vf
GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN'S
: '
SALEM. Or.. Jan. 12. (Special.)
Governor Chamberlain's biennial
message to the Legislature was read
In the House chamber at l:Zt o'clock this
afternoon, t!.o Snate and IIuuso being
In Joint session. The mcssasp;
Gentlemen of ths Senate ar.d House of
Section 11 of article V of th- constltti-
i..- .-...,.i.a tv. . ih liovi-rnor shall
from time to time rive to the l.erlshitl.
ti ti f tbe Slai-. and rr. . lur.i-r.d
m'tiurrs as he shall jU'I
-xp'-'II-
em." iqJ la pursuance
this requ'.re-
ment. 1 s-jt.mtl to
h-l-lr as it IS
possible lo do. a report aa to the e -nn-iion
of the State's fin.inces an.i msmuuui.-,
and make such recomm-nrtatlona as to me
se-m at this time expedient.
To Governor here qu-'.t-s from hie message
to the Les.ature . f 11' '. In M"h he a !-
the e.ee:.-n "f I nit. ! JitJtes
tors li.urr.e ar.-l Ms:i-f and !.fn er.t.nu.:
When tin
the Senate
e riecll 'ti occurr.'.i. trie i
and tf." Ii "ie unanimous
f Mr. Mti key. H1 !'" three
li f.iv
d;Mnmc vote in the H in" '," '
the S-naf with r- :' re t..- t.. Mr. Hourne.
showing that lie m-inl.on if t:-' I."gi"ia
ti.re rf.d-J th-.r r Igcs. ami t.iat
many who took no pledge nevcrtln.i-u
coeved the voice ef the people with re
spect to the eK-rtloa of Sen.it .rs The ra.-t
that a majority of this Legislature sub
scribed to pled res promls'ng to vote Tor
the people's ch-tce for Senator. supple
mented t.v a l enacted b the ":. o
commanding all m-mKn of the I.eirisli
T.iro to v.te fir the peo:i- Choi lo.
s nunr. Is a iiiftloi.rt ru.ir.inty that the
e'ectton tills year w.ll be a aummarllv
tli.no-e.1 ef n l: wn two f" arm
th ttT.e of the L-!la-'ire 1-vnte.l to the
consideration of measures of (.nolle Inter-
Mat Treasury Well Ulled.
The financial condition cf the Sta'e was
never better than It was at 'he close of
he fiscal year. 1 he reports of the Treas
urer and Secretary of State slow In Jle
tall the receipts snd d'bursrm-nis duilrig
tlie two years ending fjft-ml.fr n''.
and the balance now In tne bands of the
Treasurer ..f the several rinds "f the s.af.
After reviewing the r.ic.i.-'ire.- lK"n to pro--.'t
the state fur.ij dum.g tl.e panic, ine
TeiTernor ror.t:nue;:
The balance ii..w In the hjr.de of .o
Tteasurer helorKT.C to the d:rrrent funds
,.f the State Is on depo.it In Iho numerous
tanks r the state. Hit In h c.e ..i
Treairer hlds securities therefor ac'"d
J. hl-n in. lor the 1- .o-ltorv- '! "f l"
and th bond of the Tren.virer to the M...
f.-r the faithful j.-rf-rmanc. if hts lt y
is he'd i addition il security The dut
f approMt-.K lh securities taken by tlie
Treasurer 'ront tie se-r.1 er"ettones Is
.-ted. not In f.. Ki'cnMve. but It. the
Traeurer ai d A t tome -I : 'hti. I do noi
believe that there Is any dariEor pf loss
t . the State In future if the provisions T
the depitorv net of T.m.7 with rt-pecl to
of the State funds Is strictly ob
served" Taxes Should He More Triform.
It must be eanect-d In the very nature
rf tlatiKS wllh the steady In rease in pop
ulation an 1 the consequent lucnase In the
1 urdens and expenses of ptcnernment llinl
the tax le-.y will he hl.-her. unless subjects
which now es ape. taxation are brought
within tho tax. nit power. I fear to rec. m
menu any rcvlMon "f Hie us-sm-nt lan
cf th State, but It Is unfortunate that
pome avstem has not been ad -i.ted to brlnK
oout a uniformity of nssetnent and tax
ation In the several count! of the Stale.
The constitution requires that taxes shall
h- uniform arid equal, tin It Is a. '."ell
known fact tuat in nio-t of the counties
cf the Sta'c. pe.-sonal property and mono
almost entirely fj.-ape taxation. in some
counties lands are asses... ,1 nt from on
third to one-half of tilt ir actual cash value,
while In others they are assessed at tno
t ilrds of their value, mid in none at a. tual
cash value, as require,! by law. t ntll
some uniformity of s-'-nsir ent Is flcUseft
there must be Inequality of taxation, and
so lonir as some property escapes taxation
entirelv and real property Is not a-wed
at cash value, the levy for county and
State purposes must continue to he hlK i
and taxation must In. k the constitutional
requirement of eyuailty aud uniformity.
School Income Nearly a Million.
Irreducible School Fund. The Irreduclb'e
F.-hool Kund of the State has Increased
hiring the past two years from tl.e salo
of land and other 'sources. "1. the
principal thereof on th day of Sep
tember. !!. belne .-..42'.i nun . Of wntch
sum $4.".;.71X4.,'is Invested In P.r-t mort
rare loans ilrawlns; six p-r cent per an
num: oil 6t." i In scltuil district bonds
beirlng- live and six per cent p-r annum;
Sd.'.li 41o.4.'V In certirtcales of sale of school
lands, bearlnic six per cent, seven per cent,
and eight p- r c-nt: f.'.'.J 00 In larms pur
cnased bv the State at foreclosure sales;
cash In bank. Ill sMVl; t ie balance there
of. J;.S.Hila7 was In tho Title Guarantee
and Trust I'omp-inv's bank at the time It
f illed, an I Is secured by tho obligation of
the American Surety Company, drawing
Interest at the rate of live per cent per
annum, and due and javalile December 31.
lie.'J. pftiouttli trie company has paid
thereof in advance of maluilty and since
the end of the fiscal year. K'lt 7?3 .m;. The
Aerlcultural Colic fund prim rmtl now
amounts to $liio.hTSi;. and Is all loaned
except $1,100 let. and the Unlveisity fund
principal is 1u4."jO.SC. and Is all loaned
except SSIU..TI.
