Morning Oregonian., January 11, 1911, Page 8, Image 8

THE MORNING OKEGONIAN. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1911.
8
GOVERNOR WEST APPEALS FOR BETTER LAWS
TATK CAPITOL, Salem, Jan. 10.
(Special In Joint session of
Senate and House today. Oovernor
Vest, newly-elevted chief esn-uttve or
Ttton, read Ma mcfe to the Lgis
ttur mm follows:
unrmn ef t?ie Legislature? t'ader
wi t i tut ion It K-rcmc my tiutv ss iKr
nor. lal I deem It a hlsh lntr and
rwu-. ft tnf r-n yn. w'ir I may.
T coo.iirirtp in the scat and Us Iftstttu
"m an 1 t make such romnendaiinj
r stiarestions concern U s legislation aa 1
cm fit tin v r necessary.
p it before Baaaelne; o the dlseuselon of
ee mttn tn ti-fat'. Z desire to e
m to tha boDlf f .h' great fae.
voui'j you, th:r duly e:e-td rprsefte-
m aiiemra -ma; ana " -
snic for the ttts bvwof whlco tney nae
Tif rre4 uon ir
I consider that in.s henr " nwn m-
iI'im ihe people of rr-n nan ror-ir
my ftirart'v a-1 irtr integrity ana
tfiat I. aa their tJe-n,.r. wonnj aer
r-t that I w at hir ptibii rnt. whoee
I ;v do rnr,filnt In T pwer
promota tha pubic and advance tha
I r a era I pr -eprit r f tNs stat. And I
to promise tham no met nronw
tarm rr I aril! kD hle f"l erer
ff rar saia- aa a au'dtng eta and a stay
t time of v.reea ana trial.
tVrva refle. Hie Fledga
Of tha fopre. 1 Intend by my ererv a"t
aarve th people, JuM aa their good
v4 Bnrf their orreiMrity my on.
would ihetr mtafurtuna bo a rroaa and a
wrow la Tna. and 1 rt!r tbem now say
ssr and my oatn that, wlih t!-e HiO
loiia-htr ool. I IH be a rmiarui "p"
m. iki . iha and t wiaT
la gtea tM greatsst aronium poeslMe tr
p.jMfc official 'tu con a. tnw w
l" rfttl Hrvnt."
OrfoQ t now w 'l cntarad upon an ara
won.l-rf jl procra and d-ralopir nt.
raat tn) ua: rU n4 rmnjn:ii n -
a brlnttra o-tdad pp'a and cotr i r.
ma to bra!n tha Iimtta of our rinca
fioM of tmmii-lt n paopl'-n roral
r:e?a wtr?i proaproa firmi ani at ill
irtnar puahlrc ba-k the frl rr mo
jorat?ta of tha tow a. riurww
nrtin tha ti clir and ciar iinw
rJ on avarv han-l tha bum rf iniuairy
tl pr-raa. prapritT an. J ur-a.
I motin hao wail-known c'nlKtna la
Mr to dubiT IrnproM opon ni.-
an of tha t.aia:a:ur. tha arou ract "raj
a nra batldira not for tha prant alona
n frr th fuiura ma wall. Tha pub'! In
ivatirtna t.f tho atata ara la oH rendition
at th. wltfc alt d!rttierri of tn
t rr man i. ro ro ,n- nn n"wa umi
aatmn muat ba ?ln to f jtur nwi
'I a praa-ot ro,uirmenta.
jatata Owtanawa Tu ayatrm.
Tha power to tax bln aaaanttally lia-
I itivo to lia siur U riiowa nai in in
3nca of enar! jtional limltat.nni tn
)fr of tba Iclalatara aa to ma'tara oi
aa:loD la p'anarv ar-l atiua. r rram--a
of our atata vor.atituttn raalisad tha
tii to whtrh lh a power rrlrbt b -arr;d
i ii. aa a prut-tt n. hdel th l.rsitiiura
, v.ii' with aartain ronatltutinna; ;inlta-
ona whl.h rjulr.i that l tarnation ahould
un.fnrm and ruaL By unir-rmuir tnry
asm that alt proper? timllarty attnata I
I ouId ba taaa.I at tha aama rata and o
a aama cannrr. and by equality may-
.rant that tha burdrn of taxatiun rma
a ao diatrtbg;d that an-h taxpayar miuht
! in:r.luta tn proportion to hia proariy ana
I naithar n-ra or leaa incontnnnr
a har of payment than avary other pr
ni aipartanced. Thay ware doomed to dl-
itwmtmvni. boatvtr. rr miirta pi
4 ab-ut an aual dlatrthutlnn of tha bur-
ra off taxation thaa cooatltuOonal pro
tont bcam braaatao-ka bahlnd which
a public aervtca and other eorpotatlona of
a a:a c-ulJ do-la and eacapa bin
)l for tha parment of a Jut arare of tna
at of rondos unf oar a'ata aovarnmrnt.
Tarnation ij undouotaoir rainy auai u
fy days In thla at at a. for at that tlma
oat of our wealtn ronaiaiea or ianua
t'itM- ahirh wara caal.y tlatad an 1
nl-jod. but wltn tha rapid growth and de--Topment
of tha country, tba coining f
bualneaa with Ita puDiio anrica cr-
ra:lona and thair fran-hiaa and lniana-
Taiaaa. conditlna hao chanced ana
f.r new ntrthods of distributing tha
jrdrna of taxation.
Method imaai J rarwwtb.
-Naw ataalona teach new dutiea.
Ttma mak-a ancient ood uncouth."
