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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 1959)
MAIL TRIBUNE, Medford, Oregon, Monday, February 2, 1939 3 Legislators Life Said Hectic, Harried By MARIJANE DUNCAN It was easy for us to swing back into the accelerated rou tine of the State Legislature in session. In fact, it seemed almost as though we were simply picking up the threads of another very real, very sarnest, existence, and, con versely, leaving far behind the easier and admittedly more -normal routine of our life at home in Medford. The transition, as I say, was easy: the new life is not. It is busy, hectic, and sometimes harried -but by the same token, both satisfying and exciting. Bob arrived in Salem sev eral days before the session began; and I followed soon after. We left the children at home for an extra week of school and to give us time to get our "sea legs" and a chance to get our unfurnished house furnished. It was quick ly apparent that this was a wise move all around. My first, ingenuous question to Bob, upon my arrival, was, "What on earth are you doing to keep busy this week?" He gave me a look, and the next morning at eight sharp, I got my answer. Believe me, such official events as openings of legisla tive sessions, swearings-in and inaugurations don't just hap-pen-they are brought about by long hours of honest toil. Nearly a full crew was at work in the House when I reported the Friday morning before th Monday morning. There were committees to be worked over, lists to be made, iob-seekers to be interviewed, other people coming and go ing constantly, scripts to De stenciled, mimeographed, and distributed, and a host of other tasks. Dr. Sly Reports On Saturday morning, Jan uary 10, both houses con vened. together with state of ficia's, members of the press, and interested persons from all over the state to near tir. John Slv make his report on Oregon's tax structure. Most legislators had read the report already but listened intently as Dr. Sly, a most appealing gentleman with an engaging, wry humor and a vast knowl edge of his subject, brought the printed pages to life. From backstage I heard part of the proceedings, but there were still many things to be done in the office, and I missed much of the doctor's talk. Both Bob and I were priv ileged to meet the Slys that eveniiig during a dinner party given by Ira Keller, another charming and erudite gentle man who, although an Ore gon resident of comparatively short duration, is an enthusi astic booster of our state and its advantages over all others. The party included such nota bles as then-Governor and Mrs. Holmes and then-Gover-nnr-to-be and Mrs. Hatfield. For all the assembled "brass", it proved a most lively and informal evening Monday came not a bit too soon. We were ready -just The Hall of Representatives was to be the scene of the in auguration, as tradition de creed. Another event, impor tant to us. took place there in the morning. The House assembled, its new members taking their places with feel ings (I am sure) of excited fulfillment: and the roll was called. The new Speaker of the House was elected. Oath Administered It was a proud and happy moment for Bob and for me, one made more meaningful by the presence of many good and loyal friends, among them Bill and Jean McAllis ter. The Chief Justice, look ing very solemn and impres sive in his black robe, admin istered the oath of office to his ex-partner. It was a sig nificant moment for them both, especially when Jhe Jus tice presented Bob .with the gavel he once used as Speak er of the House, admonishing him to use it wisely and well. Soon after the House had organized and adjourned, preparations began for the in augural in the afternoon. An organ had been installed the day before (and I will say we who worked all day Sunday felt the organist had had plenty of practice, particular ly on the passages marked "fortissimo)" and now the doormen and sergeants - at arms moved quickly, setting up chairs and making ready for the anticipated throng of spectators. People began arriving well before the appointed hour, and by one o'clock the S.R.O signal went up. We secretar ies, however, had our regular seats, as did the Representa tives. Places had been re served, also, for Senators (not. alas, enough, and at least one dignified member of that body found himself sharing a bench with the young House pages). I am sure most of you read accounts of the inaugura ton ia the Mail Tribune and other papers, as well as the texts of both the outgoing and incoming Governors' talks. Suffice, then, to say that it was all truly impressive and an experience i wouia noi have missed. The seauence of events flowed smoothly from start to finish and leu one with a feeling of orderly tran sition, smoewhat belied, it is true, by intimate knowledge of. the shufflings and cnange ahnntjt that must necessarily take place whenever an ad ministration, under our two party system, changes hands. Now, ten days later, the tempo of legislative activity is, they say, at an all-time high for this early in the ses sion. Both House are moving along rapidly to get bills processed and into commit tees, where they can be con sidered and worked-over thor oughly before being returned for consideration by the whole memberships. These first bills, many of them Ways and Means (or appro priation) bills, are, for the most part, non-controversial; though some of the first bills that came to the