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

a camp of instruction near Olympia.
in the month Of August, which was
productive of improvement III drill
discipline and esprit de corps.
1t is important that the Territory
have an efficient military orgtn,zl
ton for the preservation of order IN
certain emergencies, when disturb
ances of the peace may be bevond
the control of the civil authorities
The mere fact of the existence Of a
loyal, obedient, disciplined force, Mt
scene of portenled disturbance
may serve in time of excitemen NJ to
: aliay undue apprehenslons, aud even
to prevent outbreak, riot and blood
shed.
The element of reliability is ali
important on such occasions, and no
amount of Senteel display or holiday
finish can make up for the lack of it
The first duty of soldier is obedi
ence to law and to his authorized
commanders. During the past few
weeEs we have seen the need of an
organized military force in our midst
AS our commonwealth natures and
puts forth her claim of fitness for
Statehood and self-eovernmont, she
must show her power to maintain
the law and to preserve order.
The United States Government
cannot be expected to interfere with
its military arm, except in case of eX
treme necessity. 1t has announced
its policy in this respect. Hence it
will act only under circumstances of
an aggravated character, and its dc.
clsions may come too late to aver;
trouble. Therefore we should loso
no time in preparing to meet all
such emergencies without calling
upon the General Government for
assistance. The militia law under
which we are now organizing was
passed in 1868, and it is not well
suited to our present requirements.
A new law should be devised,
which may be framed with reference
10 economy and yet provide for the
formation of an effective lorce, well
drilled and we'll armed, with an al
lowance for pay when actually en-
gagged in camp of instruction or IN
active service; and there should be
a provision similar to that contained
in the old law, providing for more
generally calling out those subject
to military duty in case of extraor-
binary emergency.
REPORTS OF TERRITORIAL OFFICERS.
1 herewith hand you tho reports
of the Auditor, the Treasurer, the
Superintendent of Public lnstruc-
ton, the Regents of the University,
the Trustees of the Hospital for the
Insane, the Coal Inspector, tho Pilot
Commissioners, the Adjutant Cen
eral, the Quartermaster General,
the Territorial Warden and the
Librarian; all of which, trust, will
receive the personal examination
of each of you.
| notice that some disbursements
by the Treasurer have been made
without the authority of the Audi
tors warrant. The Treasurer informs
me that in this respect he has con-
formed to the practice OF former
years. I would respectfully advice
you to enact that all moneys bs dis
bursed by warrant and not other
wise.
Complaints have been made to me
that the people have been grossly
defrauded of their just rights, by
worthless insurance companies; and
it seems proper that law should be
enacted 10 protect insurers from im.
position. This can to some extent
be done by requiring statements to
be filed in the office Of the Territorial
Auditor, showing the amount OF cap
ital stock, the assets and liabilities
of each company, and such other in
formation as may be required. II
such statements are properly verified
and published in the report of the
Auditor, they may do much to cor
rect the evil complained of. A rea-
sonabls tax should be imposed on the
companies as comprehension for Of
ii CO work and publication.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
The Act of Congress to establish
the Territorial government OF Wash
ington enacts that call taxes shall
be equal and uniform and no dis
tinctions shall be made in the as
sessments between different kinds Of
property, but the assessment shall
be according to the value OF the pro-
perty." At the present time, the
Commissioners of the various coun-
ties appear to be the sole authority
to regulate assessments, and there
are great discrepancies in the rates OF
the different counties. 1t has been
found necessary in many of the older
States to establish Boards Of Equal
ization, SO that the tax payers may
all pay their just proportion Of the
taxes. I would therefore recommend
that a board be created to equaiizs
assessments in this Territory. At
the present time there are two as
sessment districts. In the first ono
the assessment is required to be
made between the first Monday in
April and the first Monday in July
In the second one the assessment: is
to be made two months earlier
namely: between the first Monday
in February and the first Monday in
May. Iwould suggest that in order
to strictly comply with the law o.
Congress, all assessments in the Ter
ritory should be made during tho
same period of time; inasmuch n
the values of property arc subject 'C
fuctuation and liable 10 be changed
if distinction he made as to the tim,
of appraisement.
THIS whole subject of assessment
including the method of levyini
taxes upon railroad property, merit
YOUR most careful consideration.
| TFRRIToRIAI LAW