H MOBOTKG- OBEGCXNIAtf, WEDNESDAY, tfAXTARr IS, 3893.
9
M'GRAW'S MESSAGE
THE GOVEHX0H- OF WASHIXGTOX TO
THE LEGISLATURE.
He Makes 3Iany Practical Recommen
dations In the Direction of Econ
omy and Good Government.
OL1.MPIA, Jan. IS. Governor HcGraw
delivered his message to the legislature
today, before the joint session -which con
vened at 2 o'clock. Legislative hall -was
parked with legislators and spectators,
there being a large number of ladies
present The governor consumed about
one hour and a half In reading the
message from manuscript, and was fre
q'jently interrupted by applause. When
lif c oncluded he -was tendered a flattering
oiation, the members of all political
parties participating in the general ap
jlause, which continued for tome little
t.me.
The proceedings in both houses today
v. ere limited, and the real business was
postponed until tomorrow, in order to
h'ar the message. The senate met at
1 "Ji o'clock snd adopted a few resolu
tions on routine matters and then ad-
JorlNHMsGRftW.
journed to attend the joint session. The
house convened at in o'clock, and Milroy
introduced a concurrent resolution which
i, precisely the same as that introduced
in the senate yesterday by Dorr, and
X.ovMej for a joint committee of five to
investigate the woi kings of the state
la'id commission. The resolution was
amended to make the committee number
re'. en instead of Ave, and was adopted.
After electing the republican caucus
nominees for the d:fferent petty offices
and clerkships, whoe names were given
in this morning's Oregonian, the house
adjourned to hear the message.
The main feature of the senatorial con
ic -t today has been the failure of the
"Wilson forces to secure sufficient signa
tures to the call for a caucus tonight.
Onlv S members affixed their signatures
to the call, and although it is still being
circulated, it is certain that 37 will not
c onscnt to go into a caucus such as "VH
wun wants. He insists upon an open vol",
anl the Ankeny men declare that it is
Jinropubllcan to prescribe rules for a
caucus in the call. Ankeny's followers
appear confident, and It is still the gen
cial impression that he leads tn the rae.
Allies C. Moore arrived today to work
for Ankeny. Both are Walla Walla
bankers and warm pergonal friends. Ex
Scnator Allen is doing much quiet work
In his own interest, and is confident that
lie -nill develop stiength that will give
him the victory. John S. McMillan ar
rived tonight and is pressing his Candi
dary. It is certainly a free-for-all race,
alth Ankeny well in the lead. There is
Mrong probability that some kind of a
caucus will be held by the last of the
neck.
TEfr'oF THE .MESSAGE.
t hrtt Governor McGrarr Say and
ItrcOnimcrndcd.
OLYMPIA. Jan. 14. Governor McGraw's
second biennial message to the legislature
was a long one. On the more important
topics he said:
In discharging tho duties prescribed bv
constitutional mandate, 1 should first
peak for an expectation uppermost in
the public mind. "When the star of Wash
ington rose in the constellation of the
Vnion. retrogression seemed impossible to
the nation's prosperity. Unchallenged
credit, clamorous Investors and an en
lablc reputation abroad; inestimable re-j-ources.
profitable industries, and bound
ing values at home constituted abundant
c ause for faith in our capacity for imme
diate liquidation. Richly endowed under
the enabling act. the cost of establishing
and maintaining our institutions was
guaranteed. Public opinion supported an
immediate assumption of the dignities,
equipment and responsibilities of mature
statehood. Responsively. the autonomy
provided for municipalities and counties
Imposed burdens in excess of needs.
The severe trials of the two years past,
consequent upon the reversal of the fed
eral tariff system, the Intense controversy
over irreconcilable monetary dogmas, and
the task of liquidation thrust upon the
country Inopportunely by foreign security
holders, causing suspension of credits,
stagnation of industry and shrinkage of
Phslcal as well as productive values,
have awakened every taxpayer to the im
perative necessity of public economy.
In passing, it is gratifying to reflect
that throughout a reactionary period pro
Ixfio of grave disorder in other sections of
the country the people of Washington
endured the Inevitable with fortitude, and
preserved on the whole a loyal, patient,
law-abiding citizenship. No whimsical or
sentimental interest in the specious pro
tests of forensic lawbreakers was suffered
to militate against the honor, pence and
security of the state. The few instances
of overt acts and violation of law were
q ak-kly condemned on every side and com
mensurately punished.
