THEL'aiORXIXG OREGOXIAX, TUESDAY. JANUARY 14. 1913. !
LEGISLATURE RECEIVES GOVERNOR WEST'S
Executive Declares State Finances Are in Good Condition Amendment ,to Initiative and Referendum Recommended Prison Conditions Held to
STATE CAPITOL. Salem. Jan. 18.
(Special.) Governor West's mes
sage to the Legislature, submitted
today reports the finances of the State
of Oregon to be in excellent condition.
Governor West takes up questions con
cerning all of the state departments
and institutions and makes recommen
dations for legislation in moral lines.
The text of his message follows:
To ' the Honorable, the Members of the
legislature of the State of Oregon Gen
tlemen: In accordance with the usual cus
tom, and the command of the constitution,
it again oecomea my pleasant duty to pre
sent for your information a brief state
ment of the condition of our public affairs
and offer for your kindly consideration a
few suggestions which, it appears to me,
would make for the greater development
of the state and the Increased prosperity
of her people.
Special KeportH.
Important questions will he presented
for your consideration at this session, among
them: A compensation act, a revision of
our Judicial system, an Insurance code and
the Jefferson-street levee and the Columbia
Southern irrigation matters. These have
been brought to your attention and quite
fully discussed through special reports which
have been mailed you from time to time.
There 1, therefore, no need of my taking
jour time, or trying your patience, with
a detailed discussion of these several ques
tions. Suffice It to say that the reports
have been prepared by men who have give
the subjects most painstaking Investigation
and study and whose recommendations merit
jour earnest consideration.
The State's Finances.
The state's finances are In a splendid con
dition. We have no debts, bonded or other
wise, to worry us and there are ample funds
on hand to meet all current expenses. Un
expended appropriations and accumulated
receipts from license fees and other sources
in excess of a million dollars will be avail
able for expenditure during the ensuing
year and make necessary a state tax levy
of but 1, 000,000 as against 93,000,000 last
year.
The State Institutions.
You were promised two years ago that
the maintenance appropriations made by
you for the support of our state Institutions
-would answer the purpose and that you
would no: be called upon to make deflclen
cius good. I am pleased to advise you
that this promiBe has been kept.
Our state penal and eleemosynary lnsti -lutlons
have an approximate population of
lio0 Inmates. Their care has necessitated ,
the hire of 370 employes and an average
annual expenditure during the past two j
years of about 91,000,000. This is a vast I
sum of money for the taxpayers of the 1
state to be called upon to pay each year,
yet it is a "condition which has to be met.
These institutions are a product of the
times and present day society and until we
consent to study the causes which nil them
and take steps to remove these causes we
may expect to be called upon to meet, not
only the present demands, but greatly in
creased burdens in the future.
Too often these institutions have been
usod. nolitlcal footballs so that their af
fairs and needs have many times failed to
receive at the nanus or tne i-egisiature tne
sober, sincere and unbiased consideration
which they merited. Inmates have been
maria to suffer throueh failure of the Leg
islature to provide adequate funds' for their
enre and support tnis aue at times 10 in
ritfTerencA on the part of a superintendent
and at others to a desire on the part of
someone in the Legislature to embarrass
him in his work. Politics is not now a fac
tor in the management of these institu
tions. The present board can say, and with
out fear of contradiction, that this Influ
ence has never in a single instance dictated
the selection of an officer r employe at
one of them.
The last Legislature treated the institu
tions with fair liberality, and the board,
through close attention to their affairs and
the hearty co-operatfon of officers and em
ployes, offers them today for your inspec
tion In a far superior condition than has
.ever before existed. Should their needs re
ceive the consideration Vhich they merit
at your hands, and I am sure they will,
the board can promise you two years hence
a group of institutions ranging among the
best, if not the best, in the United States,
and this notwithstanding that many of the
buildings are old and out of date.
The reports of these several institutions
set forth in detail the expenditures during
the past biennum and make known their
future needs. Copies of these reports hav
ing been mailed you, it will not, therefore,
be necessary for me to discuss their needs
except in a general way.
Slate I urc hatting Board.
The Purchasing Board has proved its use
fulness not only in simplifying the purchase
of supplies for state Institutions and at
most satisfactory prices, but in pointing
out the advantages which would accrue to
the state from a runner consolidation in
the management of all state Institutions.
Single Board of Control.
Air-- state penal and eleemosynary insti
tutions should be placed under a single
board of control and to avoid creating new
officials and expense, the said board should
consist of the Governor, Secretary of State
and State Treasurer. The State Purchasing
Foard should be merged with this board.
I;y this arrangement the management of
our state institutions can be greatly- sim
plified and the cost reduced.
Soldiers' Home.
The Soldiers Home appears to be receiv
ing fair treatment at the hands of the Leg
islature and offers many comforts to those
old patriots who, through wounds, misfor
tune or old age haye been obliged to throw
themselves upon the mercies of the state.
The commandant Is not asking a single dol
lar for betterments and, if no change 1e
made in the rules governing admission, will
ask n greater amount for maintenance than,
was appropriated at the last session.
