3 s WEEKLY OREGOK STATESMAN, FRIDAY. 'JANUARY lfi, 1903. however, these hitherto worthies sec tions were boughf up, many of them In one day, and before the State Land Board bad any information of the con templated creation of the reserve. This supports too concilia Ion that the pur chasers or these lands bad some in formation of the Intended withdrawal, and bought them with, a view of using: mens ror base in the selection of valu able indemnity lands. . Some of these sections were already so far in process of adjudication as to have been ap proved by the local United States Land Offices, but the fact had not been re ported to the Stafe Land Board. The result is, that these purchasers of hitherto- unsalable lands for purposes of speculation will. If the reserve shall be finally established, be entitled to the selection of valuable indemnity lands in their place, but. if not made, it is not likely anj? further payments' wilt be made, and I the state will have gained the 25 cents per acre already paid., :; . Not a single complaint has been made to the board by any one claiming to be a settler on any of the- lands upon which adjudication is being made. . The Penitentiary,; ; if ; resentativea to do the same thing; cr, as is of ten the case, to not do it. The direct primary nominating sys tern has every argument In its. favor. When the people are assembled In their primary meetings they can select their candidates instead of their representa tives to choose candidates for them. The system will require two elections. one to choose candidates and the other to choose' officers, and under it the oppor tunity for designing men to manipulate conventions and thwart the public de mand will be entirely removed. Unter our present, system for decades past instances have been' frequent where the popular will has been' turned into the grasping vortex of unrelenting bossi?m. to be recognized,, otf heard . of ngUn nevermore. " If you adjourn without giving the people the relief they de mand, and have been long demanding in this direction, you will have failed to perform your duty in a most imort ant matter. ! Election of United States Senator. In obedience to a general demand from the people and the press of the state, the last legislature passed a law providing for a d'rect vote on candi- Tour attention is called to the neces- I dates for United State Senator. - After sity of an increased appropriation for a careful revision during its passage guard service at the penitentiary. This this law was enacted by a vote that was .has been requested repeatedly of former practically unanimous and in exact ac- legislatures by the prison authorities cord with its provisions the popular but without success. No provision has rote was held last June. Its passage ever been made for but one night was advocated on the ground that the watchman within the grounds at the people should be heard on this ?uesuon prison, which has furnished little more and" because for twenty years scarcely than no protection at alL. The prison a session of the legislature has been stockade is so constructed wjth outside held In Oregon without a prolonged buttresses every twenty feet that nine J contest that has unnecessarily ret r led men out of ten. as they might be select-1 needed legislation. To avoid this need ed at random, could easily scale it with-1 less turmoil the present law was passed. out any assistance,, whatever. There! In many states of the Union the result being no guards on the wall at- night! of this first attempt at the popular cte and only one insiae. any ex-convict so for United States Senators is watched disposed (and they are. all informed as I with much Interest, and its promot ob to the situation on the Inside), could fservance and ratification will not only without trouble, scale the wall and de- j encourage its adoption in other states. posit n rearms or .other weapons fori out will prove the sincerity of our pro mischief with a minimum of danger of testations in favor of popular elections discovery. . It was this manifest de-( of Senators, and render impossible a iiciency in protection that made the es- J repetition of former experiences in Ore t ape 01 i racy ana aiernu possioie. xnis i gon, to prevent wnicn, this law was danger was pointed out to the last leg-j formulated, supported and adopted. isiature. but as no evil result had fol lowed, it was suggested that no change was necessary. - t After the break last June occurred, with the deplorable consequences that followed, the superintendent employed two extra guards on the rfight force. This extra force is still maintained, as ft Is an actual necessity: I ursre that T upon you the importance of memorltl-iThis shouldnot be allowed to continue. izing Congress on this subject, asking for it is not only indefensible as to neg for speedy and effective action looking Hence, but Is flagrantly inhumane. The toward .the accomplishment of these water supply is so scant as to be ab ends. ; . -; '' - 'Tsolutely uselessjin a case of fire. There Northwestern Stove Foundry. 