,'(tt5 iitftrhiT nil .Hi tiii .,..- j GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE (Continued from pago four.) from, conditions which oro inequitable, oppressive and unjust. Taxation of Lands Which Havo Es capod Taxation. Therefore many thousands of acres of land in tho stato which havo never been placed upon tho assessment rolls, and which havo in conscquonco oscaped taxation. , This may have happened through many causes, but mainly for two reasens: First, becauso grantees from iho government, federal and state, havo purposely withheld their deeds from record; second, becnuso as sessors, through lack of present own ership books, fail to And all tho prop erty in their respective counties. It is questionable if under our laws an as sessor or sheriff can assess and collect taxes on property for sovoral years an-to-dating their terms of ofllco. Laws conferring this powor upon assessors havo beon sustained by tho courts of othor states, and I recommend the mat tor to your earnest nttentlon, and pro diet that with a law in forco authoriz ing tho ossoosmont of property that has oscaped taxation for any number of years back, tho revenues of tho stato will bo verv materially in creased. Taxation on Public Servlco Coxpo rations, Taxation for stato purposes ought to bo divorcod as far as possible from iL.i a i .1 ...M.1 .,..-. unit ior county iuiu uiuuumihh jiu- poses. To that end, in many states, ll 1 f 1. .. ......a1.. 11. vn- motuous mivo uouu buccokuuii ad- sorted to for relieving real as well as personal proporty from taxation to moet tho expenses of tho auministra- fluently ana comproncnsiveiy, wncn tlon of tho affairs of tho state. At jmd where 'will be made up tho defl tUr. loaf rnmilnr nmwlmi nf t.hn loirisln- ntnnnvt Ttnt. thin in nuitn a common turn, progress was made in tho right di- rection by tho passage or tno innori- . A 1 .2 iLH MnHnnf?nn 11. mnco tax xuw uuu mu tuipuiuHuu - censo law. There may bo inequalities tn tkn.A flint unit nftAfl ndllintnl Ant. hilt AM .VIW lUl1 11AAA MI.VU .J,.W...W.--, tho gonoral purposes of both aro most excollenfe During the 10 months tho Inheritanco tax law has been in forco, $0,020.03 has been pam into tno stato tHmnnrr thor(undnr. whilo under tho latter law $101,0)5.87 has boon collect- oa. 'rneso. amounts arc ukoij vu iu- schools that wnon a pupa iinisucs mo crcaso each year as tho stato grows in highest establislicd grades it can be population. In addition to tho amounts Bafely assumed ho has thoroughly mas thim rnnlizod. insuranco companies dur- fnl.n,i nVnrv snhiw.t. tnuirht therein. ing tho year 1903 paid $7,363.21 li- conso rocs ana ?3H,iMU.itf taxes on not premiums colloctcd, and for 1904, $7,310.51 liconso foes. Tho tax for the latter year will not bo duo until March 1st noxt. Of tho liconso fees collected 40 per cent is paid to tho secretary of stato as fees under sec tion 3724, Bellingor and Cotton's Codo, while only CQ per cent thereof is paid into tho treasury. Tho taxes realized from theso three sources show what .is possiblo to bo done for purposes of stato other than by levying n tax upon the assessed valuation of tho property of tho state. But a Btop further should bo taken to roach a class of proporty that practi cally cseapo taxation. I refer to tho taxation of tho franchises of express, telephone, tolegrnpk, Pullman car und other similar public service companies. Different methods of taxation for theso corporations havo been resorted to in tho several statos, but from an exami nation of a number of statutes, it is impoHsiblo to doduco any general prin cipal for adoption. Tho socrotary of state, who has given tho subject much thought, suggests in his bionnial re port that a tax upon the gross earn ings of theso corporations might bo the simplest form of taxation. I heart ily join with him in tho recommenda tion that an act bo passed at this ses sion to compel these companlos, own ing valuable privileges and operating at a largo profit, to pay a fair propor- tion of tho oxponscs of government, A tax upon tho gross earnings, as in tho case of insuranco companies, would, as suggested by tho socrotary of stato, in all probability be tho simplest and best Tnothod of taxation. Public Schools. Tho public schools aro in most ex cellent condition, and their standard should bo maintained at all hazards. To them tho groat majority of our pooplo must look for the oducation of their childron, and statistics show that for tho largest number of tho school population of tho etato attend theso uehools. Taxes for thoir support aro ungrudgingly paid by our citizens of all