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WALDO HILLS
REPUBLICAN DIS
CUSSES SALARIES
Makes a Rather Low Scale of Prices
but Gives Figures Paid in Other
States
Important Reforms Can be Brought
About in the State Printing Department.
Waldo Hills, February 2, 11)02.
Kditob Capital Jeubnal: TIjo Legislature ten
very unsafe depository of powor to establish or In
crease salaries, especially of tho officers who occupy
tho Btato House. Tho tuombora ol that body, in sea
Ion como too closely In communication with tho
oulcor to decide impartially between him and
the absent tax payor. A caeo in point was wit
nessed at the late session, of tho legiilaturo. A bill
was introduced into tho Mouse of Keproeun'nttves
to curtail the elarlng graft In tho oflko of Bccrotary
of Btato to $4,500 por annum, requiring all pay, per
qulsltea and fees In excess of that sum lo bo pntd
into tho Stato Treasury ; Jt received but two votes,
and it was said the two rnombors casting thorn sub
sequently apologizod to tho Secretary for having to
roted. It is by no means clear or certain that th0
constitution vesta tiio question of salaries In the leg
islative Assembly, but a loosonosss in that respect,
unknown in years agono, has atealthfully grown up
which it now seems Impossible to correct except by
legislative act, aa proposed by The Jouiinal. It asks
or publio expression aa to tho just amount of sal
arios the officers should havo and tho people should
pay. A natural beginning is with that of Gov
ernor. Oregon haa 11:1,550 Inhabitants as shown by tho
U. 8. Consul of 1U00. Iowa hna 2.231,8511; and the
alary of ita Govornor is $3,000. Georgln has a pop
ulation of 2,210,300; Georgia pays its Governor $3,000.
Kansas has a population of 1,171,405; thosilary of
Ita Governor is $3,000, Arkansas has n population
of 1,311,604; tho salary of its Govornor Is $3,000.
Nebraska haa a population of 1,000,300; its Governor
receives a salary of 2,G00. Mississippi ha n pop
ulation of 1,551,270; tho salary of its Govornor in
$3,500. South Carolina lias a population of 1,1! 10,1)1(1;
tho Governor's salary Is 3,000, V crtuont has a imp
utation of 313,041, a fraction less than Oregon; its
Govornor roeolvon a salary of $1,500, West Vir
ginia haa a population of 058,800. The salary of the
Govornor is $2,700. Maine haa n population of 001,
400; tho salary of Governor is $2,500. Nuw Hamp
shire has a population of 4U.5SH; 2,000 lees than that
of Oregon ; tho Governor'n salary is $2,000. flt.000 Is
a llboral salary fort'o Govornor of Oregon, with
Its llttlu more than 400,000 Inhabitants. It Is nil
that officer nhould expect or receive, und all the
email Btato can afford lo pay. Bay then, the Secre
tary ol Btato shall receive $2,500; the Treaeurer $2,
000; Superintendent of publio Instruction $1,500, and
official traveling expenses; Justices of tho Hupromo
Court, $3,000; Clerk of tin) Supreme Court, $1,800;
Reporter of Bupreme Court, $1,000; Judges of tho
Circuit Court, (one-third of tho districts should be
abolished) $2,500, and on down through minor of
fices, It la sometimes claimed that tho treasurer
should havo groatcr pay, aa ho is required to give
bond. If ho has tho uonlldeuco of the community
and friends, ho has no difficulty in giving bond, If
ho has not, tho taxpayer should not bo compelled to
pay for his lack of It.
Tho largo expenditure for printing cannot be
radically chopped off uutil (tin adoption of tho pond
ing constitutional amendment abolishing tho olllco
of Btato 1'rlntor. A bill before tho Into legislature
aimed at Its euro fur tho intervening time, but tho
Btato Printing olllco and ths numerous candidates
for the succession swarmed tho lobbies and easily
smothered tho bill. Tho only Immediate remedy lies
in the cutting off by the lr glslatureof the Ileal of
useless printing, Fully one-half of thu expenditure
la utterly useless, But euro here will bo difficult
Tho member of thu legislature who Is plowed to see
bis name at tho head of u printed bill Is not difficult
to Hud, and his numerous friends not in the logle
laturo will staud ready to supply him witli mens,
ures Important lor the publio welfare.
