The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-09

praise them. and report their appraisemsnfs to
Under the prssent law. school lands within
two miles OF incorporated cities, appraised II
more than 500 per acre, must be subdsvided.
The law makes Ii the duty of the land commits
zoner TO Let contracts for such suodiyiAton-
This provision has, up 10 the present. been rem
dered Hugxtory BIZ the fsctThat no appropriation
was mafse Tor such work
SALE or SCHOOL LANDS.
Section 5. article Is Of the state constitution
provides:
.sSone Of the permanent school fund shall ever
it may De invested in national. state, county or
municipal bonds"
Under this provision. we are virtually limited
ss sIs,s eouIsy o. Runisl sonds g sogrss
son that the price of United States bonds Is 50
high In the market. and the rate OF interest On
them so low. that 70 invest any part of orr fund
IN them Is practicable only az great sacrifice
This school fund IS irreduclbse. and Is not d.
yertible. Under section of the same article OF
the constitution. the terms OF payment for any
OF the lands granted TO the state for educational
purposes may be prescribed by legislative en-
scfnent. subject 10 restriction that no sale shall
be made for less than the appraised value OF the
land.
The policy Of the state should, in my judg-
ment, Be to encourage the settlement and cult
ystion OF the land within its boundaries. thus
,asssssng i. popIlaiion industries and ss.sois
think, by offering the lands 70 actual settlers on
such easy terms OF payment as viii enable them
to establish homes upon them and bring them
speedily into cultivation By this means of
selling the lands, the security OF the state viii
be yearly strengthened and increased think
the state can probably provide for the selling Of
these lands TO actual settlers on thirty years
terra of payment, divided into six iEstaiiment<.
one-sixfh payable at the time Of purchase, with
payments thereafter st periods OF i've years, the
as y0u may Judge proper, and which should not,
IN nay Judgment, exceed per cent per annam-
Under this plan the state would, within i've
e sn1ssy popads'se - m sa vssn G
liberal and essy provision should become gen
orally known the tide OF immigration would roll
In upon US IN volume hitherto unknown
This legislature should not adjourn without
constructing an intelligent, comprehensive and
systematic law for the management, disposal
and investment CT the proceeds OF the lands OF
the state
CONCLUSION.
In closing this review of the condition and
needs of our splendid young state, am sensible
OF the grave duties and responsibilities resting
upon jon as its lawmakers. and upon me as its
acting executive. The very nevness OF our SOW
eTeignty and the great variety OF our interests
bring before you for immediate solution many
cificult problems, for the consideration of
which the legislatures OF the older states of the
you will be called upon 70 pass demand the
very best thought and efforts of philosophical
stasesUanship The time at your disposalis IN
q
which VIII be occupied In the election OF sen
stor OF the United States You viii, therefore,
hare not one hour to waste. Every moment
VIII be required for the maturing OF legislation
which viii exercise q fa--re2ching fufiu-
ence on the destinieS Of the state. Equally With
the trainers OF our constitution. you are
state builders You viii lay the foundation of a
policy which win, for good or evil deeply affect
the future Of a commonwealth designed by ma
tuTe to occupy Q foremost rank N the great
American Union have no foreboding as 10 the
results Of ycEr deliberations: have firm con-
yiction that the legislation you viii enact will
give strong encouragement 70 the investment
among US OF those millions of capital. without
which orr wo1drous natural wealth cannot be
developed and utilized. and viii afford 70 the en-
ergetie. ambitious, intelligent and progressive
elements OF the population of the whole repu bic
an assurance thai Washington is to be the en-
pire state OF the West and Is their natural home
the fbearer best fitted for the profitable exeF-
else of their talents and industry. In Your ef-
forts 10 this end pledge you my earnest coop
erafion.
To hare a share IN shaping and guiding the
career of such state as Washington should be
honor enough for any citizen, however blessed
with ability and requirements To use these
opportunities wisely, discreetiy, and for the per-
manent benefit Of the whole people, win be far
greater honor 10 you. and win be source OF
lifelong satisfaction and manly pride TO every
member o. the second legislature of the state OF
Washington CHARLES E LAUGHTos.