classes and creeds, and evory effort should be made to maintain them throughout tho wholo school year. In many of tho rural districts, especially In thoso which are thinly settled, schools cannot bo maintained for mora than three months in tho year, and greater efforts should bo inado to lengthen theso terms. A heavy tax is imposed on tho pat rons of tho school by the largo num ber of books used, nnd some of these ought to bo eliminated. It wore hotter that a few books on a less number of subjects be mastered by tho pupils than that they have confused ideas upon a variety of subjects from a great variety of books. I think it in safo to say that those who graduated from theso same schools when thoro woro . -,i . mnr fVinrnnfh train- inn in thoBO books which woro used, An ex-member of tho New York beard of education recently, in discussing tho question of tho course of study in that city said: 'A. reader of our present course of study would be led to think that pu- m ii 1.. ..! VtK Ixa nltlm in TllW OX lOCiay, 111 vrum w ' do all that is there laid down oro for in advance of thoso of a decade or two ao, and that public school graduate of former days could bear no compar- ISOn Wltn intwe oi t"" " ...-.v. But what aro the real facts of the caeof Business men who employ our jrraduates tell us that thoy are sadly loekiBg in tho simplest and most com- inonplace things; that their knowledge is superflclal nnd inaccurate; that they lack the perseverance and application which habits of thoroughness and con- eentratton wouiu "iw. "" !v "Our ystem, aiming to do tcoinany things, must necessarily fail I in their accomplishment. None but the moat capable pupils can do all the work1 ... . - ,c t f in inm ini" tato laid down. The Largo majority, thus u,cuusomi!u 10 iiiuing inr snort ox tuo ntnndnrd liAAnmn indiffnrnnt nr 1r. courngod. For, instead of repeating n tAririJa nrivlr ntift ilittirr If u?nll fliAV 1.W..A. W 11W.AA AMAA UV.M .V 11V-.., ...,, are promoted to make room for others. In time all attempts to do tho required work properly become utterly hope less yet tuo cuiiu must go on. "IVvirm in An tnimv thlnira nt. tempting tho impossible, so that noth ing can uo realty tuorouujiiy or wuu dono, will bo sure to hnvo ill effects in n mnrnl nnfMA. tnn. Tn mnnv rnnAfl thn wrong thus dono to individuals can never be repaired1. Arc we not creating a race of montal dyspeptics, superficial in fcharucterf Why aro childron not permitted to remain at tho lomonotary work until they havo thoroughly mas tered it boforo being advanced to higher gradest Lot us havo more ele mentary classes, if need bo. Tho most sanguine, tho most onthu. slastic advocates of tho radical changes made in tho curriculum with in recent years admit that tho present course of study is too crowded. Why not cut out tho non-esscntinls anil givo ln nli 1 11 n nnnnrfunltv to nenulro n moro thorough knowledge of tho essen tials? A step is being taken in this direction, but nothing short of a com plete chango will remedy tho ovil. --r.uucuuuu wiuum k iiur"a working tools, tho nbility for future solf-holp, If our schools do not givo il.l. i.1. il ! flm!.. nnmnan Tf n KUucntion snouiu giva pupua mo m mo " " jji.-v. -. child finds himself advanced to tho up- ...ItM A.rtft.mif tlAiniV nlllfl AITAH f1 per yrauus nnuuui u"i, !... add, subtract, multiply and divide with rapidity and accuracy, and to read occurrence. Students of high grades blunder in tho simplest uguring, spcii 1 3 1 1 A 41 A U t m nn i t i r pooriy uuu iu-ii iu m&u iuu Ain-iUAu,, 0f what they read, so that they are, n ,!,. iinnliln. fn iKtntll lnfnrin!1i JJJ, U, I UV, UJ1UUIU AV WAAM ...AW.... tion from tho printed pages by their own efforts.-" There is great forco in what is horo soXA, and stops should be tnKon now lnnlrinrr in hiiaIi n rfwlnrtinn of the number of text books in tho public xn0 stato University and the Agricul- tnral Oollotro Tim rntinrtn nf theso two institutions of learning aro boforo you, and I in vite your careful attention to them and fti 1-nnnminAndut.ionft therein iuudo. Both aro doing most excellent work, and 1 thinK it saio to say tuat wmio mil. utfitna urn nnifth moro liberal in UUA .....I.-.. 