The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-03-18
SAVINGS MADE
FOR THE STATE
Good work done by the Secretary Of
State in interest of the People
MANY EXPENSES ARE CUT OFF
Attorneys Fees DIsallowed ana News
paper Bills Not Paid-NormaI
School Land Purchase.
Special to the AstorIan.

Special to the Astorian.
Salem, March 1.-THE biennial re-
port Of the secretary Of state of the
state Of Oregon. for the years 1895 and
1896. is a document that Is well worthy
the perusal Of any person interested
in the welfare Of our commonwealth.
The report Is published in pamphlet
form for general distribution. and a
large number OF copies bound in half
sheep have been prepared for exchange
with other states. and to be deposited
in the various state libraries and Of
fees. The reports bound In half sheep
are truly handsome books. and will
create a very favorable impression OF
our state and Its Importance wherever
they may be sent.
The report is very different from
any that has heretofore been present
ed TO the legislative assembly. and
has many features that commend II
profitable reading for both old and
the first page is on excellent engraving
Of the capitol building and the grounds
on the east side OF II. Forty pages
in the back OF the book are given to
brief biographies OF the governors. sec
retaries. treasurers and other eminent
men OF the state who. on account OF
their ability. activity and faithfuIness,
have been honored by their fellow CIT
fzana Thaua
well prepared. make interesting and
profitable reading for both old and
young, and viii be especially valuable
when time has swept several genera
tions into the past and the heroes OF
the earlier days Of the state would
be forgotten but for the preservation
OF record of their deeds. The gen
eral public, as a rule. Is too ready to
critielse the acts OF public officers. ana
to pass by without notice those acts
which deserve praise and commenda-
ton. The press is one OF the main
safeguards Of the people. because
through its columns alone are the
governmental trans actions made known
to the public. The press realizes its
duty and leaves misconduct in Office
long unexposed. but in its worthy pur-
pose Of keeping the masses Informed
OF the condition of public affairs IL
is apt 10 overlook much thar is deserv-
ing Of mention Some of the acts Of
the secretary of state. as shown by
his report, 1t is desired to present for
the consideration Of the public, that
they may judge Of the falthfulness Of
hat official 70 his trust
1t is the duty Of the secretary Of state
TO audit all claims against the state
and to draw warrants upon the treas
urer for only those amounts which
are legally and justly due. II is easily
seen that the secretary has been tire
lessly vigilant in guarding the public
funds. The large number Of claims
ne has refused to approve are evidence
in themselves and need no comment.
for in this time Of financial depression
the people demand retrenchment and
viii approve any effort wisely made
in that direction
The claim Of 1854 as attorneys fees
for collecting United States direct war
tax was disallowed for want of author
ity. as was also claim OF $S.696 for
attorneys fees in the case OF the state
Of Oregon against Multnomah county.
Claims amounting to $500 for land
purchased for the Eastern Oregon Nor
NAL School were refused on the ground
that there was no authority to pur-
chase the land.
1t has been the custom for the state
officials to subscribe for as many news
papers as they wished and to draw
warrants on the treasury for the pay
ment of the bills Under this custom
the state officials subscribed for many
papers they never read. or even opened.
while the taxpayers paid for the lux
ury. The present secretary refused to
draw warrants in payment for these
Continued on Third Page.)