, 1868-02-21
Washington Territory Legislature

An apportionment bill was passed by the
Legislature which gives the river region fifteen
members in the House, and the Sound fifteen.
The apportionment for the river counties is as
follows Stevens county one, Walla Walla six,
Yakima and Klikitat one, Skamania one, Clark
four, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum two, and Pacific
one. No change in the Council Districts. An
act re>distrieting the Territory, makes the First
Judicial District to consist of Stevens county
alone, Chief Justice Hewett being assigned TO
that District. The Second Judicial District res
mains as it is, except that Walla Walla
county is added to it. Judge ]. E. Wyche is
assigned to this District and will hold court at
Walla Walla, Vancouver and Olympia. The
Third Judicial District remains as before, with
@. Ben. Darwin as Judge.
An act was passed changing the time of bold
ing the sessions of the Legislature, which here.
after will convene on the first Monday in Octo,
Der of each alternate year.
A memorial was passed asking for the annexa>
ton of Northern Idaho TO Washington Territory.
An appropriation of 81, lab 80 was made to the
Sisters of Charity, of Vancouver, deficiency due
for keeping care of the insane.
An act passed appropriatiug the Territorial tax
of the counties ofLews and Cowlitz for the years
1868 1869 and the balance for 1867, for the
repair of that portion of the military road, from
Olympia to Monticello, passing through those
counties. 1t approprates about five thousand
dollars
The Territorial tax was raised from 81 mills to
4 mills the dollar.
An appropriation of 81, 800 was made towards
the com pletion of the road over the Snoqualmie
pass.
Five hundred dollars was appropriated for the
removal of distractions in Cowlitz river.
Eight hundred dollars was appropriated for
the removal of distractions IN Chehalis river
The fees of all the county officers in Walla
Walla county were cut down one.half
A special liquor license law, similar in characI
ter to the Oregon law, was passed for the county
of Walla Walla.
A new "cbange of venue law" was passed
which met the opposition of the Judges of the
Supreme Court and members of the bar.
Two divorce bills were passed, both of which
Governor Moore vetoed, neither of which passed
over the veto. This was the only exercise of the
veto power by bis ETcellency.
A pilot bill passed aud received the approval
of the Governor. 1t applies only to San Juan
de Fuca Straits, Puget Sound, ETC., but by it,
own provisions is a dead letter, as all vessel:
sailing under the American flag are exempt from
pilotage.
bill to change the location of the Capita
| from Olympia to Vancouver passed the Council
but died in the hands of a Special Committee o.
| the House. At no time could the bill command
over ten votes out Of the thirty 10 the House.
The University matter created considerable
stir. The Board of Regents reported severally
against the late President of the University
Daniel Bagley. A Special Committee OF The
House, after a labored investigation, exoneratet
Mr.. Bagley The House, after a long debate
failed to adopt either report; but directed Tho
Board of Regents to collect all outstanding 10
debtedness unsecured. The Council Committed
found between both the Board and the House
Committee, but fioally passed the House reso
lutons Of instruction.
A bill providing for holding an election ant
calling convention to form a State Coustitu
tion was introduced and passed. Under its op
GRAFTON Washington Territory will become tht
State Of Washington in about four years.
A large number ofpurely local laws were en-
acted the major part Of them being in the inter
est OF the stock~groWiug counties of Walla Walls
Stevens, Yakima and KIikitat
We obtain the above items from Hon. P. B
johnson, Of WallA Walla.-O OrsnOniaa sth inst