are not filled at the next election should not be lost sight of. If they are not elected at that time, no legislature can constitutionally convene in the state until the constitution is amended. Great difficulties would arise in attempting to amend the constitution if there should be no legislature in existence to initiate the movement. In a free government, veneration for and obedience to the laws is the highest and most sacred duty of the citizen, and he should never be placed in a position where he is compelled either to violate the constitution or be left without a constitutional body empowered to enact laws for the government of the state. The time and manner in which the state shall be districted and apportioned for members of the legislature is prescribed in section 3 of article II of the constitution, which is as follows: "The legislature shall provide by law for an enumeration of the inhabitants of the state in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five, and every ten years thereafter; and at the first session after such enumeration, and also after each enumeration made by the authority of the United States, the legislature shall apportion and district anew the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the number of inhabitants, excluding Indians not taxed, soldiers, sailors and officers of the United States army and navy in active service.". There will be laid before you the enumeration of the inhabitants of the state made by authority of the United States on the first day of June last, which will furnish you the basis prescribed in the constitution for a legislative apportionment. A change in the number of senators appears to be necessary. After the first election, senators must be elected for the term of four years, one-half of the number retiring every two years. The present number is thirty-five; one-half, therefore, could not retire every two years. A change in the number of senators may necessitate a change in the number of members of the house of representatives, as the Senate cannot be composed of more than one-half nor less than one-third of the house of representatives. It is my province under the constitution, on extraordinary occasions, to convene the legislature, and it is my duty to declare by proclamation the purpose for which it is convened. When, however, the legislature is convened, either under the provisions of the constitution or by proclamation of the governor, it is the supreme legislative authority in the state. Its power to legislate is derived from the constitution and not from the proclamation of the governor, and it is therefore not restricted nor limited by the purpose set forth in the proclamation, but it may legislate upon any subject within its general constitutional powers. No subject has been brought to my attention which appears imperatively to require legislative action at your present session except an apportionment bill, and I have therefore refrained from referring to any other subject. ELISHA P. FERRY, Governor. Semptember 3, 1890. On motion of Mr. Herren, 300 copies of the governor's message were ordered printed for the use of the members of the House. The speaker announced that he had re-appointed the standing committees of the last session. Mr. Shaw moved that Mr. Cook be granted indefinite leave of absence. The House refused to adopt the motion. The clerks and other employes were sworn in by the speaker. P. M. to-morrow. CHARLES E. CLINE, Chief Clerk. J. W. FEIGHAN, Speaker. SECOND DAY. AFTERNOON SESSION. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON, Thursday, Sept. 4, 1890. 2 o'clock P. M. The House was called to order at 2 o'clock P. M., the speaker in the chair. The roll was called; all the members were present except Messrs. Blackfan, Cleman, Cook, McReavy, Minkler, Stevenson, and Weatherford. The journal of yesterday was read and approved. Miss Louise Ayer was sworn as private secretary to the speaker. On motion of Mr. Rutter, Mr. Stevenson was excused for the day. On motion of Mr. Medcalf, Mr. Cook was excused for the day. The following communication was received from the secretary of state: OLYMPIA, September 3, 1890. To the Honorable Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives, Washington Legislature: GENTLEMEN-I find no authority by law or resolution for distributing the copies of the House journal of the late regular legislative session. These books, ordered printed by your honorable body, are in the course of publication by the state printer, and will be held awaiting your pleasure. Very respectfully, ALLEN WEIR, Secretary of State. On motion of Mr. Evans, the communication was referred to the Committee on Printing and Supplies, with instructions to report by bill or resolution. The Committee on Printing and Supplies was instructed to have the tabulated statement of population of the state printed for the use of the members of the House, in case it should be received during a recess of the House. On motion of Mr. Evans, the House adjourned until 10 o'clock A. M. to-morrow. J. W. FEIGHAN, Speaker. CHARLES E. CLINE, Chief Clerk. THIRD DAY. MORNING SESSION. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON, Friday, Sept. 5, 1890. 10 o'clock A. M. The House was called to order at 10 o'clock A. M., in the chair. The roll was called; all the members were present except Messrs. Cook, Gilchrist, McReavy, Minkler, Purdy, Rotch, Stevenson, and Weatherford. On motion of Mr. Medcalf, Mr. Cook was excused for the day. On motion of Mr. Edens, Messrs. Purdy and Stevenson were excused for the day. The journal of yesterday was read and approved. The following message was received from the governor: MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR. OLYMPIA, September 4, 1890. To the Senate and House of Representatives: I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of communications received from Hon. Robert P. Porter, superintendent of the eleventh census of the United States, showing the population of this state on the 1st day of June last. Respectfully, ELISHA P. FERRY. FIRST DISTRICT. Hon. Elisha P. Ferry, Governor, Olympia: WASHINGTON, D. C., September 3, 1890. The population of First district by counties, precincts and wards: CHEHALIS COUNTY. Ochut 1, township 20, range ten, 2: Huntulup 28, Grey Harbor 523, Quinaeilt 55, North CLALLAM COUNTY. Jamestown 108, Port Angeles 1,019, New Dungeness 368, Segurn 290, Forks 111, Quilla- CLARKE COUNTY City of Vancouver 2,656, Vancouver barracks 662, not given enumeration district 1.171. COWLITZ COUNTY, Monticello 404, Marysville 71, Freeport 113, Stella 354, Oaks Point 132. Arkansas 405, Ole- ISLAND COUNTY. Coupeville 509, San Delucia 248, Oak Harbor 285, Useless Bay 115, Utsalady 207. Clinton JEFFERSON COUNTY. Port Townsend-first precinct 1,931, second precinct 2,560, Irondale 42, Hadlock 304, KING COUNTY. Seattle-First ward 13,380, second ward 9,581, third ward 9,522, fourth ward 18,384; 433, (enumeration district sixty-seven) 730, (enumeration district sixty-eight), end sheet KITSAP COUNTY, Seabeck precinct 257, Port Gamble 834, Dog Fish Bay 245, Port Washington 581, Port LEWIS COUNTY. Vance precinct 218, Mossy Rock precinct 68, Klickitat precinct 431, Salkum 3, end sheet MASON COUNTY. Amon City 214, Dewatto 150, Clifton 110, North Bay 342, end sheet 11, Mason Lake 11, These three districts, including Kelso, are in enumeration district seventeen. PACIFIC COUNTY, Nemah River 48. Ilwaco 517, Cape Disappointment 21, Long Branch 107, Long Island 26, PIERCE COUNTY, City of Tacoma-First ward 3,678, Second ward 13,440, Third ward 10,213, Fourth ward SAN JUAN COUNTY. San Juan Island 1,005, Orcas Island 541, Lopex Island 326, township thirty-five, range SKAGIT COUNTY. Anacortes 1,133, Whatcom 3, Bures Island 2, Vandore Island 1, Deception 297, Cypress 58-HOUSE. |