Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-01-08

c. B. 40, substitute for G. b. I,
relief of Territorial University, made
special order for tomorrow.
Joint resolution to distribute laws
of SO, adopted.
G. B. 50, substitute for c. B. 3S,
fixing terms of court, passed.
{. b. 80, relating to public high
ways, passed.
G. i. %. for establishing deal
mute school. This being the order
of the day the bill was taken III
again amended, corrected in gram
mar, and ordered epgrossed.
HOUSE.
Petition of women Of King Co. ask
ing to be allowed to do jury duty the
some as men, was submitted.
Report on petition of School Dr.
rectors District Al Spokane county,
10 borrow money, recommends that
the petition be denied. Report
adopted.
II. l.. -, to ameu, Sec. 2,55S
relative 20 payin. hoanty on
scalls and extending power to Of
fer additional bounty Oh behalf oil
Clarke Co., passed.
II B. 50, eXempiinG the property
of seminary at Huntsville, Columbia
county, came from the committee
with an adverse report. Bill was,
on motion Of Mr.. Mccall, laid Oh
the table.
H. B. %, amending See. IS Of an
act amending the Common School
law. Among other provisions the
bill removes the property qu'litica-
ton of parents of children who arc
entitled to admission to common
schools. After discussion bill was
laid on the table.
II. b. 40, authorizing School DIS
trict No. 4, of Chehalis county, tc
borrow money. Authorizes II lean
of 81 900 at 10 per cent, and to is,
sue bonds therefor, payable i'll ten
years and interest annually, with op-
ton of Commissioners to pay ptinci
pal in five years; authorizes sale Of
the bonds at discount of net more
than S per cent, and to levy spe-
cial tax annually to pay the principal
and interest.
Judge Dennison Thought the bill
in violation of the Organic Aei, and
as vicious Il piece of legislation IS even
proposed i'll the Territory. It WAS a
copy almost of law passed at the
last session, applicable to a school
district in Clarke county. The
bonds were prepared for issue, but
doubt existing as to their legality, a
certified copy was sent to the Dele
gate to Congress asking that Con-
gress legalize it. This that body re-
fused to do, while holding that ii
was in violation of the fundamental
law of the Territory. 1t was bad
policy. 1t would prevent settle
ment by placing burden upon the
people for term of years.
Mr.. Kinnear thought there was no
doubt but the law was unconstitu-
tional. It was about time we stopped
enacting laws of this character.
Sec. l 1924 of restrictions imposed OH
the Legislative Assembly, provided
that the " faith of the people" should
not be pledged for any pecuniary
liability. Even the power of impli-
cation is taken from US by the spe-
cifc restriction of Congress. There
was wisdom in this. We are yet a
Territory. When wo assume State
hood it was intended that we should
come into the Union unfettered by
debt.
DIR. Hill was satisfied that the
Legislature had no authority for
such legislation. His constituents
needed just such aid, but be did not
ask it because he believed it to be
unconstitutional.
DR.. Ostrander followed in the
same strain.
MIR. Goodell was surprised at some
OF the positions of the gentlemen.
The facilities of the district were in
adequate. The district had voted a
tax but it was insufficient, as it could
not under the present law be col.
lected in full. The district asked
aid after mature deliberation. 1t
was their only means of relief.
While we might very properly hest
tate to shinele the Territory with
debt, when it was for school-houses
here should be no delay.
Mr.. Mundav said there were un.
loubtedly grave doubts as to the
;onstitutionality of such acts, when
Is eminent jurists as Judge Denni-
son and Lewis differed on the pro.
position. He took the view of the
after that the inhibition of the Or
sanic Act applied only to the Terri
DRY as a corporation.
There seemed to be but little
ioubt, however, that the Legislative
power was restricted by the organic
aw. until Mr.. Lindsey bobbed
Up sererely" AID laid down the law
IS he saw it. He agreed with Judge
lewis and the eminent law firm of
lawbone & Harris, Of San Francisco,
hat the proposed act was legal.
Alr. Wells believed that the Or.
'anic Act did not reach the case
'1,en construed literally. He intend
d to be guided by That view. He
elieved in the right of the people
act for themselves. Congress had
Q right to impose such restraints.
We were under vassalage through
he party edict which keeps the Ter
tory out of the Union.
MIR. Dunbar Mr.. Cooke in the
hair) did not endorse the revolu-
onary ideas of the gentleman who
al preceded him. There was no
SO kicking against Congress. All
10 authority the Legislature pos
'sses is derived from that BODY.
could abolish the Legislature en- /