Tha taxpayers of thta atata havo known for
ara thit our ran era I property tas waa
tncoiith. not fr soma unknown rn hava
Tar. uatil within tha lat fw years, taken
pa to remodrl H. Tha tirat aood mva
aa that made by the LKialaiuro of 10OS
Kn t nmvlrf.! for t K tirOltllmfnl Of &
ard of romrntaa1.nera for tha purpose) of
imlntnr and reoctrtina: on all inaitera os
I mnt and taxation. Thla board mad a a
oat oxhauativo report t tho (vrrnor ana
d and recmmended for paaugo a
mrer of bills and eonstltuttona: amend-
anta. whreh In their opinion would givg mt
p:e a mnre etncient ana eiuiiuo mjw
m of taxation.
A number of tha Mils proposed by tne
ord were passed bv the I-exislatura or
but tea eonatltattonal amendments and
t'l for creating a btate Tax i ommiasi
I itVed to pasa. The Lea'slature. of
. of lito. (
and. after
-weer. took nn theaa in e a surra
aking a few chanea. passed tnenx mt
aatttutlonal amendmanta. of coursa, had ta
and were submitted to h people at tha
lent election They failed to pasa. now-
an.t thalr failure to Dwsa waa doe
ra'y to the fact that the people were ed
beiieva that thlr paaaaga would reeuii
i many departures from our present sra
m of taxattoo and open np all tha way
r all sorts af Urns. The measures In favt
ere moat conservative and had th Indorre-
.eo: of nearly every tax expert in in
l-mniry. and wait opening tn way tor a
ioet eoultabl avstem of taxation, on
i-h would compel each to contribute a
ist share toward th. support of the iv-
rnment. they threw apl ronatftutlooal I
rotartloa around each and awy claaa cf
rooertv.
Whi:a the people war voting down tneew
:eged radical amendmeata thev voted for
nd pAseed the ao-called poll tvx amend-
-nt whim wipd out I I existing motuu
oral liraltattope and restrictions but re
rvad In "A peP the right to VOt ow
1 measures pertaining to taxation. In
i abaenc of expreaa constitutional llml
4rt.na th legtaiaHv power In matter of
nation la unlimited and ex'nds to every-
im: I ackr.ow'.edgea no Unit's ann fnav
e rarrtM even to the ex'ent off exhaustion
I nd drstrnetton, thus becoming in Ita exer-
mm a power to destroy.
rwr Lsakl m Ahaaax
All limitations and reatrlctlora In oar atata
-institution havtag been removed, an far aa
e people ar concerned th on'y thing
klrh stands In th way of an abu of the
ttr to tax is tha integrity and sense of
;stlr off tha people and th restrictions
und la tha onsrtotion of th l'nitd
area Our Federal constitution provide
ist no atata shall make or enfrc a law
hi-h shall abridge tba privilege or In
lunitiea of tba rltisena of tba t'nited StatSa
d that no atata shall drny any person th
iual Droteetwm of the laws or permit th
takeg of property without dug p roc ass of
4W.
Thla near amendment will no doubt prov
-n-0--a U. however, becaua It will open the
av for any and ail reforms which wvra
uned at through th two defeated amend-
l .-nta. but It 1 objcrtfronabl in that It pro.
that ao tax measure passed by tha
eg.siature cat beeoma effective, not even a
leritortoua emergency meaaur. until It has
l nng on th book for two ysars ana nag
approved M tna peopir. xnia pro-
' .slon waa no doubt Inserted for ffrar that
abaen of oonstltutionsl restrictions
i ojust measure mixht be passed by ti
"gis.atar. 1 Ul was unaouriroty a wis
rtcauttn. but it unnecessary to go to
i remea. Th people woutd have been
va ampla protection If :t hsd simply pro
:dd that no tax measure paaaed by th
egialaiur shouid carr an emergency
a use. This wowJd hava given he people
. chance to examine all tax measure
i eased by tn lcnUiur. Invoka the rr f-
i rendum on tha objeoUonable ona, and per-
itt the taking effect wtthoit delay of all
-.re which wr merliorloua.
Mlaaowrl Ttay Ad vocal c J.
v'hl)a thla amendment may b open to
oi critic tarn It nevertheieas open the way
r tax reform, and aa It win permit tha
dptioa off any equitable ay stem of tax.
too tha people may choo to adopt thr
aina a reason on eurth why we should
-C without further delay adopt the moat
"ogreasUe erst em to be found tn any state
i f tho In ion, kaet Legisiaturea hava laid
i g roti ad work for a good system, and It
eat with you to complete it. The Drat
nd meet Important step la to provide for
I re separation of the sources of stata and
wanl revenue. v. ban thta Is don the stata
III raise ita" revenue principally from pub-
ervc corporations license fees, inherl
sees or such other subjects aa tha Legia-
I iture or the people may think could b at
e- handled by the Plate Tag Commiaston.
,a syst-m would give r.niii county torn
te home rule In the matter of taxation:
nd unless ?h source nz stat revenue
; ailed to produce enough to rover the need ,
if tit stale th count ir would not b
Mei upn to contribute anyming towards I
i he support of th stata and would ba coa- j
corned only In raising sufficient roTanua to
cover cou n f y cap nea. Lir ti cou n t y cou !
fix ita valuations to suit liself. or aa Its local
nearfe ml:ht require, and without far
subjecting Ita citlxena to the payment
an unjust portion of a state tax.
Tha advantage of the propowd system ara
set out by tba Tas 'nmmkrinn of tha 8tat
of MlaaoiTl. and ara aa followa
Flrat CompUt arpartioa would aooii
at ortca i ne -i;rn. irtcti'
tempt to aqualixa among different count laa.
