The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-10-18
Olympia Letter.
OLYMPIA, w, T., Oct. IA, 1877

city, l have improved the opportunity to Wis
it the various gatherings where matters and
things of interest most do congregate. This
city, always alively pleasant place, is during
the legislative session one of the most agree
able localities socially, in the Territory.
Receptions, balls, lectures, aud last, but not
least, the exhibition given at the fair grounds
by the Washington Industrial Association,
afford pleasant and profitable pastimes for
all. The legislature, which has been in SEES
sion two weeks, has not accomplished much
as yet. A few private bills have passed both
Houses, and also a few general laws applica-
BILE to particular localities: Such as the bal
last bill, &c. The bill amending the Reve-
nue. law, the School bill, and the Road bill
are still in preparation. and will most likely
be introduced during the week beginning to-
morrow. Mr. Hanford, of Seattle, is pre-
pairing revenue law for tho Territory He
is young lawyer of Seattle, an energetic
man and valuable member Of the Council
The law will contain many innovations, and
if adopted as submitted, will require the test
of experience to demonstrate its usefulness.
The House committee on roads and highways
is preparing bill as a substitute for the
present road law of the Territory. Mr.. Stiles,
of Clarke County, is chairman of this COM
mittee, and he takes deep interest i'll the
work. l have had the pleasure of an intro
duction to this gentleman, and from what l
can see as locker on, should say he is one
of the most clear headed and able members
of the House. He does not often speak, but
| when he does his words are to the point and
always received with respectful attention.
His colleague, Mr.. Daniels, l have know for
number of years and find him here as else
where in whatever station he may be found,
hard at work as usual. He is chairman of
the House Judiciary committee, and sustains
his honors modestly. Mr.. Hathaway, the mem
Der of the Council from your county, is
hard working and vigilant member of the
Assembly. He proposes more amendments
to bills than any other man in the Council.
His suggestions are nearly always practical,
and his amendments generally endorsed by
| his colleagues He makes no long speeches,
but modesty does not keep him in his seat
when he has point to state, for or against
measure pending. 1t is the universal opinion
here. that Clarke County is better represen-
ted in this Assembly than for many years
past. OF course, your representatives are
modest men, and are willing that their record
should bear the testimony of their useful
ness; but thus much thought proper to say
in their behalf and as information to their
constituents.
An attempt has been made to repeal the
amendment to the law relative to the sale of
Intoxicating liquors to minors The law of
1873 fixed the fge of minors to whom liquor
could be sold at Is years In 1875 this law
was amended to include all minors, fixing the
age at 81 years In the House it was pro-
posed by Horn, OF Thurston County, to re-
peal The amendment, thus leaving the law as
it stood in 1873 at is years. The judiciary
committee reported the bill back without
recommendation, and the bill being upon its
final passage, was advocated by Horn and
opposed by Daniels and Ringer; the bill was
put to vote and killed by vote of Il to H.
A number of petitions asking for the pas
sage of a local option law have been presen-
ted. They have been referred to the COM
mittee on education. As far as have talked
with members about this matterI find them
opposed to any material change of the pres
ent liquor law. The local option scheme is
generally regarded as ethiopian. The fact is,
the license system is source of too much
revenue TO the different counties to be easily
done away with. Sordid as this view may
appear to radicals on the temperance ques-
tion 1t will influence many who are passably
good temperance people. They argue, and
that, too. with show OF reason, that as long
as the sale Of intoxicating liquors cannot be
absolutely prohibited, the license system is
the best compromise measure to adopt.
The Assembly has passed joint resolu-
ton, fixing Monday the 22d instant, as the
day for visiting the Insane Asylum and the
Territorial University. A steamer will be
chartered and the whole body 60 on the trip;
two days will be consumed, and nothing
really gained except the pleasure derived
from trip on the finest body of water in
the world" But the solons must have rec
reation after the arduous labors of the past