, 1869-11-27
Editorial Correspondence.
OLYrprA, Noyember IS. lse!


OLYMPIA, November Is, 1869.
DEAR STATESMAN: Both branch-
es Of the Legislature fairly got to
work on Wednesday last, and since
that time have been endeavoring to
make up for the time wasted away
in the early part Of the session. But
few bills Of special interest to the
readers of the STATESMAN have
been acted upon as yet, but q num-
Der have been introduced, aud with
another week most likely will become
laws.
THE DIVISION QUESTION.
Mr.. Luny Bond is still here beg>
ging for Cox's scheme to divide the
county, but, as previously stated,
meets with little encouragement.
The one or two members from
Walla WslIa county who we're sup
posed to favor the measure, arenow
among its most earnest opponents,
and so the scheme falls still>born,
and with it Cox's hopes for future
prsfermsnt.
STEAM FIRE ENGINE.
Mr.. Fred. Stine has introduced
in the House a bill authorizing the
Mayor and Common Council of
Walla Walla city to purchase
steam FIRE engine. The bill author
ICES a loan of $1,000 for the pur>
pose of purchasing the engine, and
empowers the Council to levy a spe>
cial tax Of four mills on the dollar,
the proceeds from which TO be ap>
piled to the payment of the inter-
est and extinguishment of the prin-
cipal. 1t further provides for the
submission of the question to a
popular vote, and if a majority de-
clare 10 favor of the steam engine,
then the tax is to be imposed. Mr..
Slime has taken an active interest in
this matter, as he does in all ques.
tions of legislation.
TEXAS CATTLE.
A bill will be introduced early
this week that prohibits the intro>
duction of Texas cattle, under a
penalty of $4,000 fine and one years
Imprisonment, at the discretion Of
the Court. Letters are coming in
BY every mail urging measure of
this kind as a protection to stock
growers, and the result will be the
immediate passage of the bill. Nearly
all the Western States have been
compelled to pass laws prohibiting
the introduction of Texas cattle, ex.
perience showing that in every iD>
stance their presence is fatal to tie
domestic stock.
GENERAL ELECTION.
A bill is now under discussion in
committee, which provides for the
election of all county and legislative
officers on the first Monday in June,
1870, and thence every second year
It meets with opposition from the
Clark county members, and the
Walla Walla delegation are divided
on the question, but notWithstand,
ing this opposition, the chances are
favorable to its passage.
FENCE LAW.
A bill is now up in the Legisla'
turs which is designed to settle the
fence agitation in Walla Walll
county. 1t provides that ditch o
the proper depth and width, with
two rails, shall be deemed a lega
fence; also a post and four rails
and the common "worm fence" arr
declared to be legal enclosures. Thi
arrangement will meet the wants o
the different sections Of Walla Wal
Ia county, and it is presumed viii
settle the "feDce agitation"
UsURY LAW.
Mr.. Thomas P. Page has intro
duced in the House q bill to pun
ish usury. 1t provides that ten pc
ccntum shall be the legal rate of in
tersst, and imposes suitable psnAltie
for all violations of the law. 1 an
no particular admirer of usury laws
believing that money like Othe
commodities is worth what it vii
bring in the market; but this viev
1 find is not shared by many of tn
members, and SO it is quite likel,
that the bill will become a law.
TIE NRw CODE.
Both Houses are now fairly at worl
on the Code, with every prospect Q
completing the task before the close O
the session. The proposition is to re
enact the old laws, with such change
As experience has shown to be necessary