"nC-n hrn separation is affected
will ha poaathl to place each tax in tha
brancb of tho ttoTernment. local or stata.
whirh Is bet aIaptad to admin later It
Third Tha ml taxlns dtatrlrta. tba
couatlaa ar.d cities of the state, will then
hava practical home rula In mat tars re
latmc to taxation.
rVurtn Scualtty hi taxation, both star
and lotf'ai. can then ba secured by ma kin
all taxation effective.
.Mate fMskbtf Law Weak
Our stais banking law la a fatlura In th
It f rota ts tna r rooked banker from th
public, but da not prater t tha publii
fron the rrooked bankac. Adetjuata protac
tion for ih depoatior demands tha follow
Ing ameTdraen:a:
1. Amend our constitution ao as to mak
stockboldara 1 labia for doobla tha par xalua
of thalr etoek.
3. H aq u t ra mora f requant and thoruugh
ax am ! n a i ion of banks.
J. Further limit tba amount of funds to
ba lent to any ona paraon. firm or corpora'
lion.
4. Rao u ire hanks doing both a coramer
cal and savlnca butirM to conduct tha
aama as two diatlnct departmanta.
3. Ke-quira banks to conflna thaenservaa
to a banking bus:
d. provide that la avant of fatlur of a
bank lt affairs bo wound tip by tba Stata
Bank Examiner under tha direction of tha
courts and not by a race rar appointed by
tba courts.
Inaurwnrs Laws C'aodcmned.
Knowing the Insurance laws of this stata
were obsolete and afforded Utile or no pro
tectLn to tha public, bur realising th
any at;e-npt at complete reviolon without
ctreful sturly and tnvaatiaatioa would lead
onlr to confusion, lha laat leglelature con
tented Itself with taaaing a lw which re
moved a few of tha moat apparent ahusei
and proTldad for tha eetablishment of i
Ienartmant of Insurance which ait to
bar aaneral supervision over all com pan lea
doing business tn this state, lha wisdom
of tnts move is borne out by reoutt
talned dur.ng tho paat two years. Tha
proMbittr.s of combinations and rata agrc-
mtnta between fire rompanlea ana tn
opening up of tha fle'.d to competition has
resulted In a reduetlon of about t per cent
In ratea and means an annua aaving of
about $ jOO.wO to tba policyholders of this
Tha fnauranra Commissioner fully acts out
In his report tha needs of tha stata In tha
way of Insuranca legislation and Inaamucn
aa ha has no doubt given this Intricate and
perplexing question carefjl study and in
rrstigatloa hia reeommendatlon should ba
given careful consideration. He has pre-
t-arad aeveral bills with a view of correct
Ing a number of existing abi:ae and throw
ing additional safeguards around tha poifey.
holdera of this atata. but recomraenoi mat
before a complete revision of our lawa is
attempted tha Leslslatura authorise tha ap
point re ant of a cromlsjilon for tha purposa
of Investigating the whole question of In
sura new and ore-par In a fr submission to tha
next Legislature aa up-to-dara and effective
coda of insurance lawa. I am heartily in
favor of the appointment of such a com
mission for It will bring order out of chaos
In matters of Insurance and at little ex
pens to the state Thera are public
spirited man. 1 am sura, who would will
Inslv serve without pay other than their
mileage and per diem when attending meet
lncs of tha board.
Tha M stock fire Insurance companies do
Inc bualneaa In thla atata altne wrote In
la risks aggravating over 1 177.(Ko.OOO. for
which they collected over ii.ooo.ww in
Bremluma. Out of tha premiums collected
about gfMVOflo ween returned on account of
rlska canceled and about IWJ.OOO paid for
1 oases, teavlns; tha companies a balance of
about el.4O0.isW). Tha 12 local mutual com
panlea tha same year added over 25.y0.
(H to tha amount of their rlska. collected
over f:tJ7.HW in accounts and paid about
ICHt In loaaea. It Is Important, there
fore, that tha whole queatlon of Insurance
ba si van at an aarty data that careful con
sideration which It surely merits. In order
that thera may ba placed upon our statute
book a an effective and comprehensive In
surance law which will cover Insuranca of
era-y kind and gUa our policyholders every
pusalble protection.
Land Office Rcforma Telling,
Ourlng tha recent year tha affairs of tha
Ptate land Department hava been aomin
latered In tha tntereet of tha taxpayers and
arhnol children, and U baa ceaaed to ba a
breeding ground for acandar and a place of
eaay picking for tha members of tha old
acnool land ring. An eriectiva tana ibw
tn adnnt manv lonr-needed reforms and se
cure a fair price for the remnants of that
magnificent grant of over a.ooo.ooo acres
hirh waa riven to Oregon by tha Federal
Government to aid In the support of Its
common schools. Tha rarords show that on
j anuary 1. lvu3. three-fourt ha of all the
lands avhool. college. university. and
swamp granted to th stata had been sold
and that tho a v eras a prtca received by tha
atata waa 1 75 per arev The state baa
sine that data sold another one-eighth of
tha grant, for which It haa received $'i&OQ.-C-.
or an average price of S.1 par acre.
Thla laavea about one-eighth of tha original
grant remaining unsold, and when sold. If
th present policy or tha rtoara continues.
It la safe to Say that tho stata will hava
realised as much from tha last ona -fourth
A t n( vlihal mnd In much nf It ts
!nfffinr lmJtd B u dja frm tn ,la of tha
,breo-fouriba.
Tfa d artol)lt having adopted up-to-
methods, tha recorda ar now so kept
that the public ran at any and all times
eecur full Information concerning tn
transactions of tha offlc or tha lauds of
tha stata. In addition to theae reforms It
la caaential. however, that every deed lasued
br tha atata since Its admission to the
Vnloa be carefully examined and checked
to ascertain wheiher or not tha landa de
scribed therein bar been patented to tha
afaie. If it oeveloD that deda hava been
Issued for lands to which tha stata haa no
title, atepa should be taken to secure pat
ent or. unlrea a fgntver has been taken, re
pay th purchase price.