It is being asked, however, that the rule
limiting admissions to those who draw pen
. sions not exceeding $0 per month be abro
gated and that no restriction whatever be
applied. Inasmuch as the ranks of the
veterans are growing thinner each day ana
in view of the great debt we owe them. It
would undoubtedly be an act of Justice to
remove the restriction. Should this be done,
however, the Legislature must first make
provision fr the erectiou of additional quar
ters and additional cost of maintenance.
Insane Hospitals.
The overcrowded conditions which have
prevailed at tha Oregon State Insane Asylum
at Salem during the past few years have
been relieved to a certain extent by the
occupancy of the new receiving hospital and
will be further relieved by the transfer
within the next few days of a large num
ber of patients to the new hospital at Pen
dleton. This transfer would have been
made upon- the first of the year had it not
been for an unfortunate delay in supplying
certain hardware needed for the final com
pletion of the institution.
The present needs of our insane, there
fore, are well cared tor, but their future
requirements must not be overlooked. The
growth of the state demands that reasonable
provision be made for an increased popula
tion. It would be inhuman to permit a re
currence of the overcrowded conditions of
the past. "
our insane asylum Is a wonderful institu
tion. Its management Is the best. No sim
ilar institution can offer its unfortunate
ti mates better food, more comfort or more
kindly treatment.
The new hospital at Pendleton, when fin
ished, will be complete in every detail and
will stand as a model as far as construc
tion and arrangement are concerned. o
avoid past blunders and great financial
vvaMe, ih-- board in drafting Its plans took
Into consideration the demands which the
future w ould make upon it and laid the
foundation for a much larger institution
that at present constructed. The adminis
tration building, the heating plant and laun
dry are of sufficient capacity to supply
ttie needs of an institution of far greater
ixe, and future additions, therefore, may
fre confined largely to the erection of addi
tional wards for the accommodation of an
Increased population.
- . InKtKution fur Feeble-Mi nded.
This Institution has been unable to meet
the demands for admissin made upon it.
The last Legislature, owing to the crowded
condition, appropriated funds for the erec
tion of a building to relieve the situation,
but made n provision for the maintenance
of an increased population!. In view of this
no particular haste was made by the "board
in tne matter 01 erecting tne new dormitory.
It is now completed, however, and will be
ready for occupancy at any time or as soon
is the Legislature makes provision to cover
the necessnry additional maintenance cost.
Additional buildings will h.nve to be con
structed nt an early date if the ever-increasing
demands upon the Institution are to be
met. s
Tuberculosis Sanatorium.
This Institution was established to serve
a worthy purpose, but for some reason, either
because it is improperly located, its advan
tages not thoroughly understood or because
It is ahead of the times. Is not proving
the success Its friends anticipated. The board
having supervision or ths institution's affairs
OREGON'S GOVERNOR, WHOSE MESSAGE WAS SENT TO
XiEGISLATTJRE YESTERDAY.
v " V
"A - ' f
ft. 1. , : or -'J -,
s " j? -"
OSWALD
is made up of a number of public-spirited
citizens, who have unselfishly devoted much
time and effort in an endeavor to make it
a success. Most of these gentlemen con
tend that the institution should be con
tinued and believe that it will eventually
prove its worth. I am unable to take
this view of the situation, however. It
may be that I am looking more to the ex
pense than the benefits, but I cannot help
thinking that under some different system
the same money could be made to produce
far creater results. '
The institution fs top-heavy. We are
spending much money to heat and maintain
a large structure which Is of but little
use to the inmates. This unnecessary
burden and the small population produce
an unusually high per capita cost. It seems
to me that until the demands of the state
justify the maintenance of such an insti
tution, that all indigent sufferers from tu
berculosis should be permitted to patronize
such private sanitariums as may be li
censed by the state through the State Board
of Health and that a resonable per capita
cnarge be paid to cover the expense of
keeping them. This arrangements would
work, a considerable saving for the state,
while the people would not shirk their duty
toward these poor unfortunates.
Should the institution be abolished the
buildings could be used for a home for the
aged, or a home for wayward girls.
School for the Deaf.
This school is well located and such
buildings as have been erected are well
adapted to the needs of the institution;
Some additional outbuildings and equip
ment are still needed, as will be shown, by
the report of the superintendent!
Many acres of land surrounding the in
stitution, formerly swamp and brush, have
oeen reciaimea tnrougn tne aia 01 convict
labor and have proven most productive.
These lands will do much towards keeping
down the maintenance cost of the insti
tution. School for the Blind.
The buildings at this institution are not
only veritable wooden fire traps, but are
so located that a railroad track, a mill
race and a creek, wh Ich at times In the
Winter Is a raging torrent, must be crossed
by the blind children in going to or from
the school or city.
Fire-proof buildings should be provided
or the school closed. Otherwise It is only
a question of time until we will be called
upon to shudder at an awful holocaust. 1
am opposed to any further appropriation
for the maintenance of this school unless it
comes coupled with provision for better fire
protection. Should fire-proof buildings be
provided for the school, the matter 01 se
curing a more suitable location for the
same should be given consideration.
State Training School. N
This institution Is being used as a dump
ing ground for boys who should be living
in better homes. Many parents cause, or
permit, tneir cniidren to De committea nere
for no other reason than that they may be
relieved of the burden of their maintenan"e.
