Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-12-18

The present contract expires bv lin
I'ntIun on the first day of July,
lN,6; hu' 1t Is subject 10 renewal by
the GoyeInur anu the prison con-
tractors, un'ess otherwise provided
10y law. Ths annual report uf the
warden contains the following mem
orandum:
Number of convicts in penitentiarv
Number of cunvictS discharged from
July |. 81. 10 July |. lS>5 ..... 81
\umh'r of escapes from July l, 1854,
t. Juiv /. IS>j ..................... t
Nut"Irr who have died from Ju'y /,
l'~i tU july |. lS>5. .................. |
\unh'r rr"r.ived from July /, ISL, to
July |, 1856 .-.. ..................... 90
Numbcr III confinement July /, lss5.. CT
rARroXs Mt, ,ENIY-IEHEEAL.
Although many applications for
the pardon of convicts have been
received, l have thus far granted
none whatever, except the rebate for
uniform. good conduct, which was
recommended by joint resolution of
the Legislative Assembly, approved
Dec. 1st, 1881.
In this connection / desire to call
your attention to the recommends
ton of the Auditor that the office of
Attorney General be created. |
concur in his views, and would sug-
Sest as an additional reason therefor
the necessity of thoroughly examin-
ing all applications for pardon and
the reason adduced in support there
of. | would also suggest that an
Advisory Board of Pardons be
created, TO which all appeals for ex-
ecutive clemency may be referred
with directions to investigate and re-
port tho opinion of its members
thereon to the Governor for his
final action in the case. Should the
office Of Attorney General be created
tho Attorney General, the Auditor
and the Treasurer of the Territory
(all purely Territorial otlicers) might
be made ex-oflicio members of the
Advisory Board of Pardons, without
compensation other than their regu-
lar salary. The principal abor Of
investigation could be made to fall
upon the Attorney General, who
should be man learned in the law.
The great aim of penal law is evi-
IDENTIFY the protec i'm of society.
The power of pardon is also be-
slowed by law for wise and benef-
cent purposes; but around its exer-
else should be thrown such guards
i'll tho methods of executive practice
as not TO impair the efficiency of the
courts, nor lesson tho fear Of ex-
emplary punishment in the minds of
evil doers.
EDUCATION.
Settlers in this Territory should
be assured of the brilliant future
that awaits the school system of the
future State of Washington.
In this Territory the 10th and
3Gth sections in every township are
reserved for school land by the
Government. This heritage will ag-
gregate over 1900, 900 acres, which
at the low estimate of $3.50 per
acre, would amount to 81, 800 ,000
A large portion of these lands being
valuable for timber or agricultural
purposes and in close proximity to
towns or settlements, is at the pres
ent time worth SO per acre.
BY law, the interest on the princ:-
pal of all moneys accruing to the
Territory from the sale of lands
which have been or may hereafter be
given by the Congress of the United
States for s:hool purposes, is to be
applied in support of the public
schools. This is indeed an ample
endowment for the futuie; but it
does not help us at present.
The people of the Territory take
just prido in their public school
system, and support the same by a
suitable rate OF taxation, levied by
the County Commissioners of each
county. In addition to this the
fines arising for breaches of certain
laws are applied in support of the
public schools.
The Board of Directors of any dis
trict may, when in their judgment
it is advisable, submit to the quail
fed school electors of the district,
the question whether or not spe-
cial school tax shall be raised to
furnish additional school facilities
for such district.
Under the provisions of the law
last referred to many of the towns
are supplied with large and expen.
sive school buildings, constructed
upon the latest modern plans foi
convenience and health Of the pu-
pills.
The laws provide for Board ol
Education TO be appointed by the
Governor), who prescribe rules fol
the general government of the pub.
lie schools, grant Territorial certiti
Gates and diplomas, and adopt Il
uniform series of text books through
out the Territory.
Each county has its Superinten.
dent OF Common Schools, and ovel
all is the Territorial Superintendent
who has general supervision of pub
lie instruction.
Iappend his condensed report Of
statistics of public schools for the
year ended June 30th, 1885:
Amount raised for school pur-
poses..... ............... :. 1913 962 81
Aillount PAID teachers wages. l94 1871 2.
Amount paid for rent of school
rooms. ............. =. 1.O77 $;
Amounts laid for repairs OF
school houses. -. ..... 111l4 7,
Amount paid for school furni-
ture.. ...:.................... 1I,slS o.
Amount iald for fuel and other
expenses. -. -. .... 2l,5l3 81
Amount paid for school house
sites. ..:.......... 1852, I;
Amount paid for buildings. 35, $50 G.
Total amount paid for school
purposes during the year . S2S7, ,029 3
Amount of school funds TO
credit of Territory at close
OF year. .....:.;. ......... S7O.O23 4
Number of children enrolled
in public schools during the
year ..-........-...... 26, AZ
Number of children enrolled