1 w - - making appropriations in the cause of higher education, tneso two iuuuniuu keep paco witn an otnors. normal ucuuoia. Tn mi' firaf TiinauniTft tn thn lcirislutliro I recommonded tho abolishment of at least two of the normal schools or tuo state. Instead of heeding this recom- manilntlnn n llill WflR TinKSOd but V0- toed by mo creating an additional ono. If thoso already estaDiisuou aro to re main as fixed nnd permanent institu- i- -A ! ll.n .1..A.. n.9 tltn cifoflk tn 1TT1. tlOUS, It IB WIU uutj i kUU DIUIU V .,n..n flm oA.iiiAn rli!fli tlioi schools now render to tho people by confining appropriations ior ineir supjiurt mj their 'legitimate work of training tmnlinni Thorn iK incrcasinDr demand for thoroughly trainod teachors. Tho work of normal schools couiu uo maao tn- i.iM-n nfTni-tivn tnr Hits IMirnnsn bv eliminating all preparatory work, and concentrating tuo moors oi tuuir iuc ultlos upon a purely profesaionalcourso of study. Thoro is no economy in tak ing tho timo of a normal school fac ulty for teaching pupils in grades that aro olroady providod for in tho couir mon schools. An important educational roform could bo adopted by tho adoption of a uniform courso of study for all tho normals schools of tho state, so that persons luting tnemseives ior tcacn- rcr rtnitlfl rortnivA thA flnmn firAillf nnil recognition for work dono in any one of thorn and have uottor stanuing at homo or abroad. By placing all tho normal schools undor a siuglo board of rogontB with a uniform courso of study for all, and basiug appropriations upon ill, nnmhni nt minliflAfl afitflAntn nntifl. factorily comploting a full year's work in tno iirvauriuuu tuursu, iuu oiiuu would obviato tho manifest injustico and inequalities in tho presont system. Oregon Soldiers' Home. Tho, affairs of tho homo woro never in bettor condition than at present. Too much credit cannot be given to the commandant and his excellent nnmii nt nwnntnnf.4 fnr tlin mcnllonpn of their work, and tho old soldiers and sailors aro themselves to bo con gratulated upon tho fact that, though UllUJ W- fcl'f W UHUVtVIU 1WIH Wv infirmities of old age, wounds and dis ease, all show a disposition to cheer- fullv nViiilA itv thn rnlnn nnd rAtnlln. tions adopted for tho preservation of uiscipuno ami iuu cuauuet ui uiu home. Since my incumbency tho barracks building which was commonced under the preceding administration has been unninlntwl nnd pnuinnnd. nnd n nnw a.a,,,..w."a " -J -J . and sufficient water Bupply has beon installed. Tho last appropriation made for tho maintenance of tho homo was based upon an average of from 80 to 00 inmates. The completion of the new barracks opened tho way to admit all whoso applications were on file and who had not beon able to gain admis- otnn Vyajkiiiqa nt lnV nt PAArn Al. own t.v.A.- w .. . ....., though it was feared that a deficit would be created in the maintenance fund by taking in all those whoso ap- plications woro on file, I instructed the w... " " event. This was done, and the mem- bership at tho closo of the fiscal year was 132, yet so carefully have the funds been handled that there is no deficit in this fund. gomo of the old soldiers at the home havo wives living, yet because of in- Urinatives occasioned by exposure and um.9 .vvk.ii -- --- nnnntrv thv urn eomnelled to seek an asylum at the homo and, separate themselves from tho companions of their younger and better days. Some provision ought to be madofor the constructidn of small but comfortable cottages on the grounds of the home nn tlmt thnso old Veterans mnv havo tho companionship of their wives in their declining yoars. xms wouiu not cost tho stato a very largo sum, and anrnlv- flin norvicAci vrlllph havo 1CCU rendered by thoso who would bo blessed and bonefitod thereby merit tno ex penditure which is hero suggostod. I call your attention to tuo report ui tlm nmnmniknt fnr information in dotall as to tho conduct of tho homo. Qamo and Forestry Warden. WHli tlm nmnll nnnronrlation al- lowotl him for gamo protection, the presont wardon has dono most excel lent work. If ho has failod to patrol tho entire stato it is occauso or tuo Inadequacy of tho fund at his disposa1 for tho employment or doputics, out nn examination of his report will show a grentor number of prosecutions and convictions than woro ovor had in tho same length of time. In order fully to protoct tho game moro money must bo provided, nnd tho wnrden suggosts n means of raising a rovonuo without exacting it from tho taxpayers. Tho recommendations em bodied in his report aro worthy of your very careful consideration. Stato Board of Agriculture. Probably no factor has beon moro tiritnnt linn flin n linn ill fftlrfl Conduct ed undor tho nuBpiceB of tho Stato iioard on Agricuituro tor improving tuo product of field nnd farm and the herds and flocks of tho stato. Not only tho products of tho soil, but tho live stock as well from Oregon ontorcd into successful competition with all comers nf tliA rnnnt Avnnnitinu ill