The sound common sense and patriotism
of the people, which have kept Washing
ton in the column of sane and conserva
tive states, now dictate a readjustment of
fiscal policy, founded on conditions of.
teenue rather thun theories of redemp
tion: such a ledemptlon, in short, as will
relieve the tapayers of present increas
ing obligations, lest en future charges
against the public funds, and place the
rublic credit on the most substantial
ba"ls The problem of revision and re
trenchment, arising thus at a time when
the household of state Is deficient In many
requirements essential to better govern
ment, and including, as it does, the ad
ministration of affairs In towns, cities and
counties, is complex in the extreme. In-
estimation will disclose on every hand an
outgo In excess of income, a graded at
tenuation of revenue, and a perilous dis
regard of duty on the part of auditing
agents. Extending inquiry from the state
into lo al governments the experiences of
disparity between disbursements and re
ceipts will be comparable to an expansion
of circles from a iolnt of radiation. Step
by Mep the tate has been relaxing Its
governing relation to the fiscal conduct of
counties without j-etting up requisite safe
guards for honest snd economic manage
ment. The widening latitude of county
legislation, unprovided with adequate su
pervision and check, is developing expen
sive abuses of discreticnary power. Under
the numerous laws devoid of neeessarv
restraining clauses, the Interaction of
lcx"Al interests is favored to the prejudice
of tho common welfare. Insufficiency of
penalty for malfeasance for negligence,
and for contempt of responsibility, en
courages inflrm and faith lea officials, in
whom the people repose their trusts.
Shameless impositions mar the record of
coMs in criminal jurisprudence. The
assessment system l unstable, extrava
gant and Inefficient.
It is essential to prudent legislation at
this time to calculate In all candor and
courage, and with a full appreciation for
4 u
the lessons of ,-comparison, whither a
policy so generously sustained "by the peo
ple In the past may lead If strenuously
pursued. In 1S30 the national census ac
credited Washington with a population of
249,390, and In ISK the assessors' census
showed an increase of 45.19, making the
total 393.5S3. The population for 1SW is
estimated at 416,000.
The total valuation in 1S&J was $217,612,
37, and 5226.2i5.lS2 in 15S4. A gain of 60,610
in population was attended by an increase
of ?S.C32,2So in valuation. Meanwhile, the
assessment of 1S92 had reached $2S5,S46,SS4
Thus two years witnessed an expansion of
state valuation by Ses.SS.Otf. while during
a similar period immediately subsequent
f59.C01.642 evaporated from the assessment.
The state tax, levied at a S-mill rate for
1S90, yielded 5720,857 75. In ISM it had
shrunk to ?64S,S7 at a 2VraM rate. The
approximate collections for 1S&0-92 were SO
per cent; In 1S93 they slumped to. 65 per
cent. Assessment, levy and collections all
decline, with a steadily increasing outlay
in town. city, county and state.
The disbursements of state, paralleling
the foregoing facts, raise the audited out
standing indebtedness of S576.4J2 in 1890 to
8S3,&0G in 1882. and tn $1.7.3 04 in 1S31.
County and city disbursements ana re
ceipts relatively exceed those of state.
It is not within the range of
human foresight to estimate ac
curately the reverue and disburse
ments for the fiscal term succeeding
a legislative session, because of the vari
ance between the restraining Ideas of
auditing office.-s. who arc naturally on the
side of economy, and the lavish Impulses
of the legislature, which Is influenced by
eombinations of local interests and inclines
to an excess of confidence in the public
resources. Another and potent factor in
rendering estimates nugatory is the
changeableness of values and the uncer
tainties of tax collections under altering
commercial and industrial conditions.
When the third Washington legislature
convened, confidence In the capacity of the
.state to redeem its warrant debt speedily
was unquestioned. It was estimated that
at the beginning of the fiscal term of the
present year the treasury would contain a
cash balance of 5227.S53 55. On the con
trary, when March 31 comes around, the
shortage, exclusive of bond and interest
debt, will run over $750,000.
The receipts at the opening of the fiscal
term beginning March SI. 1S93. estimated
at JS33.500. were in reality 5357,202 16. a
discrepancy of S23S.29" Zi. In the face of
estimated necessary expenditures amount
ing to $1,440,144 45, the legislature appro
priated, in addition to $308,140 S7 deficiency
appropriations, the sum of $2,124,722 31 for
the fiscal term now drawing to a close. Of
this amount, Items aggregating 5178,640
were vetoed. It will be seen that the ap
propriations less the vetoed sums, in this
Instance, exceed the estimated needs more
than $500,000.
The present legislature should closely
scrutinize all appropriation acts and de
fend the taxpayers from a repetition of
such folly. It should be borne in mind, in
providing for the forthcoming fiscal term,
that only one-fourth of the state tax for
1893 had found its way to the treasury
March 31, although the estimate of col
lection was 75 per cent. In view of all the
circumstances, it is extremely doubtful
whether the estimated collections of delin
quent tax and the levy for 1891, applicable
to the fiscal term beginning next March,
will fructify.
The outstanding indebtedness and pros
pective receipts should suggest the limita
tions within which appropriations are to
be made for the fiscal term of 1S93-7. Two
methods have been resorted to in order to
estimate as precisely as possible the reve
nues to be relied upon. One was to com
pute the receipts for 1SS5-7 on the basis
of the percentage of loss from the esti
mated revenue collections of the closing
quarter in the 1S31-3 term (auditor's re
port) and the first half of the 1833-5 term.