The amount of Interest accruing from
loans of the Irreducit-le School Fund for
l'.otj and distributed anions the counties
of the State w is -Ti6.ort7 as compared
w ith $'J47.o-)9 111 for 1WI7. All of 111-10
tducatlonal funds are in excellent condi
tion Some time In August, lunfl. Mr Frederick
K Sld.ions. of the firm of Ralston sid
rions, Washington. I. C. called upon me
with letterj of Introduction, to take up
for discussion the claim of the State of
Oregon growing out cf expanse Incurred
and moneys paid In raising troops fnr ser
vice In the Vnited States Army during the
Civil War. Former officials of the State
had. In years gone by. employed Mr. John
Mullan to look after thesj claims, but the
result of niy discussions with Mr. Slddons
was. that on the lith of November. ltNot.
the Secretary of state entered into a con
tract In writing with Mr. .John Mullan
and the rrrn of Kalston & Slddons lot
prosecute the c',airns of llie Stale uisalnst
tl.e Cntted states, and 11 was uiereed lii.it
whatever sum was collected shout. t be paid
to the Treasurer and the compensation of
the attornejs. which was lo b ten per
centum on the amount recovered, was, to
be audited and paid as other claims against
the state, tin the ::lst nay of December.
ltos I received a te'eeraiu fr.-m Ha.ston
it Slddons that .he court of claims h?d. on
that day. nia-le nn award In lavor of the
State for $l''.no.iM, and I suppose the
money will in due course be paid into the
treasury. I am glad to report the matter
to you. for the claim 1ms been pending a
long time for adjustment and settlement.
Income From forest Kescrve.
""he receipts from the forest reserves In
Oregon for the yeir cn.i.ng Juno a. 11107,
was as fn'lotvs: L".ue .Mountains, E. nnd
W.. rw.fttsj 55; Cascade. -V and 8.. S-i.-513
V'. Kreemont. e.t'l7r;7: .'.oose Lake,
111. 61737; Heppncr, .13rt.97; Imnaha
I'besnlmnusl and Wallowa. 2o.o7a :i.(;
Maurr Mountain". J771 t4 Siskivou. $).:
HI; Wenaha. 7.on:: 05. Total. lH'i S",s !U.
Ten per cent ef tills :.mount. to wit. sllt.
10 St, was receive.! "by me frirn the Ke.i
eral authorities and bv me piid to tlie
Treasurer of the State October ;o. 1007.
It will devolve upon the Legislature to
provide for the method of expendintr this
sum for the benetlt of the puluic schools
and ruhlic roads of the rountlrs In which
the forest reserves are situated, in -accordance
with agricultural appropriation act
for 1908. approved March 4. I'iu7.
Five per cent of the suits or" rubllc lands .
within the state for tl.e lis.-a! year ending !
June SO, llo7, amounting to S71.wl.17, an! i
from the same e-.uree for the flecai year end
ing June 3o lie s. amounting to Sc-o.870.4y.
fiB en receive.! t.v n-e fmm ihn ec- '
retary of the Treasury ef the I'nlted P'ates
and paid over by me to tre State Treasurer,
to be distributed In conformity with law.
Kchool Lasils Were Sold Too Cheaply.
Tha reports of the State Land Board and
fitmie lir.d Acent show th t ran sac T ! onjt .if
the board wllh resrect to sv-hooi lncemnlty, I
and other state lan-le. The price of school
binds has been raieed to $.-,.00 per acre, and
In some cases a sllgUtly larger price haw been
obtained, while the y rlea received for In
demnity lands la ls.7.1 per acre, which cov
ers the rxren.e Incident to 1erfec!ii-g the
selections. Letting the state about Svtoj per
acre. At no time in the history of the elate
baa so large a price been received, for It
must not be forgotten thit the prices now
being obtained are for lands which are left
oer alter tha best of the princely grant
which was made to the state had been dis
posed of In f rrr.er yeans. It Is very great
ly to be regretted that the s.'h-jl lana were
not In years psst held for h cher price, for
had this been d.-ne the Irreducible school fund
might have been large enough to save made
It unnecessary to levy a tax for the sup
port of the public schools.
The report of the State Innd Board with
reference to desert lands shov. s the present
status of each of the segregatione made un
der tha provisions of the Carey ant. and
contains the forms of contract, together with
the rules and regulations which have from
time to time been adopted by the board for
the protection of the state, the Irrigation
companies, and the settlers. Your attention
Is particularly called to these reports, and
1 am glad to advise you that' with the ex
ception of a eult now pen. ling with ref
erence to the Columbia Southern Irrigating
Comranv. no troub.e is tclng ex-rlenee-i
in caring for or disi-slng of the puulic lands
cf tha stats.
There wsxe 121 veterans of tha Mexican,
. . r- A wbv4vm wr In
expenq quite m -o. ' -. 1. .
In order to place tha asylum In a condition
to care properly for and treat the Inmates
along the lines of Improved methods for the
cars of the Insane. The superintendent and
his assistants ara to be commended for
many Innovations which they have made,
particularly with reference to the Installa
tion of a bacteriological department and
the arrangement of quarters with the limited
means at their command for the treatment
and separation of patients afflicted with tu-ber.-u.Veis.
The record of the percentage of
recoveries as d sclosed by the superintend
ent's rei-ort Is quite remarkable, and It Is
due to tl.e splendid attention bentowed upon
these unfortunate wards of the stats.
It cannot be too persistently urged upon
your attention that better facilities mustbs
Installed soon for protectloB against fire. Tha
state has had one warning, and nothing- but
prompt and vigorous action upon the part
cf the ofllcera and attendants at the asylum,
ably assisted by the fire department of the
City of Salem, prevented the entire destruc
tion of the main aeylum building, and the
rosVble Ios of a number of lives. This
ha;pened since the adjournment of the last
L cislatnre. I'nless something is done, snd
that promptly, the time will come when there
will be a most terrible holocaust at the In
stitution. The responsibility must rest upon
.the Legislature, and not upon the Board of
Trustees and the superintendent and officers
of the asvlum. who have not been given the
means with which to Install suitaDle safe
guards against fire, although the warning
has been sounded and the demand has been
made lime snd time again in the past anl
Is renewed now. both by the superintendent
snd by me. The Institution Is now crowd
el to Its limit, and moneys must be ap
propriated either to build new asylum or
enlarge the facilities of the present one. The
fopulatlen thereof Increase In proportion
as the population of the state increases, and
it Is safe to predict that In 10 years the
population will Increase lnO per cent.
I trust that a committee of the Legis
lature will carefully Investigate conditions at
this Institution and report fully as to the
needs thereof.
Ilrflcy Regarding Criminals.
Acting upon the assumption that tha pur
poses to be subserved by the admlnlstratloa
of criminal Justice are three-fold, namely:
First th protection of society; second, the
punishment of the wrongdoer, and.- third,
his reformation, the penitentiary has been
conducted during the last six years along
lues entirely at variance with those here
tofore In vogue. Stripes have been done
away with: cruel and unusual punlshmenta
have been abolished, and although strict dis
cipline Is maintained, the prisoners are treat
ed more humanely than ever before. The re
sult has been good, and It has been found
that where a disposition upon the part of
the officials Is evinced to place some con
fidence In the prisoner. It in appreciated,
and to not apt to be betrayed.
