, 1867-02-01

Of the promise made to send you an inkling Of
matters and things political aud general 4 the
hub of the Territory. A residences Of several
days in this quiet little village and an occasional
visit to the house in the woods, where modern
Solons now do con0regate, has given me some
thing of an idea both of the measures under
consideration for the benefit of the people, for
the relisf-nice word, aint it7-of certain ihdi-
viduAls and counties, well as a short rt<ac-
quaintanes with some Of the leading members
of both houses, to say nothing of divers and
sundry modest philanthropists, who would just
to oblige the dear people, consent to sacrifice
their own business, etc., and represent Wash>
ington Territory 10 the national Capital; but of
them more anon.
LEGISLATION OF A LOCAL CHARACTER.
Your correspondent, "Msjor," has kept you so
we'll posted 10 regard to legislation, that shall
devote but q brief space to its consideration.
The act to enlarge your city limits has passed,
and may be deemed conclusive evidence of your
prosperity. bill has been introduced, based
upon petition, to create a new road district en-
bracing the territory within the boundaries ofone
mile in each direction from the centre of your
city and providing for the outlay of taxes in said
district under the direction of your Common
Council. The bill, however, meets with but lit
tie favor, and will probably die on the stocks.
The usury and interest bill Of the Puritan from
King county, of Bull notoriety, received its quie-
tus by very decided vote so, three per cent.
per month still "goes" The specific contract bill,
introduced by Mr. Rees, has passed the lower
huf fx.y;lI hail in he
The absence of one OF your members-Mr. Sharp
steIu-is greatly'to be regretted on this account,
the bill is of far greater interest to your part
of the Territory than to that West OF the Cas-
eades.
TIE sNooUALNTE PASS.
The delegation from King" got the floor on
the 18th inst, when the Snoqualmie pass ap-
preparation bill was under consideration, and
McGiiVra the HAS tyes of the out-audout rad
| icals, delivered himself Of the long pent up
piece which he had been coming and dreams
| ing over ever since the said pass became part
of the radical creed, test party dogma in fact,
by the personal reconnaissance of his ez-celency
Mr.. William Pickering. The learned gentleman
seemed almost as much at home as though on
the stump question, and in his harmonious nas
sal twang, proceeded TO demonstrate the great
natural advantages of the Snoqualmie over the
Matches pass, asserted that said pass was and
is deep, broad valley extending entirely across
the Cascade range, with gentle slope each way
from the summit, and an elevation only three
thousand feet above the level of the sea ; quoted
Pickering at length, and proved as clear As mud
the "rich Valley of Puget Sound"2 must have
an interior outlet, so that people could get into
the country that King county could Mt be de-
veloped until this was done that it was a great
privilege now offered to the Legislature to ap.
propriate the needfUl for this great object, and
that even as "twenty generations" looked down
on the French army from the Pyramids, so gen>
|
present Legislature, according to their decision
on this momentous subject McGlvrs has had
q severe attack of constitutional egotism, since
his tilt with Eldridge, in which he turned that
geutleman's flank and captured his entire divis-
ion and another success of that kind would be
likely to send him to our friend Loryea, for
treatment.
He was followed BY Mr. Henry, of ThurstOu
who promising that be represented Olympia be.
cause he resided there, that be represented
Thurston county, having been elected for that
purpose, still thonght his duty to the whole Ter'
| ritory paramount to all local issues or inte-
rests. He then reviewed the piece of McGilyra,
quoted Commissioner Farnsworth and other civil
engineers, who had examined and made reports
on the rival passes; proved that Snoqualmie was
not valley butA backbone from one side of the
mountains to the other, because Mr.. Pickering
only travels on backbones and ridges that in.
stead of three it was five thousand feet above
the level of the sea that the sum named in the
bill would'at build pack trail over either route
and in his bland and insinuating style demon
strated that the whole thing was practically a
| huge humbug, got up for the benefit of few
| individuals who have located water privileges
aud tavern stands on said route. The chances
are that the bill will follow its spiritual God
father, Pickering, and become thing Of the past.
THE wALLA WALLA DELEGATION
As mere locker on in Vienna, have good
opportunities Of fixing on the working members
of the House, and were eitazen of your coun
ty, should certainly feel considerable pride in
the efficient delegation which represents you.
Langford is ever at his post in the Council, and
commands the respect even of the radicals, by
his straightforward integrity aud candid views.
He, as well as Frank Clark, of Pierce county,
has an eye to the Delegateship, of which, how
ever, more in future letter. In the House,
Rees has been = steady, honest, efficient wor-
ker, and has gained first rank by bis zeal in
doing all in his power to promote legitimate
legislation, and to thoroughly represent his own
county. His knowledge of parliamentary
lodges is not so eItensiue as that of some other
members who seem to desire to delay rather
than transact business, and he has been some>
what worried by the penny-whistle motions OF
McGilVra, and his one-borse satellites, but thus
far be has fully held his own, and has earned
the respect Of all the working members Of both
side Of the House. Messrs. Page and Jesse,
though arriving late, have by their straight and
consistent conduct fully discharged their legis-
latiVe duties.
THs POLITICAL SITUATION.
A short look At the political situation and
am done. Old Pick still hangs on TO the 'ar>