HRl'Ulll.lCAN.
THE IMPORTANCE OF STATE SALARY REFORM
Tiiic Jouknl would liko to give a few ressoni
why state salary reduction Is the moot luiKrtan
Irsua before tho people. The statu olllelals aro the
official heads of tho state government and it ten
business proposition that If theooiupontatlun the
head men In any buiinois or corporation are reviv
ing Is unjust or exhoihltaut eotn.vsinatlju It li i !l i
o ex poet other departments of the Itujinas to Im son
ducted on rigid lines of eeonomy. To many people it
appears inconsistent that wo can claim that we
have had a good careful business administration of
our stato at the hands of our stato olllelals and yet
si the samo time Indict the system of Ntlariw, fees
and perquisites under which they are rompeiifatwl.
It should bo understood that no &ood imuIi can bo
obtained by complaining about a system and abus
ing officials who prodt by it but who aro thumt,elvw
not to blame for tho existing conditions. The pios
eut state officials who are getting emoluments llwt
aro unjust to the people and unjust to eaoh other aro
not to blame Uiat the system has grown out of all
harmonious relations for the past thirty years, it
Is an anomaly that tho Secretary of Statu aud Stato
Ptiuter should get threo or four times as muu as
tho Governor. But tlooe gentlemen aro not to blame.
They are not to be blamed for takiug all that tho
system permits or nllows them to take They may
bo economical and faithful in tho conduct of all
buslncas for tho state and rnoy savo more than their
salaries to tho etalo and yet bo employed under a
syetem that is radically wrong. But no ono will
prolend that under a falror and moro equitable scale
of salaries thoy would not temore independent and
better ablo to render n still hotter eorvico to tho
state. The system of compensation exposed In the
statistics and referenco to lawa printed on thla paee
permeates all other departments of tho stato gov
ernment lo Its detriment sofar aa it exerts any in
fluence at all, and explains why with good careful
economical stato cfllcials tho stato tax is higher
than ever and why Marion countyZ must pay $50,000
to tho elate houtemnd only $44,000 for all tho expense
of county government,
Tho i ffect of putting state officials on a flat sal
ary covering nil free end perquisites and earnings of
each (ffice into the ttato trersury would be benefi
cial In every refpect. Tho effect In tho City of Salem
ntid Marion county line been good in every way. It
has jetnoved all temptation to mako fees and oncour
''ape expense. Matton county formerly paid thou
rande of dollars rnnunlly that went into tho pockets
Of food city officials who worked up casos ngainat
tho county wbilo drawing fees and salaries from tho
city. In tho paat threo years this city hod all offi
cials on a flat salary and removed all incentive to
graft the county. This system has saved tho.vclty
and tho county at least $10,000 and has been tho
main factor in getting the county out of dobt and
putting tho City of Salem on a caBi basis. It is
reasonable to argue that the moral effect of a similar
cbango In the compensation of cur state officials will
work the same change In our state government
that Ib It will removoall Incentive to grafts in tho
legislature, aud the etato departments will become a
brako on the legislative boodle schemes, with ranny
ol which state officials have to stand in, or nt least,
not oppose under tho fear or threat of havlnR their
own perquisites cut down. If all state officials woro
put on a Hat lfgal salary fixed by tho constitution
and according to law they would b-como Independ
ent of tho legislature nnd could then check' its ex
travagance In an (ffectlvo way that seema impossible
now. For neither coiiBtllutlon, party platform, pub
lic pledges on campaigns, or any power on earth or
in heaven seems lo put the block to tho wheols of
corruption and extravagance when thoy once get
under headway with a boodle combination back of
them. So we say moke tho co-otdinato branches of
tho stato -government Independent of oach other and
lot them check each other instead of being handi
capped by tha necessity of protecting an unjust sal
ary system of fees and grafts,
The proposition to cut down the state salary eys
torn to an exact amount in tho esse of each official has
been shown to be possible under the present consti
tution. Tho officials aro entitled to all their con