The other was to compile the actual re
ceipts between October 31, 1SD2, and Octo
ber 31, 1894. compare them with the Audited
estimated receipts (less the proportion of
12 per cent for collections coming within
the closing quarter of the regular fiscal
term and the levy available January 1,
1893, besides), and with this practical foot
ing, measure the revenue, at a levy of 3
mills, for the two years ending October 31,
1896. The latter estimate was $1,470,000,
the former $40,000 additional. Therefore,
with present valuations prevailing, the
state tax levy increased one-half mill, and
the ratio of collection remalningunchanged,
the receipts for the period designated
should be $1,500,000.
With the exception of appropriations un
expended October 31. 1S9G, roughly esti
mated at $500,000, the final liabilities for
the 1893-7 fiscal term would be deficiencies
and legislative expenses for the session of
1897. For the purposes of careful estima
tion as to positive resources the last
named expenditures may be excluded as
factors, protected as they fairly will be by
the levy for 1896 and the collectible delin
quencies available in January. 1897. How
far below this $1,300,000 limitation of re
ceipts for the next fiscal term the appro
priations are to be kept, should be deter
mined by consideration of the outstanding
indebtedness.
Omission of interest account from the
estimates and status of the public debt is
a frequent oversight of computation. In
departing from the customary methods of
analyses and review the purpose will be
to impress upon your honorable body the"
insidious nature of a fiscal policy which
Is not devised on sound business princi
ples. Approximately, the state was obli
gated on October 31, 1S94, $1,559,619 56. In
cluding interest account, the state debt on
March 31, 1895, was $1,9S0,S96 29.
The resources on March 31, will be repre
sented approximately as follows:
Cash of October 31. 1891 $ 2S.639 75
Estimate delinquent taxes 1891-2-8,
collectible at indefinite date 457.600 63
Fifty per cent of levy for 1894 325,000 00
Other revenues 30.S41 50
Total $S42.0S1 90
That Is to say. if all the revenue re
sources are available on March 31. only
half of the current indebtedness can be
extinguished. Opposed to such presump
tive collection is the fact that the total
receipts for the fractional quarter ending
December 31. 1832, and the quarter ending
March 31, 1893, were $482,564 95; while the
total receipts for the full quarter ending
December 31. 1833, and the quarter ending
March . 1S94. fell to $197,167 62.
Granting that the receipts between Oc
tober 31. 1894, and March 31. 1S35, should
equal those of the same period two years
ago. which would be a concession to the
most sanguine expectations, the legisla
ture still has to face the dilemma of a posi
tive current debt of approximately $1,209.
000. With a repetition of the experience
of the two quarters ending March 31, 1S94.
the current liabilities at the outset of the
next fiscal term would be nearly $1,500,000.
It will be seen, therefore, that the antici
pated revenues for two years, collected In
advance, could scarcely redeem the cur
rent debt of March 31, 1893. Does this state
of affairs not demand the most rigorous
precaution and imply the severest re
sponsibility in the law-making power?
When redemption as to date Is not under
contract Imperative and obligatory it is
senseless to maintain permanent funds for
future "use while interest charges are ac
cumulating on Increasing promissory pay
ments. Strict business maxims should
govern the administration of public finan
ces. The practice of storing moneys for
remote and indefinite expenditures when
Interest account could be reduced by their
conversion is not rational. Particularly Is
this true of the state whose credit is su
preme and whose pledge of ultimate liqui
dation is beyond distrust, seen red as it is
by positive yet immeasurable resources.
With the audited outstanding indebted
ness, 5S35.1S3 90. on October 31. 1S92, the
treasury contained S14S.6W M in cash. Oc
tober M, ISM. the treasury balance was
SSS.S9 17. and the audited debt was tM7.
322 W. Looking backward to October 31.
ISM, the treasury balance was $35.78S 17. and
the total debt $575,00$ 21. Thus in four
j ears, while the fcoaUag debt was swollen
by $932,315 SO, the deposits unavailable for
the partial extinction of the interest debt
increased by $240,052.
It will be observed that an unproductive
cash deposit Is made by law to increase
steadily as receipts shrink, while the public
debt is Inflating .conversely as the revenues
contract. Interest accretions could be les
sened and restricted to a minimum by
turning the Idle moneys from all save the
bond interest fund into the general fund
for the redemption of warrants in rota
tion. In remodeling the revenue laws It will
become apparent thafthe deeper cause of
the disproportionate subsidence of esti
mated wealth underlying trade and in
dustrial reverses Is traceable to the appli
cation of the high-assessment, low-levy
principle. Overzealousness in creating and
maintaining excessive local valuations has
been seconded by the wholly deceptive no
tion that taxes are rendered less burden
some when the levy is minimized on maxi
mum assessments. The false, yet common
tendency has. been to appraise real prop
erty on the basis of cost or price at what
property exacted at speculative sale, or
theoretically, should bring If sold rather
than to adjust assessment on the basis of
actual worth, in money, as determined by
utility and not by caprice. Once the latter
plan were adopted, though the levy, fash
ioned to the revenue needs, became speci
fically higher, the further and beneficial
effects would be a more equitable dis
tribution of taxation, less perturbation of
property values, a contraction of the de
linquent lists, and greater encouragement
to those processes of investment and de
velopment that are permanent and not
speculative in character.