This should not be tolerated. Parents
should not be permitted xo cast a life
long stigma upon a child in order that they
may be relieved of a duty which they
owe to it and to society.
On the other hand there are incorrigibles
committed here who are too vicious to be
associated with boys whose reformation
would otherwise be possible. These should
be sent to another institution a reforma
tory, a halfway station between the train
ing school and the penitentiary, a place
where those whose age or records make
them out of place at either lnstitutlon
could bo confined.
The institution s dally average population
appears to have been one hundred, and the
monthly per capita cost $23.?5. to say noth
ing of the expenditures for betterments and
improvements. Of this monthly per capita
cost, about $10 went for salaries of offi
cers and employes. This is an amount
nearly twice that of similar expenditure at
the penitentiary. These figures go to show
that the institution is, and will be for years
to come, top-heavy, and that it is placing
unnecessary burdens upon the taxpayers.
I would, therefore, recommend that the
institution no longer be used for the pur
poses to which It is now devoted, I would
further recommend that simple cottages and
other necessary buildings be erected upon
the lands owned by the state at Union.
Oregon, and that after about one-half of
the boys now at th; school have been re
turned to their parents or placed In suit
able homes, tlie remainder be transferred to
said fa mi at Union, there to receive all
necessary training and education.
Oregon State Penitentiary.
This institution had Its birth about 40
years ago. Added years and population
have brought It added filth and added rub
bish. Fortwo wbole years we have shov
eled and scraped and scraped and shoveled
In an endeavor to make the institution and
grounds clean and sanitary. We have made
much progress, but still have far to go.
However, this coming year will see such
work pretty well taken care of and the
Institution and properties take on an ap
pearance which will compare favorably with
the best of similar Institutions in ether
states.
f he superintendent's report presents in
detail much information in regard to the
affairs of the institution and merits your
careful consideration. The institution?
problem is what to do with its surplus la
bor. The auestion must be met. During
-the past year we have been able, 'in spite
of unjust criticism, misrepresentation ana
many obstacles? to keep the men all busily
engaged and at occupations which were ot
profit to the public.
Upon taking office I found scores of idle
men in the institution and their ranks were
suddenly swelled by the cancellation of the
stove foundry contract. Notwithstanding
the de!apidated structure and the filth a,nd
rubbish sadly in need of removal, many of
these Idle men were locked in their cells or
permitted to loaf around the prison yard
To relieve the situation, those whom it
was thought could be trusted mere sent out
to work on the roads and at various state
institutions. The balance were kept busy
WEST.
In and about the prison premises cleaning
and repairing the buildings and in clearing
and reclaiming waste and unproductive
ianas.
The people of this state at our recent
election, by a large vote endorsed the policy
of working convicts on county roads and at
state Institutions. It can therefore be ta
ken as a settled nolicy and one which will
take care of about one-third of our prison
population. A similar number can be
utilized In the ordinary upkeep of the prison
and prison properties. This leaves one
third of the population not provided for.
These men cannot and must not be left in
Idleness. The institution can work out its
own salvation if the managemeqt Is given
the right and authority to conduct it on
business principles and use institutional
earnings to cover operating expense, install
additional industries and take care of
needed improvements.
Turn to the brickyard account of 1911
and you will find, notwithstanding over one
third of the brick manufactured was de
livered to state institutions at $5.00 per
thousand, the sum of ?ltt,700 was turned
into the state treasury. Ten thousand dol
lars of this amount was profit and the
total would have been 12,000 had full
value been collected for brick furnished
state Institutions. .
Then came the critics who attempted to
prove that It was unlawful for us to make
money for the taxpayers, and we were
obliged to cease. It was with difficulty
that we found a way to manufacture brick
to meet the needs of the several state in
stitutions during 11)12 and keep within the
law as pointed out by our critics.
The total cash earnings of the institu
tion during the biennum was $40,155,01.
Earnings through labor furnished state in
stitutions and counties, figured at 75 cents
per day, but not collected, amounted
$29,610.75, making a total of $70,570.76, or
just about one-half of the maintenance
cost of the institution.
What Oregon's prison policy shall be in
the future rests largely with you. We
have put forth our best efforts in an en
deavor to solve the prison-labor problem.
and feel that we have made much prog
ress in xact rar more than was thought
possible in the beginning.
With the installation of Industries and
the manufacture of articles for state Insti
tutions only, the prison can. within a few
years, be made self-supporting. Industries
can be gradually installed and paid for out
ot the institution's earnings if such a course
la authorized, but If not authorized, then
an appropriation of at least $iio,000 should
be made for the use of the management in
procuring needed machinery.
The last Legislature appropriated $11,250
to Install 24 new steel cells. Througn favor
able prices on materials and the use ef our
own labor, we were able to install 4S
cells, thus fully supplying the demands of
the institution.
Educational Institutions.
Our Institutions of higher education are
either needed or are not needed. If needed,
they should receive liberal support; other
wise they stoould be abolished. Provision
should be made at this tinfe for placing
them on a millage tax basis in order that
they may be relieved of the necessity of
coming begging to the Legislature each
session.
Other Proposed Institutions.
