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

county has been well cut over: and other por-
IONS q lhe state have nothing left of their once
magnincent forests but blackened stumps. The
most insidIons enemies that we have had TO con-
tend with are the forest fires. which kindfed by
p sS n careless hands with utter disregard
or naynap by accident, or by flying spark from
an engine, extend annually over large areas of
lumber, moving down the mighty trees like
grass before the scythe, leaving utter des,rGc-
ton in their trail
A continuation of the favorable climatic con-
o1tion or our state depends largely upon the
preservation OF its forests The Standing trees
have a wonderful effect In moderating and
equanzIng the extremes of heat and Geld, inter
cepunS the upper currents of air. breaking heavy
winds. and warding of the dreaded cyclone ana
blizzard They preserve the springs and other
sources OF rivers. and prevent destructive snow
snues ana Diockades BY breaking and diverting
the moving volume of snow. Our dry seasons
would become so marked aud intense as to pro-
duce drouth and seriously interfere with opera
lions OF husbandFy, were it not for onr forests
our streams and water courses should be
guarded with the most jealous care. and every
| ..nlng lending TO their preservation should be
los'efcd and protected. The theory that heavy
forests increase the fall of rain is generally ac-
cepted as correct
The experience of too many of our sister states
mss oeen lnat no action was taken for the prpSef-
Vation OF their forests until they had been ir-
remedIabiy devastated; the streams and water
was diminished; the climatic conditions of the
states materially affected, and their agricultural
and commercial interests permanently injured
ihen, and not till then, would the people OF the
STATE aWaken to sense OF the importance OF
tneir forests, and enact laws for their preserva-
ton.
With that due regard for the future which
Snaiacterlzes wise legislation, the cutting of
tlinDer on school and public lands should be
regulated so as TO provide source OF revenue
Tor years 10 come The cutting of this timber III
properly regulated. would not only preserve the
reproductive capacity of the forests, but would
also anord as large present remuneration as
the wholesale stripping of vast tracts of land
without such regulation. The outstanding of re-
hasr a. rs,f
essential importance. With our present wealth
OF forest. the abundance of game therein and
cur apparent immunity from the difficulties and
eFlis Wnlcn other states have suffered by loss
OF these resources, il may, upon superficial ex-
summation, seem unnecessary, at the present
TIM lme; 70 enact laws guarding against possible
examination OF this subject, you will agree with
me that 1t would be wise and creditable for this
,egsature thus early in the history OF the state,
TO enact laws for the preservation of our trees
ana TO memorabilia congress to reserve the for
estS IN the mountains OF our state from speedy
despoliation. These mountain regions are unfit
lot cultivation and form the natural home of
our large game.
recommend the establishment OF forestry
commission. to be composed OF state officers
whose duty it shall be TO carefully examine into
these questions and to make TO the legislature
such suggestions and recommendations as the
facts gathered by them shall warrant The
| states OF Connecticut, California, Dakota Illi-
nois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri.
NEBRASKA, Massachusetts,, Nevada, New Hamp-
have taken action in this matter. The state OF
California has. perhaps, taken more efficient
acton In this respect than any other state in the
Cnlon ITS climate and timber resources. as
well as It's Typographical features are similar to
ours, and It's laws relative 10 the establishment
OF forestry commission have been conducive
OF great beneft to the state l ask your most
eaferul consideration of this transcendentiy inn
portant subject.
STATE CAPITOL AND OTHER BUILDINGS.
BY sections Il and II of the enabling act,
congress has granted TO the state of Washington
$4,000 acres of the public lands of the United
States, within our boundaries, the proceeds
from the sale OF which are to be applied TO the
erection OF state capitol and other necessary
state buildings Owing 10 causes which have
pTieny adyerted TO elsewhere, not one acre OF
this land has yet been selected. How soon, or
now distant. its ultimate selection and transfer
TO the state, under the present rulings of the
tinted states land department, shall be made,
is problematical. Were the state in present pos
session OF this munificent domain, however I
believe that due regard for our business inter
ests, as well as wise consideration for the fu-
ture. would suggest the policy of deferring the
sale OF any large quantities OF this land Tor.
under the present rapidly appreciating values,
the retention OF large portion of these lands
by the state for future sale could not fail TO be
more profitable than forced disposal at this
time. Our permanent state buildings, when
erected, should be ample enough to accommo-
date the public business OF this people for
century, and should be commensurate in form,
dignity and appointments with the magnificent
certainties OF our future
Under section of article of the constitution
the states indebtedness is limited at any one
time, 10 $4,000. Bonds to the amount of $780,
GOO, maturing in fifteen years, have already been
issued. pursuant to the provisions of an act ap-
proved February %, 1880. In my opinion 1t
would be wise policy to submit an amendment
10 this article OF the constitution, fixing the
limitation OF our bonded Indebtedness at a rea-
sonable percentage OF our assessed valuation.
III the building OF large public works is con-
templated, or any expenditures OF money are
deemed necessary Tor internal or other improve
ments, the limitation imposed by our constitu-
ton would practically prohibit such expendi-
lures; but the presentation 10, and adoption by.
the people OF an amendment of the character
which suggest, would permit the legislature to
and necessary, in order to meet the exigences of
the times. The credit of our state is unim.
peaehable. With our munificent grants of land
Tor public buildings, educational and other pur-
poses sinking funds TO provide for the Hquida-
ton of our Indebtedness could be established.
such provisions. would render our bonds not
only acceptable. but eagerly sought for in the
money centers of the world.
STATE OFFICES
Since the organization of this state, and pend
ing the erection OF a permanent capitol building
at Olympia, the various officers of the state have
had no settled abiding place. Their offices are
scattered about the highways and byways of the
city OF Olympia. and are located wherever rooms
could be secured The business of each depart
ment in its intercourse with the Others is, in
consequence, materially Distracted. The tax
payer and citizen are put to great inconvenience
and annoyance in doing business with the state:
the execution OF public duties with the required
dispatch is prevented, and the accommodations
are totally Inadequate for the requirements of
the times. The written business history OF our
government from its earliest territorial DAYS,
consisting OF the records in the custody of the
various departmental officers, is much OF it
stored for supposed safe keeping in sheds and
outbuildings. Valuable documents affecting the
vital interests of the state unprotected Their
total destruction by ire would be but the work
OF moment and their insecure condition offers
a premium for peculation. We have no vaults
Tor the preservation of our valuable land piats,
or for the safe keeping and storage OF number
less other valuable documents. the loss of which
would seriously impair the business standing of
those institutions whose organization dates
from the earlier territorial days. Many of these
books and papers, If lost, could never be re-
placed; and many could only be replaced by the
expenditure of large sums OF money. The safe
keeping of the state funds is also inadequately
provided fer.
The dignity OF the state is compromised by the
humiliating spectacle of the supreme court its
highest judicial tribunal being obliged TO hold
its sessions wherever chance or accident OF loca-
ton permits It's mandates OF record are OF the
greatest importance, yet their safe-keeping is
hazarded The state library, an important ad-
junct OF the supreme court and necessary to the
proper discharge OF its business and whose
shelves are stored with books costing many
thousands OF dollars, should be located in
rooms contiguous TO the supreme court and
other departmental offices. The geological ana
meteorological department with its valuable ex-
hibit OF ores, is perforce located in q neighoor
ing city.
The legislature, with due regard for the con-
TeDience OF the people, and with "A decent re
spect 10 the judicial. executive and ministerial
Offices OF the state, should see that accessible
and ample accommodations for the coordinate
branches OF the state government ara provided
without delay.
Under the most favorable circumstances, at
least five years must elspse before permanent
home can BE- had for the transaction OF the