tltutlonal salary. Thoy are now getting salaries iu
addition to thoee fixed by the constitution which aro
provided by law, as tho salary clausoof tho constitu
tion clearly contemplates. Thus far all ia lawful but
it can bo only defended on tho ground of addltiona
dutlos. Tho Balary Is given In a round-about way
as a kind of evasion and subterf Jgo and not as a
deliberate Hat Intention to pay a round salary on the
part of tho legislature Tho Items of compensation
have to bo luggod into the genornl appropriation bil
and may bo Increased or diminished by any session
of tho general assembly. These indirect compensa
tions might bo doubled or abolished at tho very next
session The welfaro of tho state government is at
the mercy of a boodle legislature which has littlo or
no control over Ita own actions. Besides these In
direct Eurreptititous emoluments granted in small
Salaries and Fees of the Secretary
of the State of Oregon
(4
ft
I
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
I
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
M
ft
H
M
ft
M
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
H
H
ft
M
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
H
ft
ft
ANNUAL SALARIES OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
1 Constitutional Salary, (Or. Canst., Art. 13, See. 1.) I ltOO 00
I Trustee Insane Asylum (Laws 1301 page 93.) 100 00
3 Supervising Publio Works, etc., (Laws 1901 par 99.) SQO 00
4 Oregon Domestic Animal Commission, (Laws 1891 pa go 177.)... 350 00
G State Ileforin School, (Laws 1893 page 73) SCO 00
School for Dsnf Mutos, (Laws 1893 page 184.) 310 00
Salaries of Governor and
Governor's Private Secretarv 8
Total Sutarlus Paid S 38(9 0
ANNUAL FEES OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
1
4
G
License Feea paid annually by ST Pi re and Flra and Marine In
surance Companies 3
Filing fees paid annually for filing the annual report of said
17 InsTlrunco Companies
Foes received annually new Fire Inmirnnce Companies Inci
dental to commencing business In this state. (Katlmatod upon
average number of new companies for yearn 1899, 1900.)
License Fees paid annual! by 35 Life, and Llfo and Accldont
Insurance CumpanleH 3509
teen paid annually for tiling the annual reports of said !( Llfo,
aud Life nnd Accident Insurance Companies
Fees received annually, New Life, and Lift nnd Accldsnt Insur
ance Companies, (estimated upon average number of new com
panies for 1899, 1900
Annuul Lnconse fees paid for agents and solicitors of life, and
life nnd uccldent insurance companion (Estimated on ths basis
of ouch company having 16 agents, on an avorage to tho com
pany) Annual License paid by 3 plato glass and 1 steam boiler Insui-
urico companies . .. .
Annuul fecH paid for filing annual reports of said 3 plate glass,
and 1 steam boiler Insurance companies
Annual fees paid for filing annual reports of 6 Mutual Firs In-'
Hiiranco Companies und associations
Annual llcenso fees paid by G surely companies
Annual fees pnld for filing annual icportu of G sursly companies
Annual license feos of 10 Building and Loan Companies
Filing fees for filing annual reports of 10 Building and Loan
Companies
Mllng und recording articles of Incorporation, gonoral. (Esti
mated upon average number filed In 1899, 1900,) 1695 00
Filing foeH of nrtlclos of Incorporation, benevolent, etc (Estl- '
mated upon nverngo number In 1S99, and 1900
Filing fees of Incorporation of cities and towns, under gonoral
law for lncorjKrnUoii of cities and towns. (Estlmuted upon av-
enigo number filed in 1899, 1901)
Affixing Stnte Seal to miscellaneous commissions. (Estimate
bused average numbor In 1899, 1900)
Affixing Stato Seal to commissions of Commissioners of Dssds.
(Ufltlmutc based on average number In 1899, 1900)
Estimated fea received for making copies of city charters and
other laws for cities and private parties
F(K) for copying laws for Stato Printer (Estlmato based upon
the Secretary's bill for copying laws of 1899, pngo 331 of his re
port, 31199.12) average per year
Copying Senate Journal. (Estimate based upon the Secretary's
bill (or copying Sennts Journal 1899, Secretary's report page
356, 3733.15) average per year
Fees for copying House Journal. (Estimate based upon ths
Hrcrstnrr'a Mil far-sopylng House Jcurnal 18, Secretary's re
port page 331, 3898.27) average por year
Trade Mark fes. (Estimated from average numbsr fsr ysara
1899, 1900.)
