Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-01-20


ing the terms of Territorial officers and
limiting each terms to two years from
the third Monday in February, and
until their successors are appointed
referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Also, n bill regulating the filling OF
Territorial offices, providing the
Governor may do so by appointment,
by and with the consent of the Coun-
Gil, and when the Legislature is not in
session, vacancies may be filled by ap-
pointmcnt of the Governor, the term
of each appointee not to extend be-
yond the term of his predecessor
which likewise went to the Judiciary
Committee.
Mr.. Convey introduced bill relat-
ing to the Authorization of the di-
plomas of physicians which have
been lost; referred to Committee OF
Hospital for the Insane.
Mr.. Lewis introduced a bill appro-
priating $l,22S so for the relief OF
William Cochran, Sheriff of King
county, for expenses incurred in con-
veying to the Territorial Penitentiary
Joseph Denning, Chas. White, Ralph
Cooper, David Hines, David Rogers,
James Mclean, Albert Dickens, Mat,
tie Nicklin, James Shields and William
Murphy; referred to Committee on
Claims.
Also, bill to prohibit judges of any
district or municipal court from rem
dering judgment of non-suit and dis
missal of any case being or to be tried
by jury; referred to committee on
Judiciary.
The special order of the day, at II
o'clock, being Mr.. Lewis Railroad Com
mission bill. The report of the
Judiciary Committee was read
recommending its passage. Mr.. Ga.
bel announced that Mr.. Convey did
not join in the report. The bill had
bsen rewritten by instruction of the
committee, so that numerous amend
ments might be conveniently incor-
porated in the bill
Mr.. Convey moved that c. B. 81 be
substituted for the bill under consider
alton (No. 2S). The substitute pro.
vides for railroad commission con-
sisting of the Governor, Secretary and
Treasurer.
Mr.. Thompson (Mr. Sharpstein in
the chair) moved to amend by strik-
ing out from this board, the Secretary
and inserting a provision for the ap.
pointment of some citizen as the
third commissioner. Mr.. Convey ac-
ceptcd the amendment, and on a mo.
ton to adopt the substitute, Mr.
Lewis said that the Legislature could
not add to or abridge the duties of the
Governor. He was the appointee OF
the General Government, and he might
decline to discharge duties imposed
upon him by this Legislature. The
Treasurer was selected to discharge
certain duties for which he was pre-
sumed to be specially qualified. He
would have enough to do to discharge
those duties, without imposing on
him duties so dissimilar from those
appertaining to his office. 1t is as un.
just to require of him to discharge
these duties without pay, as it would
be to take his property without com.
pensation. The substitute was defec
tive in not vesting power to compel
witnesses to appear and testify in
questions submitted for arbitration
There is no judicial power within the
bill. But this was not the most serious
defect. There was no power given to
rectify abuses; there was no salary
provided for the third commissioner
and it was deficient in many essential
particulars.
Mr. Convey held that it was not ex
pected that much good would result,
from any bill that could be passed by
this Assembly. 1t involved question
that has agitated and COMPOUNDED the
best minds Of the nation the past six
teen years. This sentiment had cul.
minated in the Interstate Commerce
act of Congress-, but its author had
frankly declared when it was under
consideration, that he did not know
what its effect would be upon the trade
of the country, and its main provision
was Immediately suspended for sc
days by the commission it had created
and has been but partially enforced
ever since. The object of this body
was to secure as good a law as possible
and there was no objection urged by
the gentlemen from King against the
substitute that did not apply just as
directly to his own bill. With such q
small prospect Of adequate relief from
the wrongs so graphically portrayed
he favored a simple and inexpensive
means for testing the matter.
Mr.. Lewis contended that the Terri
torial Legislature had the same right
to legislate ON this matter as apper
tanned to the law-making power Of
States, provided it was founded upon
justice.
Mr.. Thompson believed that the
railroads owned and controlled by PEG.
pie of the Territory would be the most
affected by the proposed legislation
Instead of redressing wrongs perpe
trated by the larger companies, il
would Cypress those popular factors
for local development. He did not
want to appropriate SIS, 600 for com.
mission, when one was offered for one.
fourth that amount and pay more fol
the whistle than it was worth.
Mr.. Gabel said that up to two years
ago his vote and influence had been
invariably given in favor of corpora.
TONS: But he was disappointed in
the effects that he had thought would
flow from their encouragement. The
charges of the railroads had been ex'
orbitant and unjust. It stiles pro-
[duction'and paralyzes the industry Of
the country. He spoke the sentiment
LOT every farmer in Eastern Washing.
ton. He had, himself shipped $1,000
bushels Of grain, for which he had
paid $4,000, and this proportion Of
charge on our production applied to
fall the wheat shipped from Eastern
Washington. People here did not
know or realize the situation. He re.
garded support of the substitute as
virtually no legislation.
Mr.. Sharpstein represented a con-
sistency who believed that the two
great parties meant it when they re-