, 1889-11-28
1 CLEAR And F0RCIBLE PAPER.
Pointing Out the Requirements
of the Constitution,
LEGISLATION THAT IS NECESSARY.
An Admonition Of the Grave Re-
sponsibilities of the House
The Full Text.

Ferry delivered his first message to the
legislature to-day. Both houses met In
Joint convention at IL A. Nj. TO hear It.
Senator Thompson and Representative
Browne of Pierce, and Representative
Grant were designated TO escort the
governor to tho speakers stand. He
was received with applause, and was fire.
4uently interrupted during the reading
Of his document, which consumed
thirty-one minutes. Following is tho
text Of the message:
Gentlemen OF tho senate and house of
representatives: The converting Of tho
first legislature Of tho state of Washing
tor, 10 . most important event In our
history, and as the representative of the
my sincere con gratulntions. The honor
which has been conferred upon you by
your fellow citizens Is u marked one,
which can not fail TO awaken In you
pardonable feelings Of pride and gratifi-
cation. Other legislatures of Washing
ton there will be but this is the first.
To you has been assigned the work OF
laying the foundation upon which the
lawmakers Of tho future will build; of
so establishing the institutions of the
state that they will be in keeping with
the modest present, yet capable of ex-
pdHSIOn 10 UIett tn0 VI tuc
future; and you have the great privilege
OF bearing a most important part In the
founding of the state government.
While the position which you occupy
is one oil peculiar honor, the duties per
tanning TO It are also Of peculiar RESPONSE
bility. The powers possessed BY You are
United States and Of this state. It Is
your province TO make precedents, not
to follow them; to mark the way, that
others may walk in the path which you
have made. Your position is unparal-
leled, so far as this commonwealth Is
concerned.
The situation of the state of Washing
ton Is like That OF young man entering
upon the serious business Of life. In his
mind are the precepts which he has
learned in childhood ind in youth. Be.
fore and about him are the examples of
others who have entered upon their
active career under similar circun,-
stances TO those In which he Is placed.
Behind him are incomplete and unsatis.
factory experiences which are totally in
adequate to serve as guides for future
acts or TO furnish rules for future con-
duct. The commonwealth of Washing
ton has arrived at manhood. Its child
hood, Its youth are passed. 1t has TO
guide II the example of other states
which have been similarly situated, to-
Fether with the incomplete experiences
Of its own territorial existence. 1t is
yonr high prerogativc and imperative
duty to start 1t Alright In the larger life
Upon which II is now entering.
CONSTITUTIONAL. I.REQUIREMENrs
The constitution of the state Of Wash
tngton designates certain legislation
which should be enacted. Although
this duty Is not directly imposed upon
you, yet it Is evident that 1t was in
should be considered by the first legis-
lature. OF the matters to which your at
tcntiuni is this pointedly directed will
refer briefly in the order In which taey
are presented In the constitution.
CONVICT LABOR.
After the first day of July next the
labor of convicts in tho penitentiary can
not be let out to any person or corpora
tion, and you are requested to provide
benefit of tho state. Early legislation
npon this subject is necessary In order
that the system OF labor adopted by you
may 60 into operation on the first day
Of the coming year, which is clearly in
tended by the constitution.
BUREAU or sTATisrICs, AGRICULTURE AND
IMMIGRATION.
The constitution provides (srticle II,
section 34) that there shall be estsb-
lished in the office of the secretary of
state a bureau Of statistics, agriculture
and immigration, under such regula-
ton as the legislature may provide.n n
becomes your duty, therefore, to estab-
duties and to provide for the compensa-
ton Of such Officers as may become nee
essary for It's successful operation. The
name given TO the proposed bureau by
the constitution sufficiently indicates lis
general scope, and It is your duty. to
make such provision as, In your iudg-
obviously designed.
PROTECTION or MINERS AND OTHERS.
You are also directed (artiele II, section
36) TO pass necessary laws for the pro-
lection of persons working in mines,
factories and other employ ment danger
Gus TO life or deleterious to health" and
TO six pains and penalties for the en-
forcemeht Of the same" There Is a
mining Law now In force which has given
general satisfaction to those most inter
osted in Its operation. This law, modi-
fled In some particulars, and so extended
In scope as to apply to persons employed
in other lines Of Industry, as we'll as to
miners, would doubtless meet the re-
quirements OF the constitution and give
pro. ection to those for whom II Is de,
signed. This is q subject to which I
would earnestly direct your attention.
The citizen hus 4 night 70 look to the
state for the fullest possible protection
against bodily injury in his efforts to Sc.
cure livelihood, no less than against
injury which Is designed and malicious.
Tic enactment eta law which will carry
out the provisions Of this section to the
fullest extent would be acceptable to the
people of the state, as II would be bene-
kcial to those who rare engaged in danger
ous employment.
FRKE PAssEs.
direct your attention TO section 80 OF
article 2, which is as follows: 1T
shall not be lawful for any person hold
ing Office In this state to acSspt or use q
pass, or to purchase transportation from
any railroad or other corporation, other
than ss the same may be purchased BY
turc shall pass laws to enforce this pro-
vision" You will observe that this sec
tion specifically directs you to enact q
law for the plishmcnt Of . stated
purpose. In coniicction with this sub.
3ect also direct your attention to SEC
tion 20, article IL, and suggest the en-
actmcnt Of o law to carry these sections
into effect. q
coMMtssIoHER OF PUBLIC LANDS.
II will be necessary for you to 70 pre-
scribe the duties and fix the compensa.
tion of the commissioners Of public lands.
This otfics Is created by the constitu.
ton; the incumb bent has been elected by
the people; but no powers have been
conferred upon him or duties prescribed.
II IL 10 be inferred from the title given
10 this once that u was deasgnated that
he should have the management and
control of all lands donated by the gen.
eral government TO the state, but the