Foes affixing State Seal to Commissions of Notary Public. (Em.
tltnate based on average number iu 1897, 1898) 1483 99
Average commissions Issutd annually to various state officers.
Joint Sonators, Joint RsDrtisantatlvrs. District Attorneys.
Judges, etc., 34
Attaching Seal of State to Pardons. (Estimate based on ths
years 1S99, 1900) ..
Foes received annually from othor sources
TOTAL FEES RECEIVED ANNUALLY 3
Uy Insurance license fees turned over to Stats Trausursr. (Estl
mate based on amount turned over In 1900)
9
10
U
12
13
14
1G
10
17
18
19
20
21
23
23
34
33
it
37
38
2IS SO
38E
80 00
90
it; oo
3(9
&o 00
300 00
'JO 00
130 00
S00 00
33 00
200 00
10 09
ait to
12 50
110 00
IS 01
SOO 00
199 S
314.17
349 It
31 7!
41
74 90
3.
10.
11.
ANNUAL SALARIE8 OF THE GOVERNOR'S OIFICE. V
Constitutional Salary $1500 00
Trustee Insane Asylum, Hill's Coda, Sec. 3561, Appropriation Bill, )
Session Laws, 1901, paao 83 509 j
Supervising Publio Works, Etc., Appropriation BUI, Session Laws rJ
1901. psgo 99 1 M
Vlsltlno Poi.ltei.tlnry. Session Laws 1901, page 291 W0 00
Membsp of Ortnnn Dnmlln Animal Commlialon. SesUon Laws 'J
1891, nag. 177 W. )
State Reform Sthuol Session Laws 1693, page 72 M ft
ocnooi lor ur iviuici, ocsiion uawa, ioj, puu ""
Commander, O. N. Q., 1901, page 231 '
Total Srlarle. , ' -V.A
HTI6LATIVE APPROPRIATIONS PER ANNUM.
Salary of &'.( moras Trustee, per annum, Insane Asylum, Sasstou
Law, 1901, pace 9t 3 SOI 0
Salary us cfflcer of State Penitentiary, Session Law, If 01, psga 94,
with other appropriations, por annum (00 91
Salary Oregon Stnte Reform School, with other appropriations,
Soslon Lawn, 1901, pngo 94, per annum 2J 90
Salary, Oregon School for Deaf Mutes, with other appropriations,
Sbaslon Lawa 1901, pngo 94, per annum Hit
Additional Saluiy( Prison Inspector, for years 1899, 1900, 1009, Sua
sion Law's, 1901, page 88, per nnnum, a deficiency 300 09
Salary as Governor, 33000, Seaslou Laws 1901, page 93, annum 1(01 49
Salary Private Secretary, 33C00, Session Lw 1901, page 98, pr
annum ,
Salary of Govci nor, Supervising Public Works, Session Lawa 1901.
page 98, por annum ,0("' "0
Salary on Oregon Domestic Animal Commission, 1901, page 99, par
annum
Salary of Cleik and Stenographer, Session Laws, 1901, poge 93,
31200, per annum
Commander, O. N. O., SesMon Laws, 1901. paga 318, See. 68
800 10
4.
Total 50 00
SALARIES OF GOVERNOR'S PRIVATE SECRETARY.
Private Secretary's Annual Salary, Sec. 2196, Code 3120000
Salary of Secretary as Clerk of Asylum Board -
Salary Governor's Private Secretary as Clerk Capltat Building
Commissioners, Act 1893, page 199, Sec. 3, for computing eUctrlc
light bills, por unnum 130 00
Salary Governor's Private Secretary as Clerk Capital Building
Commissioners, Act 1891, page 37, Sec. 1, (not repealed) 100 00
Salary Governor's Private Secretary, us Cler): of Board of Com
missioners of Public Buildings, Act 1885. page 31 100 00
31520 00
14,0(8 01
4,134 BG
TOTAL NET INCOME ANNUALLY, FROM FEES 10,513 41
SUMMARY OF SALARIES, FEE3 AND APPROPRIATIONS.