From the county auditors reports I have
procured for the purpose of Informing the
legislature as to the trend of extrava
gance in government. It appears that the
annual outlay for the assessment exceeds
$105,000. Assessment of real property is
too frequent, and therefore too expensive.
The public interest would be conserved by
extending the period of this assessment
from one to two years.
In the line of curtailing cost, facilitating
collections and expanding the revenue, the
latitude of indirect taxation should be ex
tended at once, In accordance with the suc
cessful experiments of those states having
well-grounded fiscal policies, and the stout
est resistance should be made to the inter
ference of lobbies inimical to this reform.
The tax most easily collected is the least
burdensome.
The transfer or inheritance tax system
of Eastern states should be studied with
a view to adoption.
Temporary provision for semi-annual
collection of the tax levy on real property
would meet with popular approval.
Remittance of the state apportionment
of tax collections, as at present provided
for. it dilatory. Funds which should be
applied promptly on receipt trom the tax
payers to the redemption of warrants and
the cancellation of interest debt are with
held too often by county treasurers to suit
their own convenience. This abuse should
be corrected by stringent regulations.
Rigorous provisions to prevent the se
questration of personal property, a large
proporition of which eludes taxation,
should be adopted.
A large part of the 10 per cent liquor
license tax due the state is lost for want
of regulations essential to its collection.
The emergency clause should be omitted
from the revenue act. It Is an open ques
tion whether some of the provisions of a
revenue law hastily put into operation will
not prove retroactive. Certain delinquent
revenues barely escaped forfeiture under a
clause of the present act, and it would be
wise to defer operation of the revised reve
nue laws, perhaps to the limit of a year,
to afford opportunity for the proper study
and comprehension of them.
To enforce collections 20 per cent interest
and a 3 per cent penalty were imposed on
delinquents. Existing embarrassments had
not been foreseen. Remedial legislation
in this particular is demanded. As Ina
bility to pay, caused by circumstances
oyer which the citizen has no control, en
titles him to statutory reliefj remission of
penalty and reduction of interest would be
simple justice.
Section 4 of the federal sundry civil act
of 1894 prescribes the manner in which
1,000.000 acres of desert land may pass
under the ownership and control of those
states desiring to avail themselves of the
gift. The purpose of the law is to em
power the public land states to promote
the reclamation, cultivation and settlement
of the arid areas within their boundaries
and thus augment with all possible dis
patch the permanently productive estate
of the commonwealth. In striking the ul
timate balance of accounts the state will
have been at no expense, since the pro
ceeds from the sales of the reclaimed lands
tire to be applied to the reimbursement of
the state for moneys Invested, the residue
of the revenues derived from the million
acres to create a fund for the reclamation
of additional desert lands. The establish
ment of the Irrigation plant, which must
precede settlement and sales, devolves
upon the state, according to the terms of
the act. For the present, however, the
only step essential to the eventual ac
quirement of the grant is the passage of
a law providing for a reconnoissance of the
water-sheds of Eastern Washington, pre
liminary survey and such other prepara
tory work as would be comprehended in
a study of the irrigable possibilities of the
Columbia river desert basin. In consider
ing the urgency of this matter it should
be remembered that the arid belt com
prises nearly one-tlfth of the total area of
the state, and that every township therein
contains 12S0 acres of school land now
valueless.
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
The cost of maintaining the state insti
tutions has increased $128,031 29 during the
two years ending October 31. 1894. The
total cost of maintenance since statehood
is $1,375,869 C2, a sum $323,683 87 In excess of
the outlay for all construction and Im
provement during that period. About $35,
000 was expended the last two years in per
diem and mileage for the several boards
and commissions.
This branch of the public service is an
open field for corrective and more compre
hensive legislation. The laws pertaining
to it are diverse, diffuse and unsymmetri
cal. A many-headed system of manage
ment, irregular methods of disbursement,
extraordinary independence of control, and
a growing inclination to regard the insti
tutions as means of concessions to locali
ties rather thnn auxiliaries of government,
are among the consequences. Certain
boards draw warrants for quarterly main
tenance sums, for the use of which in de
tail they are not accountable to the state
auditing authority. These warrants are
cashed, often at a premium, and while an
interest debt is thus made to pile up
against the taxpayers, the funds obtained
he in banks awaiting an indefinite neces
sity for employment. The manner and
amounts of compensation for the directory
officers are as varied as could have been
devised. Some receive mileage; others are
reimbursed for actual expense. Per diem
is dissimilar throughout.