Drunkards Home Our iails and state
Institutions are crowded with victims of the
drink babit. These unfortunates are a con
tinual expense to the taxpayers. A meri
torious compensation act which makes each
industry provide for the families of its
killed and Injured Is being proposed at this
session. In view of this, I can see no rea
son why the burden of providing for down-and-out
"booze fighters or their families
should not te borne by'the liquor traffic.
These Individuals being the product of the
saloon, should be cared for by that insti
tution. A Reformatory Necessary Some day, and
in the no-distant future, this state must
have a reformatory, where the better class
of prisoners may be placed and thus vaoid
their being thrown In contact with the con
firmed criminals at the Penitentiary. Should
the recommendations made as to the State
Training School be followed, that institution
could be used as a Reformatory to accom
modate the said better clas and overflow
from- the prison. The lands surrounding
the institution could be farmed through
the aid of this labor and the products dis
tributee, to sucn institutions as might be
in need of them.
Home for the Aged Figures obtained for
the year lull snow SJ3H,7.23 to have been
spent by the several counties In this state
in the support of their poor. It is esti
mated that there are about 600 of these un
furtunates now being cared for by the
counties. This number could be cared for
at a state institution for about one-half the
said cost and receive much better treat
ment than many of them are now receiv
ing. Should the tuberculosis sanatorium be
abandoned, the buildings and grounds would
afford an ideal location for such a home.
The cost of maintaining the home would
be apportioned to the several counties upon
the basis of the number of inmates charged
against each.
Home for wayward Girls There is a
crying need for a home for wayward girls,
and a request which wiU be made at this
sslon for the establishment of such an
institution merits youri earnest considera
tion. Charitable Institutions.
All charitable institutions receiving state
a id, ..and all private sanitariums devoted to
the care 01. the insane, should be under
state supervision and regulation.
Transportation of Prisoners.
Tbe average per capita transportation cost
based upon admissions during the biennum
ending September 30, 1912. for the insane
and prisoners, was as follows: Convicts.
$o7.00 insane. $13.00.
It win be seen that it costs tbe tax -
payers far more to transport a prison ei
than it' does an insane patient. This dif
ference in cost Is due to the lact that the
Insane are transported by attendants from
the asylum, while the prisoners are deliv
ered at the prison by the Sheriffs. The cost ,
of transporting the insane Is now only about
one-half what It was when the work was
being performed by the Sheriffs. v The
transportation of prisoners should be placed
with the prison authorities; or legislation
of some kind should at least be adopted
with a view of reducing the cost.
State Insurance.
The state does not insure its property,
for it is well able to carry its own insur
ance. However, it , might be good busi
ness. andprevent sudden burdens from being
thrown upon the taxpayers if an insurance
fund was created through annual appropria
tions, to cover fire losses in the futura.
I can see no good reason why the state
should not engage In a general Insurance
business, and would recommend that the
appointment of a commission be provided
for with a view of fully investigating the
subject and submitting a bill to the people
at the next election.
Good Bonds.
We still need good roads legislation.1 The
people indicated through their votes at the
last election that -they were opposed to any
but conservative action along these lines.
We have made some headway during the
past two years, and the way is open for
further progress through the passage of
legislation not inconsistent with the vote
of the people at the said election.
The ocean beach from the Columbia River
on the north to the California state line
on the south should be declared ay public
highway.
Useless Office, Appropriations and Laws.
The taxpayers are "bearing the burden of
many useless officials and appropriations,
and should be given relief. The Code con
tains many out-of-date and useless laws
which should be repealed.
Appropriation Bills.
The practice of tbe past of submitting
for your consideration blanket appropriation
bills should be avoided. These bills should
be reduced to the smallest practical unite
In order that the members may have a bet
ter opportunity for considering the merits
of each.
Our constitution should be amended so
as to permit the Governor to veto any item
In an appropriation bill. As the matter
now stands useless appropriations are al
lowed to slip through for the reason that
they are Included in a bill carrying appro
priations of merit.
Taxation.
Three tax amendments, approved by the
Legislature were submitted to the people
at the last election. Of these, two were
defeated, and by a very small vote. Their
defeat was not due to any particular op
position, but because of the great number
of tax measures upon the ballot and the
inability of many voters to distinguish them
from others which they were anxious to
defeat.
Similar measures should be again sub
mitted, for they open the way for rational
tax reform. The amendments should per
mit tne adoption of the so-called "Michi
gan plan" of devoting the taxes collected
from public service corporations to the sup
port 01 the public schools, if such a sys
tem was in effect in Oregon today and the
taxes paid by the public service corporations,
together with the Interest earnings of the
common school fund, apportioned to the
several school districts in this state on
basis of school population, it would be
found to bevsufficient topractlcally cover
the cost of conducting our public schools.
Such a plan would do away with the ne
cessity or school districts levying a tax.
In this connection you should not allow
the many burdens which will be thrown upon
yoj to cause "you to forget the needs of
rural schools. Upon these schools we de
pend largely for the growth and develop
ment of our rural districts. Whatever con
tributes to their development adds to the
weann or our state.
