The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-31
WORK FOR THE STATE
Congressional Action on Matters
Of Washington Interest.
CREDIT DUE THE DELEGATION.
List Of LAWS Passed and Mention OF
Others Still Under Consideration
in Committees.

WASHINGTON CRY, Aug 2s.-As the leeisla-
ton OF the present session is about mpleted
with the exception of the more important pub.
lie acts, which must OF necessity receive atten.
ton, II viii be OF interest to make some men,
ton Of what has been accomplished for WASH
ineton and its people. in this the first congress
in which the state has real legitimate represen-
tation, In the Senate and House of representa-
tives 1t need hardly be said that the local del
egation have worked hard in behalf of the
many interests and enterprises committed to
their charge. But notwithstanding this inces-
SAINT labor, much remains undone. Recently
gave some account of the Washington legisla
ton. which, after receiving favorable consider.
alton in committees, is now on the calendar.
hanging between heaven and earth, but even
with failures the senators and our lone repre-
sentative have succeeded admirably, IL judg-
ment is made up after comparison Is made
with the fruits Of legislation plucked by much
larger and more experienced delegations in
congress. The matters successfully engineered
are, too, of varied range, and came out of many
different committees, and were fought through
as opportunity offered. Your readers, though,
viii perhaps rather have some account of the
completed local legislation than any comments
may make by way of introduction.
One of the most important laws of the session
for Washington is that to provide for the times
and places to hold terms of the Uuited States
courts. This measure makes the state one judi
cial district. but for the convenience of Iiti-
giants and the people there are four divisions,
with the courts thereof held at Seattle, Tacoma,
Spokane Falls and Walla Walla. The terms of
the courts are directed to be held at Seattle on
the first Tuesday of December and June of each
year; at Tacoma on the first Tuesday In Janu-
AIRY and July; at Spokane Falls on the first
Tuesday in September and April, and at Walia
wsla on the first Tuesday of November and
May.
In the land department provision has been
made for two additional land districts, with the
local offices situated at Olympia In the Chehalis
district and at Waterville in the Columbia dis
trict.
The militia have also been remembered by an
act which will give them additional money,
and hence an increased supply of military
equipments. During the Neg Perez war the
Oregon authorities borrowed from the governor
of Washington q large number OF Springfield
BILE TO return them. This property was valued
at So. 1855. and to put Washington on proper
footing the secretary of war has been directed
to issue to the state ordnance and ordnance
stores to the value of the amount named.
Congress, in order to perfect the legislation Of
Idaho Territory, has ratified the act to provide
for q wagon road between Mount Idaho in
Idaho, and Little Salmon Meadows in Washing
ton, and extended the time for the completion
of the road one year.
The railroads have come in for share of the
completed legislation. The Spokane Falls
4 Northern Railway Company have been aa-
thorized to contract railroad through the Col
vile Indian reservation, from a point begin
ming on the Columbia river near Kettle Falls,
running thence in northwesterly direction
through said reservation. The right-of-way il
one hundred feet in width, and the road must
be built within three years, or the franchise Is
void.
The Spokane & Palouse Railway Company il
granted the right of way through the Neg
Perez reservation in Idaho. from the northern
boundary on the Pot atch creek, thence in a
southwesterly direction, by way of the valley of
the Clearwater, to the western boundary of the
reservation, This right-of-way is only fifty feet
in width, and the road must b constructed
within two years.
In 1883 congress passed an act to enable the
Columbia River Bridge Company to erect a
bridge across the Columbia river, but the COM
pany failed to get to work on the structure
within two years, the Limitation of the law.
Now congress has given the Oregon and WASH
ington Bridge Company a chance to show what
it can do towards putting up the bridge at or
near La Camas. The draws In the bridge must
not be less than 200 feet in clear channel width,
and If but a single draw is provided it must be
800 feet in width 80 not to interfere with free
navigation. The work on this bridge must be
commenced within two years and completed
within four years.
A new law of general nature, bat of imme-
diate interest to Washington settlers, is that
which permits the applicant for the benefit OF
the land laws to make the afidavits required by
the law before any commissioner of the United
States, or the clerk of court of record for the
county in which the land is situated, and to
transmit the same to the local land Office, in
stead of visiting said Office in person. All other
Rffidavits can also be SO made and forwarded to
the register and receiver.
The above briefly described laws are the re-
suits OF the session. so far as Washington is con-
cerned. There are, however, several other
measures, the most advanced of which is that
relating to the Puget sound collection districts,
which may reach the statute books before Q
final adjournment occurs.