Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-02-03
OLYMPIA. WASHINGTON ter.
OLYMPIA, FRIDAY EVENING, FEB. 3. 1883.
ALPS Well that Ends Well.

ALPS Well that Ends Well.
The Legislative session has come to
a close, and the Solons have departed
to their respective homes. 1t may be
too early, now, to form just estimate
of the legislation that has been form
ulated into law, but the view, from the
present standpoint, affords much
ground for congratulation. Some
wholesome enactments have beeA
made, and but few, if any, that will
prove detrimental to the public inter
est.
The question in WHICH the people
of this immediate vicinity has been
most directly interested, the capital,
has been decided in their favor, if in
deed the retention of the seat of gov
eminent is q matter of paramount To-
cal Importance, as many seem to re-
gard it. Probably the removal of the
capital, at this time, would have been
a misfortune, Notwithstanding it is
generally conceded that the possession
of this distinction has not served to
advance our material interests in times
past. Our community is just begin
ming to feel the stimulating influences
Of steady and permanent revival OF
business. The enterprises that have
been inaugurated and the business
that has been developed, give promise
of . bright future, unless some I'M
toward circumstance should give
different course to the current of pop
ular favor that invariably begins with
sluggish flow and awaits the union of
continent streams to constitute the
irresistible tide that leads to secure
haven. Let us hope that in one year
from this time-in January, 1889,
when the Legislature will again con-
vene-we may be in aposition to need
no outside aids for future growth and
development.
The most important action of the
late Assembly was in the change made
in the method OF taxation Of railroad
property. The gross earnings law has
been repealed, and the property OF
such corporations has been. SO far at
least as local enactment can effect it,
placed on an equality with other prop
erty. Whether or not this will in
crease the Territorial revenue, is q
mooted question. Let us hope that
it will, for the appropriations have
been quite lsrge-aggregating, it is
said, about three-quarters of million
and We will need every cent to keep
our credit At par, with the reduction
made in the rate Of interest to eight
per cent. per annum.
The re enactment of the woman suf-
frage law 10 another act that vitality af-
fects the interest of the citizen. Again
the women have been given proba-
tionary test of the ballot. If they use
the privilege with discretion, if they
can learn to exercise the right con-
. ferred without prejudice, passion or
sectarian dictation; they may retain
the power placed in their hands; but
If church is to be united with state in
the exercise Of this important func-
ton Of American citizenship, they
might - well make up their minds
that the authority conferred will be Of
brief tenure.
A change has been made in the IL
cense law by which county commits
sioners and city councils are author
lied to prohibit, a. we'll as regulate and
restrain, the liquor traffic. Whether
this, under strict construction of the
late decision Of the Supreme Court, is
delegated legislative power or not,
seems to be disputed proposition.
A general act has been passed for
tho funding of outstanding indebted
ness of counties, cities and towns, q
measure that will afford relief to mu-
inequalities that have beep paying
high rate of interest.
Time alone will determine the wis
dom Of many measures, but it is
thought that the work of the late SEES
sion will be, in many respects, an inn
-provement over that of some of its
predecessors.
The little steamer Cleaner was
wrecked near Tongue Point, on the
lower Columbia, last Tuesday. It
seems that while ON trip from As
toria to Deep river, with II passen-
gers, she turned over on her beams
ends in a gale, and soon began sink
fng. All on board escaped to fish
ing smack, in tow of the Cleaner, ex-
centiuC JahOh Kennels. Miss Holt