Th ret-ords on September 1!1A. show
the school funds to contain n.so.us. of
thla. te.nTO.ftZu. la lent on farm mort
pagee; $2-'. 21d Invested In school district
bonds: $o.4. .'. 21 due aa deferred payment
on salsa of school lands, and f 0i.td0.b7 la
cask on hand.
Laaus prwba rrebsed.
In making Its mortgage loans th Plata
TJtnd Hoard has In the past been guided by
the Information furnished by Ita local at
torneys in each county, and If any of thera
baa been careleaa or guided by selfish mo
tives In recommending these loans it ts poa
sibta that tha state la carrying soma bad
pap-, in any event It Is tha business of
tha State Land Hoard to look Into tha mat
ter carefully and I will recommend to the
Hoard that as soon aa the weather and
roads win permit tba atat I -and Agent be
required to mak a personal Investigation
of. and report upon. every outstanding
mortgage loan. In order that tha Board
may b fully advised aa to tha nature of
th security and take steps to protect tha
loan where the security Is found inadequate.
The state haa made, and thera are pend
ing la the general land Office at Washing
ton Indemnity school selections covering
about avitoo acre or land. The lands
have been aold subject to patent and one
fifth off tha purchss piic. or about $U0.
tMMi. has bevn d-poaited with tha stata pend
ing approval of tha ee lections. Th ststa
cannot lend thla money nor does the "-.-t"
duo on deferred payments draw Interest
nntll tha selections ar approved by tha
General Land Office. 11 la therefor of th
greatest Importance that theaa selections ba
approved at an early data. In order that tha
school fond may receive the benefit of tha
interest earnings, which will amount to
about etO.uoo a ysar. I propose, therefore,
t-i take up thla matter without delay with
our delegation In Consree. with a view to
having tha lienerel Land offlo hurry along
tha approval of the selections.
Mmm printing Waste tireat.
flood bt slnesa demands that hereafter each
department of state be required to file all
requisitions for printed matter with tha
Bt.te Printing Expert and It be mad his
duty, before placing the order with the Stata
iTtnter. to Inquire carefully Into eh require
ments of th department filing tha requisi
tion. In order that no more than tha amount
neceasary to serve its needs be ordered and
tha slate b saved unnecessary expense. It
la common know.edge that under tha hln
youraeif eystam now In vogue need lass quan
tities uf printed matter are ordered and used
only for XueL
A great saving could also be made If the
different drrartmnis would boll down their
annual reports and eliminate a lot of useless
statistical matter. f am sure this can I
done wiih-Hit depriving the ruhHc of an
neciul Information. A dvllax saved U a 1
NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF
ON FIRST
OSWALD
dollar rmrnnl. and there It ab.olutely no
rraaon why th. state thouM throw It. money
away fur umImi printing.
At rou are no douM aware, tne printing
plant now being operatod In tha Ktate Capl
tol bullillnir U the private property of the
Slate printer, who. harlnic never been plared
upon a flat aalary. la worklDff under the old
fee vMm.
In IRO.1 th. State of Kanaaa placed ner
Stat. Printer upon a flat snlary. and the rec
ord .how that a aaving of over 40 per cent
ba. been made by the atat. through tna
change.
I hope tn Me a bill Introduced and paa
at thla ekn which will authorise the pur
chase of a state printing plant and provide
fir placing the statn Printer on a flat sal
ary. This reform Is long overdue and should
b. adopted without further delay.
. Purchasing Board Wanted.
Th. supplies for all nf our state Institu
tions should b. purchased by. or under direc
tion of. one board, and thla can be 'done
without the rrentlcin of additional boards or
commissions and with but little added ex
pense to th. state. This purchasing board
should consist of th. Governor. Secretary of
atate. and Ftate Treasurer, and It should
be given authority to employ a chief clerk.
ho should b. a man well lilted for tn. im
portant position h. would b. called upon to
fill. It snould he mad. his duty to visit
each state institution at regular Intervals,
and after learning Its needs, assist Its offi
cials In preiarlng an estimate for a certain
ensuing period. From these several esti
mates ha should prepare for ;n. use of the
board a statement showing the total needs
of all Institutions. Bids should then be ad
vertised for and tha supplies purchased from
the lowest bidders.
NUMEROUS CHANGES ADVOCATED BY EXECUTIVE OF STATE IN
HIS FIRST MESSAGE TO LEGISLATURE.
Pftlient feature of the message of Governor Went to the Legislature are:
Divorcing of mate and county taxation la advocated. Oregon having outgrown the method adopted years ago.
Preston! state banking lawa are scored for protecting crooked bankers from the public but neglecting to
aafeguard the public from unscrupulous bankers. It la recommended that the state constitution be amended
to make stockholders llable-for double the par value of their stock: require more frequent examination of
bunk. limit the amount to ba lent to one person, firm or corporation; require banks doing commercial and
savings business to conduct each branch aa a different department; compel banks to -confine themselves to
banking business nd to provide. In event of failure of banks, that the business be wound up by the State
Bank Examiner under the direction of the courts and not by a receiver.
Appointment of an Insurance Commission la recommended that the Legislature may be advised aa to the
test Insurance laws to be passed, insurance being: too Intricate a subject for only casual investigation before
adopting law. -
To avoid waste of Immense sums by use leas printing. It is recommended that tho state purchase its own
printing plant and place the State Printer on a flat aalary inn tend of under tho fee system.
Establishment of a purchasing board to buy all supplies for atate institutions Is advocated. It is recom
mended that thla board be compos.d of the Governor, Secretary of State and the State Treasurer.