1 lis no reservoir and no water supply of . . . 'any bind, excepting that 'which comes tH-Tl- throaSh the pipe leading from Rose the Lowenberg & Going Company the . mHJ.h.L nr, ui iv payments for convict labor continue to be promptly made each month when burg, which rs , nearly . closed by i corrosion. : The ordinary ' demand for water during the morning hours of each 4 ia EWkWt tit lvk-i rn t n aw a? rtnor tlniT r under'ine"newcract water which the four year. ago. ail the obligations ot!"' 1115 Mtat ctxa iuc uiriuuio , MESSAGE OF THE NEW GOVERNOR OF OREGON Hon, George E. Chamberlain's First Address to the Legislative Assembly trouble oVdelay. It has. fde the last he horoe are f f .TM T two years, employed all . the convicts 1 drPL ,ef.P thlnLtory ii:-..m JZ r .u- f the buildmg, it should only require The Oregon Historical Society. During the last two years the Oregbn Historical Society has accomplished a Vast amount of good n the colleet'on of valuable data in connection with the early settlement of the state. For the future historian of Oregon the toots thus collected will be invaluable, '-.'he you make provision for its permanent I plone'r8 wno wlely and patriotlenl ma In term nee. i 1 y ,a' tn 'ounlatl0ns for our pr.nt -,. , tK v-, i. o . ! government are fast passing away, and vmnij fnrrri tcu, 11 m vi been and is a , model : pena I Institution, and with the exception of the unfortu great importance that as perfect a rtM prison work, and has frequently , made application for more. The receipts for convict labor, have amounted approxi mately to $24,000 during the past two years, or an average of .f 1,000 per month. In addition to this the state re ceives the sum of $2,000 per annum for the rent of the foundry plant. i ! Child Labor. H " - As a measure for prevention, rather than for cure, I recommend the enact ment of a law prohibiting the employ ment of children, within certain ages. in factories or similar places of labor. am not aware that this Is at present done in Oregon, but it is a species of injustice and indiscretion permitted in many other states, and it will be well to prevent its introduction here before it becomes a custom. Children are the incipient men and women who, in time, will be called upon to discharge the re sponsible functions of adult American citizens, and their proper preparation. in schools and otherwise, is a matter for general public concern. i The Text Book Commission. The legislature of 1899 passed a law providing for the appointment of ,a State Board of Text Book Commission-! era whose duty it should be to adopt a new series of -text books for the six years beginning with their selection. Under the provisions of this law I was required to appoint these commission ers ome time during the month of January, 1901. In accordance with this requirement I have to report that I; selected five representative citizens of the state, who faithfully performed the great trust committed to their care, and in" such a satisfactory manner that no word of complaint of any kind has ever been heard. It is seldom .that a more responsible or more difficult . duty is delegated to five men, and both the people and the commissioners are to be congratulated upon the successful and satisfactory manner in which the ob ject of the law has been attained. ; Protection Against Forest Fires. The devastating forest fires which nate escapes of last June, and which I P palM,lb,e obtained from them destroyed so many lives and so much ji.i. . . . I while yet among us. by those soeeiallv ! nmnc k ..... uuaer existing conditions could not have been avoided, the results have rx-en satisfactory in (every : particular. In the. Interest of efficiency resulting from experience, a large perenta?e cf ' the employes nerving under the preced ing administration