A sweeping reform as to this subject is
recommended. The management of the
state institutions should be provided for in
one general act. all commissions, directors,
boards and administrative officers to be
placed under the supervision of an exam
iner, who shall act under the Instructions
of the governor in scrutinizing contracts,
investigating methods and discipline, and
in making up disbursements. The foods
and all supplies should be purchased under
contract let to the lowest bidder, after
publication of notice In leading news
papers of the trade centers of the state.
Mileage should be abolished: only actual
expenses repaid: per diem made uniform,
and the authority to draw quarterly allow
ances revoked.
Our public institutions, though endowed
handsomely, are as yet a charge against
the revenues resulting from direct taxa
tion, and they must so continue to be until
another tide of immigration and the re
newed prosperity attending it shall render
the granted lands disposable. It was ow
ing to no personal feeling or antipathy of
opinion that the veto power was exercised
in the cases of the Cheney and Whatcom
normal schools. While it is not to be de
nied that the normal training is essential
to the best educational equipment of the
state, and an admirable adjunct to the
modern public shool system of which
Americans are so justly proud. I was f uliy
persuaded that the people were sufficiently
taxed for the support of facilities to high
er education.
Whether the state will recover in full the
amount of the defalcation, the discovery
of which was attended by the deplorable
tragedy at the penitentiary, is not yet de
termined. In all probability the monetary
loss will be inconsiderable. In recalling
the melancholy expiation of the warden,
whose reputation for probity had been un
questioned, it should be said that his talent
as an executive officer and his skill as a
disciplinarian wrought in the institution
changes for the better, the value of which
to the state is not to be estimated lightly.
The law respecting the sale of the prod
ucts of the jute mill shouldjbe reconstruct
ed and Its provisions so hedged with penal
ties that the bartering and manipulations
of middlemen will be suppressed.
The financial stringency following so
swiftly on the passage of the capitol build
ing act thwarted the purpose to put it
into effect immediately. Funds antici
pated were not available, owing to the
suspension of land investments and the
contraction of values, in the face of which
it would have been unwise to attempt the
sale of the lands granted under sections 12
and 17 of the enabling act. Further delay
was occasioned by internal differences
arising unexpectedly in the commission,
the settlement of which In accordance with
the dictates of duty compelled a reluctant
and regrettable exercise of executive au
thority. The basic work of the capitol is
now well under way. On behalf of the
enactment of such legislation as will be
conducive to the prompt erection of the
building, no more eloquent argument could
be invoked than the protests of your own
pride and dignity against the shabbiness
and meanness of your legislative surround
ings. An erroneous idea as to Ihe nature of the
liability to be incurred 'has taken posses
sion of the public mind. The debt to be
created will not be a charge against the
tax revenue. It will Inflict no hardship
either present or future.' The act provid
ing for the location and erection of the
capitol building established a "capitol
building fund," against which all war
rants must be drawn. It Is declared they
shall be redeemed out of none other. Pro
ceeds from the sale of granted lands are
to form this fund. In a separate act the
sale of the lands is provided for. Of the
132,000 acres included in the grants, 29,031
acres have been approved by the secretary
of the Interior, the total estimated value
of which is $360,946, or an average value
per acre of $12 40. The total of 83,117.33 ac
cepted from the cruisers' are appraised at
$1,043,323, an average of $11 73 per acre. It
is safe, therefore, to anticipate that the
grants will yield an average of at least $10
an acre, or an aggregate fund of $1,320,000.
Plans for the construction limit the cost
to $1,000,000. It is recommended that a law
be passed, under section 3, article 8 of the
constitution, providing for the issuance
of 10-year 4 per cent capltol-building fund
bonds, payment of interest installments
and final redemption to depend upon the
proceeds of the progressive land sales.
It is scarcely to be doubted that the peo
ple, if enlightened as to the actual scope
and effect of such an act, would withhold
their approval at the next general elec
tion. As the warrant rate of Interest is S
per cent, the saving to be made by the
bond issue Is obvious.
Our military establishment should be
renovated. As lav is the monarch of
democracy, so a well-organized militia
is the custodian of its' citadel. Sedition
or Insurrection, the tyranny of mobs,
conspiracies of vlolence'to personal and
property rights, call itto the defense of
the commonwealth, and at the supreme
moment, when ignoraifce and" the evils
of selfish or misguidcd!,cii.izenshlp assail
the guarantees tot fheWnstllutlon, the
-militia should not bMuul wanting. 1
do not wish to be understood as intimat
ing even that the bodyof the National
Guard of Washington Is not ardent,
spirited, loyal and ever ready for unques
tioning service. On more than one occa
sion Its valor, patriotism and efficiency
have been fully tested and justly lauded.
