The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-10-30
WORK DONE AND UEDONE By THE
LATE LEGISLATURE.

work, good, bad and Indifferent, has /
passed into history. Justice to them /
and to our readers would seem to de-
mand that we now review the work
completed and attempted, while in jus
tIce to ourself we shall make such COM
ments as we think proper.
The majority of the members of the
last Assembly were elected upon a So
called "reform ticket, and were from the
first designated as the "Reform Legisla-
ture." If much hagglingand wrangling
over needed appropriations to carry on
public enterprises entities them to this
distinction, we admit the eognomen rs
well chosen. When, however, we con-
slider for moment the light and frivol-
Gus manner in which bills intended to
reform abuses hoary with age, and out
rageous alike to justice and humanity
were treated, we most emphatically de-
clare the title misnomer.
We will here say that We speak now
of the Legislature as body, and as we
are compelled to do, of their work col
Ieetively, and before proceeding farther
will bear cheerful and ready testimony
to much noble individual effort that
was put forth by members in both Sen
ate and House for the advancement Of
reform that was not a consideration OF
dollars and cents.
Among the bills passed early in the
session, we make mention of the repeal
Of the "Litigant Act, which originated
in the Senate and passed both Houses
without dissent. The repeal of this Act
was generally, if not universally, ap-
proved, and certainly tallies one for the
Esformers.
The bill, concerning the passage Of.
which perhaps more persons were inter
ested than any other, Except, perhaps,
the Woman Suffrage bill, was the long
talked Of "Local Option" bill. This
measure, a synopsis of which was given
in the NEW NORTHWEST several weeks
since, was the subject of careful consid-
Grafton by competent Committee for
some days, was prepared with unusual
care, and with the advice of eminent
lawyers as to its constitutiOnality, and
was in every regard good and strin-
gent bill. After much discussion, il fl
nally passed the House, shorn of many
of its best proportions, only TO die an
ignominious death in the Senate. Thus
the hopes of those who have for months
labored so earnestly for temperance leg
islation have fallen to the ground
where they will lie until resurreeted by
the vote Of woman.
The Woman Suffrage bill, whicl
originated in the House, gave old fogy
ism a splendid chance to render itsel
ridiculous, and common sense and liber
ality an opportunity to strike telling
blows for Equal Rights. The number O
members under the dominion Of IL
former were, however greatly in th
majority. But the advocates of the lat
ter, though defeated on the origina
proposition by vote of 46 TO 13, ha
i'no thought of flight, none Of retreat,
but marshalling their forces, propose
an amendment to the Constitution
striking out the word male and thi
time received a vote of q for, TO 8
against. These gains were substantial
and the advocates Of Equal Right
rested upon their laurels. \ like propc
sition came up afterwards in the Senat,
and was defeated Ly vote of Il To L.
a bill for the abolishmeut of capita
punishment, a measure that has lon
been engaging the attention Of humani
tarians, was voted down by the band {
reformers. We have not the vote o
this measure at hand, but, if our reco
lection serves us correctly, the maiorit
against il was small.
Later in the session a measure pro
viding for private execution Of I'll
death-sentence was, with unaccustone
legislative dispatch, and owing to til
energy of Mr.. Reed, of Marion, pt
through both Houses.
The Wiunemucca Railroad bill, az
the Capitol Appropriation bill, are +,
garded as among the most importal
that were passed.
A bill abolishing the Office of Assis
ant Treasurer passed early in the Sc
sion, and up to the last minute attemp
were made to re-create the same.
The keeping Of the insane was left
the hands of DR.. Hawthorne for the e
suing four years, and Watkinds is in DC
session of the Penitentiary for a Ii
period, although the appropriation !
this purpose, So, 900, fell far short of
expectations.
Numerous towns in the interior VIZ
made happy by the beStowal of ci
honOrs
All things considered, perhaps the i
islative session just closed has as neal
fulfilled the expectations of the peol
as has any of its predecessors. y
more than the ordinary amount of stu
bornness existed, and it is said Il
there were fewer bargains made wi
"third house" members than ever
fore. 1t is certainly our desire to iud
all men charitably, and while we ",
both surprised and chagrined at the NJ
rOw-mindedness exhibited bv so,
members sent to our Capitol as Rep
sentative men, we yet hope that III,
as legislators, departed TO their hom
"white-souled, elean-handed, pure
heart"
Mrs. Duniway acknowledges the
eeipt of an invitation to address