have been retained. Oood discipline has been enforced with out the use of the dungeons at all and -excessive or unnecessary punishment has in no case been resorted to. Ac companying this document! you w.ll find a record" of the pardons and com . mutations issued during the last two years, with the reasons therefor. ( Oregon National Guard. yet among us, tty those specially . nroiiertv durinr fh rv.at o.,t,,.,. our great home builders will soon h;ie passed on to that undiscovered coun try, and for this reason I am prompted to earnestly urge upon you the neces sity of an appropriation amply suffli-nt lor the successful prosecution of the work now under way by the State His torical Society. The State Fair. By the special direction of the legis lature four years ago. I appointed an entirely new board of directors for the state fair, which at that time was ap parently upon the verge of. final dis solution. ' Under the excellent businKfi Resulting directly from the constant management of the board thus selected attention to duty On, Ahe part of Adiu- the state fair has beco ne a m iguifieein taut General and bis assistants, the success in every feature. anl is so re National Guard has reached and is garded everywhere. The diookty of rnaiiUaining a high degree of efficiency. tock. especially, for the :st two years, A well organized National Guard is a has admittedly surpaKed M,iy -xhibU necessary complement of every state in that line ever held west of the Rocky government. a guarantee for the pro- Mountains. With these results to tectlon of life and ptoperty in cases of .peak for themselves in aiding and riot or invasion. An increased appro- stimulating the agricultural tl -v-lop-priatiort for this purpose was made two ment and resources of the state the ye-rs ago. and It has been used with a former prejudice existing agiinst the -view only to the better equipment of fair ha rhnH riin r - I r --.-, "'' uiar approval, and I bespeav for the our citizen soldiers. Kor the purpose of presenting certirf claims of the state against the United State Government growing out of the j expended. opniBn war. 1 airectea Adjutant Gen eraj Gantenbein to proceed to Wash ington and represent the state lb per son. This was done at small cost to the state. The" first claim was for articles furnished the Second Oregon Regiment, and amounted t $10.25$. but the War Deimrtment thought the claim unreasonable, and suggested, a settle ment oy tne payment of $17,000. By the personal attendance and explana tion by the Adjutant General the sum of I3:.8l s secured, ori nearly $16, OtMj intre than was at first goffered. In January. . 1902, the Adjutant Gen eral was again directed to proceed to Washington City and present the claim ,ff the Second Oregon Regiment Vol tuiteers who: were members of the Ore Ron National management a liberal support from the state treasury. It ill be money well Fiat Salaries. For many years there has been a growing dissatisfaction among the peo ple as to the fee system which Is ap plied to the payment of certain public salaries. LHirtngjthe past year the question was given a degree of promin ence which secured for-it a place in every party platform demanding its abolition. It is riot a partisan .ques tion at alL and since it was one of the in Oregon suggests . the necessity of amending our present law on the sub ject of starting fires during certain mouths of the year. Withoit suggest ing any special provision I desire to call your attention to the subject as one that should not be overlooked. Thou sands of acres of valuable timber were swept out of existence within a week, an utter extinction of wealth that had been hundreds of years in reaching its perfected stage. ' Strict penalties should be provided for starting fires under any circumstances during certain months of the year. We are inviting investors from 'all over the United States to buy our timber lands, and we owe this guarantee to them as well as toour own citizens. While fire. When under control, is an invaluable sen-ant. It is a most unrelenting master. The Stat Institutions. The system of government provided , by our constitution embraces a form this statement of the situation there to guarantee an appropriation sufficiently large to provide against the possible loss of life and property through its unnecessary and unjustifiable contlnu ance. : . insurance on Public Buildings. . ' This leads U the consideration