected in some instances were democrats
should have been, and for which profcssed
democrats are responsible, yet, aside from
politics We ore free to say that we know of
no one who we believe will not endeavor
faithfully to discharge his duty to the peo-
pie for the best interests of the territory.
The only thing to be feared in harmoni-
ous action of the assembly is that dreaded
demon-eetional iaterest-IOcal hostility.
If the members of the legislature will but
meet in a spirit of candor and liberality,
with mutual determination to confer, in
their enactments, equal and exact justice
to all portions Of the territory, then they
will fulfill their mission honorably, and will
meet with that appreciation which they will
deserve. But if they allow that feeling of
sectional rivalry and bitterness which has
existed between the Columbia river and the
the Sound, and between different town sites
in both directions to enter the Threshold
Of the assembly, and participate in the leg
islative deliberations, then will the actual
wants and requirements Of the people be
absorbed in fierce and angry debate-time
win be consumed, and government money
squandered, to the end that the interests
not Of the territory at large, but peculiar
localities--may be advanced.
The settled portion Of the territory Of
Washingtonis not so large, nor its interests
SO conflicting, but that places for the seat
Of government, penitentiary and university
can all be located without doing violence to
any portion thereof; and if the approaching
legislature deems it expedient SO to do, and
Is willing to await the action Of congress
for appropriations for the erection of suita-
bic and necessary public buildings, it can
determine the question without injuriously
compromising any particular section, by
disarming itself Of that weapon Of antagon-
ism, which can but embroil, produce an
archyand accomplish nothing but confusion
and riot, at the expense Of neglected duty
to the people, whose rights and interests it
would necessarily disregard and trample on
Let old useless jealousies be buried, and
important results will depend upon, and
may be expected from the action of the
coming legislature.
In the enactment Of laws, by the assem-
'blyit Is expected that everything local
win be looked after, and general regula-
.tiOnsoniorced for the benefit of all. Nc
ImOrials to eongress-the creation Of new
coanties-rOads, county and territorial
and all matters 81 importance to the several
counties viii require and demand attention.
But with regard to q code Of laws peculiar
ly applicable to this territory, it is advisa-
bic (as the words ofprayer are recommend
ed in holy writ) that they should be fe,o
and sScH ordered" that none should be enac-
ted without suitable deliberation, and with
On object to their being favorably received,
enforced, and applicable to this portion Of
the Pacific coast.
The discriminating intelligence and l0Ork-
ing characteristics Of the various members,
are but sureties that business will not dal-
Iy on their hands, also, that what may
be done win be well done-such as may be
required, and nothing more.
So We hope the legislature will agree with
us, and, as we believe large majority of
the people, that the steamboat code, ,'"blue
book" and all, now in force in this ter
ritory, should be at once repealed, and
that few general laws respecting attach
ments, and in relation to the collection Of
debts &c, should be at once enacted
leaving the common law in force for the
redress Of other wrongs. We make these
suggestions because we believe the legisla-
ture would be acting the part-of wisdom
# instead Of entering into details in these
matters, that they appoint board of com
missioners whose duty it shall be to digest
q suitable code of laws to be reported at
the next session, for acceptance or rejec-
tiOn. We think this would be the advisa
bic course, not that we in the least doubt
the competency Of members in general, but
because we believe that three commission