What I desire to criticize, with a view
to recommending a revision of the meth
ods of organization, is the policy of elect
ing superior and commanding officers.
When the question of the organization
and control of the militia was under de
bate in the federal constitutional conven
tion, no one contended for the exercise
of the elective principle; on the contrary,
the right reserved to the states was ex
pressly the "appointment of the officers."
It had been the experience of the trying
times precedent to the convention that,
as Madison put it, "elective officers court
ed popularity too much to enforce dis
cipline." We have witnessed in our own
state and time the pernicious and demor
alizing influence of military, elections
Substitution of the appointive for the
elective plan of preferment, or promotion,
under surveillance of the commander-in-chief,
would eradicate the partisanship,
favoritism and politics so fatal to dis
cipline and so corruptive of that single
ness of feeling which should animate the
soldiery of the state. Examination as to
aptitude and qualifications for command
is now puerile and perfunctory. It should
be specific and rigid. If the legislature
undertakes to provide for a restricted or
more thrifty management of the National
Guard the fact should be kept conspic
uously in mind that the members of
the military household are at considerable
personal sacrifice, and that both their zeal
and enthusiasm are measured by losses
to themselves in purse and time. They
comprise much of the brain and brawn
of the best citizenship; and at no point
in its expenditures for the maintenance
of the military establishment does the
state offer adequate compensation for the
duties voluntarily assumed or the serv
ices rendered by the citizens composing
it.
For the judges, clerks and messengers
of a single state election the people are
taxed approximately $40,000. When the
count is prolonged into the night, one
and one-half or two days' wages are paid.
Messengers are recompensed very much
in accordance with the whims of auditing
officers. The most responsible citizens
should serve as custodians and account
ants at the polls. Compensation should
be neither expected nor vouchsafed. Re
turns from remote precincts should be
forwarded to the county auditor by reg
istered mail. All indemnity for individ
ual election services should be expunged
from the statutes and assignment to the
several duties made, under severe pen
alty for avoidance or refusal, from lists
of taxpaying citizens submitted on stated
occasions by the county treasurer. Puri
fication of the franchise would be facili
tated by this reform. A repeal of the
present compensatory provisions of the
election laws should be contained in a
measure designed to minimize aggregate
precinct votes, with a view to insuring
spontaneous and perfect inspection. The
larger the number of voters at a polling
place the wider the cover for illegalities
and corrupting influences. By providing
for the reconstitution of precincts on the
basis of each preceding registration, so
as to limit the voting capacity of each
precinct to a maximum of 150 to 200 citi
zens, such would be the natural nearness
of public scrutiny, owing to the environ
ment of acquaintance, that few illegal,
fraudulent or contaminated votes could
be cast. Taxpayers might well afford the
little expenditure for temporary hire of
the increased number of polling-places,
in view of the saving for personal labor.
Carried into effect the design briefly out
lined would enable cities, whose industrial
and trade activities are to be considered,
to cast their votes after midday. Brief
and gratuitous service on the part of the
officers, a clean vote and a quick count,
a great saving to the taxpayers and the
improved integrity of the suffrage, would
attend the enforcement of this plan. The
use of registration lists should be pro
vided for at all elections involving- even
remotely any drain upon taxable r$ources
or public fund.
Reports from24eountiesand estimates as
to 10, together with state cOste, show that
the amount expended during the Idsl vear
for court and -coroner jurors and withers
fees and mileage will not fall far short of
$330,000.
The fee system in criminal jurispru
dence demands radical reformation. Xo
mileage should be granted, and all fees
should be wiped out. la lieu of existing
statutory prescriptions covering this sub
ject, it should be provided that actual
expenses for jurors and witnesses in at
tendance at court or serving at inquests,
be paid under the certification of the
judge, prosecuting attorney or coroner, as
the case may be. In civil jurisprudence,
the litigants shall be required to pay the
fees as usual.
The first function of soeiety I? protec
tion; its chief organic assailant, crime. All"
members of civilized society are bound
together as prosecutors by an unwritten
compact. As witnesses or jurors they
perform a duty which should be voluntary
and without hire, rather than enforced for
pay. No pecuniary sacrifice should be
suffered; no personal profit required. Un
der laws limiting the costs of prosecutions
against crime to reimbursement for actual
outlay or loss, a healthier atmosphere
would pervade criminal practice. The
evils of the professional juror and time
serving witness would be suppressed.
Trials would be shortened, the present
cumbersome tecords abbreviated, and the
active co-operation of the best classes of
citizens secured by the official prosecut
ors. The municipal courts are a merely or
namental and extravagant encumbrance
to our city governments. The lawwhlch
brought them into existence should be re
pealed. Recourse should be had to the
former and cheaper plan, the justices to
be allowed a salary not to exceed $50 a
month.