It is the duty of the Board of State
Tax Commissioners, in January of each
year; to ascertain the total amount of
money necessary for state purposes and ao
apportion tne same among the several
counties. In ascertaining this amount, the
law states that the board shall take into
consideration all Items of expense to which
the state will be subjected under existing
laws, all deficiencies. . including interes1
upon unpaid warrants, the current expense
of the Oregon National Guard, the sums
required lor the support of the University
of Oregon and the Oregon Agricultural
College, and when such apportionment is
made in an odd year that $200,00(1 shall
be added to cover appropriations which
may be made by the Legislature for addi
tional public buildings.
The system is all wrong as it fails to
equalize the levy as between odd and even
years. Last year the levy was. In round
numbers. s:t.0OO.00O; this year $1,000,000.
The board, following the law, has estimated
tne state expense ror at 12. 200.000.
After deducting cash on hand, or which
will be on hand, there Is left a balance of
about $1,000,000 to be raised by taxation.
Should the appropriations at this session
place the expense for the biennium at the
same figure as the last. viz.. $5,600,000.
there will remain the sum of $3,400,000 to
do taKen care 01 in 1U14. Deducting SttOO
000. or the estimated amount of accumulated
license and other fees, would leave $2,800,
000 to be raised through direct taxation in
1914 as against about $1,000,000 this year.
To bring about greater equality as be
tween odd and even yeqgs, the law should
make It the duty of the state board, con
sisting of the Governor, Secretary of State
and State Treasurer, to prepare for the use
of the tax commission a budget setting forth
the amount which in its opinion would be
necessary for the , proper conduct of the
state government. This would enable the
board to base its levy upon actual needs
and not upon useless standing appropria
tions, and would make possible far greater
equality between years. Aud further. it
woulplace upon the- state board the re
sponsibility of keeping a check upon ex
penditures and would make even an am
bitious politician on the board a valuable
asset, for, being held to account by the
taxpayers for all extravagant recommenda
tions of levies, he Would be Inclined to be
conservative.
This reform. has long been needed. The
matter is submitted with a hope that you
will see your way clear to approve the sug
gestlon I. bo r.
Most important among the questions
which affect the Interests of the laboring
classes in this state is the proposed com
pensation act. Just compensation to an
injured workman or his family is right' In
principle. The measure proposed was
drafted only after painstaking investiga
tion by representatives of the different
interests involved. These different inter
ests each had to give and take a little In
order to construct a measure which would
work for the common good. It is easy to
find fault w4th a measure of this kind,
but so long as it is founded upon sound
principles, minor -objections should be
waived In order that the bill may become
a law and given a trial. Its shortcomings,
should any exist, will develop and can
easily be taken care of in the future.
A minimum wage bill will also be pre
sented for your consideration. The bill Is
aimed primarily to protect the working
girls of this state in a living
wage. Such a law would fill
a long-felt want and would go far to re
move conditions which often drive deserv
ing, but helpless, girls to lives of shame.
It appears that the eight-hour law passed
at the last election was without an enact
ing clause and will therefore be of no ef
fect. I would, therefore, suggest that a
new bill covering the eight-hour feature of
the said bill be passed at this session. 1
The Labor Commissioner in his report
has called your attention to the needs of
labor In this state and 1 hope you may
find time to look carefully into his recom
mendations. Widows" Pension BUI.
A measure providing for Xhe pensioning
of widows will be presented at this ses
sion. The bill appears to possess much merit
and deserves your earnest consideration.
Auditor of Municipal Accounts. '
This state needs an auditor of public ac
counts. A good man in this position would
each year save the cost of his office may
times over. As matters stand today millions
of dollars are being expended annually by
public officials" and practically without suJ
per vis ion ims tauure un our part to in row
proper safeguards around such expenditures
opens the way for waste and graft. Legis
lation providing for a uniform system of
accounts -throughout the several counties
should be passed and measures along these
lines will be offered for your considera
tion. Water Power and Irrigation.
The Federal Government has indicated its
willingness to appropriate $50,000, to be
spent, with a like sum to be appropriated
by the state. In the Investigation and de
velopment of the water power and irriga
tion possibilities along the Deschutes River.
The subject is fully covered in the re
ports of the State Engineer and the State
Conservation Commission. This is a matter
which deeply concerns the future develop
ment and prosperity of the state ad I sin
cerely hope tbe movement will have your
support.
Mineral ReeonrcesZ
The Conservation Commission, In its re-,
port, has also called your attention to the j
long-standing neglect of our mineral re-1
sources. The commission makes many val-,
uable suggestions, which are worthy of your
consideration.
State Forest.
Aided by the State Land Board, 1 have
been negotiating with the Federal Govern
ment for the exchange of all scattered school
sections within the boundaries of the Fed
eral forests in this state for a compact body
of timber. Should the trade now under ne
gotiation be carried through, it will result
In the state securing title to some very
desirable lands, and will go far In making
our state school of forestry rank with the
best of the nation. A plan for the adminis
tration of this state forest will be submitted
far your, approval.
Coos Bay Wagon Road Grant.
Congress,- by an act of March 3, 1S69.
granted to the State of Oregon certain
lands to aid in the construction of a mili
tary wagon road from the navigable waters
HIGH SPOTS IN GOVERNOR WEST'S MESSAGE..
T
iSta
Sin
tutfon
State's finances reported In excellent condition.
grle Board of Control for all
ons advocated.
Promise that appropriations of two years ago wruld not be over
spent declared to have been kept.
