Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-12-02
OLYMPIA, SATURDAY MORNING, DEC 3, 1871.
Unjust Legislation.

OIuuSI LcSiSldllOIs
Probably many of our readers arc not
aware that the business Of legislation at
the close of the late session of our Lcgisla-
ture was conducted somewhat upon the
principle of trade and barter. Consequent
ly it will not surprise them so much that
Che measure designed by Deacon Bigelow,
aud to which we alluded several weeks ago,
recognizing our Town government, is now
4 lav. Space will not admit Of an ex.
tended allnsiou to the subject at this time,
but We may briefly state the facts as they
have TRANSFERRED, aud leave till another time
thorough discussion of the subject. The
act amending the Charter desiguates all
that part Of the Town situated north of
Fifth Street as the First ward all south of
Fifth Street, as the Second ward and
Ewautown as the Third ward. Each of
these wards is to elect two Councilmeu,
and Mayor is to be elected by the town
at large. The portion of the Town now
embraced in the First ward, at the last cleo
ton polled 1875 votes, the Second ward 62
and the Third ward 81, so it will be seen
that the Second and Third wards together
cast % votes less than the First ward, and
still they are assigned four Councilmen
while the First ward has but tpo. Under
the new law, the people are compelled to
register their names thirty days before
election or be deprived Of their right to
vote for town officers. This provision i'm
poses hardship, md is totally unneces-
sary, as any body of common sense can
readily understand. The remaining pro.
visions are similar to the old law, except as
affecting school matters. The recent act
takes from the Trustees, all control of the
public schools and places it in charge of
school directors, elected under the gen.
eral school law.
This act was passed over the protest Of
the present Board of Trustees, made in due
form, and remonstrance signed by 1872
citizens, n majority Of the legal voters re.
siding within the corporate limits! The
bin passed the House with but little oppo.
sition, Bigelow stating that nine tenths Of
the people were in favor of it. In the
Council, petition containing 70 signatures
was presented asking its passage by that
body. Six signatures on the petition were
duplicated, so it actually contained but the
names Of u persons. The remonstrance
contained the names Of 132 persons, pro.
testing against the bill IN toto, and espe.
eially sssiust the provisions requiring re-
gistry and institutiug wards. This remou
stranes received not the slightest sonsid.
erstion from members Of the Couteil, ex
eept Hons. o. Bryant and Stewart, who
opposed the bill as being in conflict with
the wishes Of the people. E. L. Smith
IN advocating the bill admitted this, bu,
claimed that the petition was signed BY
citizens representing the preponderance o.
capital, and that wealth should contro
such matters in opposition to the will o
the people! The vote upon the final adop
tion Of the bill stood as follows: Ayes
The two Smiths. Calhoun, Joslyn, Hun
tingtou and Foster. Noes, Messrs. o.
Bryant and Stewart. Left biz seat, Nc
Reavy.
IL our nett issue We shall resume th,
consideration Of this outrage upon the peo
pie, and will indicate the motives which
have promted it. We shall also show hov
such pious..meu as Bigelov and such homes
men as the two Smiths can "trade," wher
it y necessary for them to do SO to carry
THAR ol.;nst