, 1875-10-16
Coyeruor-s Message

,ro LEGISLATURE is an able document, ,
and contains much valuable iniorma-
,;on in REGARD to the territory The
Governor estimates the population OF
the territory at $4,000, being an IN
crease Of 5000 within the last two
ysqrs At this rate of progression,
the grand children Of men now born
NAV sec Washington Territory state
in the Union. The Governor says
that every branch Of productive indus
Iry engaged in by our people, has
generally proved remuneratlve. The
t2rmer. The merchant, the mechanic
ard the manufacturer have received
reasopab ble returns from the investment
Of their capital and labor. BaSeleFs
authorizations Of immediate, unlimited
wealth. INDUCED in by speculators and
others may not be realized but all
faithful and honest efforts, IN leglt-
mate lines of business, have been fully
rewarded. Governor Ferry tayors
the appointment Of a
BOARD or IMMIGRATION,
and thinks that through such agency
we might secure a largely increased
immigration to the territory. He
saws that before immigrants can reach
cur territory, they are compelled to
pass through many states and terrific
ries. where efficient boards of emigra-
tions and their agents are indGstriously
and actively at work, not only IN
placing before the emigrant the ad-
yantages possessed by their respective
localities but IN disseminating false in
formation in regard to our climate
and productions, and as a consequence
q large proportion of those who have
started with the intention of making
eur territory their homes, have been
diverted to other places This can be
prevented by the employment of an
agent to be stationed on the principal
route of travel to this coast, and by
the circulation through pamphlets and
otherwise, Of correct and reliable In
formation in relation TO cur territory.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
Governor Ferry calls attention TO
the fact that the assessed value of
property in fourteen counties is $780,
SO less in 1873, than it was in 1873.
It Is possible that in some Of those
counties the actual value of property
has declined: but it is not probable
that this is The case in all. In eight
counties the assessment Of 1873 is
Sl,2S3, ,139 greater than in 1873. 1t
cannot be claimed that all tie pro-
gress, Improvement and enhancement
Of value in the territory has been con-
fined to these eight counties The
conclusion is therefore inevitable, that
certain counties are reducing their AS
sessments in order TO reduce the
amount of territorial revenue to be
paid By them. | am aware of no
remedy for this, except a board of
equalization. The expense attending
the operations Of such a board should
not be regarded for a moment. 1t is
unjust that one county should pay It's
full proportion OF territorial tax,
while another indirectly avoids the
payment Of its Just quota, and no
pecuniary considerations should pre-
vent the enactment OF necessary
remedial laws. Looking at the sub
jcct only in 4 pecuniary light, the
territory will he benefited by an equal
and Just assessment. The loss to the
territory during the past year, by the
reduction of assessments, was 3,5S5,
a sum more than sufficient to defray
all the expense of board of equal
i2ation. Walla Walla is one of the
counties that exhibits falling of,
but in her case it may fairly be
claimed tuat the decrease is entirely
legitimate. From the first settlement
Of the valley stock has been an i'm
portant element of our wealth, and all
who are acquainted with that branch
OF business know that stock has de.
preciated fully one half. This item
alone accounts for the falling eff in
this county, and negatives the assump.
ton that our people are endeayoring
10 escape the payment of their proper
share of the territorial tax. The mes
sage shows the following condition Of
THE TERRITORIAL FINANCES.
Value OF property, 1873 .... .SI4, 269. .156 90
Territorial tax levied, 1S74 57,S62 - !
1870. IS. S.295 33 /
Received by Territorial Treas
nrer from Oct. l, 1878 TO
sept. :, lS7j............. 9O.6SO 43 |
taId on warrants, same period 1881 76 |
Cash in treasury Sept. :, 1919 l3.O4S 67 |
Warrants outstanding Oct !,
1873, and interes, .,..,, 29,?17 ~
Issued from Oct. /, 1873 70
sept :, ls75............ 65,O42 10
Warrants outstanding, Sept.
:, lS15 :.---..--- 17,12s So
Decrease Of indebtelness. in
cluGinE cash in treasury.
since Oct. 1. l673.,....., 1920 70
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The Governor thinks the salary of
the superintendent should be increased.
Three hundred dollars per annum is
very inadequate compensation for the
discharge Of the duties which should
be performed by a competent superin-