The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-24
OLYMPIA, Jan. 2s. 1891.


An animated debate took place in the
House this morning over the proposed
journey of the bribery committee to Spo-
kane. The committee reported that from
eighteen to twenty-five witnesses were de-
sired to be summoned from that city, and
that the cost would be from s., 500 TO s., 900;
on the contrary, if the committee were
sent to the city the cost would not be over
$500 or 5000. The nature of the testi-
mony desired from these witnesses was
wholly as to the credibility of the testi-
mony of both Metcalfe and Clarke.
Walker raised laugh by inquiring if the
$500 Doodle could not be used to pay the
expenses of the committee. Sharpstein
vigorously protested against the conf
mittee going to Spokane. declaring that
the committee would find itself when
it got through in exactly the same position
as before.
ssft would be strange" said Sharpstein, s.if
Clarke could not find large number OF people
in Spokane who will declare his reputation 10 be
good; and the presumption is that Metcalfe's
character is good or he could not have been
elected to the legislature"
Snively responded to Sharpstein's objec-
tions in very earnest speech, declaring
that the testimony of these witnesses was
of vital Importance, and that no pains
should be spared to make a full and COM
plete investigation The almost unani-
nous sentiment of the House was that
the committee should go to Spokane,
and the motion was carried, with
only two dissenting votes. In the
afternoon the question was brought up
again by a resolution of Hanson, that the
committee be required TO inquire into the
good character and faults of the wit
nesses. and that the sergeant-at-arms or
his assistant be directed to attend the COM
T.. =
the resolution was stricken out and the
latter adopted.
A rather queer complication that arose
over slight oversight of the last legisla-
ture in defining the duties of county attor-
neys was corrected by bill passed this
morning. The constitution provides
that prosecuting attorneys may file
informations against criminals; under
the new law the county attorney is not
designated as a prosecuting officer, and is
therefore unable to perform the duties of
that officer. BY the provisions of the bill
that passed today county attorneys are
duly invested with the functions of prose-
cutting attorneys. The effect of the pro-
posed law will doubtless be the unseating
of officers like Colonel Redpath, of Spo-
kane who refuse to turn over their Offices
to their successors.
Painter of Walla Walla today presented
q bill to extend the time in which the COM
mission oftechnical instruction shall locate
the agricultural college. from june 1, 1890
to October 1, 1901 The commission last
year failed to locate the school in the re-
quired time.
Speaker Shaw was today excused from
attendance until Monday. Plummer of
Jefferson was elected speaker pro tern.
Wasson of Jefferson today proposed a
very important change in the pilotage laws.
in that all vessels entering the Straits of
Fuca, within American jurisdiction, or
the waters of Puget sound shall be COM
pelled to take pilots or to refuse by pay
nent of one-haIf tolls. The present law
leaves the matter optional with masters of
vessels. and the consequence IS
that they frequently bring British
pilots within American waters,
pretending that such pilots are only pas
| sengers or guests aboard. II such vessels
are compelled TO take on American pilots,
British captains will doubtless not be so
courteous to their own pilot kinsmen as 10
hiring them into American waters as guests.
/ Masters of vessels belonging to Puget
| sound, who would BY the laws strict appli-
cation be compelled 10 take pilots, can
| themselves take out licenses upon payment
| of a nominal sum.
Anderson of Whatcom today presented
| bill to exempt from levy and sale, under
! attachment and execution, eighty acres of
| homestead, as long as it is the possession
| OF the person who took up the homestead
| or his widow or minor children. Provis-
| ion is made for exemption of a lesser
I quantity when the land IS within incor-
| porated cities.
A long debate took place in the House
| this afternoon ON Dyer's Senate bill, fixing
| salaries of justices of peace and constables
| in cities of over 500 inhabitants. Obiec-
| rion was made TO the constitutIonality of
| the BILL on the ground that it changed the
/ compensation of such officers during their
| incumbency, but they were not regarded
AS serious and were voted down. Attempts
| TO reduce salaries IS reported by the COM
/ nlittee were Intellectual. The Dill stands now
practically as reported by the committee.
| An interesting discussion arose IN the sen
| ate over <. b. No. "A. regulating fees OF
| county clerks for services rende ed as ex-
/ officio clerks of superior courts. The judi