Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-02-06
SATURDAY MORNING, FEB. 6, 1864.
Adjournment Of the Legislature.

Adjournment Of the Legislature.
On Saturday last the eleventh session of
the Legislature closed it's labcrs, upon which
event We congratulate the honorable members,
their constituents, and the people of the Ter
ritory at large. We have nothing to say of
any of the honorable gentlemen composing
this body further than we find their names
connected with matters Of public interest.
Collectively, as Legislature. We do no: hes
itats in ranking them beneath the meanest de-
Lucrative body Of which We have any know!-
edge in point of ability and patriotism.
The relief experienced and expressed at the
close of this cap.sheaf of eleven humbugs 10y
those of every interest and opinion, including
many if not all Of the members themselves. is
the most redeeming fact that We have observed
in connection with the session, and proves
that if an enlarged and enlightened policy can
not b. inaugurated or carried out by men of
narrow views yet that such is always desired
and demanded by the people.
If the word patriotism as applied to our
Legislature was limited to narrower sense,
and it was assumed that its whole require
ments would have been filled by system of
legislation based upon the general interests Of
the Territory at large, still it has left nothing
on the statute-book that points to such no.
lion governing its action.
Even if tho word were still more confined
10 its Specification, and each member was tried
Oh tie issue as to whether he had faithfully
represented the interests and wishes of a ma
jority of his own constituents in local matters.
then there are many Of them who would be
found wanting in that kind of patriotism.
AT an early day in the session it became
settled rule in the House that the rropriety
and necessity of all local measures and fran
chises should be determined by the member
representing the district covered by them.
Mr.. Dugan was the first, we believe, who an
nounced this abominable doctrine in so many
words. and with one Or two exceptions i: was
faithfully adhered to throughout the session.
resulting in an indiscriminate grant Of private
monopolies to whoever asked for them, with
out question and generally without conditions.
The practice was pushed 60 far that Mcssrs.
Babcock and Taylor, whose modesty had kept
them back to late day, in applying for tim
Der and g-driving franchises for some of
their constituents stated, the one, that the
charter asked for by him covered creek that
was dry ten months of the year, and the 9TH
er, TINT his constituents proposed to dig
channel, a. there were no natural ones left
and long before the adjournment the number
Of exclusive ferry and road franchises asked
for and obtained by Mr.. Perrin for Judge
Hardy. became the by-word and laughing
stock Of those who had granted them, and
when il was limited of one Of these ferry bills
that seven miles up and down the Columbia
river was rather too much for one ferry, Mr..
Perrin very earnestly protested against any
eurtailment.
In saying that franchises were asked
through venal motives we only repeat what
was stated in the House as commonplace,
and which seemed to excite neither surprise
nor indignation. Increased and improved ia.
cilities for travel. particularly between the
upper country and the seaboard, is what the
Territory and the whole coast needs more
than anything else and yet We believe that
The travelling portion Of the community will
bear US out in the assertion that with rare ex-
ceptions the road and ferry charters hereto
fore granted either in Washington Territory
or Oregon. covering the few passes over the
Cascade Mountains have resulted in nothing
but the erection Of toll-gatss, the blocking up
of ferds. and the imposition Of burdensome
taxes. 1t strikes US that the member repre-.
senting the locality covered by proposed
road Or ferry franchise should be the very last
person ~ determine the public policy of the
corporation. as he would represent those who
are to receive the tax and not those who have
It to pay.
Some thirty road. ferry and log.driving x.
elusive charters were granted during tho ses-
sion, and We think no far as the very material
interests Of the bone and sinew of the coun-
ny is concerned-of the miners. packers and
= droyers who develop the upper country. the
= iswers Of wood who supply our mills with
logs and develop the lower-ths term lob.
sstraetionisss' ID. not without appropriate ap-
plisalion.
The bargain and sale principle OF you