Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1860-12-15

tiers, ny creating separate 1undS III the
present condition of things this creation
of Court Fund is attended with incon-
vcnicncc, and no substantial benefit.
An amendment of the Election Law
is also recommended, in the following
particulars. More specific definition
of the qualifications of voters !; positive
statutory provisions as to the time and
method of correcting mistakes in the
poll lists, and in counting ballots, and
the disposition and safe keeping of the
ballot boxes and poll books. We trust
these suggestions will be acted upon.
Guarding the integrity of the ballot box
cannot be too strictly enforced, and the
invest CATION of the two contested seat,
by the present House of Representa-
tivcs has exposed the fact, that under
the present law, opportunities for fraud
mi glt readily occur.
The Governor proceeds to give his
views upon the Common School system,
and recommends, the creation of the Of
flee of Territorial Superintendent of
Public Instruction, with sufficient sal
AIRY to justify exclusive attention to its
duties. The suggestions us to the rcvis-
ion of the law are worthy of serious at
tcntion. and we icrvcnty trust that the
present Legislature will lend their ef-
forts, to secure what we so much need,
Il good "Common School SYSTEM"
1t is useless to patch up the present
law. Repeal it, begin anew, and let Us
start atrcsll.
The Governor speaks our mind in
the following truthful paragraph:
IL cannot torbcar to notice the ruin
oUs effects Of the cXtlavacant rates of
!, i ncrcSt cXactcI for the loan of money,
ON credits, and the extension of time
for t;c payment OF debts. | think the
time has arrived when the best inter
c,ts of the Territory demand some leg
islation upon the subject, and as tie
most cllcciual remedy for the evil |
would urGr the passage of an tsnry
Law. Such law. il ri yorously en-
forced, would DC most beneficial in its
results
The attention of the Legislature is
next called to the subject of the coniinc-
mcnt of tclons until the erection of the
Pcnitcntiary. There being no place of
confinement except in county .jails, and
the counties not having amy authority
of law to pay the expenses Of such pris-
oncrs, Shcrif+ are obliged to bear the
burden of the expenses and trust to the
Territory for their reimbursement.
There isno law by which the Territorial
Auditor may audit and allow such ac-
counts, and in consequence of defective
legislation the sentence of tclons to
| han" htb",, is in Il great measure mop
CrltivV, 10 say nothing 0T the Facility
afforded for escape. The sheriff OF
Pierce county now has charge of the
convicts oft Second District. and an
appropriation is asked to meet his en-
rcnscs. The Governor also asks that
the Executive be authorized, under
proper restrictions to offer rewards for
the arrest of prisoners escaping.
Among the remaining suggestions
in the message are, the modification of
the law in regard to the printing and
distribution of the laws and Journals so
as to diminish the number of the latter
and corrcspondingly increase the tor
MGR, and thus allow a greater number
of the pamphlet laws for each county,;
the appointment Of United States
Consul, a commercial agent ut Van
COVERS Island or in British Columbia,
and the stationilAg of an officer of Gus
toms at some point ON the northern
boundary line, in the ncighborhood of
Fort Colvillc.
A passing notice of the present con-
dition of the Northern Boundary, of
the daily overland mail service; OF our
claim upon Congress for an early pay
ment OF the war debt, close this inter-
csting Document.
The Legislature attested its apprcci-
alton by ordering $500 copies printed
for distribution. This will secure its
dissemination amoug our people.
LUMBER MARKET IN CALIFORNIA.
N...,, 4, I,4, H. :n ,,n,,o. .,.o i. q,