of the Question f insurance on public build ings. It Js my judgment, concurred in by other members of the .different boards, that the state should' carry no insurance on its public buildings. Dur ing the past forty years I believe there has been? no fire n any public build ing, save the recent fire at the reform school. . This fact ' shows 'that; the chances for loss of property from fire are too small to justify incurring the expense of insurance. ; The most valu able of our state buildings, the capitol. is not insured for a dollar and never has been. i I bring this matter to your attention as an important question and one upon which you should take definite action. There should be a law Instructing the different boards to insure the state buildings in an amount definitely speci fied, of, you should -declare that, since the spate's resources are stronger than those of any insurance company, it is the policy of the state to carry its own insurance. The failure io take definite action in this matter may well be taken as an indication, that the various boards are not expected to maintain insurance on the state's property. ' . , Conclusion. Gentlemen of the Legislative Assem bly. I am about tolay down the great trust confided to my keepmg.our years ago by the people of Oregon., They have been four years of constant atten tion to. the details of the multifarious duties devolved upon the chief executive under our constitution and the laws. Being subject to the limitations of hu man imperfections, I have doubtless made some mistakes, but at this mo ment I am conscious of having at all times ben guided by an undeviatfng de sire to enhance the welfare of my be loved native state, and the splendid eorylitiojy of our financial and other in terests it this time bespeaks the degree of success that ha been achieved. 1 can hot close without congratulat- ' ' '; 5 t" " ' ' ' i v. George E. CiamberMm. rliii ocrat), Governor; Imrn Nat- cnez. AluKissipjii. Jan. 1. jrvt; raucauou ottaiml In public school and vllecc; graduated in law 1876; came u Oregon iu iXt-en 1 1 ier, 1 7 ; a a . ' . . launtoouniry fH-hoid until - 1877 when appointcti dejnu v clerk Linn county, serving in that ofiicial ca aci I y un til Summer if 1879; ele-tei representative to IfiNlatiire in 1880: in ISMi elw teil dis triet attorney of Third Ju dicial district; apMlntci lirst attorney-general of r- ej?oD by iov. pv I'en'ioyer, (democrat) May, 1S91, hold ing such kOfitioii until gen eral electun in wr.en elected to foiir-yean' lenn an such officer; in June, 19H, . elected pnwet-iitiiiKatlnritev , for Multnomah county, and held such oMK until Jan. ,,14, 1903, when inaugurated - Governor of OiVRim, having . been elected at general elec tion, in June, 11W2. ing my colleagues in the state govern ment upon their re-election, and this congratulationehould and does extend to the people. Associated with-; these public officials In the closest of busi ness relations each day for four years, I have found them at all times courte ous, careful, industrious, and honest. No shadow has come across the path way of our official dutieW to mar ourl pleasant relations and no disagreements upon matters of public business jhave arisen in any case. Daily consultations attended always by unrestrained con fidence, have en held and advice has I been Knight and given on all matters RECOMMENDATIONS IN GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN'S MESSAGE J - , ' .- . ;. - .- . . Appointment of a commission to prepare a general assessment law. to thus correct the evils of inequality and non-uniformity. ; Taxing corporations to thus add to the state's revenue. JPIacing state officers on-flat salaries. - Have books of all state and county officials experted at regular inter vals.' ; -. . .. -.j. . Enlargement of the jurisdiction and power of the Circuit Courts With reference to youthful criminals between the ages of 1$ and 21. Executions for murder should be done at the Penitentiary, and all such bodies forfeited to the state. ' Sailor boarding house nuisance ought to be severely dealt wljh. Improve the public school system in the districts outside of cities. Have but two Normal Schools under state aid 1 " i Regulate pilotage rates at the mouth of the Columbia river. ' Repeal law providing for a health officer with a boatman at Astoria, thereby cutting off a sinecure of $1500 per annum. j Establish a Bureau of Labor or appoint