Poverty should not be suffered to serve
any longer in Washington as a badge for
exclusion from the administration of jus
tice. It is time a law were enacted grant
ing to impoverished citizens, upon proper
showing of indigence, the right to sue in
forma pauperis, ministerial officers to per
form all pertinent services without cost
or unnecessary delay. Neither appeal
bond or printed briefs should be pre
requisite (o hearing in the supreme court.
Congress has passed such a measure, and
its principles are embodied in the stat
utes of many states.
Laws defensive of debtor classes, inspired
by a discriminating sense 6f the equities
involved, are an elementary Ingredient of
wise government. When property sold on
foreclosure or execution is redeemed by
the debtor or designated agent within the
legal annual term of redemption, it is
gross and manifest injustice to impose on
the debtor the entire judgment debt and
interest, while at the same time no means
is afforded of recovering from the pur
chaser or satisfied creditor the income and
profits of which the owner or debtor has
been deprived during the redemption
period.
The legislature should address Itself
resolutely to the enactment of such a law
as will render the word "bank," when in
scribed on a public depository, the positive
synonym of security.
Our railroad legislation has been tenta
tive and trifling, owing to the prevalence
of the Idea that the adoption of any
measure attacking transportation revenues
might cause losses on operation and In
vestment, which would injure the best in
terests of the state in discouraging the
construction of new lines or the extension
of existing ones. So long as the question
6f the regulation of railroad and general
transportation charges is approached in a
spirit of moderation and with the purpose
to do exact justice between the corporate
powers ahd their patrons, it is not to be
apprehended that the public will be ac
cused of any narrow-visioned hostility or
prejudice to the organized capital repre
sented in transportation companies. The
genius of yandqrbllt.Jong,aga taught us
primarily what the Htingarian zone sys
tem has fully demonstrated in later years:
that minimum charges, enlarging the hori
zon of freedom in exchange and commer
cial intercourse, lead to such increase in
the volume of (raffle as makes the sum
of the small profits greater than the net
income from the higher rates which serve
really to restrict Internal commerce and
depress the values of communities made
porer by the waste of products they can
neither use nor send to market. The leg
islature should amend and improve the
present rate law so as to afford the public
the utmost relief consistent with honesty
and fair dealing, and make ample provi
sion for its absolute enforcement. Com
plaint of evasion is now common and ap
parently justified. I would recommend
also that the excessive sleeping-car rates
in this state be scaled down, and that the
absurd rules of the Pullman Palace Car
Company receive your attention.
One of the first in importance among
the directory clauses of the constitution
creative of auxiliary offices of state gov
ernment relates to the establishment of a
bureau of statistics, agriculture and Immi
gration. This bureau should be created
without further delay, and; either as agent
orattachethereof.anexpertgrain inspector
should be provided for to protect wheat
shipments against the forced deductions of
value Inflicted on the farming communities
by unjust classification at railroad termi
nals. Tho expsndltures for legislative sessions
are out of all porportlon to actual require
ments, and mask innumerable petty leak
ages from the trearury. The last assem
bly carried 107 employes, who cost the
state $19,801 for salaries alone. The outlay
for mileage was 57333 60; for incidentals
$7010 81. and for printing $13,933 51. The
number of clerks and supernumeraries
in the two branches cculd be reduced at
least one-half without incommoding the
members or impaiiing the usefulness of
tho committees. Large savings in other
directions could be enforced through the
vigilance of a scrupulous auditing com
mittee. The legislature should repeal
every statutory provision for the payment
of mileage, no matter what the character
or class of officials affected, and thus save
to the people the difference between actual
expenses incurred and the gratuitous sums
now paid for traveling.
It Is recommended that, early in the ses
sion, you compel the consideration of ap
propriations' essential to the conduct of
public business and the maintenance of
public institutions, so that the legal ex
penditures of the forthcoming fiscal term
may not be made, as they have been in
the past, the riders of an overtopping om
nibus bill hurriedly enacted in the closing
hours, as the result of heedless compro
mises between sectional or official claim
ants fo." public funds. Fifteen days from
the date of final adjournment should be
fixed by rule as the period within which
further introduction of bills will not be
permitted. Such are the complications and
evils proceeding from hasty, ill-advised
and ill-conslderaed legislation, that every
precaution should be taken at the outset
to guard against it.
The abrogation, through legislative fail
ure or neglect, of an elective right involv
ing the representation of state sovereignty
in the national congref-s, discloses a peril
ous disdain of the principles of govern
ment and a dangerous contempt for one of
the chief safeguards of the federal union.
Tho vicarious service as electors you are
to perform on behalf of the people, im
plies a profound obligation you should dis
charge with dispatch and good will, and in
a spirit of loyalty to the constitution of
your country. A speedy disposal of thl3
deputed task will meet the reward of uni
versal approval, and relieve your proceed
ins of a responsibility that should be In
cidental rather than paramount.