Attention is drawn to the state's dire need of a system under wnlch all state and county accounts may
be audited regularly. Tnder the present lax plan state and county accounts go from year to year without
auditing and books when inspected are examined "by committees loaded with incompetents who draw fat sums
and give nothing In return."
State penitentiary management is extolled. Road-bulldlng by convicts f urged that their labor may not be
In competition with free labor. Extension of parole system is urged and abolishment of capital punishment Is
recommended, murderers frequently foreseeing disinclination of Juries to favor hanging before crimes are com
mitted. In I a condemnation of capital punishment Governor West recommends tlsat pardons be denied crimi
nals sentenced to life Imprisonment for crimes punishable by hanging.
legislature Is asked to pasa law to save Oregon from becoming the dumping ground for the Insane of
other states. The State Hospital for the Insane at Salem houses many non-reeklent patients and the legis
lature Is appealed to to correct this condition which la growing steadily.
It ts recommenced that the name of the State Reform School be changed to eliminate the word "reform,"
which puts a stigma on youths paroled from the irstitution. Now, declares the Governor, sentence to the Reform
School marks the punianed persons aa semi-criminals.
Co-opt.ation of the state with the City of SaJem is asked In the construction of a municipal water plant
that state Institutions may be assured an abundant water supply.
State control of water powers and co-ordinate control with Government of other natural resources Is fa
vored. Conservation is defined, not aa withdrawal of resources, but utilization of them to avoid waste, ex
travagance and monopoly. The Governor would conserve resources of the state that Oregonlana of this genera
tion may receive benefit from them.
Better laws for the protection of Oregon foreats are urged, the state's need in this regard being great. The
recommendations of tha Oregon Conservation Commission in this respect are approved. It is recommended that
a trained forester, thorough in his knowledge of Western forests, be appointed to superintend thla work with
the aid of assistants; that a liberal appropriation be allowed for a forest flro patrol; the state to exert its po
lice authority in guarding against Are and that a system of general education as to forests be adopted to save
the state from devastation by forest fires.
legislature Is urged to pass a law which will enable the state to obtain title to swamplands without delay.
Appropriation Is attked that Oregon may co-operate with the United States Geological Survey in completing
a survey of the state. This, says the Governor, will prevent embarkation of Irrigation enterprises at places
where there Is no water and will gave the good name of the state, incomplete surveys making it possible for
swindlers to undertake projects and affording Investors no protection. Washington and California have co-operated
with the Government surveyorg with good results. '
It Is recommended that a law be enacted making it illegal to kill Chinese pheasants for a period of at ,
least three years.
Fourteen-hout law for railroad employes should be so amended as to be effective In assuring prompt con
nections. Consideration of worklngmen's Insurance Is urged.
Swindling employment agencies should be wiped out and mineworkers should be protected from bogus or ir
responsible mining concerns.
All goods manufactured by convict labor should labeled to protect free labor. a
Careful consideration of all good roads bills to be submitted by the Oregon Good Roads -Association is
asked.
. To hasten the time when open-river transportation is ushered In at Oregon City It is recommended that a
law be enacted empowering the state to pay $300,000 to the Federal Government to effect the needed change.
Thorough revision of the Judicial system should be made and f Is recommended that a commission be ap- .
pointed to serve two years after which to submit bills It deems best to the Legislature.
Governor West announces his belief in economy of government, not in economy of education, and the Leg
islature Is asked to show no disposition to refuse aid to any of the schools' or colleges of the state.
Uwi to check unwarranted issue of watered stock are among the state's needs.
Oregon should exploit its resources by issuing pamphlets setting" forth all information sought by prospec
tive settlers. ' t
To stamp out ihe white slave traffic the Legislature Is asked to co-operate with the Federal Government in
Its cnissde against tnat prartlce.
Claims of Indian War veterans should be given carefu. consideration as many of the warriors In appealing to
the legislature for aid now are offering their last prayer.
Governor West expresses the hope that the legislators will go on record aa favoring the Income tax law.
Promise is made by the Governor that he will guard aealously the Iaw made by the people.
legislature Is urged to make the record of pas-ing a few good lawa rather than adopting many poor
statutes. t
OREGON AS HE APPEARED IN HIS OFFICE IN STATE CAPITOL
DAY AFTER ASSUMING OFFICIAL DUTIES.
I'
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WEST, INAUGURATED GOVERNOR TESTER DAT.
This arrangement would not only pror.
an economical one. but would ruduce the
purchasing of supplies to some system. I
can see but few obstacles which, under our
present law. stand In the way of this re
form, but would ask that the Legislature
give the matter careful consideration In or
der that all may be removed.
Auditing of Accounts Lax.
Oregon needs, and tha interest of economy
demands, soma adequate and effective sys
tem of auditing the accounts of the state.
The Legislature of 11HIU placed Its stamp
of disapproval on the useless practice of ap
pointing so-called expert committees to audit
the books and accounts of the several state
officials by refusing to appoint such com
mittees. It Is common knowledge that most
of theaa committees In the past have been
loaded with Incompetents who have drawn
fat sums from tha stata and. have given
nothing In return. The Legislature with a
view to forever putting an end t this evil
appointed a committee to prepare a bill
which would provide for some permanent
svst.ra of auditing the bonks and accounts
of the several stat. officials. I am not ad
vised as to what action was taken by this
committee, but know that no sucn measure
has ever become a law. Th. result Is that
the books and accounts of nearly all state
officials go from one year's end to another
without being experted.
The Secretary of State Is required to audit
all bills and accounts paid by the state, and.
since he Is the stata'a purchasing agent and
acts as a member of nearly every state
board, he Is called upon to perform tha
double role of not only expending vast sums
of state money, but of approving and audit
ing his own bills and accounts. This system
Is unfair to the Secretary of State, and It Is
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unfair to the taxDavera of th. state. Gooc
business demands that steps be taken to
provide some regular and effective sys-.em
of auditing the .books and accounts of each
and every stats official who has the handling
of state funds.
