The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-02-09
NOW FOR A CODE
The Hill Bill Finally Passes the
Senate.
no cnApLAlN ron TIE HOUSE.


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OLYMPIA, Feb. G--The Hili code bill
passed the Senate this morning, after three
hours debate The opposition VS. active
and vigilant and resorfed 10 the usual par
liamensary tactics Of trying to cripple the
measure by amendment and then, Il pos
sihie, kill 1t, or return Il to the House in
hopes that that body would not concur in
the changes. Their Efforts were wholly un-
successful, and the bill went through with
no alteration.
The disposition Of the code has been one
Of the most disturbing questions Of the So
sion. The necessity of uniform systsm
of laws. adapted 70 the new condition Of
statehood and the desirahiiity OF adopting
some plan BY which the legislature might
be relieved Of large part OF the routine
work OF drafting and sitting out
needed lava, presented itself early
in the session. The judiciary
committees OF both houses we're appointed
q joint code commission to suggest some
suitable method of work. The code pre-
pared by the late territorial commission
vas reviewed aud ii was decided that the
work would better not be continued for the
state In the same manner. After consider
alton the appointment OF code commits.
siOner and assignment to him Of the duty
Of drafting code was thcught highly adj
visahle, and the committees sent Ritter 70
w. Lair Hill, asking him if he would
Be wiling 20 act - such commissioner.
Mr.. Hill thereupon submitted his we'll
known proposition. which was ensrafted
into bill and submitted to the legislature.
1t was we'll understood that Mr. Hill
would have the publication OF the proposed
code made by the Bancroft Whitney Com
pany If he was appointed commissioner.
and opposition to the bill Immediately BE-
came very general. There were charges OF
Job" and the presence of an agent for the
Bancroft " hitney Company did not tend
10 remove the suspicion. Still. there was
unanimous desire 10 secure the services Of
Mr.. Hill, who. il was evident from his ex-
pressions and actions. was entirely indif-
ferent as TO the tate OF the measure.
Propositions for the appointment OF COM
missions, for the performance Of the work
by the legislature and numerous other
plans were proposed, but mono were satis-
factory. II the Hill bill had been forced to
issue early in the session and before other
schemes were found less desirable and
practicable. il would unquestionably have
been defeated; but as time passed II be-
came more and more evident that the pas
cage Of the original bill was the best solu-
ton OF the vexing problem. That Is thu
reason il has received majority vote in
both houses.
Mr.. Hill, it is known, has been very much
annoyed by the criticism OF his bill and
the storm Of objection raised against Il. Il
is quite certain that il he could have with
drawn his name gracefully and without
the appearance of trifine with the lcxis-
Isfuro, ha would have dono -. IL any
material condition Othes 1bom t6eso con-
tained ii the bill had been Imposed BY the
legislature he woulo doubtless have refused
to serve.
Much OF the objection 70 The bill was
captious and frivolous. 1t is natural that
wa,L dome vhsre =. ple.ss. His OREGON
,,,da 80 rrhI;.h.d hv ~. R.rcrofs. .1vh;t-
,,.v s,o,rn.rv md ~. .rr.rcement. -ith
,t.sc, w.re nroh.tlv a. s.tisg.ctorv .rd "A.
,,a,,t..a~,r. s,,.t - a.s;,.s - .-.ri ~.
.o,,t,sct ~ them ac.in The ple. vas Il. 8
hi. money should be sayed and kept
within the state and not given Ia : foreign
cornoration. bnt II this code ouestion
nd heer settlad .;r weeks sirce
sv,,s -