, 1856-11-28
The lth Session

next. The session will doubtless be work
ing one, as many provisions in the existing
local laws of the territory require repeal or
modification with view Of retrenching the
expenses, and as result, lessening the
taxation of the people of the several coun-
ties. Amongst others, the election, school
and road laws need revision and amend
ment. We are Informed by persons who
have given especial attention 10 the sub
| jcct, that in consequence Of the passage Of
the act at the late session of congress, re-
gulating the Judiciary system of territories,
and other reasons, the civil and criminal
practice acts wilrequire considerable alter
alton to render them applicable and efIec-
tive. As a result Of our past years In
dian war, in connection, perhaps, with mis-
management in some instances, on the part
Of local officers, some Of the counties have
become very seriously involved in debt
rendering them almost helpless. Every
proposition that may have for its object
the obridgment Of county expenses, and
tend TO the relief Of the Taxpayer, we
doubt uot, will be cheerfully entertained by
the majority and acted upon. We presume
that repetition of memorials and joint re-
solutions, setting forth the wants and grie-
yances of the territory, will be adopted
and transmitted, and take it all in all, we
apprehend that the working members will
fully earn their SO per diem, before the
session closes.
The counties Skamania and Walla-walln,
will be without representatives in the
house the former being depopulated on
account Of Indian hostilities, and the peo-
pie of the latter not having become settled,
or sufficiently recovered from the panic at
tcndant upon the massacre at the Cascades
last spring, 10 even enable term Of the
Z. s. district court 10 be held in that coun-
ty at the appointed time. Polls were not
opened in either county on the day Of the
election. From present indications it is
highly probable that the council district,
embracing the counties of Island, What
CON, Jefferson and Claim, will be without
a representative in that body this session
the member elect, A. NJ. Poe, esq, not
having as yet returned from California.
As the democratic party will have a
nominal majority in both branches-in the
house decidedly so, it is expected that the
selection Of its officers will be in conform
ity Herewith There is an abundance Of
competent material in the ranks Of the de-
mocracy TO discharge the duties of clerks,
sergeants.at-arms and door-keepers, with
out being driven TO the necessity Of confer
ring those places upon the enemies Of our
party. Above oil, we hope that both brnr-
ches will have sufficient selfrespect to elect
chief clerks who will attend TO their own
business, and who will not be eternally
grim. .grinning and grimacing, cutting mon
key shines, instructing members how to
vote, &c With but few exceptions, in
past sessions, the chief clerks have had
more to say as lobby partizans during ses-
sion hours, than any of the members, Ia
king upon themselves, alternately, the oner-
Gus duties Of clerks, speakers and promp-
tiers. They are employed to attend to but
one duty, and we trust that such men will
be chosen as will attend to that duty, and
that duty only.
A good substantial plank-walk has been
constructed from the Masonic hall to the
capitol and as it is probable, as general
rule, that but one session will be held each
day, members we think will not complain
Of being subjected to too much exercise
in passing from their lodgings to and from
it,
BY the way, it has been suggested to US
that our citizens did not contribute towards
the construction Of the plank-walk to which
We have referred, in order that horses might
be rode over it, 1t was intended only as
q foot-walk, and persons who have been in
the habit of riding horses from one end Of
it to the other, would do well to bear this
important fact in mind hereafter.
One other suggestion. We observe that
the sidewalk in the immediate vicinity, and
north Of the "Nonpareil saloon, is badly
broken up and out Of repair. As it would
probably take about "a bits worth Of
nails, an hours work and forty or fifty
feet of lumber to repair it, and as the in
habitants thcreabouts are in very INDECENT
circumstances, we would suggest the pro
priety Of getting up subscription for that
object and should there be any excess Of
means after that repair is effected, the res
idne might be employed in mending the