It has been my policy to assist wherever
possible In restoring convicts to useful citi
sershlp. particularly where In my opinion
the three purposes of punishment have been
a-talned. In this work I have had the ac
tive co-operation of the superintendent, ward
ens and employes of the prison, ss well as
the Prisoners' Aid Society. Kev. E. W. St.
I'lcrre. and Father A. A. Moore, and have
ma.ie It a part of my duty to keep in touch
with the Institution by visiting it on fre
cinent occasions and according the Inmates
lntervlewa whenever requested to do so.
I'r.der the Indeterminate sentence law
pa ed in lHo3. when a minimum term of sen
tence has expired., snd there Is some one
ready to take the prisoner, give him em
ployment and report monthly upon his con
duct It has been usual to parole such pris
oner except In cases of repeaters." but
unless there Is sn opportunity to furnish
employment to the convict so as to take
away from him the temptation to fall back
again Into criminal ways, he Is not usually
paroled at the expiration of the minimum
term of sentence. In the cases of those re
eaed It has been ascertained that most all
of them returned to useful employment, and
In only a few Instances have the paroles
been revoked and the prisoner returned to
serve out his unexpired term.
Conditional rardons Work Well.
I have also, during my term, conceived the
idea of conditionally commuting or pardon
ing a prisoner where the facts Involved in
the conviction seemed to warrant It. reserv
ing the right upon condition broken to re
turn him to the penitentiary. This condi
tional commutation or pardon has been sus
tained bv the Supreme Court of this state,
and It has been found to be a strong fac
tor In restraining the released prisoner from
the commission of a crime.
The administration of Justice Is une-en. To
llluetrate: There are ten Judicial districts
In the state. A man may be convicted In
or.e of simple felony, and sentenced to a
long term In the penitentiary: while In sn-o-htr
where the crime committed Is the
same' and under almost Identical circum
stances, the prisoner may be given a very
short term. It seems to me that It Is a
part of the duty of the executive branch of
tiie government to equalize, where 'condl
t'ons warrant, this apparent inequality in
C-e sdmln!trat!on of Justice. It may be
that I have exercised too frequently the power
of the executive In behalf of prisoners, and
that aa occasional mistake has been made,
but tn the aggregate the results accom
plished have been most benetlclal. for the
public has been relieved of the support of
the convict, he hss been restored to useful
clt'zeehip and In many cases he has re
turned to tha support of a dependent family,
who. during his Incarceration, were the ob
jects of charity.
Put Convicts on the Roads.
The efforts In most states have been
d'rected to making the prisoner earn, dur-ir.-
his term of Imprisonment, his cost to
the state, but that effort. It seems to me.
lias been In the wrong direction. Experi
ence has proven to me that men are now
confined In prison who have wives and
little children supported by public charity,
whilo tho prisoners are barely earning for
the state their dally bread. A poor return.
Indeed. Is this mere pittance for the suffer
ing of the fiimily and their burden to the
community! Some system ought to be
adopted and crystallized Into a statute
which would leave the prisoner to bo sup
ported by the state, but compel his earn
ings to be paid to his wife and family. If
a general policy of road construction with
convict Jabor Is to be adopted, the earn
ings of the prisoner should go to the sup
port of those dependent upon his labor. It
there are such persons; otherwise, to tho
Sine to be kept until the release of the
individual, so that he may not be turned
out penniless to return to a criminal career.
In a word. It Is cheaper for the taxpayer
to maintain . -o e- -
ceratlon and give to those dependent upon
him. or reserve for him aa a capital to
begin life with anew upon his discharge,
his earnings during Imprlsonment-
I call attention to the report of the super
intendent for detailed Information as to the
prison, and take ocaslon to commend him
and the officers and employes thereof for
the excellent discipline that has been main
tained, the hygienic condition of the prison,
and the generally Improved methods which
have been sucessfully carried out and
which have been Instrumental in placing
the Oregon State Penitentiary In tha fore
front of the model penal Institutions of ths
country.
Cut Out Sheriffs' Traveling.
A great saving can bs effected In tha
matter of bringing prisoners to the peni
tentiary if the same system Is adopted with
reference to that Institution as was here
tofore adopted with respect to patients for
the ssylum. Convicts should be conveyed
to the penitentiary by ifficiala of that In
stitution, without other cost than their
actual expenses.
The cost for this service to the stats un
der the present system for the two years
ending September 30. 1906. was $13,573.45
for T9 prisoners, an average cost of 135.91
nr tepita. For tho two years ending Sep
tember 30. 1H03. It was 17.729.74 for 482
prisoners, an average cost of iris.37 per
capita. The cost of -on-eylne SI 4 lnsnne
patients from July 1. 1903. to July 1. 1!0.
was $Jtl6S.i2, an average cost of f 18.05 per
capita, i'or tha two years ending. Septem.-
Civil, inatan ira
tha home on the 3"th day of September. 1908.
By vl-tue of a rule which was adopted be
f .re my Incumbency, those drawing a pen
sion in excess cf 112.00 per month were
not admitted to the home, but on the -.tn
day of February. lf-'l. this limit was
changed to S"o.o0 per month, for tha rea
son that there were many old aoldlera who
could not live on their pension, and wbo
were yet deprived of the privileges of a
home. As aim as the change In this limit
was made, the commandant reports that tne
membership Increased to Its present numr
L The home la In excellent condition, and the
relations between the old aoidlera and the
commandant, officers ar.d employes Is most
cord-.al. The ranks of the old veterans are
gradually thinning, and those who. by rea
son of wounds. Ill-health and misfortune are
unable to earn a support, are entitled to the
tenderest consideration of both the state and
Natlon-
The report of tha superintendent deals at
Vngth with present conditions and needs of
tl is institution, and I Invite your parllcu
ar attent.on thereto. It will be necessary,
as Is suggested by the suirlntendent, to
... - u.,.k:. M,m nt moneV
PROPOSED LEGISLATION RECOMMENDED BY GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN
Strict observance of tho direct primary pledge In the election of a United States Senator.
Uniformity of county taxation to make the state levy equitable.
Use of convicts on roads, earnings to go to their famines' support or to the state.
Conveyance of convicts to the Penitentiary by officials of that Institution.
More money for State Fair premiums; more money for Improvements on the grounds.
Repeal of J50.000 Insurance company deposit law and creation of an insurance department.
Permanent settlement of the normal school problem.
Payment to Indian war veterans for horses used or lost In the campaigns.