The tone of public service is the test of
the personal virtues out of which should
be fabricated the happiness and glories of
free institutions. Adherence to justice,
obedience to law, fidelity-to the principles
of American liberty, rest more securely
( upon the examples of those wfio arc hon
ored by popular lirvor than upon the max-
Uns of political science. Tjmi wise and
conscientious labors, of. lawgivers and the
tearleMjy upright deeds of executive and
administrative servants axe the context
of Ihe nttblegt primer of democratic gov
ernment 15 your delegated pQffeta you represent
the whole" people of Wauhtnjrton. The
equation of tne" potential trust conferred
upon you is a. sdlffanf duty whiofr H need
not be predicted you UI fufifil with zeal
and courage, according to tW light of eon
sdencir. Love of justice, devotion to the
public welfare, "Indifference to the Insidi
ous pleadings of ctees interests, resistance
to the ayprtts rf sectional sentiment,
should inclose h exalted ground upon
which your deliberate acts! will be per
formed. Here the ranctfr f polities ehoidd
be a. merely instructive reTriinteGenee.
teaching the reason and mSfH tof th
higher aspirations of civil life. Ker fac
tion should have no voice; intolerant tto
advocates? partisanship no countenance.
Here the hdpS af a common destiny
should unite all In smalces of effort and
disarm every prejudice. J the end that a
volume of laws favorable 10 4?1 and favor
ing none shall constitute the aCUloenient
of the most important legislative awni
bly known to the history of the state.
J. H. M'GRAW.
TORPEDO BOATS FINANCE
Subjects Before the Sun FrttnvtHCO
Chamber of Commerce.
SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. 13. The annul
meeting of the chamber of com.-ierce was
held this afternoon. Among the communi
cations read was one from Secretary Her
bert, of the navy department, in which
he writes:
"In reference that part of the resolu
tions of the chamber of commerce of
San Francisco which recommends that
four of the torpedo boats which may be
authorized should be built on the Pacific
coast. I would say that the same meets
with my approval, provided the difference
in the cost is within the proper limits."
Resolutions were adopted asking tTiC
California delegation in congress to urge
thf enactment of uch legislation as will
effect the transfer of the quarantine ser
vice throughout the country to the con
trol and management of the federal gov
ernment; requesting the California dele
gation in congress to urge upon the sec
retary of the navy that it is absolutely
necessary that American Interests in Ha
waii should be strengthened by the con
tinuous presence of at least one ship of
war in and about the harbor of Honolulu:
also, the following:
"Resolved, That in the present unsettled
condition of the finances and currency of
the United States, special investigations
and recommendations in accord therewith
are advisable. The chamber of commerce
of San Francisco respectfully urges upon
the honorable senate and house of repre
sentatives the appointment of a special
commission on finance and currency, to
be composed of eciual representation ot
the financial, mercantile, manufacturing
and producing interests of the republic,
said commission to meet at Washington
as soon as practicable, reporting the re
sult of its deliberations to the finance
committees of the senate and house of
representative as the basis for prompt
legislation.
"Resolved, That attested copies of this
resolution be forwarded to the honorable
secretary of the treasury, and to the Cali
fornia delegation in congress, urging the
.necessary legislation to secure the prompt
appointment of such commission and pro
viding the necessary funds to pay the ex
penses thereof."
To "Worlv the 'frampi.
SAN JOSE, Ca!., Jan. 13. Mayor Aus
ten brought the matter of working
the many tramps and vagran's now in the
city and county jails before the common
council. The city is infested with va
grants, and the prisons are nearly full.
The board of supervisors therefore
directed the shpnff .to turn over to the
city officials any prisoners in the county
Jail confined for petty offenses, to be
worked on the streets of the city. The
council arranged last night to put a large
force of prisoners at work on the streets
at once.
Indicted the Cashier.
OMAHA, Jan. 15. The federal grand
jury, at 2:G0 this afternoon, returned an
indictment against R. Coutcalt, cashier of
the broken Capitol National bank, of
Lincoln, charging him with falsifying the
books of the bank. This is the bank in
which the state lost $25S,000. President
Mashie is now serving a five years' sen
tence for the looting of the bank.
Two Killed, One Injured.
PITTSBURG. Jan. 13. A strong wind
today blew over the falsework near the
bridge being erected over the Mononga
hela river, at Homestead) and a number
of workmen were dashed to the ground,
a distance of T.0 feet. Chris Rogers was
killeu, Lewis Cash fatally crushed, and
Mike McLaughlin had his arm crushed.
Fell Down a Fiiffht of Stairs.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13. J. J. Owen,
founder of the San Jose Mercury,, who
had come to San Francisco to take a po
sition on the Call, was taken with apo
plexy this morning and fell down a flight
of stairs. When picked up the venerable
journalist was dead.
Fell From the Firth. AVIicd.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 15. James Bain,
who assisted in erecting the immense Firth
wheel at the Midwinter fair, was taking
the wheel apart today when a crossbeam
broke. Bain fell to the ground, 60 feet,
and was killed.
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