St. Loulfl. This was a sourco of groat gratifica tion to our people, in viow or tuo iuci that this stato was uarciy Known iu mnnv nf flin nrhihltnrs there.. Keen competition at tho Oregon stato fair tho past tow years has ueen largoiy instrumental in bringing about these roanlfn. nnd thn IofriBlnture cannot do too much in the way of giving encour agement to thiB important institution. Appeal will uo mado to you to rouevu Mi atntn lvnnrd nf thn difficulties which beset It. Tho president has ad dressed a communication to cacn ui you calling attention to tho needs of thn hoard, and I call vour special at tention to his address, as well as to tho report of tho board. It must bo romembcred that the indebtedness now AviRtinf nrminst the board 18 ono of long standing, nnd although tho last two fairs tyave ucon conducted at a profit, theso profits havo not boeu nvntlnhln tn nnnlv on tho indebtedness becauso of tho necessity of keeping up tho improvements, putting in a water system and making othor bottorments. Tho mortagago indebtedness mentioned in tho report of tho board Is ono due tho irreducible school iuno, anu runny amounts to a transfer from ono depart mnnt nf rfnvrnmnnt to another. Thero should bo no hesitation about mnking the appropriation to meet tins nn such other demands as aro absolutely iiiwiiiunrv tn nlnin thn lwKiril in n no- sition to successfully carry out the purposes or its creation. Child Labor. A law was passed at tho last session of tho legislature regulating tho em ployment of children and appointing n board of inspectors of child labor to imrvv niif thn nrnviainnn nf thn not. to 1.1,. A WA.1 VMV ,.w.-.w.. v , servo without compensation. Thero was not ovon an appropnuiiuii iimui iu dotrny tho actual oxponso incurrcu iu thn wnrk nncnssarilv dovolvinir UDOll them. Notwithstanding this fact, thoy havo boon most diltgont in tno poriformnnco of thoir duties, and are entitled to tho hearty commondation of their fellow citizens for thoir zeal in thiB most important branch of tho public service Tlinrn enn lin no nifrrrnd. rnllllflt citl zehship unless tho health and morals of the youth aro cnrorully saioguardod I?Tnnrinnin tnnnhns us nil that tho no Afnaitlna nf thn noor omnlovoo ns well as tho greod of tho rich employer in vnrious industrial ontcrpnses, arc mer ciless in their demands, and without rABtrictivn lftrinlntirm rltridlv enforced. boys and girls barely in their teens aro kept at worK day and nigut in uouunco of tho laws of health and or humanity. T Anil tmrtiniilnr nttention to tho re port of tho inspectors, and oarnestly recommend that tno amendments to tno law ns proposed by thorn bo adopted nf thia nnirulnii Thn nmnndmonts aro slmplo, but if adopted will givo tho in spectors greater powor and broador discrotion than thoy now havo, and will materially aid them in carrying out tho purposo or tno law. A nmnll nrmronrlntioil oil ff lit to bo mado to defray tho expenses of the board. Thn rishintr Industry. I HUggest tho appointment of a com mission composed of men In no way connected with the businoss oi uuu lni tn tnkn nvidnuco. collect data, OX' amino our own laws nnd thoso of Washington with instructions to pre nnvn n lnw nnd thn romilt of their in- vostigations, nil to bo presented for tho consideration or tno next u-khh.-ture. It Is my candid opinion that i.nWa thin n dnnn nothincr will ever bo accompliBhed in tho way of salmon propagation and protection. Tjihnr Statistics. Demand has boon mado in rortain quarters for a ropoal of tho act creat ing tho Bureau of Labor Statistics and Inspector of Factories and Workshops. Tho demand should ue ignored. Piwiitentiarv. Mnnv fhnnnon hnvo boon mado in penitentiary since the last session of the legislature, nil or wnicn nave ucon conducive to bettering tho condition of the inmates .without any relaxation in the discipline. Prior to tho com pletion of a common dining hall tho priHOniTH npru ii-u in muir tun, " thoso who could afford it were per- mltlnd tn Imvn frail oil ntovPH and to cook whatsover thoy could afford to buy In addition to tho prison regimen. With the installation or a new nuper intendent this Bystem has beon entire- lv nhnliahnd. nnd nil nrlsnnnm cat in u lnrrn dinincr room, nartako of tho same prison iare anu rccuivo io pamv troatmont. Tho result has ueen mat thn i-aIIk nr nlf-lncr nnd thn ffOneml tiAiilth nnd Hlu-inlinn Imttnr than ever before. Flogging has been entirely anoiuncu, anu otner punisnmonis idss brutal installed without in the least ditrfnrlilnrr. huH on tho contrary strengthening, the respect of the pris oners for thoso in charge Thn