a Commissioner to rejort to the next Legislature regarding the relative conditions of capital and labor in Oregon. - j Pass! some legislation to give initiative and referendum amendment a fair trial, L j " Relatives of the state insane a.nd.also the Incorrlgibles at the Reform SchooI.,should' be made to assist in the support of suchj wards. State should own and operate its own light plant. The Columbia and Willamette Ciers ought to be open and' free for navigation. Bpyii and Girls Aid Society deserves support by state. Legislation is needel governing water and riparian rights.. Liberal appropriation for the Ijewis and Clark Exosition. Oregon Historical Society should receive state support. j. Redistrict the state into Senatorial and Representative Districts upon a basis of justice to the people instead of in the interests of any political party. - , ! - ; Guard at the time they I .w...... ti nn im. imo tne i nuea SMais 1 1 ,, j ... .k . well taken for granted that you will not let the session pass with the promise unfulfilled. I wish to especially im press upon the members of the domin ant party the necessity for prompt and It A- gate assessed valuation of all the prop erty in the state in 1892 was $16.2."!, 64.00. while in 1899 it had decreased to $U0.K28.87?.O0. r.Hthhg III 1900 the sunt of $117,801,874.13. j The decrease has been steady each i j year since the date first mentioned with the exception of 1893. when ther was a slight Increase in the total valu ation. If this condition continues; the result" is inevitable under the present system of taxation, that the fixed gov-. Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: I vouljjt be recreant to my. duty if did not in the very beginning of- what I have to say, express to you, and pertaining to our respective positions I through you to the people of the stste, and duties. j 1 my high annreciation of the Erre.4t bn 1 mane no attempt to conceal the 1 or wnicn nas been conferred upon ine sadness with which I now never my I In electing me chief executive. When a officia l connections with them. I do so I convention of my party put me in nom- which. for economy, is not equaled bywith tne expressed hope that the term I ination 'for this exalted place, it was any other state in the Union. Oregon of office just opening to them miy be with one voice and without solicitation has fewer officers than any other state, attended ith the same degree of sue- on my rwrt. I feel and know that I am and therefore, they perform more du- ,n tne Performance of their official indebted for my election to that gen ties than are required of similar officers duties as tha which characterizes the erous spirit of political "independence elsewhere. ; The four principal state of- jone just closing, and that my successor! which has characterized the" people of ficers.. consisting of the Governor,; Sec- ,n Fne executive office may meet"" with I this state from the earliest pioneer retary of State, the State Treasurer and j an ; experience as pleasant as mine has j times, and fully realize that it was npt tne superintendent or fubiic Instruc- . ; . ? oecause 01 any superior merit In me. tion. control and direct all our public It is with a grateful heart that I Under such circumstances, I enter upon 'institutions, as well as the vast busi- thank the people of Oregon for- the the iferformanee tf the high trust that ness connected with our state lands, the Rwou. and unfailing support they has been imposed upon me with a deep irreducible school fund, our enormous have at all times given me when the f sense of the great responsibilities fishmg industry, and other interests 'not opportunity has been presented to them, that devolve upon ine, with a greater now necessary to mention. 'It may be na 1 return to private lire; dominated fear that I may not be able to meet ell imagined that this entails a vast y thei all -pervading hope that the fu- the exie tations of those who have so amount of work and constant attention ture of this great commonwealth .may honored me, and with a tirim-r deter-1 to duty on the part of four men bnly.L0 commensurate with that position I mination to do a"M in my humble towerjtheir respective roiintl ih tio It is with a feeling of pride, shared f""M"-S her sister states Which.? under to l-t subserve and prote t the Inter- den end in view to ZZ. ., by my colleagues in the state govern-ftn,? Pvidence of God. her