Total Annual Salaries., ," $ 3,850 00
Total Annual Feea. 10,518 44
Total Annual Appropriation 8,983 6G
Total Cost Department af State 23,8(2 II
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
N
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
ft
U
ft
ft
ft
State Printing Appropriations for
Four Years Annual Expense
ITEM AS FOUND IN THE APPROPRIATION BILL.
For the payment of tho salary of the Trlvate Secretary to the Gov
ernor, Including his salary as clerk of the Board of Trustees of
the Oregon Insane Asylum, Clerk of the Public Building Commis
sion, and Clark of the Board of Capital Commissioners (for I
years).
.13100 01
Salaries and Fees of the
Five Principal State Officers
EMOLUMENTS OF GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
Constitutional salary per year
Salaries per year on various commissions and boards ., .. ...'. .
Total annual salary
$ 1,500.00
5.750 00 &
aT A iWA l. T
Appropriations for executive olllco by tho last legislature, riot ' including ' )
aittM(iaB aa nm n a nil m VailAn.l O....J
. .- ' ." ---- .-a.-..., 4u lUVIUUIlIU
rurvirra uh curnmnnutjr KiinnAl UlUra a okq (V) W
EMOLUMENTS OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION-
Isllru rr annum - 'J
Services on two boards, per annum!'""'.'. i.!".'";;;'.;;".'.. J-qoIoq
1 ui.11 saiary per year ; c
I ! el9tlui ..-n.l.tl... !..f..JI. -...--... . .. ' -
"i Kniuuiiaiiuns, nibiuuing cicricai aia, iraveiine ex
0
1.
2.
3.
4.
6.
6.
7.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR YEAR8 1899.1900.
Session Lawa 1899, page 190, uniform seriea aohool reoorda.. ..$ 3,000 00
Soss on Laws 1899, pa0e 190, publio printinQ and binding .... 60,000 00
Session Laws 1899, page 191, pay for printing election blanks .. 1,800 00
Session Laws 1899, page 241, printing for state Board of Agrl-
culture 1,8178
Sees on Laws 1899, page 241, uniform series aohool blank... .. 1,330 40
Bess on Lawa 1901, page 243, binding for atate and district fairs 155 86
Sosslon Laws 1899, pages 243, 244, printing Supreme Court Re-
ports, Vol.. 33, 34, 35, 38 , 6,400 00
Session Laws 1899, page 244, binding 637 00
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14,
15.
16.
17.
18.
'19.
SO.
21.
32.
23.
24.
Total for two years , 75,205 04
APPROPRIATIONS FOR YEARS 1901-1902.
Session Lawa 1901, page 87, ruling, binding school registers.. S 428 27
Sesslen Laws 1001, page 87, binding 32 00
3alan Laws 1901, page 100, printing and binding 50,000 00
8eslon Laws 1901, page 100, five vols. Supreme Court Reports 9,000 00
Session Laws 1901 psga 100, eleotion supplies, printing etc 1,800 00
2,00 00
penses and printing- cer annum ' .... . $ 5.326 81
cruubumcni:) vr aiAIL TMCASUSER. )
Constitutional salary cer annum $ Rnn nn M
Services on two boards per annum '.. 60000 &
Total salary per year TTnTTrTft a
Annual fees received hv Stato Tiir !""" tj
w .-.v 3.SM1.87 ft
Total nr annum In cularu nA . J
Annual appropriation for clerical aid. in hli office!!. '.!!'.'.!!! o 'onrYnn
EMOLUMENTS OF SECRETARY OF STATE. )
vuiiamunuiiai saury per year . i,nnnn
Salaries on boards and commissions per year '.'. . 1,35000
Total annual salary , . 9 Rxn ,
Annual receipts from fees and payments for services underdif
fcrentacts of the legislature, estimated from official
Appropriations for clerical services per annum
Total salary, fees, and allownces for clerical aid per an
num for deoartment of state . "" "
Less Insurance license fees turned Into treasury
14.653 01
B.yM3 55
Total fees, appropriation and salary.
EXPENSE OF STATE PRINTING AND BINnmr.
Appropriations for state printer for years 1899-1900 '
Appropriation for 1901-1902. Including paper and election
supplies .. . . vMu
$26,486.1;;
$4.134 55
$22,352.0!
47 74
3 66
Total for two years.