No repeal of the Railroad Commission law.
Earnest consideration of the needs for expansion of the state's National Guard. ,
Appointment bf a commission on the conservation of state resources, with a small appropriation, for it.
Protection of tho Ashing Industry instead, of protection of the individuals engaged in it.
A complete code of water laws.
Reservation of the unappropriated water powers for the benefit of the public.
An employers liability act to protect employes to the fullest.
Restriction of sale of deadly weapons.
Bull by the state to settle the controversy with ths owners of the canal and locks at -Willamette Falls.
Creation of a non-partisan Jud lclary. ,
Greater protection for bank depositors; perhaps by the Oklahoma law. ,
Relief for the Supreme Court.
Co-operation with the Reclamation Service by establishment of experiment stations.
Ownership of the Oregon City canal and locks by the state. If Congress will not purchase them.
Appointment of a vlsitorlal board to guard against scandals In private asylums.
Co-operation with the Oregon Historical Society' to celebrate Oregon's admission as a state.
Legislation looking to the control of tuberculosis.
Legislation to make ths proportional representation measure adopted by the people last June.
i.
bcr SO. 19CS. It was $14,911.12 for 8 ,2 Insane,
an average cost of 16.fl pir capita.
It will thus be soen that a saving of more
than f.0 per cent may be made to tne
state, and the prisoners transported In cus
tody of men trained In the work.
The report of the superintendent of the
Institute for the Feeble-Minded shows that
the Institution has Just been completed and
is being organized for the purpose of I s
creation. Tour attention Is directed to this
report for Information as to what has been
done during the few weeks that the Institu
tion has been open for tho reception of the
..Ki..minH...i nd for the recommendations
made as to future needs.
There is no question dui in m
tlon will be a factor fr great good.
The reports of the superintendent of the
Oregon Institute for the 1 llnd. for Deaf-
j . i. i) shnnl ere before
aiUlCS, IllU l.m
you for consideration. Those are so replete
with information mat i --- -
necessary to do more than call your atten
tion thereto and to the recommendations of
ths several superintendents
Institutions Well Managed.
The Institutions are well managed, and
keep abreast with those of their kind In
other states of the Union.
The annual fair held under the auspices
of tho State Board of Agrlculturo has
grown to be one of the most important
factors In industrial, agricultural, and hor
ticultural development. Tho last showed an
Increase In receipts over any one previously
held of about 25 per cent, as shown by the
following:
Receipta for 1902 T19.240.6
Iteceipts for 1!H)3 2a.3io.o
Receipts for li4 22.444.02
Iteceipts for 1900 23.10S.1
Receipts for 3907 - 36,S5..5
Kecelpts for 1903 45,114.47
It may be safely claimed that no one
factor has played a more important part in
stimulating the livestock Interest, in im
proving methods ln agriculture and In hor
ticulture, and Jn attracting tne attention of
the people of other states to the possibility
of our soli and climate. Because of the
Inadequacy of buildings and acommoda
tiuns for exhibitors and others, the board
waa compelled last year to Incur an in
debtedness of 249.40, -as follows:
Addition to grandstand, 80x200 foet . $3975.30
Race department stables. 42x1220 feet 1250.00
Creamery annex " P'!!0
Grandstand extras Ho'iO
Horse barn and creamery extraa. . . . 4S.2U
These Improvements were of a permanent
nature and were necessury to meet the put
llc demands, and I recommend that an
amount sufficient to meet their payment
be appropriated. .
The amount appropriated annually for the
fiayment of premiums Is too small, and It
ins been exceeded each year as the fair
has grown fn usefulness and Importance,
and it Is because a part of the general fund
has been used for premiums that the above
indebtedness had to be incurred. The ap
propriation for premiums ought to be In
creased to meet the growing demands of
the people for a first-class agricultural fair.
Many improvements of a permanent nature
are neeaeu. anu i cbihoso , .
committee be appointed by the Legislature
.u- -,.a. Minfw with the I
oftlrera of the board and report on Just
what Is necessary to bs done.
Xcw Water Supply Needed.
As the population of the state Increases,
thnt of the charitable, penal, and reforma
tory Institutions Increases In tho same pro
portion The question of a more ample and
purer water supply la becoming a vital one,
and particularly with reference to the In
sane asylum. The health of the unfortunates
confined In this Institution must suffer uti
les! something is done In the very near fu
ture to relieve the conditions aa to water,
for an enidemlc of tvphold fever and other
diseases 'alwavs Is Imminent under present
conditions.- The citizens of Salem have al
ready appointed committees to Investigate
the possibility of securing an ample water
supply from one or the other of the moun
tain streams to the east of the city, and to
secure estimates of probable cost of con
struction of a pipe line and a distributive
system. This line must of necessity come
within easy reach of the state institutions,
and I deem it advisable to susgest that a
committee of the Legislature be appointed
to confer with a committee of the citizens
of Salem to ascertain If It might not be
feasible for the city and state to co-operate
in the construction of a waterworks system
upon some basis that might be equitable
and Just to all concerned. This, In my
opinion, will be much mora economical than
for the state to proceed Independently In
the matter. "
Insurance Department Urged.
The growth of the state, and" the devel
opment of Its business Institutions has been
so rapid, that It seems to me the time has
arrived for making some change In the In
surance laws for the better protection of
the people. The law which requires the
deposit of 150.000 with tho State Treasurer
Is a condition upon which foreign Insurance
companies may do business In the state, re
sults: First, In keeping many strong com
panies out of the state, and, second, in driv
ing business men to Insure with companies
outside of the state, because those here have
not the facilities for carrying the amount
of Insurance necessary for fun protection.
If security Is to be demanded from a com.
pany as a condition tc Its doing business
In the state, a surety company's bond ought
to be sufficient to protect the holders ot
policies and those doing business with Buch
company. The suggestion Is often made that
a repeal of the deposit law will result In
Inviting Irresponsible underwriters to tne
state, but this can be guarded against by
establishing nn Insurance Department and
the appointment of a capable Insurance
Commissioner as la done In other states.
Such a department ought to be created now.
and ought to be entirely divorced from the
o'flce of the Secretary of ftate. It is Im
possible for this latter officer, with the
numerous duties which the law devolves
upon him to give that attention to the
Insurance business of the state which Its
Importance requires. The Insurance Depart
ment should bo presided over by an experi
enced Insurance Commissioner. With such
a department and such a commissioner,
vested with ample authority, there would be
no danirer to our people 'on account of the
admission to the state of Irresponsible com
panies I trust that this matter will be
taken up seriously by the Legislature and
given that careful consideration which lis
Importance demands.
Among Schools of tbe State.