Return to their homes of half the tioys now In State Training
School, and transfer of other half to state farm at Union recommendexi.
"State-prison policy defended and progress toward betterment claimed. -
Drunkards compensation act, reformatory for convicts; home for
aged and home for wayward girls advocated.
Further legislation, but along conservative lines, in behalf of good
roads recommended. m
" Blanket appropriation bills condemned.
Resubmission recommended of taxation measures passed by Legisla
turaind rejected by people at election.
Reform in procedure of State Board of Tax Commission recom
mended. Workmen's compensation and minimum wage bills indorsed.
State declare-d to be proper party to sue to recover Coos Bay wagon
road grant lands.
Views on law enforcement stated. '
New( additional liquor measure recommended and Portland vice Com
mission measures indorsed for state-widd application.
Sterilization of degenerates and feeble-minded persons advocated.
"Blue sky" legislation recomme nded.
Liberal appropriation for Panama fair advocated.
Indorsement urged for resolution before Congress proposing diredt
election of Senators.
California plan for divided session of Legislature commended.
Restriction of initiative and referendum signatures -to registered
voters recommended.
of Coos Bay to Roseburg. In this state.
The lands granted were alternate sections
of public lands, designated by odd numbers,
to the extent of three sections in width
on each side of said road. It was provided
that the lands granted should be exclusively
aoDlied t the construction of said road and
to no other purpose and should be disposed
of only a the work progressed. It was fur
ther provided that the grant was made on
condition that the land should be sold in
quantities not to exceed one-quarter section
to any one person, and at a price not to ex
ceed $2.50 per acre.
On October 22. 1870. an act was passed
by the Legislature of this state granting
to the Coos Bay Wagon Road Company "all
lands, rights-of-way, rights, privileges and
immunities heretofore granted or pledged
to the state by the act of Congress hereto
fore cited, for the purpose of aiding said
company In constructing the road mentioned
and designated in Baid act of Congress, upon
the conditions and limitations therein pre
scribed." On the 4th day of February. 1908. the
Government brought suit against the Coos
Bay "Wagon Road Company, or rather its
successor, the Southern Oregon Company, to
forfeit to the Government the lands em
braced within this grant. No trial or hear
ing has yet been had in the case.
I "wish to submit for your consideration
the following:
1. That the state and n?t the Govern
ment is the proper party to bring suit to
recover these lands.
2. That the provision of the Federal grant
tnat the lands should not be sold in quan
tities to exceed 100 acres to any one per
son and for a price not exceeding $2.50
per acre, are self -executing limitations upon
the power of the State of Oregon to alien
ate the lands embraced within the grant.
3. That the act of the Legislature or
October 22, 1870, should not be construed
as a conveyance ot tne une i me wiuh
In question from the state to tne -wagon
road company, but merely in the nature of
an equitable assignment of the proceeds
to be derived from the future sales of the
.lands in accordance with an act of Congress;
4. That any attempted violation of the
Federal grant by tbe State of. Oregon, be
ing an unconsummated act, could not be
made as a basis of a claim for forfeiture
by the United States.
5. That the state Is entitled to resume
the administration of this grant and. In
accordance with the provisions of theact
of Congress of March 3, 1800, proceed with
the enactment of laws necessary for the
disposition of the lands.
6. That the State of Oregon in resum
ing the administration of this grant should
ascertain the amount that would have been
derived from the sales of the lands at the
hyi-.a nf tb erant. had the terms of the act
been complied with, also taxes paid by the
waeon road company and supervisory ex
penses incurred, in order that the said com
nanv mav be reasonably reimt ursed and
Justly dealt with.
Law Enforcement.
The Governor is admonished by the con
stitution to take care that tne laws oe
faithfully executed, but neither the con
stitution nor the statues give him adequate
authority to execute this command. It is
true that he may can me minua 10 ma
In the execution of the laws, but this is
an extraorainary power, men u vuuuiu
be necessarv to exercise only upon grave
and extraordinary occasions. The Governor
should not be forced to use the artillery
of the state to bombard bootleggers or pur
sue blind pigs.
The Governor should not be expected to
go out and gather evidence and arrest and
prosecute offenders. That is a function
which should be performed by subordinate
officials chosen for ana cnargea wnn tnat
particular duty. If these officials fall to
nerform their duty, the Governor, being
charged with the enforcement of the law, 1
should have some suitable reserve powers 1
Which would cnaDie mm to cu inera .
account. He should have power to remove
them, at leant temporarily. Such a power
would have a wholesome effect upon de
iiTinnont officials, while In no manner em
barrassing those who faithfully perform their
wrrn rtutv.
Our liquor laws snouia oe strenginenea as
follows:
Shipments of liquor 01 any mna into ary
territory, except unaer certain restrictions.
hnuiii hA nrahibited.
The sale or near-uwr auuuiu uv piuuiuucu
in dry counties.
No licc-nse for the sale of liquor should
be issued to anyone doing business outside
of an incorporated city or town.
Saloons shourd be kept closed om Sundays,
and on week days between the hours of.
mav. 11 o'clock at night and 7 o'clock in
thn moraine.
No saloons should be permitted in or aDout
a railroad station.