It is. also, an undeniable fact that the
system of keeping the public records
throughout the state is chaotic. Bach county
has Its own peculiar plan, and m most in
stances each Plan Is different from every
other. This lack of system causes confusion
In the frnnKactlnn of Tubllc business and
spells loss and wast, for the taxpayers of
the state. I would earnestly recommenu.
therefore, that the Legislature give Ita seri
ous consideration to the evolution and adop
tion of some uniform system of keeping the
public books and records, both state and
county, for so to do would result in tne sav
Ing of large sums of the people's money now
being lost througn tne use 01 nivera uiu
ods of transacting the public record busi
ness of the state.
Convict-Made Roads Favored.
The Oregon Penitentiary is one of the best-
m.nafferi nnrt most humanely conducted pe
nal Institutions to be found In the United
States. This fact Is admitted by every am
rient of prison reform who has visited the
state. The superintendent, believing that
the reformation of a convict can he better
accomplished by treating him as a human
being and with such kindness as his con
duct will merit, has tried, aa far as good
prison discipline will permit, to furnish the
convicts on certain days with wholesome en
tertainment for the mind and exercise for
the body. In order that the monotony of
nrlson life mlcht be broken and the exist
ence of the- men made more cheerful. Th.
superintendent has been assisted In this work
by a number of volunteer prison workers
who deserve great prals for their untiring
efforts to make the lives of the convicts
more pleasant and ultimately bring about
their more certain reformation.
There are approximately 3 prisoners now
confined In the State Penitentiary. Many
of these prisoners are employed as helpers
around the institution, others In the state s
brickyard, while a large number of them are
employed In the stove foundry In accordance
with a ten-year contract made by the
November 20. ia07. with the Lowenberg &
Going Company. The state receives 4o
cents per ten-hour day for their labor, and
the contract calls for the employment of
not less than 150 men and as many more
as the company requires, providing they can
be cpared without depriving the state of nec
essary help around the Institution
Objection has been made to the employ
ment of convicts in competition with free
labor, and ther is merit in the objection
But common decency and the conf;
which we should have for tha unfortunate
make it imperative that the convicts be
given employment of some kind. Lntll some
unobjectionable system of employment is de
vised it would be most Inhuman to condemn
theae men to idleness and to thus deprive
them of the God-given blessing of useful oc
cupation. It should be the arm of the state,
therefore, to provide them as soon as prac
....ku h .mnlAvtnent which will remove
-them as far as possible from competition
with free labor. The Dest solution, it eri
to me. Is their employment in the construc
tion of roads. I am advised that the good
roads measures which are to be Introduced
at this seasion of the Legislature will call
for the use of convict labor, and, if so, I
hope the people will give the experiment a
fair atrial, for If it proves a success It will
not only insure good roads for, but a great
saving to. the state, and will provide health
ful outdoor work for the prisoners and go a
long way toward putting an end to compe
tition between free and prison labor.
More Parolee Urged.
Since the passage of the Indeterminate
sentence law of 1905 the paroling of pris
oners at tha expiration of their minimum
sentence has. as the law intended, become
usual, especially when some one stands ready
to furnish the prisoner with employment
and answer for his conauct. ino prui
system has been adopted by the United
States Government and 17 states oi mi
iTnimt ftmi haa tha Indorsement of prac
tically every student of prison reform. Our
courts, however, ao not appear w ivw uiu
loi mm much consideration as it merits, foi
the records show that out of 1041 convicts
committed to the penitentiary since tne paa
ajiirp of the law. only 118. or 12 per cent,
were given indeterminate sentences. Some
of those who were given tne lnaewraiwiBw
sentence were repeaters, while many of those
who were denied the benefits of this most
humane law, and sentenced for a definite
time, were young men and boys who had
never before committed a crime. As many
of those serving definite terms have good
prison records and by their conduct have
shown every indication ot a cesiro io
better lives and become law-abiding citizens,
it is hoped that the Legislature will s-e fit
to enlarge tha scope of the parole law and
make its provisions apply not only to those
who may be convicted In the future, but to
those who are now serving time.
The inequality and lack of even Justice
which exists in our By stem, haa been re
moved to some extent through the initiation
by Governor Chamberlain of the practice of
granting conditional commutations or par
dons; but the state should, through the ex
pansion of the parole law, adopt a uniform
policy which would make such action by the
executive unnecessary and would also remove
every possible excuse for the abuse of the
pardoning power. The extension at the pa
role system would be found extremely ad
vantageous should the state decide to use
convict labor in the construction oi roaas.
v Gallows Is Condemned.
Caoltal minlshment should be abolished,
In my opinion, in this state. The system of
paying for a life with a lire is, m my De
lief, merely a relic of that ancient and bar
barous doctrine of an eye for aa eye and a
tooth foi a tooth.
It Is a fact, undisputed by the judicial
history of this or any other state, that the
average Jury shies at a verdict involving
the sacrifice of human life. Murder, from
tha very nature of the crime, must be
proved, to a greater or less degree, by cir
cumstantial evidence, and the average man,
sitting as a juror, hesitates before casting
his vote to deprive a fellow-being, no mat
ter how degraded bis condition, of his life.
The result of this Is the hung Jury, tha
failure to convict, and oftentimes the cheat
ing of justice, all of which means lessened
safety to society In general and an '-increased
drain upon the purses or the taxpayers or
the state.