The Agricultural College and the State
Tnlverslty are In excellent condition, and
tho enrollment at both of these institutions
Is larger than ever before. The policy has
been to raise the standard of both each year,
bringing them on a par with the higher ed
ucational Institutions of the country. Like
all of the state Institutions, with ths In
crease of population In the state, tne enroll
ment of the schools will he greater, de
manding each year larger appropriations to
meet actual needs. I hope that committee,
of the Legislature will vlstt botn the Uni
versity and the Agricultural College and
acquaint themselves with the present needs
of both Institutions. .... ...
Under an act of the last Legislature the
Normal Schools of the state were placed
under one Board of Regents and their re
port has been filed with the Governor. It
will be found that there is a greater uni
formity In ths course of studv. and a better
system la vogue in these schools, under one
-
MESSAGE
Board of Regents, tlian was possible under
a board for the control of each. There is no
question but that there Is a necessity for
training schools for teachers for the public
schools of the state, and If these training
schools are to he maintained they ought to
he placed on the basis of the highest effi
ciency. A majority of the Board of Regents
has recommended tho continuance of the
Normnl schools at Monmouth. Ashland and
Weston, and have called attention to their
needs. If they are to be continued. The ap
propriations suggested are large, but they
are no larger than will be necessary to
thoroughly equip and maintain the schools
so as to attain the best results. It Is folly
to undertake to educate and train teachers
for the public schools by any starvation
policy. In order to have a good public
school system It Is necessary to have well
trained teachers, and they cannot be ob
tained except from properly equipped Nor
mal schools.
Settle the Jformol Problem.
I trust tha Legislature will once and for
all settle the Norma school question, and
probably the best way to do It Is to act
upon the recommendation of the regents and
make provision for maintaining three schools
In the state.
For more than half a century the state
has neglected to pay a Just debt due from
it to those who risked their lives and gave
their propertv for the protection of the
homes of the" early settlers, of this state.
There is no question but that the different
Indian tribes of Oregon nnd Washington in
1S35 and prior thereto, entered Into an al
liance to prevent any further settlonnent of
the white man In the Northwest. The Gov
ernor of Oregon Territory called for volun
teers to suppress hostilities, and those who
responded to the call furnished their own
arms, horses and equipment. The Legis
lature of the Territory, of 1856. agreed to
pay the volunteers while engaged In these
Indian wars at the rato of J2 per day for
their services, 2 per day for the use of
their horses, and further pay for horses
lost, killed or disabled while In service.
Claims of the survivors of these wars have
been paid within the past few years so far
as personal services were concerned, but
the state has neglected to compensate them
for the use of their horses or for those
which were disabled, or lost. If the obli
gation for personal service was a Just one,
the latter Is equally as binding upon the
state, and the survlvorB of these early In
dian wars ought to be paid by the state the
moneys which are Justly due them. It Is
not a question of charity, it Is a debt of
honor, which the state cannot afford to
repudiate. .
Governor Chamberlain reviews the worst
of the State Railroad Commission as con
tained in Its annual report and says:
The Railroad Commission has been In ex
istence scarcely two years, but the work It
has done has already vindicated the Judg
ment of those who advocated Its creation
with ample powers and the Legislature
which passed It. No one who has tho best
Interest of the state at heart will for a
moment listen to a suggestion for the repeal
of the present law. The commission has
moved with caution and with extreme con
servatism, but It has accomplished splendid
results, and Its members are to be com
mended. " L ,
The work of the Oregon Library Commis
sion as shown In Its annual report Is also
appreciatively reviewed and its work com
mended. National Guard Highly KfTiclent.
TheOregon National Guard was never In
a higher state of efficiency than at this
time, and your attention Is called to tne
report of the AdJutant-GeneraJ for Infor
mation as to Its present condition. Larger
support Is given each year by Congress to
the states for assisting in the equipment,
maintaining and Instruction of the National
Guard, because it Is better understood now
than ever before that In time of war It
Is to a well-trained militia that we must
look for protection. In the very nature of
things the standing army Is small, but it
serves the purpose of protection in times of
peace and is a splendid factor for instruc
tion whenever It becomes necessary to call
the militia Into service. The personnel of
the National Guard of this state Is of the
best, composed as It Is of the flower of our
youth from every walk of life, and I be
speak for Its needs, as suggested by the
Adjutant-General, your deliberate consid
eration. Governor Chamberlain reviews the move
ment started by President Roosevelt for the
conservation of the Nation's natural re
sources and his own appointment of a state
commisislon to prepare a report on the na
tural resources of Oregon. On this subject
be says:
As a means to the end of co
operation between the Federal and state
authorities for the purpose of bringing
about. If possible, the enactment of a uni
form code, as well as for the purpose or
collecting definite Information as to the re
sources of the state, whether of forest, of
mineral, of water, or of other related sub
jects, the commission ought to be created
by act of ths Legislature and a . limited
appropriation made to defray the expense
of the work necessary to be done to ac
complish the purpose of Its creation. Con
stant applications are made for some au
thoritative publication as to tha state and
its resources, and I know of no better body
of men to prepare for distribution informa
tion as to the resources of the state.
Problem In Oregon Fisheries.
Two bills were proposed by Initiative peti
tion at tbe last election regulating Ashing
on the Columbia River and its tributaries,
and both were duly enacted. One was en
titled "A bill to propose by Initiative peti
tion a law to protect salmon and sturgeon
In tbe waters of the Columbia River and
Its tributaries, and in the Sandy River
within the boundaries of the state or Ore
gon, and In all waters over which the state
of Oregon has Jurisdiction, and prescribing
a penalty for a violation of tho law." And
the other. "A bill to propose by Inltlatlvo
petition a law for the protection of salmon
and sturgeon in the waters of the Colum
bia and Sandy Rivers and their tributaries,
and prescribing a penalty for a violation of
the law."
The tirst measure radically changed ex
isting laws as to fishing at the mouth of
the Columbia River, and the second put an
end to all fishing except with hook anil line
commonly called angling, in tne Columbia
River or any of Its tributaries, at any place
up stream or easterly hvm its i-onrluence
with the Sandy River, as well as in the
latter river and its tributaries.
Conflict With Washington Results.