All saloons should have open or glass
fronts; all chairs and card tables Bhould be
prohibited.
Saloons snouia . not oe permit tea to Ktxau
checks.
Illegal sale ot liquor oy aruggists snouia
work- a forfeiture 01 license to no business.
The several measures recommended by the
Portland Vice Commission should be given
state-wide application and stringent laws as
to the sale of cocaine, morpnine ana -aimitat
dnie-a should be enacted: also laws whih
will better enable us to abate nuisances
through injunction proceeamgs.
Sterilization.
Degenerates and the feeble-minded should
not be allowed to reproduce their kind.
Society should be protected from this curse.
Our asylumB and our prisons are being pop
ulated afresh through such parentage. We
confine the" vicious and the irresponsible for
a while, only to send them forth to blight
the future by the creation of, defective
children that grow into the criminal or
the imbecile.
Society is crying for protection and this
protection should be given. False modesty,
in the past, has caused us to speak softly
and to handle this subject with gloved
hands. Recent disclosures have emphasized
the fact that the time has come to speak
aloud.
Tbe state has been shocked y the recent
exposures as to degenerate practices. But
this is an old story to those who deal witu
our jails and our asylums. Should you gen
tlemen desire to investigate this subject I
would refer you to the superintendents of
the penitentiary and the asylum.
But do not delude yourselves with the
Idea that these conditions are confined with
in the walls of our prisons or asylums. These
degenerates slink, in all their infamy,
through every city, contaminating the young,
debauching the Innocent, cursing the state.
Two remedies are needed one of preven
tion, another of cure. We have from ses-,
si on to session, been considering the first.
We should now act upon the two.
Sterilization and emasculation offer an
MESSAGE
Be Improved.
effective remedy. I would recommend, there
fore, that a statute be enacted making it
the duty of our state penal and eleemosynary
Institutions to- report all apparent cases of
degeneracy, to the State Board of Health.
It should be made theduty of said board
to cause investigation to be made and. It
the findings warrant, to cause such opera
tions to be perfonled as will give society
the protectioif it deserves.
"Blue Sky" Law.
A "blue sky law" proposed at the last
election failed to pass, not because the
voters were opposed to such protective leg
islation, but because It apparently created
a new office and carried an appropriation.
This is a question which merits your care
ful attention and I earnestly hope you will
favor legislation which will drive from our
state the many bogus concerns which are
preying upon our citizens.
state pnal and eleemosynary lnsti-
It should not be forgotten, however, that
the passage of such an act will throw a vast
amount of work and investigation upon
someone and the work cannot be carried
on successfully without a reasonable ap
propriation. ,
Loan Sharks.
A law. to regulate the business of "loan
sharks" has been prepared and will be sub
mitted to you for your approval. Such a
law has long been needed In this state and
I earnestly hope one may be adopted at
this time.
County Fairs and Salaries.
The present system of making appropria
tions for support of county fairs is not
only unscientific, but leads to much log
rolling In the Legislature. An equitable
system, whereby each county would receive
just treatment, should be worked out and
substituted for the. present indefensible
method. Some new system should also be
adopted with a view of equalizing the sal
aries of the different county officers and
do away with the practice of continually
applying to the Legislature for increases.
Firearms.
The passage of a law throwing restric
tions around the carrying of concealed wea
pons would do much to prevent crime in
this state.
The man who carries a revolver usually
does so because he expects' to have occa
sion to use it. and if he continues to carry
one it is only a question of time until he
does use it. To reduce .the number of re
volvers carried means to reduce murders
and hold-ups.
Private Property for Public Vse.
The constitution says that private property
shall not be taken for public use without
Just compensation tfy just compensation
meant the value of the property. The
j law also says that such property shall be
assessed at its full cash value. Yet we
find the state and municipalities called
upon in condemnation proceedings to pay
for a needed piece of property many times
its assessed value.
This condition of affairs should not be
allowed to exist. The assessed value should
be more of a guide to the price which the
public should pay. It should mot under
any circumstances be obliged to pay more
than double the assessed value, and the
passage of a law to this effect would re
sult In a great saving for the taxpayers of
tbe state
Immigration;
The office Of State Immigration Agent
and the State Immigration Board should be
consolidated. withtihe coming of the Pan
ama Canal, there will be much work for
this board to do. The next few years will
decide whether our stateis to receive an
increased population of desirable or unde
sirable citizens. The flood-gates of Europe
are soon to be thrown open and it will
be the work of the Immigration Board to
see that the stream which flows toward
this ntate carries as many farmers and
home-builders as possible.
Panpma Exposition.
The committee appointed In accordance
with an act of the last Legislature to se
lect a sltj for Oregon's buildings at the
coming tan trancisco Exposition met with
kindly treatment at the hands of the good
people of California, Oregon was especially
favored in that she was given the first
choice of the offered sites, and it is to be
hoped that there will be erected thereon
building which will be admired bv all.
. This exposition will undoubtedly prove the
greatest of an expositions and win redound
to the benefit of the entire west. The Pa
cific Coast states In particular will profit.
and each in proportion to its activities In
bringing to the attention of the visitors Its
wonderful resources.