nrinon itsplf hnn honn mnoh im. proved from a sanitary standpoint. uuu mo 4u1.rn.TB oi tuo oiuccrs anu guards as well ns the colls and corri dors havo beon placed in hotter con dition than over boforo. Thoro still remains some work necessary to bo done for tho prevention of filth dis eases, nnd this is in courso nt this time. The plumbing is old and decayed, nnd this Is particularly truo ns regards tho south wing of tho prison. Escaping sower gas constantly throatens tho health of tho institution, nnd to guard against it modorn plumbing and voutl lation of tho cells and corridors must soon bo Installed. Thn mmronrinlintl mndn for tho nav- ment of tho guards and employes at tno last session 01 tno icgisiaiuro wns on the basts of a small iucreaso in pay per month for tho wall guards, nnd this wns rondorod absolutely necessary by tho higher cost of living and tho Binnll im roAAlvAil hv thorn. Notwith standing this nud a largo incroaso In the number or prisoners over tormor years, a referonco to tho report of tho nunArintnndAiit. whioh irivcs a detailed statement of tho expenditures for tho past two years, win snow tnat tuo cost nf ninliitunnnnn itr ennita of lirison population docs not excoed that of for mer yenrs. Tho recommenuntion mnuo by mo in my last message that a law bo passed roquiring tho oxocution within tho walls of prisonors con demned to death was adopted, and al r.milv tlioi-A Inm boon ono oxocution thero and others aro soon to follow. This law will, I am Buro, bo most beuo- tlcinl in its results. Presont Employment of Convicts. On tliA Int. ilnv nf Fohruorv. 1899. flin flinn ATlVMlfivn nxORUtfMl VL COlltrflCt wHIi T.nwAnlioriT & flnintf ComDHllV. a corporation, jiursuant to "nn act pro- .1 a Al ... ..1 ... rt.f r6 fl.n il.X.1. viuing ior IUO uilipiujriuuut u. " ; vinfo In thn stntn nonitontiarv. " nn- proved Fobruary 23, 1895, whereby, ho leased to said corporation tno moor 01 10U convicts trom January x, xovu, j Tnlv 9ft lOnn. fnr thn sum of 35 CClltS nor dnv'fnr nnpli cmiviet. nnd Biich fur ther number nt tho same price por man as snid corporation might require for tho manufacture within tho prison walls "of stovos, castings and such other commodities of like naturo as it i.iay deem expodiont." Tho corporation pays vv per an iiiitii n rnntnl for thn fonndrv nlnnt, nml 'this lnnsn pxnircs at tho same timo as tho contract for tho labor of tho prisoners. Tl... vnnnrt nf thn Rlllinrillt Olldont nhnufi in dntnil thn oarilintTH of tllO convicts under tho contract of said cor poration, and I respectfully rofor tho legislature to that report ror iunor in formation. It will bo noted that both tho contract for tho labor of tho prls. oners and tho leaso of tho foundry nlnnt AYiiirn .Tnlv 29. 1905. and soino action should bo taken by you in ref eronco to tho matter, tho stato owns tliA nlnnt. with thn nossiblo cxcontion of some of tho patterns, about which thero may bo a quostion, nnu nt ono timo unsuccessfully attempted to opor ate tho foundry. If you should dotor miuo that theso contracts should not bo ronowed at their oxpiration, somo nmvSainii nhnuld bo mado bv law for disposing of tho ontiro outfit usod in tho mauufneturo or Btovcs. I suggest tho appolntmont of a com mlttoo to Inquire nnd report ns to tho propriety of renewing tho present con tract, and if ronownl is deomod advisa ble, what changes, if any, should bo mudo in tho torms thoroof. Tho price paid for tho labor of tho convicts sooms small, but it is frequently 6vor lookod that tho groat majority of them aro nt all tlmos wholly unskilled iu tho work, nnd by tho timo thoir serv ices bogin to bo of somo value thoir torms oxpiro and now mon tako thoir places. My investigations into tho subject load mo to boliovo thnt our convict labor comos loss in competition with freo labor, in Oregon, at loast, undor tho present system, than in nny othor form of employment. Work of somo kind mut bo provided for tho prisonors. This is demanded from tho standpoint of humanity, as woll as necessity. To permit thorn to romnin idlo in tho prison enclosure-, and to congrogato and convorso with onch othor, would moan constant plot ting for escape, and would endanger tho lives of tho gunrds and tho prop erty of tho state To keep them con flnod in thoir colls would soon necosiu tato tho trunsfor of many of them to tho nsylum nnd others to tho hospi tal. I tyust, therefore, that tho con sideration of this important quostion will bo taken up by you early In the scBsion, to tho end that a proper so lution may bo arrived at. Eoad Building With Convict Labor, At tho Inst session of tho