Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-08-09
Our Law FramerS.
THURSDAY, Aug. |, 2P. NJ.

Whole, Mr.. Dyer in the chair, and
proceeded to consider Sec. 7, the ques-
ton being on adopting the majority
report, by which counties, towns and
cities shall have power to levy a tax,
by two-thirds vote OF the taxpayers,
! for subsidies to railroads and other
corporations.
Mr.. Turner said that we are here to
incorporate fundamental principles in
the Constitution and not to take private
property to promote private enter
prise, and this section, reported by the
majority, is both vicious and danger
Gus.
Jones, of Port Townsend, took the
same view of the subject, and was fol-
lowed by T. NJ Reed, who advocated
the majority report, as he thought it
right for the counties and cities to
have power to raise money by tax, ii a
majority vote for it, and give it to cor
porations as a subsidy.
DIR. Blalock asked, if the proposition
is so vicious as has been declared, why
have sixteen States incorporated it in
their constitutions, and he was fol-
lowed by Mr.. Lillis, who maintained
that the granting of subsidies to rail
roads promotes the general welfare.
The discussion was concluded by
Mr.. Brown, who argued earnestly for
the defeat of subsidies. He read from
Judge Cooley that such power is only
and always baneful. Avote was taken
on adopting the majority report, which
was defeated, q to AZ. And vote be-
ing had on adopting the minority re-
port, it was adopted, whereupon the
committee rose and the President re-
sumed the chair. The several amend
ments were concurred in, and on the
question that has provoked SO much
discussion, the vote was taken by ayes
and noes, and the section reported by
the minority was adopted, Al ayes and
% noes, which defeats the friends of
counties or cities granting subsidies to
corporations.
Turner moved to change "three-
fifths" to a majority" as the vote to
be required for counties, cities and
school districts to raise money, and it
was lost, 80 to Al.
Stiles moved to amend the section
prohibiting the counties and cities
from taxing the people to grant subsi-
dies by incorporating therein the fol-
lowing, viz: Except for the neces-
sary support of the poor" which was
adopted, 30 to 81
On motion the article was considered
cngrossed, and put upon its final pas
sage, and it was agreed to, 4S ayes, "a
noes. and was referred to Committee
on Rcyis;pn.
The Convention resolved itself into
Committee of the Whole, Bowen in
chair, for the consideration of the arti-
Gle on corporations other than munic-
ipal, and the whole article was read
and then taken up by sections.
Section l provides that corporations
may be formed under general laws,
but shall not be created by special
acts, and they may be regulated, linz
tied or restrained by law, which upon
a vote being taken, was adopted.
Section 2. "All existing charters,
franchise or exclusive privileges, under
which an actual and bona fide organi-
zation shall not have taken place, and
business been commenced in good
faith, at the time of the adoption of
this Constitution, shall thereafter have
no validity" Although a motion was
made by Stiles to strike out the sec
ton, it was defeated, and the section
was adopted.
Section 3, which prohibits the legis-
lature from extending any franchise,
or of remitting the forfeiture of any
franchise or charter of any corporation
now existing, or which shall hereafter
exist under laws of this State, was
adopted.
Section 4, which provides that " all
stockholders in all incorporated COM
panies, except corporations organized
for banking or insurance purposes,
shall be liable for the debts of the cor
poration to the amount of their unpaid
stock, and no more," being under con-
sideration. Motions were made to
strike out the section and to amend it,
pending which, the Committee of the
Whole rose, the President resumed the
chair, and the Convention immediate
ly adjourned to 9 A. NJ. tomorrow.
FRIDAY, Aug. 2, Ga. NJ.
The Convention met, the President
in the chair.
Prayer by the Chaplain.
Petitions and remonstrances:
The President presented a telegram
from the Ellensburg Board of Trade in
favor of counties and cities having
power to levy tax for raising and giving
subsidies, and in favor of striking out
section Il of article on corporations,
and against prohibiting aliens holding
real estate; also like kilograms from
Board of Trade and City Council of
Spokane Falls; also a communication
from the Typographical Union of Ia
coma, in favor of making State Printer
elective; also from Fire Commissioner,
Colorado, in regard to forest protec-
ton.
West, from Chehalis county, against
section 81 of article on Corporations,
and one from the Aberdeen Board of
Trade.
McCroskey, from whitman county
Farmers Alliance" in favor deducting
the value of mortgages from taxable
value of real estate,
All of which were appropriately re-
ferred.
Dyer moved to amend the rules by
striking out rule Is and substituting
the following-"N No one shall speak
more than once and not longer than
ten minutes and the mover to close
the debate in an additional five min
utes."
GrifIits claimed that we should cut
off debate altogether, or give a men,
Der an opportunity to state logically
his argument which he cannot do in
ten minutes. Cosgrove thought that
if there was less time taken up in eu-
logies on the people, ten minutes
would be sufficient, as two-thirds of the
larger part of the speeches consisted
of the dear people" and how they love
them. A rambling and general debate
followed i'll regard to the rules, after
which the rules offered by Dyer was
adopted.
Moore, OF Spokane, gave notice to
amend the rules so that no limit shall
be put on debate when property
interests are involved. Laid over until
tomorrow.
The Convention then resolved itself
into the Committee of the Whole, to
consider the article on Corporations,
Bowen in the chair, when section four