A liberal appropriation should be made
that Oregon may make a showing in keeping
with ner wealth a:id resources, and thereby
reap her full share of the benefits to be
derived from the exposition.
Direct Election of Senators.
There will be presented for vour'consld
era 1 1 on and approval a resolution of Con
gress, proposing an amendment to the Con
stitutlon providing that Senators shall be
elected by the people of the several states.
I earnestly hope that this amendment will
receive your indorsement that the people
ot tne several states may at least enjoy
the privilege of choosing their own Senators.
1 wish to invite your attention to the Call.
fornia system of holding divided sessions
of the Legislature. The system appeals to
me as having much merit, as It affords the
members a reasonable opportunity to ex
amine the many bills presented for their
cotisiaeration
Oregon System.
Oregon's system of popular government,
having successfully withstood the attacks
of its enemies, is here to stay. The time
has come, therefore, when its friends should
take steps to remove such defects as a
fair trial has shown to exist.
None but registered voters should be per
mitted to sign initiative or referendum pe
titions. "Each petition should have a pre
cinct heading and signatures should be
taken accordingly. This would enable coun
ty clerks to quickly check the signatures
and when necessary certify the list to the
Secretary of State. As the matter now
stands. It is physically impossible for the
Secretary of State to check the signatures
on the petitions filed in his office. Bogus
signatures can be filed with impunity, and
such a condition is equivalent to the nulli
fication of all safeguards which the framers
of the law attempted to throw around it
to prevent its abuse. This matter merits
your careful attention and consideration.
In conclusion, gentlemen, I desire to con
gratulate you upon the promptitude of your
organization and upon your very evident
earnestness and intention to give to the
people of the state an energetic and business-like
session. In past years much time
has been lost during the first week of the
session and I trust that the pace you are
now setting will not falter during the re
mainder of the forty days.
And in this connection I call your at
tention to the past scramble and chaos
during the closing days of the session. This
is unnecessary, and. for the good of your
record and of the people and laws, of the
state, should be aoided.
Before 'eaving my message with you, per
mit me to express my every confidence in
this, the twenty-seventh Legislature. I
believe that It is your Intention and desire,
and will be your effort, to give to. the peo
ple of Oregon a session which the mem
bers of past Legislatures may envy and
after which those of tbe future may pat
tern. It is said to be your purpose to re
duce the volume of our present statutes,
rather than to Increase it. This purpose
alone, if intelligently adhered to, will make
your record a monument in the blstoryof
the state.
In anything you do, or attempt , to do.
INSIST ON
MUNYON'S
Paw Paw Pills
FOR
Constipation
Munyon's Paw-Paw Pills are unlike all
other laxatives or cathartics. They coax the
liver into activity by gentle methods. They
do ndt scour; they do not gripe; they do not
weaken; but they do start all the secretions
of the liver and stomach In a way that soon
puts these organs in a healthy condition and
corrects constipation.
Munyon's Paw-Paw Pills are a tonic to the
stomach. liver and n?rves. They Invigorate
instead of weaken; they enrUh the blood in
stead of impoverish it; thy tnable the stom
ach to ;et all the nourishment from food
that is put into It.
These pills contain no calomel, no dope,
they are soothing, healing and stimulating
They school tho bowels to act without
physic Price 2. ents All druggists.
in tha interest I of the taxpayers and for
the good of the people of Oregon. I pledge
yr.u the untiring effort, co-operation and
influence of the executive office In the pres
ent, and its unswerving championship dur
ing the two years to come. 1 assure you
of my appreciation of your most courteous
attentiou. Respectfully submitted.
OSWALD WKST. Governor.
COMMISSION MEETS SOON
Textbook Problem to Be Settled by
Educators of State.
SALEM, Or., Jan. 13. (Special.) Ot
the new Textbook Commission appoint
ed by Governor West to select the
books to be used In the state public
schools for the coming five years, E.
iS. Jiiaggr, of La Grande, has served
many "years as the Democratic School'
Superintendent of a Strongly Republic
an county. He ranks as one of the
ioremost educators in the state. J. P.
O'riara, of Portland, is editor of the
Catholic Sentinel and is a former edu
cator. T. M. Baldwin, of Prineville, la
also deeply interested in educational
work. William L. Brewster, of Port
land, is a prominent attorney.
The fifth member of the Commission
is Miss Margaret M. Cosper, of Salem,
who is principal of the Garfield School
in this city. She Is widely known for
her effective work in the primary
grades. The Commission will convene
in Salem this Spring.
IRRIGATION MEN NAMED
President Hanley Appoints Commit
tees for Oregon Congress In 1913.
SALEM, Or.. Jan. 13. (Special.)
William Hanley, of Burns, president of
the Oregon. Irrigation Obngress today
announced, the following committees
iorthat organization for 1913:
Executive J. W. Brewer, Redmond,
chairman; Y.- S. Worden, Klamath
Falls; Walter F. Burrell, Portland;
George B. Dukek, Condon; C. W. Mal
lett. Ontario; Guy Rice, Lakevlew; E.
E. Kiddle. Island City.
Legislative W. Lair , Thompson,
Lakevlew, chairman; Leon J. Chapman,
Ontario; J. C. Hoskins, Echo; William
King, Prineville; J. O. Hameker, Bo
nanza. Quick
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