resources.4 ests1 of the stated I have no higher am- ,r.i r t J ernmental charges, remaining the sainW and other exiienses continuing to hi4 crease, the rate of taxation -must cor respondingly increaae; An examination of the assessment rolls . will j. disclose that a majority f the counties have decreased their aggregate valuations ' when every man in the state kviowa that there is not a single county In the state but has increased in bth i-puU-tion and wealth. - - ' " ' The record made would seem to hiJ dicate that the assessors were vietoz with each other as to who can t.l e th .lowest valuation .upon the properties few questions upon which all parties Ijnent, that I call your attention tq the j n hr people have said should be hers,' bition than to wn th Pledged affirmative action by the repre-texcellent conditibn of all these lnstitu- I "" v i' my fellow citizens Vi sentatlves in the. legislature, it may be tions. and the greater interests involved OLD SEEDS THAT GROW. hVe expired, for duty ' 110 mgner am-: ii, nr th the eiKomiums of' - rciuires trial lb evl.4 prot the proposition will be urged, as all the new officers were elected upon this pledge. Where the people have dire-"try expressed themselves on any qu?ston at the ballot- box a disregard of the mandate Can only be attended by cis- astrous results. 7 . . ' Th Salmon Hatchori, "tne salmon thatching industry has shown a marked stimulus during the service, at the rate Of fl.SOi per day from the day of rendezvous to the int ler into the volunteer .army. The amount thus secured, with other cla'-ns. wms $21,779. Of this Slim the amount of I17.10S was due to the volunteers nlM were accepted under ; the Prel - dent's first call for troops, and the act of Congress authorizing it expressly provides that it shall not be covered into the state treasury, but shall be ie- ! livered to the Governor as trustee for I Past four years., as indicated by the in I the men. Payment was: begun on Feb-j crease of young fry turned out from ' ruary 25. 1902. and 83$ first -call vol-j the state hatcheries. In 1899 the totil unteer were paid upon; properly veti-1 output from our state hatcheries was fied vouchers to and including Decern-1 .w.w;a in 1900. 3.600,000; in 190L 15,- ber SL 190J. The addree Of 19 hvel ww'.wou. and in 1902, 2S.000.000. The not yet been found. i I : fish commission has left nothing un- The total amount collected was IZi.- done In the way of establishing hatch- 0. $32.81 as the result of the Ad- eries where there seemed a probability jutant Generate first; trip' to Washing- of success, and not only does the grati- ton. and $21,779.94 a the result of the fring increase noted by the figures giv- econd. i j j 1: ; j en establish without doubt the feasibtl- f ' Thm OirU NominaUog Law. ! ln3lPlr!l!!ChrlUt th Krat I J. " . Increase of salmon in the Columbia Kor many years there ha. been a river and its tributaries demonstrates general demand for reformation in the the practical and permanent value they manner of making nominations for wm to tb tate. The salmon In publio offices. The discussion of the autry has become one of the great question ha taken a wida nni. Ki sources of our permanent wealth and the sentiment In its favor is practically I furnUnes employment to thousands of unanimous. The instances wher a uur oriar citizens. , county or state convention trample tin- Tour especial attention Is called to der foot the demand of th people have the "report of the Master Fish Warden been too numerous and flagrant to re- 'or detailed statement of the business quire any argument in support of their trn-iCted in bis department during the rroof. The convention system is a u- paat "" years, perflaous agency for doing that which I Beard f Pilot Commissionsrs. . the people may themselves as well do Rr referent . J. i. . . i - "" 1 ne peopMi 01 ine enure j .tate. of seen that the condition of the bar at the , " 'i iwni ik opening 1 mouth of the Columbia oners a greater " j are ciuea 1 oostacie to shipping' than for binary meetings. xni8 is done to e- years past. This is a serious matter ,wt to represent them in county and not only affects the material In- r.rr. r purpomcMiri tnt -nd lopment lrJLl?a.';ty W?m Jld Oregon, but is a matter of concern to .other men to represent them In the dif- every section of the .tate. NoquesTion . mnbil r mV0nc to thentatei , . I ulpresis at large than the ma in ten - "TTJX uum IMBMmlimAf . - -m - . fiillhfilllv in some or the Other departments men-I Jne stieniinc menof Europe seem to I honestly terformed. tioned. . be. considerably interested.. Just' how as ' With absolute consciousness of, and Only men of character and , Integrity Jo the length of time that a seed may faith in, the rectitude of mv own inten- bave been chosen for the discharge of preserved and still not destroy it? tions, keeping in view tbe oath I have the duties required of subordinate offl- Bermlnating qualities. Interest . has taken to xuprort the .institution and cers, and the exceedingly small number i stirred up concerning the matter taws of the state. I plac-e my trust in of complaints made against the man- bv the publication of a story to the ef- f.wi ......i .vti;. ... .a . agement of any of the public interests I ft0 1 pea t0 fro "sarcophagi j guide me in all that a fleets the welfare attests the excellent character of their 1 'ne Pharoahs. which were evidently of the,iop)e r.f the vhole state, irre- uiiuiiiir4,iiun. wiu oe utterly im- I " , J'"" not oniy germ-I spective of race, religion or Dartr i-veoivre ivi cm, smucr ucxrm or tcon l - yt tiun lairr uios I rTll vitiat 1 t t Ia a... a f. en my term shall i Aji..i" - . . T ., . i irniriaui; Assemoiy snail provi'ie nr ano . r . . .... 1 " r uiiiiuiii una etjuai rate or atlon. As a step to that end, the lvir provides that all, property h.ilL be asf sessed at Its true' cash value. In orer to be uniform it lis not essential tht . iT.. . laoTTuwi u,,H i, .'I AVhile the mandate of the constitu stitutions. The mm niA i I flowers ployes are in 'every instance low. and in many cases are tressingly so. The cost of mai can not be well reduced at the present I that was supposedly at. least S-IO prices for supplies, which are purchased I ears Pa- cesser instances have been trora the lowest bidders. I speak fori lr-nuon n this country, where, the i i i i x ri . mrtnsrri' nai m ta w -1 I . ..... . . ' 7 I in oiirfrtvf its' OTOfiitlt'o i extremely Puoncauon or this instance has "brought m2: " I"" " almost dis- lo mention two cases in England, where Z" "IT "..L rT" - . I rare specimens' of henbane rr- fm.k T'. r-' ""' ,rlc,e" l" Hiatimi, in me verv my. colleagues as well as for myself In stating that at all times, when discus- i sing- ways and means for the manage ment or all our public Interests, our dominating purpose has -been to dis cover that which would best subserve the general welfare. Not in a single in- eeds upward of a score. of years shave been found still ,able to produce'! life. There is little doubt of the, fact 1 that -eeds will endure longer if kept under favorable condition,, but whether or not the power of germination is. Sufficient to endure for such a length of time as mentioned In the first Stance has there been anv dmartnr from this view of our public duty. The! a very interesting question. ' success that has attended our efforts is evidenced by the unusual scarcity Of criticism of present conditions either by the press or the people. ; j WHAT J AXE SUFFERED. nature of things tne suggestions of the retiring execu tive deserve and will receive -at your hands more attention than any I can make. Many years service as a legislat or and four years as executive have not only familiarized him with the business affairs of the state, but peculiarly fit him to point out for your consideration needed legislation to meet existing con- W "lAUIn-. Cf.lff . . . . , J ... SnstaAce cited I oww ranra la,"; M,1""1 nc ui me opportunity anoraeo. ire oy the constitution to call to -our atten tion in a general way some matters which seem appropriate to be consider- j ; Th Soldiers' Hem. There is, perhaps, no soldiers home n the United States that is better man aged .than the Oregon home, at Rooe burg, a. faxft that Is a strong argument against the trustee system of manage-' r.! 5!? JJ- roolaUKthe llowlnTl rtant ru;,,' r'; :rzz"": i he. had caught member, of ttat iTrj V- rm"" naent nurse with a -poetical . wuiinsunct: - - i - . even the inmates of the home. This dis-1 jane ate ftn 3stnm. 'Jtm t,,.,.. amarl . 1 115 mJm calce n1 Jane ate Jelly; tT Z-;.:iZ I ent to bed with pain in her ... .. w uis Wl. UK V.m- rfnn I. j . 1"V VA14 Tma hJI v - t one .nH th. n l . I - . " ,""? paiu i . .' . i.iiuwnj iuo nncci head. existed. It is the only borne In tbl m. I "7.