The report of the superintendent of the
penitentiary records 18 cases of capital pun
lshment in the last seven and one-halx years.
the greatest number ever executed In this
state during a similar period, 'mis, in my
opinion, bears out the argument that the
desperate criminal, relying on the reluctance
of the average Juror and the caution of the
court. In the Imposition of the capital sen
tence. Is more witling to take a gambler's
chance with death for the furtherance of his
criminal object, than he would be to face
tha greater certainty of a life spent behind
the bars.
Believing as I do, I therefore recommend
to you, gentlemen, that you take steps to do
away with capital punishment in this state.
But in this connection I desire to urge that
special and particular attention be paid to
the restriction or the pardoning power for
such cases. I hold that a sentence to life
Imprisonment for murder Bhould mean what
it says, unless post-trial evidence should
bring to light some glaring Injustice or very
potent reason for change, and I contend that
the substitution of life imprisonment for
capital punishment should carry with it such
safeguards as wotfld Insure in all cases that
full justice be satisfied.
Men sentenced to the penitentiary are. un
der the present system, delivered at the
prison gates by the Sheriff of the county
which conviction was had. This is a waste
ful, extravagant and unscientific method and
should ba discontinued in the interest of
economy and for tne benefit of the tax
payers of the state. I suggest, therefore,
that provision be made for the transporta
tion of convicts from their place of convic
tion to the penitentiary by prison guards.
This system has been found to be most sat
isfactory in the transportation of the Insane.
and after several years of trial by the
asylum management bus been found to be
mora economical and more desirable In many
ways mau iqb oia metnoa.
on-Resldent Insane Numerous.
The Oregon State Hospital for the Insane
Is the largest institution that the state haa
under Its control. Its many and peculiar
neeos maxe its administration the most dif
ficult and the most perplexing of any of
the state Institutions. Because of this, I
call your attention especially to the report
of tha superintendent of the Institution.
which report is now upon your desks, and
bespeag ror it your careful consideration.
And in this connection I desire to call your
attention to one or two points that hava
come to my mind.
There are now confined In the Oreiron
Asylum a large number of nonresident In
sane, This Is true, of course. In every state,
but the fact remains that other states hava
enacted laws providing for the deportation
of this class of patients. While It would
perhaps be best for each state to care for
all insane persons round within Its borders,
yet, it seems to me, under the circumstances.
that Oregon must either make provision for
returning tho nonresident Insane to their
home state or become the dumping-ground of
other states for this unfortunate but nev
ertheless undesirable class.
Superintendent Stelner, speaking of the
Institution and Its needs, says:
'We cannot lose sight of the central fact
that the Institution exists for the insane;
hat whatever adds to their comfort, pro
motes their welfare, or in any way allevi
ates their very distressing malady. Is right;
and that everything that deprives them of
safd and sympathetic care, modern and sci
entific treatment, is wrong. This plain rule
of right and wrong has been our guide in
administering the affairs of this, the great
est of the state's charities. Wo have found
much to do in the past; more remains for
future, accomplishment. rne ouiiaings are
oid; rapid and steady Increase In popula
tion has rendered the different departments
inadequate. In correcting these conditions
the future must be taken into consideration,
so that the new buildings may be properly
grouped and. if need be. added to as neces
sity arises. It is unfortunate that the need
must be urgent before provision is made.
In spite of a generally liberal policy on the
fiart of the legislators, every Insane hospital
n the country is overcrowded. Oregon's
one institution wIH soon reach. If it has not
already passed, ttm limit in size best cal
culated to meet the requirements of econ
omy and the needs of the Individual pa
tient." ... WT .
Prompt Aid Urged. ,
The Legislature of 1909. through its ap
propriations for Improvements and equip
ment and Its provisions for the establish
ment of a branch asylum in Eastern Ore
gon did much to relieve the conditions com
plained of but a great deal yet remains to
be done.
It will be some time before the Eastern
Oregon asylum ' can be constructed and
equipped, and a the population of the main
Institution at Salem is rapidly increasing,
nothing should be neglected . that will add
(a Lha a&feur and correct treatment of tha i
Insane while this crowded condition exists.
Should the improvements planned and rec
ommended by the superintendent in his re
port be provided for by the Legislature and
the population of the main institution be
reduced by the completion and occupation
of the Eastern Oregon branch. It will then
be possible for the management to give
those unfortunates remaining added atten
tion and more comfort.
The state should not overlook or neglect
the needs of these. Its most unfortunate
children. They have been cast by fate upon
the charity of the commonwealth, and not
to provide them with needed protection and
comfort would be a crime against our civ
ilization. The asylum owns 120 acres of land, sit
uated about two miles from the main insti
tution, on the road leading from Salem to
Turner. This land serves no useful purpose,
and the board of trustees should be given
authority to sell the tract to the highest
bidder and apply the funds thus secured to
the purchase of additional land adjoining
the main institution.
Committee Inspection Favored.
It is patent to every one that the usual
practice of appointing legislative committees
for the purpose of visiting and investigating
the needs and affairs of the several state
Institutions fails of its purpose for the rea
son that as a rule the time of the mem
bers of these committees is so taken up
by their legislative duties that they are not
given sufficient opportunity to make a care
fui Investigation and report. At the last
session of the Legislature the Senate, realiz
ing the futility of this old practice, ap
pointed a committee of three hold-over Sen
ators who, between November 15 and 30,
1010. were to complete the committee by
selecting three newly elected members of
the House. This committee was directed to
meet in Salem not later than Dceraber 20.
1010, and receive from the heads of the sev
eral stata Institutions their estimates for
maintenance and betterments for the en
suing biennial period, and. after making
careful Inquiry into the merits of the esti
mates and needs of thy institutions, to re
port their findings to this Legislature. This
committee has. no doubt, performed its duty
and will advise you. fully as to the result
of their Investigation and the needs of these
Institutions, and their recommendations
. should be given careful consideration.
