This does not include justices of the peace and their executive officers, the constables, who properly belong to the judicial department of the state

—and the uniformity requirement was found to apply only to executive and administrative officers and not to justices of the peace

It is debatable under our case law whether we can look to proposed but rejected amendments to discern legislative intent.

It is presumed that members of the legislature were aware of the state of the law and of prior drafts of the bill at the time RCW 10.94 was enacted.

Consideration of the legislative history of an enactment has long been held to be a legitimate method of determining the legislature's intent.

"Conceding that the legislature has exceeded its power in this respect, the fact would not render the entire act void. This part of the act is distinct and separable from the other provisions, and it cannot be supposed that the legislature would not have passed the one without the other. In such a case the courts are not authorized to declare the whole act void, but must give …

That section does not attempt to provide for the duration of the terms of county and district officers, but simply provides a time at which the election for such officers shall be held.

—affect the other portion of the statute fixing the number and term of office of justices and constables in certain cities: State ex rel. Fair

[BOOK] The Washington State Constitution

[CITATION] The Washington State Constitution: A Reference Guide