Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 20.djvu/374

WASHINGTON. Northern Pacific turns south, extending to Portland, Oregon, and the Great Northern turns north to the Canadian border. The Canadian Pacific operates trains over the Seattle and International Railway, and thus brings the commercial centres of the State into touch with a third continental system. . As Washington was admitted to Statehood long after the national banking system was introduced, the national banks are the older and the stronger institutions. The banking provisions of the Constitution are very incomplete. Yearly reports to the State Auditor are required, but there is no punishment for failure to comply with the rule. The banks are sound and there were no failures even during the panic of 1893. The number of State banks is rapidly increasing; in 1899 there were 28 banks and in 1902 40.

The following table shows the financial condition of the various banks in 1902:

. The first Constitution, adopted by a vote of the people in 1889, is still in operation. An amendment may be proposed in either branch of the Legislature and must receive the approval of two-thirds of the members elected to each House, followed by the approval of a majority of the electors voting at a popular election. In like manner a constitutional convention may be called, but the Constitution

drawn up cannot be valid until adopted by the people. The rights of suffrage are limited to male citizens 21 or more years of age, who have resided in the State one year, the county 90 days, and the town, ward, or precinct 30 days, and who are of sane mind and have not been convicted of infamous crime. The Legislature may, however, give women the right to vote at school elections.

. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney-General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and a Commissioner of Public Lands are elected on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November every four years. The Governor may call extra sessions of the Legislature, and exercises, under regulation, the pardoning power. A two-thirds vote of the members present in each House may overcome the Governor's veto, whether of an entire bill or any part thereof.

. The minimum and maximum limits to the number of representatives are respectively 63 and 99, and the number of Senators cannot be more than one-half nor less than one-third of the number of Representatives. The former are elected for two years, the latter for four years. Regular sessions are held biennially and are limited in length to 60 days, the time of meeting being subject to the control of the Legislature. Any bill may originate in either House, but cannot contain more than one subject. Unless approved by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each House, a bill cannot be considered in either House unless the time of its introduction shall have been at least ten days before the final adjournment of the Legislature. Members receive $5 per day and mileage.

. The Supreme Court consists of five judges, who are elected for six years. The number