The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-07-23
Commanding Departmer
The Constitutional Convention.
HOWARD.

The Constitutional Convention now
in session at Walla Walla is composed
of sixteen men, including the honorary
member from Idaho. 1t is one OF the
smallest conventions of the kind ever
held in the United States Why the
Legislature restricted the number TO
sixteen men we cannot understand, I'M
less it was on the score Of economy. A
larger number Of men might have Civ
en- the Convention greater force as a
| deliberative body and would have chal-
lcnged the attention and respect Of the
people in a greater degree than this
one possibly can. If the Legislature
had proceeded on the principle that
what Is worth doing at all is worth do
lug well, it would not have restricted
the number to sixteen delegates, for in
spite of the real truth and of all that
has been or may be said to the contrary
notwithstanding, the people, many of
them believe the movement originated
with and IN the interest of politicians,
who hope to ride into power on the up
heaval expected to follow in Territorial
politics. Had the Legislature made
it consist of thirty members, the same
as the present popular branch of their
own body, the movement would have
found more favor with the people, and
the special election would have been
better attended. County conventions
for the nomination of candidates direct
would have preceded the election, and
these would have created far more in
terest among the people than was done
under the present restricted plan. Bnt
this is past, and it is gratifying to all,
who have the interest OF the future
State OF heart, to know that the conven-
ton, as at present organized, has the
will aud the intention to do and is do
ing all that body twice their number
could hope to do in behalf of the true
object for which it assemblies.
The convention organized in the face
of strong prejudice at Walla Walla,
but since it got actively at work this
feeling has to great extent given place
to one of interest in the State move
mcnt, and we are informed that the
hall of the convention is daily visited
by ladies and gentlemen of the city,
who manifest local pride in the fact
that the convention has assembled at
Walla Walla and is doing thorough
and expeditions work.
Manv Of our readers are doubtless
acquainted with the men who compose
the convention. but as there are new
corners in our midst who DO not know
them, few personal sketches will not
be out of place In these columns.
Alexander s. Abernethy, the Presi-
/ dent of the convention, is a resident OF
Oak Point, Cowlitz county. He is one
of the pioneers of this Territory, now
well advanced in years. and as well
known throughout It's borders as any
other man. He is highly respected for
his integrity and good judgment He
has been engaged in numbering, milling
and commercial enterprises for a great
many years, and brings to the conven-
ton valuable store OF knowledge rel
alive to the varied interests and needs
of the new commonwealth. The con-
vention could not have select "a bet
ter man for its presiding officer. He
is a Republican and is 6j years Of ge.
Hon. Sylvester NJ. Wait, Republican,
the delegate from Columbia county,
came to Washington Territory in 1862.
He is resident of Dayton, where he
owns controlling interest IN the wool
Ell mills. He was the original pro.
prietor of the town of Waitsburg, in
Columbia county, one of the thriving
towns OF the upper country. Mr. Wait
is a man of good business sense and
Judgment and thoroughly posted in all
the needs Of Eastern Washington. He
is q strong advocate of temperance, a
conservator OF good morals and a genu-
inc christian gentleman of the highest
order. He is not as active in conven-
tion as some of the professional mem
bers. but votes on the right side, and is
n good advisor. He is past the prime
of life, being about 56 years Of age.
Hon. q. H. Steward. the delegate
from Clark. Skamania and Kickitat, is
an old resident of Oregon, from whence
he moved to Vancouver in 1868. He
is Republican. lawyer of good abil-
ity, and a working member of the con-
vention. He is native of Indiana aud
in the 10th year of his age He was q
member of the Territorial Legislature
in 1869. and Speaker of the House of
Representatives..
Hon. James V. O'Dell, OF Whitman
| county. is an energetic lawyer, Demo
crat, Is years of age. and native of
Kentucky. He came 10 the Territory
III 1872 and is located at Colfax. He
makes more motions than any other
mau iii the convention, ami is in every
sense energetic. He, too has once been
member of the Territorial Legisla-
ture.
Hon. Alonzo Leland. the delegate
from the counties of Shoshone, Nez
Perez and Idaho. Idaho Territory, is a
lawyer and the editor OF the Lewiston
7elleF, a native of Vermont, 50 years of
age, came TO the country IN 1861 He
has no vote in the convention, but is
shrewd aud keen aud good adviser.
lie LOOKS sharply after the interests of
Idaho and IS determined that the
counties he represents shall be incor.
porated into the new State. He is a
Republican.
hoA. ". L. Lacy, ueIeSAle from the
county OF Walla Wallis. came 10 the
country in 1851 is business man and
well to do. He is native of Iowa and
about Is years of age. Ia the conyen-
+ ton he often makes practical sugges-
tions and is good working memb Der,
and Democrat.
| Hon. Chas. Ii. Larrabee. delegate
from the Third Judicial District, is q
native IF New York, 81 years of age,