Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-03-30
MESSAGE,
To the Last LegisIature-Nlt'
The Document from Gov, Lord First
Made Public,

WdNE 7 ubilAi
The biennial message OF Governor
VIM. P. Lord to the legislature that
never met and organized is now foT
the first time made public. Following
is a brief digest:
THE MESSAGE.
Opens with a homily on the duties
Of lawmakers in general and in eulogy
OF the state in particular concluding;
You owe the people conscientious
performance sof duty according 10
your best ability. l pray that you
may not disappoint these just expect
atiOns.
The message then demands more
equal assessment and valuation OF pro-
perty for purposes Of taxation.
SOME POINTS IN THE MESSAGE.
The penitentiary is badly located,
badly severed and poorly constructed
The state insane asylum receives
intelligent and critical attention.
That the state accept the orphans
home at Salem,
That the state return money for
state lands TO which it cannot give
title.
That the state school land board
does not possess the business sense
and judgment especially required in
making loans"
The fisheries, national guard other
state institutions, horticulture and
forestry receive special attention.
More space is given to education
than any q other subject.
ABOLISH BOARDS.
1.-THE Offices Of food and dairy COM
missioner and veterinary surgeon
should be consolidated into one Office
under the latter, at his present salary,
and the domestic animal commission
be abolished. This would
secure a better service and ef-
iect a saying alone Of 5000 a year.
Nor is there any need of a railroad
commission, composed Of three MEM
1ers. One commissioner, with a clerk,
S enough, if the office is Of any pub
ic benefit. In any event, either
loolish the commission, or cut
Is number down to one. There
S, too, the board of equalization,
which is composed OF excellent men,
Iesirous of serving the interests that
we're the object of its creation; but it
5 greatly doubted whether the board
5 rendering a useful service, and its
BOLTON is not desirable.
The governor scores the custom Of
'gIslatlYe visiting committees to
whitewash as follows;
II assert that they stand in no
read of you or your power to investi.
ate the truth, and | say that they
espise, as every honest man should
the perfunctory or fixed COM
ittee, constituted to gloss ugly facts
nd manufacture fraudulent reputa-
ons for dishonest, worthless, or in
,mpetent officials"
The message scores nearly every de-
lrtment OF the state service in soL.e
ay, even the executive department.
nd is a reform" document,
THE CONCLUSION.
1--WE W the people a conScien tious
'rformance OF duty and must fulfill
IT obligations. We can not over |
the responsibility of 4
IT positions. Our oaths will
Il rest lightly on our con- 6
fences if we neglect our duty z
ID abuse our trust. We are brought
under circumstances that
lphasize the necessity OF a redemp-
IN Of pledges. Animated =,
a high senne of duty and
selfish loyalty, let us d
i've to discharge our public duties
a way that shall meet the approba-
OF Him who is the giyer Of all
ID, that shall maintain the best i'm.
'eSts OF the people and contribute 10
happiness and advancement,and {,
shall add TO the glory and re-
and 10 the honor of our beloved 4
tie. y
WIN. P. LORD, Il