The effect of these laws, aside from the
fact that they are measurably conflicting
and operate to radically change the pre-existing
laws regulating fishing on the Co
lumbia and its tributaries. Is to bring the
authorities In this state In conflict with
those of the State of Washington with ref
erence to the question of Jurisdiction of the
two states over the waters of the Colum
bia, The first act became operative from
and after September 10. 1908, and at a time
when, under the laws of the State of Wash
ington, it was lawful to fish within the ter
ritory whets tho Oregon law mads it un
lawful and with devices prohibited by that
law, if the contention of the Oregon authori
ties was correct that the Jurisdiction of this
state extended over the Columbia River to
the Washington shore. The authorities of
the listter state contended that tho Jurisdic
tion of the Oregon authorities extended only
to the thread of ths stream, and that be
1 "
IS READ
tween the thread of the stream and the
Washington shore line the Oregon laws were
of no force or effect. This conflict of opin
ion, when tha Oregon authorities attempted
to enforce the provision of the laws be
tween the thread of the Columbia River
and the Washington shore In a season which
was open under the laws of the latter state,
and against fishermen who were duly li
censed under the laws thereof, was about
to lead to riot, when the Governors and
other officials of the two states met in con
ference to devise If possible, some means
of averting bloodshed, which seemed lnev!L
tab'.e. No adjustment could be arrived at
because of opposing views as to the question
of Jurisdiction, and thereupon the State of
Washington Instituted a suit against the
Master Fish Warden of Oregon and his
deputies and enjoined them from interfer
ing with or molesting those who were fishing
on the Columbia River on the part there
'of over which that state claimed JurlsHic
tlon. until the question of Jurisdiction could
be finally determined. The Injunction was
finally mado general, and the case is now
pending before the United States District
Court for Oregon, and It is hoped that an
early decision may soon be reached.
In the meantime' the two states ought to
be able, through committees appointed by
their respective Legislatures for conference,
to frame and pass laws which will be uni
form, nnd have for their aim and purpose
the protection of one of the greatest Industries
of tho Northwest rather than the " protection
of the Individuals who may happen to be
engaged therein.
I call vour attention-to the report of H.
C. McAllister, the Mae-ter Fish Warden,
which is replete with information and con
tains recommendations whlh he deems
necessary for the protection of the fisheries
industry.
Full Water Code Needed.
A carefully prepared code of water laws
was submitted to the last Legislature for
enactment, but was defeated. The need
for such legislation was apparent then: it
Is more apparent now, and as time slips
by and more land Is broucht under Irriga
tion, the difficulties growing out of con
flicting claims to the use of water become
more difficult of adjustment. A subcommit
tee of the State Conservation Commission
has been appointed to prepare a bill on the
subject, to be submitted to the Legislature.
They have had the matter under careful
consideration and have listened to discus
sions by experts on the subject, and there
is no doubt but that a bill will be report
ed to meet the necessities In this state. It
ought to receive the careful consideration of
the Legislature. The experience of other
states has proven that In order to be ef
fective, legislation upon the subject should
cover:
Some of tlie Proposed Clauses.
1. Complete (Federal where that Is pos
sible, or) state control of diversions from
streams. No water r.ght In future should
become vested except by appropriation un
der the laws, rules and regulations pre
scribed by the state, and the diversion of
water without rtgr-t from a public stream.
Including all knowingly wrongful Interfer
ence with the rights of others, to the In
Jury of another, should be made a misde
meanor. 2. A system whereby the priority and limi
tations of every existing right to the use of
water can eventually be ascertained.
3. Provisions for a reliable record in some
central office of ail rights to the use ot
water as determined, and of new rights as
Initialed.
4. That actual measurements of ditches
and streams be made as a basis for the ad
judication of existing rights and for the
Initiation of new rights.
5. To provide a definite procedure whereby
rights to the use of water can be acquired.
d. That beneficial use be mado the basis,
the measure, and the limit of all rights to
the use of water, and that water for Irri
gation purposes should be mad appurtenant
to the land Irrigated.
7. All rights to the use of water for
power development should be limited to
some specified time, subject to renewal un
der certain restrictions.
8. An efficient administrative system, with
proper officers, for the distribution of the
water supply among those entitled to its
use.
U. An adequate system of fees payable to
the state by those benefited, so that event
ually the system shall become self-supporting.
Public Benefit From Water Power.
The unappropriated water powers of the
state ought to be reserved for the use of
the public Many of the most valuable
water powers have been appropriated by cor
porations and individuals, not for present,
and sometimes not even for future use. but
for the purposes of speculation. There Is
some evidence that a deliberate iiurpose
has been formed by persons of other states
who understand and know the future uses
to which these rowers may be put, to ac
quire, under laws now In force, the unap
propriated powers of mountain and other
streams. Some steps ought to b taken to
prevent this. , All rights to the use of water
for power development should be limited to
some specified time, subject to renewal tin
der certain restrictions, ar.d compensation
should be charged by the state for the use
thereof. If powers acquired for a limited
and specified time are not put to beneficial
use within that time, there should be a for
feiture thereof. The time will come when
the water powers of this state, which are
at present unappropriated, will become very
valuable, and if they are held by the state
a revenue may be derived therefrom that
will go far toward the reduction of taxa-
tln" Make the Kmployer Liable.
As act was rassed by the Legislature of
1908 known as thei "Fellow Servant Law." It
was made applicable to railway employes
only, and has been most beneficial In Its re
sults'. The purposes of the act should be ex
tended to all employers for the protec
tion of all employes. In theory It may ap
pear all right to say that there are certain
open and visible risks which the em
ploye ought to assume when he enters the
employ of one engaged In a hazardous enter
prise. Rut the necessities of the man seek
ing employment frequently compel him to
take whatever offers to enable him to earn
his dally bread. The employer has It in
his power to furnish a safe place to work,
and suitable and safe appliances and ma
chinery to work with, leaving nothing to be
assumed by the employe but the results of
his own carelessness. He should use every
device, care and precaution practicable for
the protection of life and limb, limited only
by the necessity for preserving the effi
ciency of the structure, machine, or other
apparatus or device, and without regard to
the additional cost of suitable material or
safety appliances and devices. If the busi
ness will not Justify this precaution and ex
penditure. It were better that the business
be not entered upon or that It be abandoned,
rather than that human life and limb be
made to pay the penalty.
Some Legal Aspects.
In actions for Injuries suffered by an em
clove, the negligence of a follow eo-vant
should not be a defense where the injury was
caused or contributed to by any of the fol-
. - -- - . .
TO LEGISLATURE
- . . .-. i fvrtot. sno (too to assist the United Stat
i i .... ri.ft In the structure,
materials, works, plant, or machinery ol
which the employer or his agent could have
had knowledge by the exercise of ordinary
care: the neglect of any person engaged as
superintendent, manager, foreman, or other
person In charge or control of the works,
plant, machinery, or appliances; the Incom
petence or negligence of any person in
charge of or directing , the particular work
In which the employe was engaged at the
time of the injury or death; the Incompe
tence or negligence of any person to whose
orders the employe was bound to conform
and did conform, and by reason of his hav
ing conformed thereto, the Injury or death
resulted; the act of any fellow servant done
in obedience to the rules.. Instructions or or
ders given by the employer or any other
person who has authority to direct the do
ing of said act. Nor should contributory
negligence of the person injured be a de
fense, but only to be considered by the Jury
In determining the amount of damsses to
"which a party might be entitled.
