Year: 1877




publish the act providing for calling
a convention to frame a Constitution
for the future State to be organized
out of our great and wealthy Terri
tory.


Ths bill wa. drafted by Council
man Kuhn, from this District, who,
with the assistance of hessrs. Fer
guson and Hanford, pushed it
through both branches Of the l.egls,
lature and did not rest until it was
approved by the Governor.


The bill, as originally drafted, pro-
vided for thirty-three members, but
before it was introduced it was de-
cidcd to reduce the number to fifteen,
and with that number it passed the
Council; but when it reached the
House, objections were made, and it
was amended to consist of 30 mem
bers, but Committee of Conference
was appointed and the number, fixed
at Is, are so arranged that every vo'
ter has choice of five Of the Dele
gates.


The Delegates are to be chosen
at a special election to be held the
9th day Of April next, and the Dele.
gates chosen are to meet on the I'd
tuesday Of June following, at the
city Of Walla Walla, and there frame
the form of Constitution for State
of Washington, which will be sub
mitted to the people at the next gen
eral election for adoption or rsjec
ton.


The bill provides for a member
from the pan handle counties Of Idaho,
composed of the three counties bor-
dering on our Territory, the inhabi.
tants of which have long since been
desirous of being annexed to Wash
ington Territory. Should these
counties be included within the limits
of the proposed State, we would then
have population of nearly $4,000.
The bill provides compensation for
Delegates, and it is to be hoped that
they will be sent to the Convention.


Three are to be chosen of the ff
teen Delegates, from the Territory
at-lsrge and one from each judicial
district. These should be nomina
ted at an early day by the Central
Committees Of the two political par
ties-without regard to politics.
Men of good judgment and ability
should be selected, in order to in
sure the acceptance of their work by
the people; the other nine numbers
are to be chosen from the Council
dstr cts, and should be nominated as
Councilmen are nominated. These
also should be chosen regardless of
politics, and it would be well if, by
reason Of their eligibility, we could
send the three honorable gentlemen
who have begun this work so well.


We regard the framing OF this Con.
stitutiun the first and most important
stepin which the people OF the State
of Washington are called to act upon,
and hope that no mistakes will be
made, but that the Delegates will
take time to consider each and every
article well, before they pass upon it.
That there is plenty of work for them
to do no one can doubt.


Among some of the most import.
ant items for their consideration is
the Executive department" The
Governor, Secretary of State, and
State Treasurer should receive liber
al salaries; should hold their offices
for long term, and should be incl
igible to reelection. The judiciary
is probably of more direct interest to
the people than any other depart
ment, and should be we'll looked az
ter. The number Of districts should
be increased, and the Judges chosen
for a long term, or during good be-
havor. The Supreme Court should
not be composed of the district
Judges; so that when an appeal is
taken it will go before a new tribu-
nal. The matter Of State buildings
and institutions should receive care
ful consideration at the hands of the
convention, as we'll as railroads and
domestic and foreign corporations.
The subject of municipal debts is
one OF great Importance and must be