legislature 2500, in addition to $749.83 unex pended under a prior law, was appro priated for tho improvement of cortnin roads leading from tho penitentiary to the several Btate institutions. After consultation with tho superintendent it was decided to improve and robuild the rond leading to tho reform school, a distnnco of four or fivo miles. Tho work was dono principally by convicts, though a few teams wero hired from farmors in tho neighborhood of tho road. Tho amount appropriated was insufficient to finish this pieco of road by top-dressing with crushed rock and rolling tho wuno In order to mnko it drst-class in every particular. But it conceded to bo ono of tho cheapest and best constructed pieces of road in tho state, and tho attention of tho log islaturo is particularly ealled to it. It is to bo hoped that as many of tho members of tho legislature as can pos sibly do so will ride out and Inspect this work. Employment of Convict on Roads. What to do with tho convicts of tho stato has boon a sorious question not only here but elsowhere, and it is ono which is easior for tho theorist to solvo than for tho practical man of nffiilm nrlin nmM in nctunl contact with existing conditions. Various ex- pediments have been resoriou to in tho hope that tho product of their la- tmr mnv Anmnntft littln UK TMMfliblo with that of froo men, Before becom ing intimately acquainted with tno kind and character of men conflnod in tho penitentiary in this state, I in clined to tho opinion that all or nearly ail of tho convicts might be utilized upon the public highways, and under inHrtinifii certain conditions, limitations nnd re strictions this might bo feasible. In somo of tho states it hus been tried, particularly in the south, but only with partial success. There, those serving sentences for crlnio are of an entirely different typo of criminal from those incorporated in tho western prisons. Thoy nro not of tho dospornto or dan gerous class, but in many instances men who fare ns woll if not better within the prison walls than thoy do on tho outside, and arc not anxious to leave oven when their terms havo ex pired. The consoquenco Is that oven with a small number or guards and in- securo places to house tho prisoners nt night ut long distnnces from tho pris on, thoro uro few attempts at escape. With us, it is safe to say, that a small percentage of thoso confined in tho penitentiary could bo entrusted outsulo tho walls without n strong forco of woll-nrmed guards and steel portable cells in which to confine them when not at work. A much larger poreontago of them nro sullen, dospornto and dnnger ous mon, who would not hesitate to tako life, if the chances wero anywhere ovon for successfully eluding tho guard. I suggested to the last session of tho legislature that the proper steps bo taken for securing comprehensive data on this subject as a basis for tho onactment of a lnw ndapted to tho conditions in this state, but uo action was taken in tho premises. Tho sub ject is one fraught with many difficul ties nud dungors, nnd radical legisla tion Bhoiild never bo vouturod upon without thorough investigation nnd consideration. I havo thought thnt it would bo wlso to approprlato a sum of money as was dono two yenrs ngo for tho Improvement of somo of tho roads in the neighborhood of tho stato cnpitol, utilizing as fnr as possible convict labor In conjunction with such facilities as tho county authorities would furnish. In this way nn object lossou can bo supplied for future guid ance. In addition to this a law might bo passed providing for utilizing somo of the convicts upon tho public roads on tho requisition of any county desir ing them, tho cost of mniutenanco to bo paid by such county. Tho cost would not bo groat, nnd the rosults would fully compensato for the outlay. To send a largo number of convicts far trom tho ponitontiary would uorossi- tato tho construction of portablo steel cells, where they could bo safoly con fined when not at work, nud an appro priation would havo to bo mnde for tlmt purpose. To mlnimizo tho danger of escape, double time might be given to each prisoner ror faithful service whilo so engaged. A measure framed nlong theso linos when given a fair trial would test tho availability of prison labor on tho pub lio highways, and if found feaslblo nnd profltnblo it could be oxtonded to moot conditions as occasion may require. Criminal insane Thero nro now confined in the in sane asylum about 15 insane couvlcts, who havo been transfored from tho penitentiary from timo to timo within tho past 30 years. Two at least of theso