PRINTINQ EXPENSE FROM OTHER FUNDS.
Reform School, Sec. Rep. 1901, paQe 189
Deaf Mute 8chool, S. R. 1901, page 192. .
Printing volume 32 Supreme Court Report, Sec. Rep. page 198."
Doard of Horticulture, Seo. Rep, 1901, page 204
Blind School, Seo. Rep. 1901, page 274-277
Reform School, 8eo. Rep. 1901, page 303 '.' '.
Legislative fund, printera page, Seo. Rep. page 319.. ., .'.' .'
Penitentiary, Sec. Rep, 1901, pages 331, 333, 335
Insane Asylum, Sec, Rep. 1901, page 365
Soldiers' Home, Seo. Rep. 1901, page 490 ..'.'.'...
TOTAL SUMMARIES,
Total Item, from other fund., for printing department; for two
Estlnjato for two pear.' expanse, water, light, heat, power, ate 13,000 00
Total cost of printing for four years Including blndlnr
and racer ... "
Other prlntine bills and expense for water. Ileht. fuel etc
for two years ' Sl' c,c
Averaee expense of prlntine and binding per year, not In
cluding deficiencies to be made up by next legislature
S 71.260 27' aumAKY OF FIVE OFFICES.
; For governor salaries ...
Annual appropriation
Forsupt, of schools salaries ...
Annual appropriation
75.205 0 1
71.260.2
:i
$146,465 31 )
16.744 82
45.988 73 i
S
2.000 oo ( For state treasurer salaries and fees '" '
I9. Annual appropriations for clerical service...','.'
53 71 For secretary of state salaries
123 00
167 75
26. Appropriations for 1899-1900.
S7. Appropriations for 1901-1902
36. Average appropriations for printing for two year.. ..
29. Other printing bills and eitlmate for axpensea paid . . .
30. Total biennial expanse state printing and bfndtg.. ..
31. Annual axpenia state printing and binding
75,205 04
.. 71,260 27
. .$ 73,232 65
. . 16,744 82
. . 89,977 47
. . 45,983 73
Fees collected cer year
Annual appropriation ...
tiirnrrt nvr tn traimrur
52 49 Appropriations for State crlntlne and Mniinaiaoaiiorin
40 64 ' Appropriations for state printing and binding 1901-1902 '.'.".'
ANNUAL EXPENSE OF FIVE OFFICES
Governor ,.
State treasurer
State superintendent of schools
Secretary of state
State printer and binder
Total
4.2;n
6.950 V
2.500
5.327
5.312
2.900
."fiSO
I4.6SJ
8.984
4,135
75,205
71,260
$ 6,950
8.212
22,352
45,989
$91 .330
alloffanecs by tho legislature thcro li tho vast ac
cumulation of feos, as In the caso of the treasurer
nnd printer and secretary of slate that aro clearly
prohibited by tho constitution. Dut for theco?oring
of thoso fees Into tho treasury wo havo already an
example for tho romedy, In that forty percent of
cerlnln feea are already rtqulredto.bo paid, over by
the secretary of Btato. Feea of tho state superintend
ent, printer and treasurer already go In part Into the
treasury, bbwoII nsof several boards. The legislature
ia nli eady paying additional salary and is already
covering fees In part Into tho treasury. It is only
necessary to apply these two principles already es
tablished by law undor tho constitution as it stands
to pay each ofllclal a flat salary direct and coyer all
fees Into tho treasury Instead of a small part of thom.
Noniuendinont to the constitution is necdod to do
what ia already being dono but not dono fairly,
equarely and fully as it should bo, without subterfuge
and evasion, and mako tho standing of tho state
olllelals far moro satisfactory and Independent than
thoy am now.
f
It has been clearly shown that a chango tqutval
ent to $50,000 Hating to tho taxpayer can bo effected
by paying a flat salary and making each official rustic
all tho fees for tho state that he can. All tho offices
(an bo inado moro than eelf-austainlng. What doea
this moan from tho standpoint of labor? What
would it mean to toko this fifty-thousand dollars ai.d
paying it out for public improvomonts in tho build
ing of parks and construction of better roads? Doos
any man believe tho state would not bo battor off by
Inking this fi ty thousand dollars annually away from
sslcriod officiate an expending it for real Improve
ments rmploying labor? Every dollar paid above n
good fair salary, directly or indirectly, ia an injuetico
to the taxpayer but a greater injustice to those vtho
labor for a living. Tito stato now gets nothing but a
detrimental influence from this cxpendituro for ex
cossive emoluments. If tho total stato exponsn re
mained unchanged by abolishing the foes and pcr
qubltes, as some claim tho monoy would bo expend
ed in olhar nays, if It was not paid to tho politicians,
how could It ho paid out hut for improvements?
