,'(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
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