aro sorvlng lifo sentences for murder in "tho socond. degree, whilst nearly all of them aro burdened erlmr innls. Thoro aro serious objections from a sentimental ns wU as from n practical standpoint to removing tho criminal insauo to nn institution do siguod for tho civil insane, unless somo arrangomont can bo mado for tiioir on tiro isolation from tho lntter und nt tho samo timo to so safegunrd them ns to prevent escape. Humanity dlctntes that thoy rocelvo at tho hands of tho authorities such treatment as is most iikoly to restoro mental equilibrium, and it is impossible to nccord this within thn walls of tho prison without employing phyHicinus nud nttondants skilled In montal disorders. Tho small number of couvlcts thus afllictod will not justify this additional bunion upon tho tnxpayors. Tho timo may como as tho population of tho stato incronsos wliou a convict asylum within tho prison onclosuro may bocomo a neces sity, but for tho present sufficient money should bo appropriated to fit up, with regulation colls to guard against escape and to secure Isolation, a por tion of ono of tho wings und onclosuros of tho asylum. This suggestion is concurred in by tho superintendents of tho asylum nud ponitontiary. Youthful Criminals. Ono of tho saddest things to reflect upon in connection with prison life is tho largo number of youths ranging in years from 10 to 25. Ah will bo scon by reference to tho report of tho su perintendent, 100 out of 332 prisoners, or about 32 per cont, uro under 25 years of ago, and about 12 per cent nro un dor 12 years of ngo. It Is safo to say that iu most of thoso cases tho prison ers nro sorving first tonus. About 10 nor cent of all the inmates nro wholly Illiterate, whilst a much Inrgor poreon tago can do little moro thau road and writo, and this percentage will hold good for tho youthful as well as tho older convicts. I realize that tho first purposo of punish mont of crime is tho protection of society, but there Ih no reason why Dtrenuous offort should not bo mado to reclaim at least tho young or criminal clnsses, and if poBsiblo ro storo them to umfnl citizenship, Thoro aro two factors which can bo mado most potent to this end, and thoso uro mental and moral training. Tho chap lain of tho prison ought to bo paid a salary commensurate with tho sorvieo rendered by him, required to devoto all his time to the welfare of tho pris oners und to maintain a school in tho prison chapel or somo convenient room within tho walls for the benefit of tho youths nnd Illiterate class at such hours as theso prisoners can be sparod to him without Impairment of tho discip line of the institution. Tho policy has boon to permit inin lstem of tiro different denominations to hold Horviccn in tho prison chapel, and nothing should bo dono to inter fere with this plan. If, therefore, a prison chaplain is employed, ho should bo under tho direct supervision of tho superintendent and subject to thn same control as other officers and em ployes of tho prison. If tho suggestions hero mado nro fix vorably aotod upon much good will, I am suro, bo observable iu the disap pearance of second-term men among the younger criminal. urin'ir -rPTfin Orogon National Otiard. " The national guard of this state ha: reached the highest state of proficien cy. Tho act of congress approved Jan nary 21, 1903, for promoting tho effl cieney or tho militia has dono mue' to brliitr about this result, but th hiv'h character and standing of the of licors nud men composing tho guar. havo plnyod tho most important parti therein. iteprosentinK ns thoy do ov erv trade nnd calling of our cominer chl nnd Industrial lifo. thoy may safe ly be relied upon to perform nny duty assigned to thorn by stato or nation. Indian war veterans. Tho appropriation mndo at tho 1 session of 4ho legislature for tho pay ment of tho amounts duo tho oliiii teors who wcrvod in tho Indian wars e: 1855-1850 was insufficient for thnt pur poBC. Claims wero paid ns thoy wori' presented until the appropriation wo exhausted. Many havo boon prcsontw1 since, nnd to pay them nil will roquin an additional appropriation of nbou1 $4U,U"u. Theso bravo old pioneers havo wait ed long to hnvo justico dono them ; the statu for faithful nnd elllqion sorvieo rondorod in "times that trlw" mon's souls." Thoy nro rapidly pass ing away, and if anything is to bo don for them it ought to bo dono now, qM It will bo too late Their claims ough to be paid, and tho nmount nppropriat cd for this purposo should bo certlflot to our senators nnd roprosontaUve; with tho request that thoy urgo con gross to relmburso tho