"Reform" Is Stigma,
As the needs of the several other institu
tions are fully set out in the reports of their
superintendents and . will be further cov
ered by the report of the special legislative
committee, which has been spending much
time in the Investigation of the affairs of all
state institutions, it .Is unnecessary for me
to take your time in discussing In detail the
needs of each. I do wish to say, however,
that X believe the name of the State Reform
School should be changed, because every
boy who leaves it, no matter how good his
record. Is obliged to carry with him through
life the brand of the semi-crlmfnal. I
earnestly recommend, therefore, that the
name of the Institution be changed to that
of the Oregon Industrial Institution. The
purpose ot the Institution is to give boys
who have started wrong not only a fresh
start, but a fair start, and you are not do
ing this when you send him out branded
as an incorrigible.
Something must be done at an early date
to relieve the congested, condition of the
Capitol building. Every available foot of
space has been used and conditions in soma
of the departments are becoming almost
unbearable. If arrangements could be made
for the removal of the printing and heating
plants from the building it would go far
toward solving the problem.
Water Supply Not Ample.
The time has come. In my opinion, when
the state should take some action to secure
an abundant supply of pure water for the
state institutions. At present, the supply
is being drawn from wells or from the Sa
lem water system, and both sources ars
open to objection.
The City of Salem has recently taken
steps to assume the ownership and control
of the supply system now in use and the
plan of piping pure mountain water to the
city Is under discussion. In my opinion this
is the only safe solution of the water sup
ply question. Municipal projects move slow
ly, however, and the need of better water
for the state Institutions is urgent. I would
recommend, therefore, that some provision
be made by which the state may co-operate
with the city In hastening the completion
of this much-to-be-dcslred project. Since a
large rart of the cost will fall upon the
laying of the pipeline and the construction
of headworks, and since much delay might
arise from this same source, I would suggest
that an arrangement be made by which
this work could be done with convict labor.
I suggest, also, that it might be feasible
to authorize the Governor, Secretary of
State, and State Treasurer, as the State
Board, to act with the authorities of the
City of Salem in this matter. I recom
mend, therefore, that this Legislature grant
this authorization, as the question Is of
much concern to the health of the institu
tions under the state's control.
National Guard Efficient.
Through the passage of an admirable and
effective military code at the last session
of the Legislature and the patriotic spirit
and ability displayed by its officers and
men, the National Guard of the state is be
ing maintained In a high state of effi
ciency. During tho past year the Guard wns
called upon to assist in extinguishing the
great forest fires which were destroying
our magnificent forests and the homes of
our settlers. The officers and men answered
the call promptly and- rendered most valu
able service in the performance of this un
pleasant duty.
During the year 1000 It cost the state
$30.87 for each man in service. The same
year the National Guard of California cost
that state $hl.0D for each man in service
and that of the State ot Washington 4i8.74
per man. It will be seen, therefore, that
the Oregon National Guard is being eco
nomically maintained, and Its needs, which
are fully set forth In the report of the
Adlutant General, should be given careful
consideration.
State Health Board rralsed.
Oregon has been fortunate in having se
cured active and conscientious physicians of
well-known ability to serve upon the Stata
Board of Health. The members of this
board, during the biennial period just
closed, have been most lavish of their time
and most ' generous of their efforts for the
betterment of the general sanitation and
health conditions of the state. They hava
been ever vigilant in checking the spread
of disease, and In' seeking out the causes of
sickness in order to the more effectively
stamp out unneanny conamons.
Because of the greatly increased demand!
that have been made upon the board during
the past two years, the growth of the
state's population and the continual and
urgent calls from every section, the small
appropriation granted by the last Legisla
ture has .been exhausted and a small deficit
created.
In Its report, whi,ch is now before you,
the board sets out its work and its needs.
Inasmuch as the work done and yet to do
is of vital interest to the health and safety
of thA people of the state, I would recom
mend that you give careful consideration
to the matter contained in the report and
grant such relief as the extended and broad
ened work of tne ooara may seom io o-
mand.
"Conserve" is Appeal.
It Is most vital to the future prosperity
of thla state and of Its people tnat its
natural resources be conserved to the fullest
possible extent in order that they may ba
utilized and developed for the benefit not
only of this but of future generations.
Kff active conservation, control or aeveiop-
ment of the resources of Oregon can come
only through state and Federal operation.
The Federal Government controls and regu
lates interstate commerce. The states con
trol and regulate commerce wholly within
thsiip hinnAriPs. Ttut the Interstate Com
merce Commission and the State Railroad
Commission have worked togetner, nar-.
moniously and without any conflict of au
thority, with one ena atone in vw m
public good-
Ho it must be as regards the control ana
distribution of the waters of the streams.
A stream, the source and flow of which li
entirely within the boundaries of the stats,
even If within the boundaries of a Federal
forest reserve, should be given over to me
control of the state. But in the control
of interstate streams we must look to th
Federal Government.
It has been suggested, and the suggesUot
I rand one. that the interstate waters ol
a basin lying within the boundaries of sev-
-rai Ariiointno states mignt. as rar as pos
sible, be turned over to the joint control oi
these states. As an instance, tne common
basin is practically all within the bounda
ries of Oregon. Washington and Idaho. Thfc
waters of tnat river ana its trinutarit
could undoubtedly, n)pon the passage of ef
fective uniform water laws approved by
Congress, be safely turned over to tba joint
control of these states.
cellent water laws and their effective ad -
ministration has shown her aoliity and wil
lingness to control, protect and regulate the
water of the streams within her Junsdic-
(t ' Tn inln uttVi tier aialAr itnrPi In tha
passage and administration of uniform lawa