floor imple mented measures suggested by the outgoing administra tion. Bob and other Demo cratic leaders have promised that Governor Hatfield's ideas on taxation and budgetary matters will be given thor ough consideration as soon as he presents them. Wields Heavy Gavel Every day, promptly at ten, we all brace ourselves for the mighty thump that signals the beginning of each session. Bob wields a heavy gavel and they say, uses it with little compunction on members of the friendly opposition or his own party, alike. I use the expression "they say" be cause I can give little testi mony that is firsthand, being more or less confined to quar- ) ters in the rear of the House i , mi n lfr 4r An cnamoer. iuc iyi. and never enough time, and though it pains me to miss the sessions I rarely feel I can slip away from my "chores" to hear one. We have our family well settled in a comfortable house in the south of town. We are just across from McKinley grade school, and David finds he can make it safely to his class in about two minutes flat. Angus has a somewhat longer trek to Leslie Junior high than he did to Hedrick and is given to complaining a little. esDecially on rainy mornings (few are not). Nancy is still down mere in Medford (I think we have had no sort of reassuring com munication, however) where she will be staying with our good friends, the Uan huiis, till around February 17th. If I may be excused for using tnis public medium to say so.-. .we miss you, Nancy, and will be happy to see (or near irom; you soon! While on the subject of family, I might add that Bob's mother is with us again, stur dy soul that she is, having come all the way from Illi nois to ease our' burdens and keep the children out of mis chief every day. A report from the Capital would hardly be complete without a mention of the gay life reportedly found in every capital. Salem is a "socializ ing" community and as such, seems to truly enjoy showing the legislators and their wives a good time during their biennial stay. Other communities roundabout ex tend hospitality to us also. Last night (Monday, January 26) we were hosted by the Sweet Home-Lebanon Cham bers of Commerce at a ban quet; and this Friday night the Eugene people have invited the whole group to a basket ball game and dinner there. Teas Given The ladies of the Legisla ture have been feted at teas given by Mrs. Hatfield and by the Town and Gown Society here in Salem. Mrs. Hat field's tea was held in the beautiful Oregon Room at Meier and Frank's, and the theme was fittingly Centen nial. A particularly intriguing feature of the tea table was a small, highly realistic covered wagon with real-fur-bearing oxen! Antoinette Hatfield -i i i a 1 r young, Dngm-eyea, auu uuvi- t ously enjoying her new role of First Lady is a very charming hostess. The ladies ! of the Town and Gown enter- j tained us in Doney hall on I the Willamette campus. Both Dorothea Pearson, wife of the Senate President, and I. who stood shoul3er-to- shoulder in the receiving lines- on succeeding days, agreed that it is a wonderful way to meet and greet people, but just a bit hard on the feet, what with these new pointed-toe shoes. Looking ahead to many such busy and interesting days and evenings, I realize nnre a gain that it is the peo ple the personalities that one encounters while wormng in state government that add color and vigor to all that hap pens . . . the sessions them selves, and the committee meetings and hearings . . . the lnnrh hours and coffee-breaks down in the Capitol restau rant ... the planned func tions and the unplanned en counters. All the stacks of bills and papers are the work of many sorts of people, and some of them embody the dreams and plans of these people; and when one of them is finally come to fruition, and some thing is done, something is changed, it is because many people have thought and talked and worked together not only here in the capitol building, or here in Salem, but all over this state of ours. All of you at home have a hand and a say in all this, if you want it; and we hope you do. Be interested let us know you are interested and if enough people do this here in Oregon, we will all be re warded by having better gov ernment and more efficient government and, what is even more important more REP RESENTATIVE government. Presbyterians Organize Group Women of Westminster United Presbyterian church have organized a work group. Mrs. K. G. Denman is presi dent, Mrs. John R. Dellen back, vice president, Mrs. S. B. Milne, secretary, and Mrs. E. L. Lenox, treasurer. - Mrs. S. V. McQueen was appointed spiritual life chair man, and Mrs. L. R. Moyer and Mrs. J. P. Rowan co- of the wavs and mpans committee. The next meeting of the group will be held on Tuesday, February 17 at 10 a.m.. at the home of Mrs. Dellenbeck. Guests Attend Chapter Session Mrs. Carlos Sanders and Mrs. Donald Thumler were guests of Alpha Lambda chapter, Epsilon Sigma Alpha International sorority, for a recent meeting at the home of Mrs. C. C. Peterson. Everyone dressed as their desire." Those with the most outstanding costumes were airs. o. -n. Gilbert, Mrs. Richard Harri son, Mrs. Thomas Makris and m.. Tnhn weed Mrs. Harri- XVXIO. son and Mrs. Robert Shangle were cohostesses and also planned the games. r-Vianter members will pre pare Easter seal letters Feb- ruary 9. A wng oi ut i u j o hsVcH food sale DelJl aiiU are also planned for Febru ary 14. 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