state therefor Iloaith Ofllcos. He renews recommondntion of twt years ngo for tho nboltshmont of th( stato quarantine scrvico bocnuso h feols that thoir establishment nnr malntonanco nlong tho coast come moro properly within, tho jurlsdictie: of tho fedornl authorities. Public Lands. Upon assuming the duties of the ccutivo office I at once turned ray tentlon to n rectification, so far possible, of tho abuses which hac'j vrrown out of tho mothods in voguo foil llspnsing of tho public lands, and ij fool safe in saying that my efforts it this direction have been measurably successful. Tho offices of stnto land ngont nnc clerk of the stato land board lmv been prnetically consolidated within th last two years, and tho stato land ngen has done nothing during this ndmlni: trntiou thnt is not to bo found of rw ord in tho ofllco of tho elerk of th stato laud board. Arrangements or now iu progress to havo tho formo move Into tho office of tho latter an rearrange tho remnnuts of rocords thu were found thoro two years ago, ft that it will bo possiblo from nn In uection of the records to ascertain a a glance tho prosent Btatus of over ncro of land iu tho Btate Tho stato land agent nnd Mork o tho stato land bonrd havo dovoted muclj if their timo to straightening out th tauglo into which tho records of bot! offices hnVo bocomo involved boca if the lack of unity of action betwee. tho two. Tliis task wan carofully gun undor the administration or mi J. W. Morrow, and hns boon scrum lously nnd porsistontly followod by n; successor, Mr. Oswald West, to wiioi is woll as to Mr. George Q. Brew: clerk of tho stato land board, mue' crodit is duo for bringing ordor at what at first Boomed hopoloss chs Tho lands urnntod to tho stato u Its admission to tho union for odu tlonnl and othor purposos hnvo bee practically all dlsposod of, and thoi; that remain nro of little valuo cos pared with thoso that havo beon soli It might Jo interesting to roviow t' legislation of tho state as atiocua those lands which havo boon sold sh to point out how profltnblo such lej islutlon hns boon to speculators an how costly to tho irroduclblo sclio fund, but such a roviow can nt th; Intn dntn do no trood. and I contos my sol f with dealing with condition t I found thorn and as thoy nro at pro ont. Tho grant to tho stato of tho id toonth and thirty-sixth section in e ory towuship for school purposes di not carry with it tho title to thoso sej tions which woro known to bo mot valuable for minoral than for otlw' purjKisoH ut tho date of tho survo; nnd for ovory mineral section lost tho state it had thn right to soloct domnlty lands in lion thoroof. Ho) was a rich field for exploitation I tho speculator in minoral base, nnd sooms to have boon farmed out to pr vato enterprise. During tho four yea prior to 1903, application was mado I tho executive to tho sovoral local )ni offices for adjudication of nbout 90,0( acres of so-called mineral bnso, aboi 12,000 aeros of which had boon so In place by tho stato land board prl to this attemptod adjudication, at titln had nnssed from tho Btato elth by deed or certificate of sale. All (l thCBw lauds woro returned ua miner and without watting for a final dote mination by tho gonornl laud depot mont nt Washington about 70,000 acr so adjudged as mineral by tho loc, Innd offices wero usod as basos for I domnlty selections and tho solcctio sold by tho stato at tho uniform pri of $2.C0 por acre Whilo thoso adju cations woro progressing, and nftt wards, about 35,000 acres wero sold place bv tho Btate, so that npproi matoly 50,000 acres of the land whll was adjudicated as minoral by tho I cal land offices wero sold in place tho state Here was tho condition of things i tho 1st day of January, 1903; Abo 50,000 acres of laud had been sold placo by the state, whilo tno icis liindH had boon adjudicated as miner, by tho locrtl land offices, nnd tho exec tivo of tho state, through his l"-i agent, had selectod indemnity lan iu lieu thereof, and theso indemnl lands hud been likewise sold, so th the state had practically sold tho eao land twice. In addition to this, mai of tho nllegod mineral lands had bet used twice as buses for indemnity t lections, so that in such cases t! state had practically sold the Ban lauds as often as threo times to ' ninny different individuals. 0( t& 70,000 acres, thorofore, adjudicated mineral and usod as bases for Indemii ty selection, only about 20,000 naA uro in such conditiou that tho staj uun fairly aud in good faith attem' to havo tho (elections made in U ,(Mm mm ii i imn-r- -"-- - ,- j, T jr t ' ftM(fl 5i . ,- i I I I