Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-01-09

spread population - the construction Of a
passable wagon road on the most practicable
route that can be selected, across the Cas-
cade Mountains, to be commenced in good
earnest, during the earliest and most favora-
BILE season in 1864.
The construction of this road across the
Cascade Mountains will Immediately and
permanently benefit the population in every
part of the Territory, and remain lasting
monument to the credit of every member of
your honorable body, whose patriotism
secure the completion, at an early day, Of
this necessary and praiseworthy enterprise.
| AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
On the I'd of July, 1862, an act was passed
by Congress, entitled "An Act donating
Public Lands to the several States and Ter
ritories, which may provide Colleges for the
benefit of Agriculture and the Mechanic
arts"
No action has yet been taken for tho pur-
pose of securing to this Territory any part Of
the benefits aud assistance provided by said
law, to aid in the establishment and support
of an Agricultural College. And as the 5th
section thereof expressly provides the follow:
ing rigid limitations, that -" No State shall
abe entitled to the benefits of this act. unless
1T shall express its acceptance thereof by
"its Legislature, within two years from the
81 date of its approval by the President" l
therefore recommend careful examination OF
| the title and provisions Of said law, and the
adoption Of the most suitable and efficient
measures for securing to this Territory all
tho benefits that can be derived from said
act, agrceably to the wise aud liberal inten-
tions Of Congress.
INSANE HOSPITAL.
by an act of the Legislature, passed Janu-
for the safe keeping and treatment Of Insane
and ldiotic PERSONS" it is made the duty Of
the Governor and Territorial Auditor to pro-
vide, by contract, for the safe keeping, care
and medical treatment Of all insane persons.
In compliance with tho requirements Of said
law, contract for that purpose was made
on the 22d day of October, 1862, with the
Sisters of Charity, Mt st. Johns Insane Hos
pital, Vancouver, since which time the insane
and idiots Of this Territory have been sent
there.
During tho past summer visited that
asylum, and was highly gratifed to find the
benevolent intentions Of the Legislature are
very properly carried out.
| There are at present six patients in the
asylum. and your attention is respectfully
called to the report Of the Institution here
with submitted.
MAIL ROUTES.
Tho necessity for increased mail facilities
is suggested for your consideration, and in
this connection it may be proper that should
bring to your attention the irregularities in
the mail service bcrween Olympia and Port
land.
GOLb MINES.
The gold mines of the Territory have been
worked to good advantage and great profit
during the past season.
Tho gold bearing region. embracing the
Eastern part of Oregon, the Eastern part of
Washington Territory. and all Of Idaho.
West Of tho Rocky Mountains, yielded in
1862, from eight to ten millions of dollars.
1t is generally estimated that in 1868, from
the same gold fields, the astonishing amount
Of eighteen to twenty-five millions have been
collected. And the great preparations made
during the present year for future operations
produces popular expectation that the enor-
nous sum Of forty to fifty millions of the
precious metals will b. gathered therefrom in
lS64,-and it is fully believed by many who
have been at the various mines Of Gro Fino,
Elk City. the Salmon River mines Of Florence
and Warren Diggings. at Boise, Owyhee,
John Days, Powder River, the Okanagan,
Spokane. Beaver Head, Deer Lodge. Bitter
Root, Fort Colville. and the Bars Of the
COLUMBIA and Snake Rivers, that the annual
harvcsts of gold will constantly increase.
year after year, in rapidly progressive ratio
for many years to come. until the aggregate
annual collection will become fabulous in
amount far exceeding the richest aeasons Of
the gold bearing history Of California. -
Miners claims are regulated by miners
laws and customs, but It is apprehended there
is one impediment to their successful working
by our citizens which these laws cannot
reach. The large number of Chinese who
have collected in several Of the mining regions
on the Pacific Coast, in some instances almost
to the exclusion Of our own citizens. is a
source Of serious complaint. would recon-
mend that some protective measures BE-
adopted by the Legislature to abate or re-
move tho evil complained Of.
WILLIAM PICKERING.
~ Negroes are bringing good price at
Savannah yet. On the 4th, At auction, a
negro girl Of eleven, sold for $2.5l5; a boy
Of sixteen for $2.525; and man Of forty.
| FIVE wears of nre. for 81 $780," Democratic 4"