In my message to the Legislature In I!'o
I recommended for the consideration of that
body a general employers' liability law, but
the recommendation wjs Ignored, and I trust
the matter will receive your earnest consid
eration. The enactment of such a law will
do more than all else combined to protect
life and limb and It Is particularly needed
now when the state la entering upon an era
of great development.
Bar Sale of Pistols.
Many of the fatal accidents caused by the
promiscuous salo and careless use of "re
arms and much crime can be avoidtd By a
law that will restrict the sale and use of
guns, pistols and similar deadly weapons
The constitutional provision which gives to
every man tlie right to carry arms for h.s
own defense would not be abridged by the
enactment of a law placing somes restric
tions upon the sale and use of deadly weap
ons. It ought to be made a misdemeanor
to sell weapons except upon a permit to be
Issued by the Sheriff, or some one upon whom
might be devolved the duty of examining
each applicant as to charncter and ntness.
and the right to purchase should be de
nied to the drunkard, the minor and the ir
responsible person. Neither should guns or
rifles be sold to persons except 'hose who
hold hunting permits for the current ai.
If a law embodying provisions almig the line
of these suggestions were enacted. I am i sure
It would result In avoiding many accidents
and be a great protection to human lIe-
Tho Covernor reviews the lltlgnt ion wh kh
resulted In a victory for the state In i the
suit against the Portland c''n'-r:1',;ctr,r;t
Comrany to colier 10 por centum of the net
profits arising from tolls col eeted on the
canal and locks at Willamette lalls. la
ClT:am'gl,idyt'o take tills occasion to com
mend the ability with which this case has
been handled by the Attorney-General, the
District Attorney, and Hon. W. I.
who assisted in the trial In the i.Pf
Court. -The Just claim of the Jl"
been already too long delayed and an ear ty
determination of the matter Is a consum
mation most devoutly to bo v-lshed tor.
Nonpartisan Judges Needed.
In some of the states, steps are being
taken to secure the election of a non-partisan
Judiciary. This state ought not to be
behind others in this Important 5""':;
movement. Each cf the s-.veral parties
might nominate candidates at the primary
elections, and when the nominations are
made the names of the candidates nomi
nated could be arranged on the ha lot for
the general election In alphabetical order
without disclosing the party to which ituy
belong. This would require the voter to
exercise the power of selection, and I am
sure the result would be more satisfactory
and eliminate politics entirely from the
Judicial department of tae government.
Protect the Buna. Depositors.
The question of enattlns a law for the
protection of the depositors In state banks
has been generally discussed since the panic
of one year ago. and numerous bills will
doubtless be up for consideration. I am
sure that of those presented one can be
selected which will acomplish the purposes
proposed and not be unjust to those en
gaged in the banking business by the Im
position of restrictions so severe, and a tax
so burdensome as to seriously Interfere with
the conduct of the banking business. Okla
homa has a law on the subject which Is
said to give general satisfaction, and has
been Instrumental In attracting a large
volume of morey from other states. 1 he
effect of such a law will be salutary, and
will lead to conservatism rather than to
recklessness In the conduct of the banking
business, and at the same time protect the
depositor and mitigate tho evils of the oca
siunal panic.
Add to Supreme Court Justices.
The Supreme Court, as at present consti
tuted, was organized 20 years ago. Since
that time tho population of the state has
more than doubled, and the business ot the
court Is more than four times as great as It
was when it was organized. Temporary re
lief wns granted at the last session of the
Legislature by the creation of a commission,
and that commission will soon expire by
limitation unless the law providing there
for Is re-enacted by the present Legislature
There are two ways to relieve the court of
the work which It Is Impossible for three
Justices to perform: First, by the addi
tion of new Justices; second, by the crea
tion of a commission ,...,
The best way. because it is the direct
and honest wav to do. Is to provide by law
for the addition of nt least two new Jus
tices. Can this bo done?
The Governor then dlscurses legal phases
of the plan and holds that the Legislature
has power to Increase the number of Justices,
so long as the number does not exceed
seven. In conclusion he says:
it has been suggested that since a pro
posed amendment, having for Us purpose,
among other tilings, the Increase of the
number of Justices, was voted down at the
last election, further action in that direc
tion would be ill-advised. This objection,
however. Is without foundation, for tho
reason that it is difficult to ascertain the
cause of Its defeat. It provided for other
changes, principal among which was in
cluded a probable change In the entire
Judicial stem. Including the circuit and
county Judiciary, which change met with
strong opposition throughout tne state, .sm
other feature which aroused strong opposi
tion among the electors who favor direct
legislation was that the amendment pro
posed to give the Legislature the exclusive
power to Increase or decrease the member
ship of the Supreme Court at Its will, de
priving tho people of any right In this re
spect through the Initiative and referen
dum system of lam-making In the state.
No active and nfflrmative efTort was mado
to secure Its adoption, while the combined
opposition made its adoption with these va
rious "riders" impossible. It is also prob
able that it was assumed that the Legis
lature, or the people through the Initiative,
could increase the Supreme Court to meet
the greatly Increased demands before It.
without a constitutional amendment for tlie
purpose, and. rather than accept all the
proposed changes, preferred to leave this
matter to another effort In that direction,
either through the Legislature or by direct
vote on the subject.
If you differ from me In reference to your
power to provide for additional Justices,
then the law under which tho present tem
porary commission Is acting ought to be re
enacted for another term. The refusal to
grant tho Supreme Court relief. In one or
the other of the two ways suggested. Is a vir
tual denial of Justice to all who are un
fortunate enough to be Involved In litiga
tion. I submit this whole matter to you for
your very careful consideration.
Helo the Reclamation Service.
Some time ago the citizens of Umatilla
County undertook to have the reclamation
branch of the Interior Department establish
an experiment and demonstration farm at
some point on the Umatilla irrigation proj
ect and filially. after the matter was
again taken up by President W. J. Kerr, of
tho Oregon Agricultural Station, the Secre
tary of the Interior, following out the sug
gestion of President Kerr for co-operation,
egreed upon this plan. On the 21st day of
November, 10o8. the Secretary .wrote Presi
dent Kerr that' he had authorized the use
of $MC0 of the reclamation fund for pro
viding permanent Improvements and equip
ment for a demonstration farm on the proj-e-t
mentioned, and had directed that the
preparation of the farm be undertaken and
carried to completion as soon as possible.
This action, however, he announced, was tak
en bv him with the understanding that an
earnest effort would be made to secure au
thority and funds from the Legislature to
maintain and operate this demonstration
farm In the interest of settlers.
