, 1883-09-27

from what direction they came. We
know WHIT We are saying. and If Mr..
Evans We're actuatei 10y an honest
desire to do his duty he could easily
have facts that are notorious mp here
demonstrated to him. Why did he
not 90 quietly to Victoria aud watch
developments incog if he had want
ed u post himself? Tho truth IL
that he kH0WS what has been said
by leading newspapers and response
BILE officials on Puget Sound Is true,
and no amount of proof could OF
would induce him to make Il fair and
impartial report on the matter to his
superiors at Washington The Treas
urv Department would do well to
send an agent to this station who Is
at least unprejudiced and fair mind
ed about this business: Mr.. Evans II
not, and that he is not : notorious
fact. He could have dispensed with
his trip north and made the identical
report he did, as far as his ''lnyestI
CATION" q was concerned
About the next subject for comment
among the newspapers will be our
Legislature, the eighth hi ennlal ses-
sion of which will convene at Olym-
pia on Monday, Oct lst- Legisla-
lures usually get more abuse than
praise. for the reason that If they do
their duty il is taken as matter of
course and if they make mistakes
they are blamed heartily therefor.
Port Townsend Will contribute two
members of the coming Legislature,
Hon. r. G. Kerr, councilman elect,
and Hon. j. A. Kuhn, joint represen-
tative elect. 1t is safe to predict that
they will be as useful and active
members as any who attend. MIR.
Kerr has education and ability, is a
good debater, a man OF ideas, active
brain and prepossessing appearance
Although he is comparatively Il
Young man, we doubt if better tim
Der for president of the Council Will
be available But III whatever ca
pacity he serves, he is pretty sure to
give satisfaction to his constituents,
because he will study their wants
with intelligent foresight and faith
full activity Judge Kuhn, our mem
Der elect to the lower House, will be
adding to his already extensive and
varied Legislative experience. He
has served with distinction IN both
branches, and always with activity
and an earnest desire to please his
constituents. At the last session a
task of considerable magnitude was
undertaken and carried out IN the
codifcation of our laws 1t was a
much needed work, and, while it oc
oupied the principal part of the ses-
sion, the result was as gratifying rs
it was valuable. For the present or
coming session, also, there will be
much to do. 1t is likely that the log
scaling law viii be repealed, as it has
apparently been unsatisfactory to
both ioggers and mill men. An eff
fort Will be made to revise the pilot
laws, and it should succeed. We
have had sample of experience
without pilot regulations, Pilots are
needed, because they are plying their
vocation, and they get employment
regardless of the absence of law; but
there is no security as to qualitica-
tons or responsibility: neither is
there a check upon extortion. Par
ticularly does this apply to masters
of foreign vessels, who are unac
quainted with our waters; they are
compelled to take pilots, without
knowing whether they Will get expe-
renced service or not, even
when they pay outrageous fees. Our
foreign trade should be encouraged,
and the burdens of protection against
danger common to our merchant ma
rine should be equally borne as are
other necessary taxes. Then there
are ouI, laws against the destruction
of valuable timber, and game-they
should be made more stringent. The
question of woman suffrage, liquor
laws, &c, will be urged for legisla-
tive action. Then there will be the
tinkerers who will have thousand
and one theories awaiting test;
who will want to patch up and
change many already good laws.
Between the two extremes we may
get some wise action; otherwise it
will have been better to have had no
Legislative action.