, 1875-07-17
t.ocal Government.

ticaIIy abrogate the acts ol ihcort toiA
lion under which the different towns
in the territory are organized, at once
raises the question, how the funds TO
defray the expenses Of our fire and
,ol;re Janartmeuts are TO be Taised !
So far as the police is concerned, the
means 10 pay a night watch can read
iIy be raised by private sub-crlpuon'
Indeed, we believe that so tar as the
watch is concerned, this is the prefer
able way of meeting that want. y
vaIchman who is paid by property
holders. and directly responsible TO
them, will as a rule be more attentive
to his duties, than man who owes
his appointment to the favor OF pot
house politician. Vigilance and ac
riyily will alone be the conditions oi
his employment, and acting under
this stimulus he cannot fail to prove
efficient.
Our remarks so far are confined TO
the night watch. In reference to a
day police, there never has been any
occasion for taxing the residents of
The town on that score. We have at
all times within the city limits sher
III aud 4eY0iy shezi8, b0'h s.oyD
peace officers, under obligations 10
prevent outbreaks and check diSiur
Dances. In addition to these, We have
two constableo who are specially
charged with the duty Of arreoliug
yiUlaters of the law. We have here
within a scope of less than quarter
section of land four officers whose
duty it is to guard the peace and pro
tect tie lives and property Of our citi-
zens. This force Is amply sufficient,
and any application Of public money
toward the payment Of additional day
police is squandered.
In regard to the fire department, it
is Of the utmost Importance that an
active and efficient organization be
sustained. For this purpose our citi.
zens have not been unduly taxed, and
We feel quite sure fund can be raised
by volunteer contributions that will
meet all demands on that score The
present expenditure for fire purposes
Is about SIS per month. Of this sum
the steward receives 500 in gold com,
and the balance is expended for oil,
fuel, etc. One hundred dollars per
month might very properly be eXpend-
ed upon the fire department, and that
amount can be raised in the manner
already indicated.
Our citizens relieved from the pay
( ment Of heavy taxation in the shape
Of licenses, ETC., will contribute fire. lv,
and feel that they are only meeting
their reasonable obligations. With
regard TO the outstanding city mdebt-
edneSs, that is a matter that must be
left for the action of the legislature.
Whatever the indebe ednesS is, be il
much or little, our citizens will regard
, 1t as sacred duty to see that every
dollar Of it is paid, and with the
meeting OF ibe Legislature some sys-
TEN Of taxation can be devised where
by the means ior tAi, purpose can be
realized.
The fact that we are likely TO be
left without a city government, can
scarcely be regarded as an evil. The
town OF Helena, in Montana, with
more than double our population, and
with greater business resources, has
never been Incorporated, and yet Hell
ena prospers, aud is to day the COM
mercIal emporium of a vast extent of
country. Napa, in California, is in
the same condition, and yet Napa Is a
thriving town. 1t has been truthfuIly
SAID that " the world is governed
too much" and so it is with the ad.
Nantages OF the general, territorial and
county governments, We think it alto
geiher possible that Walla Walla can
i've aud prosper even if she ceases to
DE an Incorporated town.
Without the farce Of mayor, mar
shal and city recorder, the sun viii
continue 10 rise in the east, and our
citizens viii continue TO 90 about
their business much the same a.
though they had never enjoyed these
expensive luxuries. As rule these
city governments are mere shamS, got
up Tor the purpose of enabling a few
lazy men TO live in disregard of the
primal curse, by the sweat of thy
brow shalt thou earn thy bread" and
their abrugation, instead Of an evil, is
likely to prove blessing.
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OREGON PoLlTlCS.-We hear of
of gentlemen who are willing
to serve Oregon in Congress. Else
whore we have allnled 70 I Il 81.