Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-12-31
The Special Contract Law.

The Special Contract Law.
One very sensible thing was done by the
House Of Representatives on Saturday last in
the reconsideration of the vote by which the
Special Contract Law was passed on the day
previous. 1t appears that the generally un-
terrified Democracy" weakened when they
came to reflect upon the unjust and hssty
manner in which the bill was rushed through,
and now pretend that was only designed as a
clark" to show how completely under their
iron heel they have the Union members
whenever they feel disposed to set their foot
down. They likewise, probably. considered
that it was not quite as popular as they at
first anticipated, and too plainly exposed the
venom of the serpent. The 4th day of Janu-
airy was finally set apart for the further con-
sideration of the bill. We hope that the
matter will receive proper consideration. and
that when it comes to another vote, Union
men will insist upon the right to have their
names recorded against the bill aud the infa'
nous, multiplying. State rights doctrine in
volved in its adoption. No consistent Union
man can vote for the measure, any more than
he can vote to I" let the Union slide" and not
b. secessionist. The special pleading Of
certain Union men in its favor is unworthy
of notice. There is, in reality, mo necessity
for its adoption, even if it could be enforced.
Treasury notes can. ought. and should be-
made the basis for all moneyed contracts, as
they are in the Atlantic States. and no ad-
vantage can accrue to those who are disposed
20 be dishonest.
We should think that the history Of the
adoption of the California Special Contract
law would be sufficient evidence to show the
disloyal intent of those who framed it. The
object of the Copperhead party there, as else
where. was to annoy and embarras' the Ad-
ministration. aud for this purpose they could
have selected no more effectual means. The
monryed men Of that party in San Francisco,
by the aid of the sophis.ry of frothy-moutLed
Copperhead orators and the popular preju-
dice against paper money. finally succeeded
in obtaining the Specific Contract law, before
tho people vera fully aware Of what they
were about. But not so at the next session,
when the proposition to repeal the law was
being discussed. Petitions from all parts of
the State flowed in. containing the names of
thousands Of loyal citizens praying the Union
men to stand firm fos repeal the Secretary
of the Treasury in a telegraphic dispatch.
pending the vots,s urged these men to wipe
from the statute-book law 60 prejudicial to
to the financial policy Of the Government, but
their ears were closed by mere potent charm
than what poor Patriotism could exert-the
bewi,ching power Of Gold. Are We to be
cspsured far holding Uuioa men to strict
secosr liability fr their acts. when We con-
tiaually end. - in the instance above cited.
Just esesgh Cnios votes cast With those ot
Copperh~sas. 70 carry their favssi's meas
ur~s Has ~ this heea The CO. With Gu,
o.. L~sissssure Sss the past three yesss J
When ve have I'D e,-n vosking majority.
. srsAy sxe.ss 49, slvsys q tA<ir sosgsn
~.a--W. i vsrrs't . Parsy qssssisa
or-eua f.liss~a IN ts- fsssss~ps q k~ u
lu.srssus s;ssss se.s< skrssga he ssn< rid
If suss-.e< list i~P-s Nee Jerry - I'D
10. IN ~ v.ke Il sA< Casprss-sA esfy Il
N<v Y~A-<ke iaA~rse< Il Csssfsl-sa1
no. ne ss~ e.zlea sPa - bsrk up iA<sr 60
r.e-~- s-s-.ssi@ SPs.r A"~ d.
,srs-I l. she es..i-~i~s Il ezs>~ . eEssrzi
s< IL sy.ssfhy - I'D 81 The >~'s hs.-
he. 80 ~ - 10y q = i-sszrd sA.s "ssA-
ias-s. T-us~y sAs.A srsss - sA<ss sss'sa
c.s che - g. ssses tie ess-=s-, ssss<ss
derived fsa< sA~ p.sv.t Gssrr.s~sa - Ar-d
s.ra es-.s-hi Ar A~PPk - Wrestling n
,>srsoessn = - esassh fnnessa prrssaary
49, - ~.