-- 4 "rC " yJ r I entirely surprised and somewhat shock- iron I el parents, they asked him: -What did A dear little boy. whose Identity it isled at this session pf your body, and to u....c.ry w uiwiose. attended school I them I will refer. , iasi inier ana on an occasion when visitors were announced took nart In the exercises given in their honor. The programme consisted of recitations by the brighter children of the school, and among mem tnis particular little boy was called on. j He recited, In perfectly nes. which - - - - 1 uuiwgronnn ui uie anairs or tni Board of Pilot. Commissioners it will oe j home under the control of the Cover meert that ttut mrwlltinn f ' ., . . direct tw-t . 'Z I . - """-' . - "c"'r'"- l"r coun-1 vommoia river and an open river to the ty and iUte candidates as to choose ren- head of narition, I desire T to ru?e The present system Is am advantage over the trustee system because it Is ten -times as 'difficult for ten men to agree on a given proposition as . U If for one tnan. . . . .. The soldiers" home is absobitety with out fire protection of any kind, and is the teacher say T He replied; She saM nothing. She tnst turned around and looked out of the window, but the scholars and the visitors wanted me to say it again. There is only one thing that will keep life from hwimr a fitlimi k . - i - the only, state iusUttiUon so tvituated. ome kind of useful employm-nt. Assssmnt. Laws. : i ' . ' It is to be expected that as the state Stow, in population and in wealth there must be a proportionate lni-reaa in ex penditure to successuily -administer its affairs. But it doe not follow that the general rale of taxation should continue toIm-rea. The steady growth In wealth, constantly adding to the aggre gate assessed valuation, ought to keep down the rate of the tax levy. This has not been, the case. ! With an increased i and steadily increasing expenditure, the rate of the levy has not only not re mained stationary.! but the tendency I. to Increase each year The responsibil- marily In a defective assessment la wT and secondarily with the assessors of the several counties. Notwithstanding Uhe acknowlenH fact that there has been a large In crease in our population since 1$9, and ia consequence a proportionate increase In wealth, the returns made to the Sec retary of State by the assessor, of the several counties ehow that the g;re- propel y should all be assessed at lt true cash value. This requirement would as! well be attained If all prop erty were assessed at the same propor tionate part of lts value. But the law Is violated in letter and In spirit whrlu no uniform basis for assessment is ftx4t In any of the counties. In some It f.i assessed Jat one-quarter, in others at one-third, in others at one -ha If of Its cash value, and knowlnglyu I done fri open violation of the law, and no means has yet been found to compel a prtier observance of th statute. . j . j . Attention has been called to this mit ter by eviery executive before me, hut ,t ' seems that prior leglslatlve bodies hove either not had the) time or' the Inclina tion to do anything to correct existing evils In the plan of assessment. i The subject is so difficult to prtperly adjust that I do riot lelieve It iossibt In the bustle and confusion of a short session tio frame a law revisory of pres ent statutes and meeting the many ob stacles n the wajf of a consistent as sessment and. taxation plan, i Attempt at each, session have proven abortive, and have but ' made, confusion wor confounded. j - f " I therefore earnestly urge that Lt provide for the appointment bv theiex- cutive of u commission tof prepare a geiVeral assessment law, to be reported to iseiiext legislature for adontion or . rejection. This has been done in other states, and wherever it ha. been tried It no resulted In partially correcting the evils of inequality and nonun!foriait. , i Taxation of Corporations, f j rge proportion of the taxes J Of many of the state Is derived from source, other thai the general land and ity for this condition of thing, lie. pri-4 , T a.x R1 "t18 here ia b-r- Ing an unjust proportion of thn txes tor ootn state and local purprse. 5er oal property and money largely es cape taxation. This is not a. It should be, and some remedy ought to be found and a pitied for carrying into effeift the letter and spirit 1 of the - cojstit(i(ioh. which requires all taxation to be e$uai and uniform. The period through which we are now passing I. characterizel by combinations of capital, as welt a