The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-29
One-Third of the Session, and
No Important Bill Passed.
JUDGE TURNER IS 70 BLAME.
Legislation Impossible Until the
Senatorial Deadlock Is Broken,
The Republican Party Will Suffer On.
less Change Takes Place, and tho
Cardinal Principle Of Republication


urday exodus of legislators vas greater
than usual today. and the members who
have remained in the city are taking a
rest. There is less life about the Allen
and Turner headquarters than at any time
since the session commenced. Turner and
Fairweather are In the latter alone, while
in the former a couple of Allen men are
in undisturbed possession, having given
up the game Of politics. for the time being,
for one of cribbage. The senatorial
situation, to put it briefly, is
unchanged. There is not likely to be any
variation from the existing condition for
two or three days. or until all the men,
bers return to their seats. Some of the
Turner men who have gone home will
doubtless come back impressed with the
fact that their constituencies do not ap-
prove of the diatory tactics of the mi
nority Republicans who are engaged in an
attempt to defeat the will of their party at
the expense of legislation.
This is the twentieth day of the session.
A review of the work of the tirss third of
the term Of the session is an easy task, and
shows how little has been accomplished.
1t is not probable that any legislature that
ever met passed fewer acts in twenty DAYS
than this one has, or that one ever IN that
length of time had fewer measures re-
ported to it from committees. Of course,
in all legislative bodies comparatively
small number of laws are enacted dur
ing the first week after assembling,
but the Third legislature of WASH
ington enjoys the exceptional dis
tinction of not having had before it a
single bill that has been deliberated upon
in both houses. To be sure, it has two
laws to its credit, the one appropriating
$4,000 for legislative expenses and the
other act, that has become famed by
reason of its loneliness. giving superior
judges who went out of Office ON the 9th
inst. authority to settle state
ments of facts. But these were
passed Off hand and without debate.
The legislature has the negative
merit of not having passed
any bad laws, but this credit mark falls
far below the expectations Of those who
anticipated business session. It is not
because the members generally do not ap-
preciate the importance of ate ending to
their legislative duties that little is being
done. 1t is but just to pay that men in all
the divisions into whEh the senatorial
fight has split the membership OF both
houses understand the necessity for
industry as fully as any critic can.
They admit that this legislature has
been dilatory, and express regret that it
has not more fully met the public expec-
tation. But under the distracting influ-
ences of the senatorial fight, attention
has been very largely diverted from mat
ters of legislation, and a Legislature that
has more than the average of good men in
it and that under less exciting circum.
stances might by this time have given
substantial evidence of its fitness to enact
laws, has done practically nothing.
The responsibility for this condition of
affairs rests justly upon the Turner mi
nority, that, by preventing the majority
party OF the legislature from sett ing the
senatorial contest. has blockaded iegisla-
ton. The apologists for the Turnerites
claim that the deadlock has not hindered
the business of the session, as the COM
mttees have been at work. The ords
of the two houses disproye this plea.
Nearly 800 bills have been introduced and
referred to the committees. but hardly anv
measures have been reported. This fact is
apparent daily, as the houses fail to pass
bills simply because none are ready for
cleared and the senate and house adjourn
because nothing has been furnished them
to do by the committees. Many indiyid-
ual members of the committees are anxi-
Gus to facilitate the work Of the session,
but it is a difficult task 10 get quorum at
a committed meeting. and consideration of
bills is consequently deferred from day to
day.
The condition of the legislatures work
has caused thoughtful Republicans to con-
slider the effect of continuance of this
state of affairs upon their party in the
state, and some effort will be made to Sc
cure united party action to advance the
work of legislation. Representative Brock
said tonight that he favored calling
q Republican caucus to decide upon
a policy to be pursued with refer
ence to bills pending and to be
introduced. As the Republican party,
being in the majority, will be held respon.
sibie for the legislatures acts anu omis-
sions Mr.. Brock feels that it is time that
the Republican members should meet and
consider this responsibility. Republicans
with whom he has talked favor the
proposition, and it is likely that
the proposed caucus will be held.
Its promoters hope that it will be
followed by greater activity in the
matter OF forwarding meritorious and
needed measures. Unless something is
done speedily to improve the condition
that now exists a larger number of bills
than usual viii be left 10 the close of the
session for crowding through without
due consideration and in imperfect shane.
and much of the business that il is the
duty of the legislature to do viii. it is
freely predicted. be lett unattended to.
II during the coming week the ohstruct-
i've Turner minority abandons It's hone less
senatorial fight and enables its party to
dispose of the issue that divides it, much
may yet he done to redeem the record of
this legislature.
The vote today in the house on the ma.
jority report of the committee on Federal
relations on the free silver memorial does
not warrant the presumption that a major
ity OF the house tavors tree coinage. a. a
number of those opposed to the memorial
voted 10 lay the adverse repors On the
table, because under the ruling It carried
the memorial with il.