, 1889-08-01

The convention went into committee
of the whole by ayes 33, noes 20.
The chair (Mr. Minor) called upon Mr..
Stiles 90 take the chair.
Mr.. Stiles said he was tired out and
really not fit for that duty.
Mr.. Crowley was called upon, but
asked to be excused
Mr., Grifitts was named, but he had
slipped over the door sill and was
NOT IN THE ROOM,
though his smiling countenance was
very visible watching the proceedings.
Mr.. Goldman said he never had any
experience in presiding and asked to be
excused when the chair kindly proposed
to elevate him behind the desk.
Mr.. Convey slipped out of the task also
ON simple request to be excused.
Mr.. Reed of Olympia did not have the
tcrrors of the exalted position SO very
much before his eyes and accepted Mr..
Minors invitation to preside.
The article was. taken up and on mo-
ton of Mr.. Eldrcdge the rule requiring
the reading again in full was suspended.
Section reads as follows: "Thc ex-
ecutiyc department shall consist OF u
governor, acknowledgements, secretary
of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney
general superintendent of pu5lic in
struction and commissioner of public
lands, who shall be severally chosen by
! the qualified electors of the state ut the
same time and place of voting for the
members of the legislative assembly"
MIR. Sharpstein moved an ameidment
striking out acknowledgements and
commissioner of public lands.
Mr.. Weir claimed the right to have
| the motion divided and take the matter
of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS first.
The chairs so put it.
Messrs. Weir, Browne, Dyer. Bu-
| ..I., 4 tu nm
grove opposed this and favored having
the lieutcnunt-govcrno
Messrs. Dunbar, Goldman, McElroy
and Eshelman thought that the lieutcn-
ant.governor was u supcrauity and fav-
ored striking him out.
The convention supported the com
mitlec''s report by voting down the
amcndmcnt--ayes 81, noes Is.
MIR. Mires offered substitute for this
section, leaving out the lieutcnant-gov-
ernor commissioner of public lands and
auditor, and authorizing the legislature
TO create any necessary offices III the
future. Lost.
The second portion of Mr.. Sharp
stems amendment, striking out the
commissioner of public lands, was taken
up.
Mr., Sharpstein thought too many Of
iiccrs were being provided for and that
IL board of commissioners could manage
the matter
Mr.. Bowen strongly opposed the
amendment and instanced the expert
cnccs of Michigan, with which he WIS
familiar in proving the necessity for
such u commissioner.
Mr. Weir argued strongly for the ne
ccssity and profit to the state of such an
officer.
Mr. Convey proposed to make the see
retary Of state cN-otfiCio commissioner
of public lands.
Ruled out of order as not germane.
Mr. Buchanan submitted "A substitute
creating the lieutenant governor treas
urcr, attorney. general, ~ board of
commissioners of public lands like they
had in Wisconsin.
Mr. Weir opposed this substitute, aud
called the attention of Mr.. Buchanan To
the fact that in Wisconsin that board
was appointed simply to sell he lands
and apply the proceeds. In this state
the land will he so varied and its treat
ment by sale, lease, reservation and
otherwise SO varied also, that such "A
board will not work so well as q separ-
ate department with II responsible head.
Mr.. Cosgroyc thought this was one of
the most important bureaus To he brought
before the people, and il should have II
responsible head, and not be made.
SIDE SHOW
for some other officials. This was no
place to exercise false economy.
Mr. Convey opposed the substitute
and thought too much prominence was
being given To this subject. The lcgis-
lature was the only power to say how
and when and in what manner these
lands should be disposed of. The sccre-
tary of state can easily take charge of
this whole matter for good many
years.
Mr. Prosser opposed the substitute
and Concurred with Messrs. Bowen and
Weir In all they had said regarding the
importance of the land commissioner
Certainly S25, 10000 worth of land was
involved and the state ought to have
that amount OF property well cared for
and managed.
Mr. McEIroy opposed the substitute
and favored Mr.. Conveys proposition.
He didn't want these great tide lands in
terests given into the hands of any one
man.
Mr.. Goldman couldn't comprehend the
argument in favor of land commits
sioner. He had no authority save as
the legislature may provide him with il,
and why not strike him out altogether
unless the convention is ready to de
eide, us it ought to- what disposition
should be made of these lands and leave
to the legislature merely the duty of
providing machinery to carry out the
will of the convention.
Mr. Bowen favored an executive head
to carry out the decisions of such board
of commissioners as was provided, and
proposed that the officers named in Mr..
Buchanan's motion should be an advis-
ory board
The chair thought this was not in
order, and Mr.. Bowen Withdrew ii for
the present.
Mr.. kinnear doubted il the secretary
of state could properly perform these adj
ditional duties. As to the duties of the
land commissioner there was no diff
Guilty in the fact of leaving them to be
established by the legislature.
Mr.. Stiles didn't think this was the
place to provide for boards. This SIM
the state. II there is any public officer
who will earn his salary, il will be the
land commissioner, whuyill have about
$500, 900 acres to look after.
Mr.. Iillis figured up nearly $50 100000
worth of state land besides as much more
in tide lands, and thought there ought
to he u commissioner to attend TO all
this.
~. Mr.. Blalock. favored the report of the
committee without amendment.
Mr.. Buchanan's substitute was put to
vote and Mr.. Buchanan voted Tor II,
but If anybody else did the reporter
failed 10 lear 1t, and he was watching.
Mr.. Conveys proposition was put into
the proper form ofan amendment so as
to lie before tho convention.
Mr.. Eldredge opposed creating q land
commissioner before deciding upon the
policy regarding the lands.
Mr.. Weir opposed making the secre-
tary OF state ex-otficio commissioner of
.I-le l..