, 1857-01-09
Territorial Legislature.


Council re-assembled on Monday the 9th
January, 1851, after a recess during the
holidays Mr.. Huff being in attendance,
the Council was full There was nothing
of moment transacted on the first day.
Much of Tuesday and Wednesday was
occupied in the discussion and considera-
ton of an act divorcing Tomas ]. Wright
and Mary Wright, which was finally lost
by the close vote of to 4. 1t is but just
to remark, that the case presentedlwas one
of much merit, and that its defeat il. alone
attributable to the fact, that the causes
presented were just such, if established in
the courts as could not fail to secure to
the party a successful application. This is
the second divorce before this body this
sessOn-both of which have shared the
same fate.
On Tuesday a memorial was reported
from the House for the relief Of Michael
I. Simmons, praying congress to pass an
act, authorizing him 10 be paid the pay of
full Indian agent, from the date of his ap-
pointmeut as special agent, up to the date
of his commission. The circumstances of
his appointment are known to most Of the
citizens of Washington territory. He re-
ceived from the Superintendent of Indian
affairs the appointment Of special agent in
April, 1854, or thereabouts, and acted for
the whole Puget Sound district, which by
law was entitled to full agent. Until re-
Gently, when commissioned by the president
as Indian agent, he continued to receive
the pay and emoluments of special agent
acting under the appointment, though fully
performing all the duties of general agent
to the satisfaction of the department This
memorial prays congress to properly re-
munerate him for his services, and give him
the difference between the pay he received
as special agent and that of full agent.
After two readings, it was referred to the
committee on Claims, with Instructions to
report on Wednesday. On that day the
memorial again came up, was read third
time and unanimously adopted.
A joint resolution fixing the time for
the election Of territorial officers to be
elected by the legislative assembly, passed
the Council 1t has, we are informed, been
amended by the House, the day being fix
ed on the 2lst day of January. The Off
GERS 10 be elected are, territorial Librar-
ian, Aoditor, Treasurer, Printer, Brigadier
General, Adjutant General, and Quarter
master and Commissary General ID this
connection ii may be remarked, that bill
is now before the Council to provide for
retrenchment in our territorial expenses,
and looks to the abolition Of the Office of
territorial auditor and imposing the duties
of that Office upon the territorial librarian.
This is the new phase of the question pre-
sented by the committee of Ways and
Means, to whom was referred the bill ere
ating the office of Financial Agent" 1t
will be recollected that bill abolished the
two Offices of treasurer and auditor, con-
solidating them into that of financial agent,
who was, ereGeie, to perform the duties Of
territorial librarian. qas s1 d
The joint resolution relative to the ex-
penses of the district courts while this ter
ritory was part of Oregon, has passed
and received the signatures Of the presid-
ing officers of both houses. .a a i''i-pa
A bill authorizing thereview and re-lo-
cation of certain parts Of the territorial
road from S. S. Ford's to Cathlamet, has
passed both houses.
D The majority Of the committee on Ju-
dietary, to whom was referred that portion
Of the governors message relating to the
proclamation and enforcement Of martial
law, made quite lengthy report adversely
to the action Of the governor, on Thurs
day. The report was signed by Messrs
Poe and Abernethy. Mr.. Wiley of the
minority Of the committee, gave notice that
at future day he would submit minor
ity report. The majority report was laid
on the table and 200 copies ordered priu-
ted for the use Of the Council
Council had short session on the 9Th
of January-the House was not in session.
They had adjourned over in commemora-
ton of that great event, the battle Of Ne'0
Orleans. 4.r.4. 30 g,I
HOUSE