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Show j Ml GIVEN EARLY LEGISLATIVE RECORD Fifth Session of Territory Assembly Souvenir One of Two Extant. IMMIGRANTS SOUGHT j Grazing and Toll Matters i Among Chief Business of j 1885 Body. After years of endeavor, J. R, Letcher, assistant secretary of state, yesterday succeeded In obtaining a printed copy of proceedings of the fifth annual session of the legislature of the territory of Utah. The rare, brochure will be placed In the files of the state law library as a relic more than for Its value as a reference refer-ence medium. According to Mr. Letcher, there is not another copy of the 1S55 legislative pro-t pro-t reedlTiin the state, although he enter-Vi' enter-Vi' tKsthe belief that there is one more X-" record in existence. The book now held by Mr. Letcher has teen the property of Richard B. Shepard, of "Ye Old Booke Shoppe," State and Fourth South streets. Mr. Shepard was recently offered $100 for the book by a souvenir and relic collector, hut declined to entertain the proposal, preferring to contribute the copy to the state's fund of mementoes of territorial days. It was on December 11, 1855, that the fifth territorial legislature assembled, the place of meeting then being Fillmore. The first legislative assembly occurred in 1850, the law-making affairs being annual an-nual Institutions. George Hales was public pub-lic printer and his is the only name mentioned men-tioned In the book as a territorial offi-' offi-' ciftl. Proceedings Detailed. Every detail of the legislative proceedings proceed-ings is contained in the brochure, which is of less than fifty sheets, about three inches wide by five in length. The minutes min-utes are reproduced in detailed relation as to resolutions adopted, actB recorded and memorials filed. One of the most important measures adopted at the fifth session was an amended ordinance Incorporating the Perpetual Per-petual Emigration Fund company. The original was passed by the first annual legislature in 1850, but after five years amendments were required, formulated and passed. The fund company was incorporated in-corporated for the purpose of populating the state, the company providing means for Increasing immigration to this terrt-torv. terrt-torv. The company was dissolved in 1887. In connection with adopting amended articles lor the Emigration Fund company, com-pany, the legislature set aside Stanbury's and Antelope islands to the exclusive service ser-vice of the company and under the exclusive ex-clusive control of President Brlgham Young of the Mormon church. The IslaajjF'were devoted to raising and graz-iwTTi graz-iwTTi tUe and other livestock. Herd Grants Awarded. j jLThe assembly devoted- much time to aWnling herd grants, eighteen of these pernj being given during the assembly period covering large sections or the available and desirable grazing lands within the territory. "Faithful and judicious expenditure of $.12,000 appropriated by congress for the erection . of a state penitentiary" Is remarked re-marked in the legislative minutes, and the assembly authorized appropriation of an additional $12,000 for the completion of the prison and its auxiliary buildings. It was at the fifth legislative assembly that statehood plans were glvon their first big boost. The legislature framed and passed an act providing for holding a convention with a view to the admission admis-sion of Utah into the union as a state. Counties were allowed delegates to this convention as follows: Great Salt Lake and Summit counties, 16; Weber and Deseret counties, 4; Iron and Washington counties, 3; Davis, 3; Green River, 1; Tooele, 1; Utah, 5; Jiiah. 2; Sanpete, 2; Millard, 1; Carson, 1. The act requlrel that delegates meet to qualify on the third Monday in March, 1856. To Operate Ferries. Among the most Important matters of business transacted at this early-day session of the legislature was the granting grant-ing of certain remunerative rights governing gov-erning the operation of ferries and a toll bridge to Brlgham Young, Sr., and Joseph Jo-seph Smith, Sr. The high Mormon church officials were voted franchises to establish, estab-lish, control and operate ferries on Rear liver and a bridge on the Malad river. The schedule of rates for the ferries, adopted as part of the legislative grant, were: Vehicles weighing up to 2000 pounds, $2; up to 3000 pounds, $4; up to 4000 pounds, $5; over 4000 pounds, ?G; all animals with packs, $1 each; horses, mules, Jacks, oxen, bulls, 25 cents each; colts, calves, sheep, hogs, 10 cents each.. Tolls required for crossing the Malad bridge were: Carriages, wagons and carts, 11.80 each; pack animals, 20 cents each; loose horses, mules, jacks, oxen, W cattle, 10 cents each; sheep, colts, calves, oats, hogs, 2 cents each. Persons esed free of charge. Of this revenue. lfMOfir cent was the territory's portion. Tllegislature paid considerable attention atten-tion toSijie fixing of boundaries for new counties. |