The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-11-15
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CON.
vENTION.

vENTION.
Nov that the Legislature is over and
the smoke has cleared away. we begin
to look towsrd perfection Of the steps
begun by our solops toward creating
and organizing State out of the great
and wealthy territory which il now.
with the exception Of the Puget S,upd
country, mere commercial dependency
of Oregon. The bill for this purpose
vas drafted by Democrat. hon. J.
A. Kuhn, of Jsfferson-but a. the pro-
jest was . pet measure Ut the Governors
and as the Republicans held . majority
in each House. it was deemed advisable
to let the bill be placed under the
psrsntsge of one Of the dominant party.
Ferguson, Of 6nohomish, was q at
selection and most ably did that sterling
and practical gentleman push through
the obstacles that beset its path.
The bill, - drafted, provided for
fiftssn delegates to the Convention.
Nine were TO 10 elected from the sew
ersl Council districts, three from the
three Judicial districts and three st
large. In THE shape. giving each voter
chance 70 vote for flee cut Of the If
teen delegates. the bill passed the
Council. Bat when it got into the
House. the dignity Of that body was
offended that the bill did not give .
sufficient expression Of popular senti-
nent throughout tho Territory, and 20
they amended it to elect thirty dele
gates, ore from each Representative
district. thus giving the people in each
Of the several counties . chance to vote
tor one man only. The Council refused
to concur in the House amendments
and tho House refused to recede. A
committee Of Conference was then sp-
pointed, which resulted in withdrawal
of the House amendments. The bill
therefore received the Executive ap-
prevail in its original shape aud provis-
ions.
The Convention 10 to be held ct WAL
IL Walla, - most Of our readers ere
aware. In June next following the slec-
ton. We favor the nomination in the
council districts, by local conventions
held for that purpose; and Of the other
six. the three 1t large and the three for
the Judicial Districts. by nomination
made by the Territorial Central Com
mittses Of the two great political'par-
tics. We shall GREATLY regret that their
positions ~ members Of tho Legislative
Assembly. will deprive US Of the ser.
vicss Of such earnest workers - Asssrs.
Ferguson. Hanford and Kuhn; but We
hare plenty Of good natssial in the
Territory outside Of them and want to
go men Of acknowledged ability ssnt
to the Convention. Party record should
be secondary consideration to Undue
try and good Judgment. in The selection
cf candidates.
The annexation Of three counties Of
Northern Idaho next bordering on our
EASTERN frontier. h already standing
question, and provision = sade tor the
compensation Of such delegates ~ nay
ssc At 70 attend tho Convention.
should thoss counties be attached TO
Washington, We would gain some ssvsn
millions Of taxable property.
In refsrsecs TO the oGSciAl status ol
the future State. We Avoe The Axing d
the Governors salary and the Secrets.
~ Of STATES 1t 1900 per annum; the
State Treasurer and 6upsrintsndsnt Of
Public laslsuction TO receive 81. 800
eaoh. Ths Govssnos sho1ld b. insligi.
Die 70 election 10 The United States 0so-
ate till four ysars aftsr the sxpirssion
Of HE 0sbesnatosiAl tern and should
b allowed . Private ssesssary during
the ssssions Of The Legislative Asssm.
bly, at - per day. The Secretary
shoaM b allowed clerk It 600 Pc
ysar and compelled 10 pay into the
pablio Treasury under oath. al ssss re.
csivo6 by him In hfs o0loial apacity.