When paid out for labor or improvements all would
gel sonio benefit. Now only a few gut the monoy.
These w ho perform clerical labor or.thoso who fur
nish the state supplies do not get more than the bost
wages and the market price for what they sell tha
state. The excessive salatios areexerting a demoral
ing influouce iu forcing an unnatural scramble for
theeo high-salaried places. Tho fact is, all whowoik
for the slate and all who fell supplies to the stale,
vrculil get as much as they do now, if wo ut off fi(t
tliouPHiid dollars a year on tho eta.q house emolu
ments and $250,000 on the legislature. No real aud
material interest of thu stato would suffer, Exces
sive salaries benefit no one, nnd frequently ruin the
man who gets them, to say nothing of their demoral
izing irjfluem-e upon the general. Tho peoplo who
want to get 11,000,000 for the Lewis and Clarke ex
position at Portland will find that is otily possiblo if
a common-sonso business program is put in effect
with the etato affairs nnd In tho legislature na above
indicated.
Tho ground floor of tho state's finances can only
bo put in order by nn absoluto determination in ihc
state platform and then by enactment into aw of a
Hat specific salary scheme, so that tho peoplo will
know exactly what each official is getting, and exact
ly how much each department ia earning In the way
of menue. On top of this, stato laws should bo
enacted that wilt increaso tho tax on gross earnings
of corporations not now taxed to at least $150,000 to
$200,000. The Insurance companies alone aro now
taxed on their gross receipts $2.00 on tho $100. This
tax should be extonded to include all tho corpora
tiona collecting monoy on franchises doing busi
ness through the atate that haye littlo or no property
investment in tho state such as exproea companies,
tclearaph and telephono companies, surety compa
nies, sleeping car companies and other corporations
collecting largo sums off the peopla and paying little
or no state taxes. With a business program beforo
the legislature that will cul off the most objectionable
steal, there Is no reason why tho stato revenues can
not be so increased as to reduce the atate tax on
property one-half. That this should bo dono if the
etate is to prosper, no one can deny. Property can
not advance under heavy direct taxes. Add to tha
state taxes the couuty, city and school taxes, and tho
fixed charges against improved property, and owners
of property cannot do better than to help this fight
to reform etate revenues, and not only limit tho
aalaries of state officials to a spec. fie amount but so
adjust the laws that each state official, instead of
helping the legislative grafts to protect his own, will
hustle to Ket the largest amount of revenues Into tho
treasury from his department, as our city and county
officials are now doing. But these ehings can only
be done bjr a determination to adopt and carry into
effect a business program In our atate affairs. No
one doubts it can be done if the people Insist upon it
and make their legislators and state officials feel that
ll7 an, hack of thia demand and will put up with
..othirg v, than actual performance.
The am mnt of salaries to 1 e naid our stats of
tlctals h not easy to bo determined and The Joua
N.ailli,otaeaunie to be competent to determine
that question. It ia discussed by a number of
wr.ters and wo have asked for articles on the eul .
jwt and print another from a Marlon county Republl
e. in this paper. Tub Journal believes It would ba
wise to pay the stato officials liberal salaries. The
'tale , fflciala practically caio for all the stato insti
tutions and they hare a great deal saore than their
regular official duties to perform. A atate official has .
a great business and financial responaibilty. The
etate ehould have the service of men of tbo highest
charcter and ol the best Ability and they should be
well paid to mako them independent of any outsW
Influences while they are in offlc. The atate r"
venUon and county convention, ahould ded
tbl. reform-or readjustment of our, Ute
finances from sound bus inesa policy and FrMy
PMtiean or demagogical reaeona. This ) ualneM
"tter and really not in the domain P" l
itfes.