The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-09-23
suggestions therein to your favorable


suggestions therein to your favorable
notice.
Competency Of support is as neces-
safy to success in institutions of learn
ing rs in other undertakings. IF the
Uniyers ty funds and the fund arising
from the Agricultural College grant
could be united and properly admin
istered, they would constitute n solid
foundation for State institution of
high order-one that would assist
greatly to hold up the standard Of ed
ucation in the State. a
pEsTESTTARY.
Our penitentiary has always been q
serious charge upon the State. This
has resulted from the want of the ap-
pliances and the discipline necessary
to engage the convicts in well adap-
ted system of continuous industry. =.
Constant systematic employment is
probably the most humane, and at the
same time one Of tho most valued
means Of reform used in public pris-
ons. There is ample water power
within the prison grounds now belong
ing to the State, available for all me-
chanicaI nses, also liberal amount of
land adapted to prison use SO that it
will be n matter Of organizations and
discipline, with moderate outlay of
money in the initiation of the work to
become not only self-sustaiuing. but
possibly to render u revenue TO the
State. II the Assembly should con-
slider that further legislation il neces-
sary to enable the superintendent to
place the Penitentiary on a self-sus-
tanning basis, / respectfully ask your
attention thereto.
FINANCE
At the last biennial session of the
Legislature. no appropriations were
made Tor the support of the State
Government during the following two
years. The result has been that two
annual collections of revenue have nc
cumulated in the Treasury, and the
public debts and liabilities have been
outstanding and drawing interest
against the State.
l urge early action of your body
upon this important subject, in order
that justice be done the public credit
or, and that the further accumulation
OF interest be stopped.
1t is apprehended that on account
OF the absence Of means to defray the
State expenses, certain warrants.
though issued for necessary contin-
gencies, have been without legal au-
thority, and will demand legislation
beyond mere appropriation to secure
their payment by the Treasurer. 1t
would be Just in these cases that war
rants issued for fixed salaries ami al
lowances be legalized and paid in full.
But where greater amount has been
allowed to any claimant than would
= -. - - \ =
not been in distress for want of ap-
preparations, think the law author
izihg payment should provide for su
equitable adjustments.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS
Tho 4th section of the act of Con-
gress of Feb. 14th, 1859, provides
That five per cent. of the net pro-
ceeds of sales of all public lands ly-
ing within said state which shall be
sold by Congress after the admission
of said State into the Union, after de-
Quoting all expenses incident to the
same, shall be paid to said State for
the purpose of making public roads
and internal improvements as the Leg
islature shall direct.
The amount of this fund should
now be considerable, and there are
several works Of great Importance and
commanding necessity which the State
should push forward or encourage by
every constitutional means.
The State is also entitled to the pro-
eeeds of the sales of FIVE hundred
thousand acres of land under the net
of September 4, 1912, on her admis-
sion into the Union. This grant was
specifically made. for the purposes of
internal Improvements, bat by article
s, section 2, of our Constitution, this
fund is enumerated as part of the
provision for common schools, 'sii
Congress shall consent to such appro-
priation." .,..s
The consent of Congress has never
been given to this division. I recon-
mend that specific application be made
to Congress for its consent to the use
of this fund for common schools, nc
cording to the provision of our Con-
stitution.
In case this consent is withheld, the
fund may then be treated as available
for internal improvements. =,
Specific grants of lands in liberal
amounts have been made by Congress
for railroads and wagon roads within
this State, and I am happy to note the
fact that, stimulated by this assistance,
good wagon roads have been made
opening up communications to every
part of the, interior, and railroads
have been projected to connect Ore.
gon with California and the East by
way of the North Pacific line, while
shorter lines are to connect us with
other leading points of communities
ton.
Fifty miles of the Oregon and Cali
fornia railroad, connecting Salem, tht
capital, with Portland, the metropolis
have already been completed, and W.
now feel the impulse of more rapit
. communication. These public works
should be fostered, and as far as tn,
State has power or influence, should
be made to inure to the benefit of al
parts of the State equally.
TAX ON INSURANCE COMPANIES.
j Foreign insurance companies or,
i carving on an extensive bushes
,,,itlain mr. State They racAiuA til,