The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1872-03-21
AN ACT AGAINST "CARPEr-BAGGERs,


tory exchange, Mr.. Van Bokelen, of Jefferson
county, introduced in the Washington Terri
tory Legislature, AN act to protect the old
settlers" of the Territory, and limit rapaci-
ty of carpet-baggers who may be found run.
ming it at large" Any person who had an idea
OF the political situation in Washington Terrific
ry, and OF the feuds between the "old settler
aud 'carpet-bag" politicians, will be able to
appreciate this piece of satire, which is worthy
of place among the funny things" of the
day. We print it entire:
SECTION l. Be ii enacted by the Legislative
assembly Of the Tel ritoyy Of Washington, That
the old settlers of Washington Territory are
aud ought to be considered privileged class;
and they shall, from and after the passage of
this bill and its approval by the Governor, be
entitled to hold all the offices, both Federal
and Territorial, especially the good and paying
ones; that they shall be exempt from payment
OF fare on any stage line, steamboat and rail-
road, especially if the latter are owned in whole
or part by any carpet-bagger or carp"t-baggers.
That they shall be exempt from all militia or
jury duty, II they SO desire, or unless they see
or observe an intention on'the part of iuries or
carpet-baggers TO find ycrdicts sinchng old
settlers; that they shalt be allowed at all times
and ON proper occasions to give their opinion
upon the climate. soil, and productions OF this
Territory, its history and that OF the old set
tiers thereof, and that they shall, upon all oc
casions, be treated with due Difference by all
carpet-baggers, their stories listened to, be-
heved, and all their jokes duly and heartily
laughed at aud applauded.
SEC =. All carpet-baggers within the linn
lis 0t this Territory shall be considered an in
terior class, and shall have no rights or pry-
lrgeS that an old settler is bound to respect
They shall not be allowed 10 hold any good
offices during the lifetime of any of the old
settlers, 1t being long settled fact that the
Territory is capable of furnishing ample talent
TO fill all the offices that are worth a .'cuss."
They shall not be allowed to hunt up the old
wives of the old settler in the Atlantic States
or elsewhere, or claim any rights for said old
wives. who ought To be- ashamed to live so long
absent from said old settlers
They shall be- governed by the predictions of
the weather made by old settlers, and attribute
any mistake made 10 the changes in climate
from the early days when the Territory was
first discovered by SAID old settlers, to the dis
turbiug influences aud general arrangement of
things brought about by said pet-baggers
They shall at all times show proper respect
and Difference when In the presence of any old
settler or settlers; they shall not at any time
jump their claims. tell better stories. or under.
take to prove them by other carpet baggers or
other disrcputable persons; shsl not presume
To court their widows as long rs said widow or
widows have the remotcst chance of receiving
hn offer from any surviving bachelor or widow |
er old settler
SEC. 5. Any carpet.baggcr who shall in any
manner offend IN any particular rccted rights, !
wishes or privileges of any old settlers, shall |
be tried by jury of old settlers. and any pen |
atty they may decide, even to the extent of
banshmeut TO Wisconsin or other remote
parts. shall be meekly submitted to by said
offending carpetbaggers.
SEC. 4. For the purposes of this act, any
person who was not a resident of this Terrific /
ry before the late Indian or Yakima war, shall
De considered carpet bagger: Proridcd, That
any person now residing within the limits of
Washington Territory who can bring satisiac-
iory proof OF three years residence in the
Territory OF Arizona two years residence in
.he State of Minnesota, or one years residence
n Alaska, shall be considered equal in all re-
'pects for endurance of pryation, peril of life
md hard living generally, to an old settler of
Washington Territory of 90 years standing.
SEC. s. This act to be in full force for and
Turing the life of the oldest settler, and all
carpet. baggers are strictly prohibited from all
attempts OF shortening the period by inviting
my old settler to drink anything but good
liquor, and avoiding oil legislation adverse to
he full development Ut CLANS.