The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1896-05-02
TWO PROMISES OF ECONOMY

The seventeenth biennial session of
the Oregon legislature which convened
at Salem in January, 1893, was the
most extravagant that had ever bur-
dened the state up to that date.
1t was composed largely OF repub-
licaus: and when the republican
convention assembled in 1894, the
members Of that body realized
denunciation of its extravagances
was due the people, in fact was an ab-
solute necessity in order that the
nominees of the party should receive
any support whatever at the polls.
AS result of this determination, the
following strong denunciation Of the
past legislatures extravaganza and
pledge for reform was embodied in the
state platform:
SIN our state affairs we demand the
closest scrutiny and economy in ex-
penditures. We condemn the proof
gality and excess of past legislatures,
and call upon the next legislative as
sembly to keep all appropriations
within the limits Of the most economi-
cal administration consistent with
efficiency. The officers of the admins
trative department have become too
expensive, and their expenses must be
reduced. When the constitution fixes
the salary, only the constitutional
salary should be paid, without ad-
ditional emoluments. The practice of
employing unnecessary clerks and
paying fees in excess of just payment
for services needed or rendered, has
become an abuse that must be cut off,
and we pledge the republican party to
the prosecution and accomplishment
of this reform. District attorneys
and other officials should be paid fixed
salaries, since payment of fees. en-
courages litigation and entails upon
the taxpayers heavy and needless ex-
pense."
Upon this platform legislature was
elected that was almost unanimously
republican. That legislature convened
at Salem on the 14th day of January,
1895, and remained in session forty
days. For proof of the economy that
was practiced we have but to refer to
the general appropriation bill which
appears in the session laws of 1895, and
note some of the items tina, appear
therein. We call attention to only a
few of the appropriations thai were
needless, and for which not one in one
hundred of the taxpayers receive one
particle of benefit. Some of the items,
however, are necessary, but the amount
of the appropriations is entirely out of
proportion to the service rendered.
Let us first consider some of the ap-
preparations for public service as fol-
lows:
For salary Of private secretary to the.
For Additional clerical aid in the ofice "
rapner. -. - 1,eoo CO
secretary Of state ................. 5000 oO
Of sterographer er..................... -. 1880 90
For salary of clerk to state treasurer 4,C00 90
For clerical aid In Office of superinten-
pay Of stenographer. ..... ........... = $500 90
For travelling expenses. superintend't
public instruction. 49,. .............. 1900 90
For salary Of pilot commissioners 1900 on
For salary of clerk to same. ........... 1900 0J
For salary OF health officers. :..... 4,4O0 OG
For salary OF boatman at Astoria. LOCO 90
game protector: -. .............:..... 5000 %
For salary and expenses, state dairy
and food commissioner ............. 5000 ol
missioners and Clerk. ................. 10000 %
animal commission. ~. ............. 5000 ou
equalization. ........... ............ $500 90
For the pay Of the governor. one thouS-
and dollars year, and Of the secre-
tary of state and the state treasurer
each five hundred dollars year, for
their services IN supervising public
works, public buildings. etc, for
provided :. ~. 1000 90
For public printing binding, ruling and
paper for public printing, including
census blanks Of 1886 etc. deficiency as,75s os
For salaries OF supreme judges. circuit
judges, salaries and fees OF prosecut-
ing attorneys and clerks and bailihs,
and other necessary expenses OF su-
preme court, Including stenographic
aid for supreme judges in prepara-
tion of their opinions. 12Q, ,0O0 90
For public printing and binding. and
for the purchase OF paper for tue
public printing. inclading paper for
officers and commissioners reports
Of biennial term ended December 81.
1894, and for legislative and other
printing OF 1885, -.........-... 6O,OO0 90
After having been thus liberal with
the clerks OF the state officials and