The importance of this work will be bet
ter appreciated when It Is remembered that
there are thousands of homes being estab
lished on irrigated lands by settlers who
ttnow nothing of Irrigation or the possibili
ties of the land upon which water has been
placed. Moot of the lands embraced within
the several Irrigation projects, whether un
der Federal, or private construction, are of
the same character and governed by the same
conditions, and experimental farming on the
Umatilla project will serve as an object
lesson for other districts.
I submit the matter for your considera
tion, and trust tho Legislature will not let
this opportunity pass for co-operative work
with the Federal reclamation service.
The Legislature at Its last session appro
priated 300.000 to assist the United States
. V... V nthArV SO. a
in acquiring, o; v";.."-- .
canal and locks at the falls of the W lllam
ette. It was provided, however, that within
three years the United States was to appro
priate a like sum. and upon failure so to
do the appropriation mode by the state was
to be and become a part of the general fund.
In other words the purpose of the act was
to fail. As yet Congress has done noth
ing. The present canal and locks are owned
by a private corporation, vested by law
with the power of levying a tax of not to
exceed 60 cents -a ton upon every pound o.
freight In either direction, nnd 10 cents for
each passenger carried, passing through the
'"This rate, fixed by law, establishes as well
the rail, aa the water rate, and Imposes an
enormous burden upon the producers snd
consumers of the whole Willamette Valley
directly and Indirectly largely upon thoee of
the whole state. Whether the I nlted States
complies with the act or not (anl the pros
pects for compliance aro not flattering), the
Legislature -should continue It In forte an.i
a fund ought to be accumulated sufficient
to enable the slate to proceed Independently
if neccssarv. The canal and locks ought to
be owned "and operated free of charge by
the United States, but If Congress declines
to act, they should be owned and operated
by the state, and this unjust burden "moved
from the enterprise and Industry of the peo
ple. . . ,
Vlsitorlal Board for Private asj ium..
There are a number of private Institutions
in this state for the recertlon, care and
treatment of 'he insane. Many persons of
all ages, sexes and conditions are now con
fined therein, and the number Is Increasing
each year in proportion to the "crease In
the state's population. They should be com
pelled to submit, by proper enactment, to
visitation and investigation by some publli
visitorlal board, and required to report at
regular Intervals to such ,board as fully
and as completely as do the institutions un
der state control. I do not mean to charge
that there are any Irregularities or crue , ties
practiced In any of these rrlyate 1(
It Is to guard against such things that th s
suggestion is made, for under present condl
tlona It Is possible to confine a patient
in one of these establishments and to Keer
him there f..r all time, or as long as some
Interested party may be willing to PnJ11''
so sure as legislation along theso linos is
not enacted, there will come a time when
the state will be scandalized by
brutality and of crimes romm tted
the recesses of some one or other of these
private institutions.
Anniversary of Oregon's Admission.
Oregon was admitted to tho Union on the
,4th day of February. 1S50. The Oregon
Historical Society has for some time been
making arrang-mei.ls Mr suit a bly -bratlng
the 60th anniversary of this lnilr
tant event, nnd as tl.e day occurs on Sun
day this -oar. tmi day before will Probably
beVlooted for the proper ""-l
preliminary arrangements have doubtless
been made, but It is proper that the S, ato
be represented In whatever Is done, i and to
that end I r.-cotmnond that a commit "
'rem th. Senate nnd House be M-polnl
to co-operate with the Oregon ',ora'
Society in making the o. ciisio.i a n ote
worthy one. and that an "l'0"'0"' ,!
made sufficient to defray the expenses Incl
d' ManyUrsta'tes have enacted laws making
February .12 a legal holiday In honor of
the birthday of the immortal Ablian
Lincoln. . .rago.. o. ght not to be t ho la
slato to do hoiiot to "one of tho f' w m
mortal names that were not born t i die
I suggest that the day be added to tho list
of those now observed ns legal holidays.
( necking of Tuberculosis.
The world Is coming to understand that
while tuberculosis Is one of tl.o Krca est
scourges or tlie human race, yet that It is
a preventablo diseas... and. In a large pei
cen.age of cases, curable if taken in .time
and properly treated The ?
manv of the states have passed laws, hav
Ing for their object the prevention of the
spread of the disease, and appropr la.l ,h
money to establish sanatoria where It can
be properly treated. Oregon lma done not ing
and measures rught to be p.itsed at
this session having lor their object ire com
prehensive and eltectivc troalm-nt. preven
tion, and control of the disease.
At the last general election, section 1(1 of
article 2 of the Constitution was amended
so as to rend as follows:
Section 11. In all t lections authorlr.ed
bv tbls Constitution until otherwise pro
vided by law, the person or person, receiv
ing the blithest number of votes shall be de
clared elected, but provision may be made
by !'iw for elections by e.fual proportional
representation of all the voters for every
office which is filled by the election of two
or more persons whose official fluUi".
rights .and powers nr) equal and concur
rent Every qualified elector resident in
his 'precinct and registered as may b
required by law. may vote for one person
under "ho title Mr each oKleo. Provision
may be mado by law for tho voter's direct
"r indirect expression of bis first, second
or additional choices among t.ie rami -dates
Mr any office. For an office which Is
filled by tho election of one person it may
he reuuircd by law that the person elected
shaU be the final choice of a majority of
the electors voting for candidates for thai
office These principles may be app.led
by law to nominations by political parties
and organizations."
To Make Amendment I.egwi.
I call your attention to this Constitutional
amendment because legislation Is necessary.
f my oplulon. to make tho same effective In
so far as proportional representation Is con-
Ceinedconcluslon. gentlemen, permit me to
express the hope that you may approach
the duties Incumbent on you in a spirit
of compromise and patriotism. All legisla
tion is the result of compromise, because
men are so constituted by nature as to dif
fer sometimes essentially on questions th..
vitally affect the public welfaro. Upon on.,
thing we are all agr i.-d wo love this mngnl
commonwealth and it? institutions,
and however much we may differ on non
essential?, we are agre-d that we sr.ly want
to' do those things which will he productive
of the greatest good tor the greatest num-
bei promise you that 1 will, with the help
of Him who doeth all things well, assist you
as best 1 can In the discharge .f our mutual
obligations to tlie people of the state, whose
servants we all nre.
, , GEO. B. CHAMBERLAIN.
Governor.
Corporate
rastee
Title to properties is
taken
To be held for syndi
cates; as security for bond
issues; for distribution to
heirs; for sale in subdivi
sions, etc.
The Trust Company is the
best, the safest and the most
economical .trustee, as it is
a perpetual body, guided by
a number of successful men,
and the business is transact
ed by those skilled in the
respective departments.
MERCHANTS
SAVINGS & TRUST
COMPANY
247 Washington Street,