The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-12
GOV. ROGERS MESSAGE TO THE LEGISLATURE.

State Reform School
Furnishing and repairs ...... ..--.... leo
Transporting Juvenile Offenders 70
Iotai .............. ......-.-.-- ..sSeSH
In addition Il may be said that in TO
state VIII re fcsszsd better managed iEsti-
tuition. or osse in which greater good EaS
come 10 its inmates than xaa Washington
state rsforTn school under the mos. efficient
care Of Director Thomas r. Wes9sgdors.
people f-0-a alt over the Union ara sasNz IN
their praises OF the good work done there.
and yet a careful economy mas brought sAs
per capita cost % that Intuition 10 less than
81 cents per day. AT the Oregon reform
school the daily cost per capita for tae las.
twenty mon.as Is more than 80 cea.s.
given by officials.
Believing that = vise economy directs the
payment % good salaries 10 trusted anar-
ca agents. recommend that Sze salary
% tns com missioner OF pubic institutions
Dc raised from q 80 20 s2,ka per alni4la.
Railway Lexislation-
Public opinion throughout this state re-
CARING railway fares aad freight rates
has long ago cryssalilx2d and beSaTua
nxsd- No large body 81 the people.
sensible citizen even. wishes to GaGuly tax
or 10 emoarrasS the railways In their man
agement bat il is known 10 AL that the
people nave fer years been entitled TO re-
.aeI from excessive charges imposed By
These public carriers Akains. the in
Haences exegted in this house IN times that
are past pubic opinion and the Just COM
plant OF shippers have proved weak and
sneHerfsial. The wind raised by the pass-
age through these halls OF railway at-
toTuesS mas topped over legislature after
legislature. Elected upon the most solemn
promises 10 do ali in their power To curb
the despoilc rule or their railway masters
legislators have trumped up specioJs ex-
clses for use among their Constituents at
hene but the fact remained that they were
Iaise To the trust given into their charge
oy Their constituents. Thus time has
passed and the people have wondered
whether indeed We were possessed OF q
republican form OF government or whether
our real masters were not enseonee.i in
easy chairs ia the directors rooms in New
FORK and Boston Ar no time mas the gen
eral public throughout the whole state
peep more strongly impressed with the
rlghCulness OF a prudent cautious aid
just supervision BY the state OF railway
fares and freight rates than Is the case
at this present moment Ii is not the feel
ing IN any quarter that our railways
should be subjected 10 unjust impositions
put rather that railroad managers should
De prevented by Just and proper legal
enactnnents from unjast,y imposing ruin
Gus rates upon the growing traftic OF cur
young and most promising state And vet
IN spite OF TINS unanimous feeling among
ali classes and conditions OF our eit.zer-
ship 1t Is whispered about, has indeed ha-
come matter OF common aotoriety no
member OF this body being ignorant OF il.
that the railroads will prevent at this Ses.
sion the passage of Just and proper Laws
Tor the relief OF the people In this matter
The names and positions CT men making
these statements make the matter worthy
of notice.
In view OF these things I ask the leyfs.
lature TO mantuily do Its duty, thus proy-
ing the statements Of railway attorneys
ana advocates 10 be but the idle boast
inxs OF those who would prevent that i,.s-
hgr N r. sh,
legislature OF 1887 the governor said:
Inc proper reputation and control of
common carriers. including railroad ard
steamship lines, telegraph and telephone
companies, is a problem difficult OF so,u-
tlon. Government ownership Is the only
nnai remedy, but that Is yet in the future.
Freight rates and passenger fares in this
state are exorbitant. They should Ire re-
duced- But whether public interest would
best be- subseryed by placing the matter
altogether in charge of commission, or
attending 10 ii by direct legislative enact
ment, those most to be benefited By re-
auction are not agreed. lit seems to ne
That the bes; results could be obtained
from a law establishing a minimum scale
OF rates ana fares. and providing for the
endorsement OK the law through the agency
or a commission. giving the commission
power further to lower the scale as time
and circumstances may Justify. Inasmuch
as inc governor OF the state Is responsible
Tor the execution OF the laws I believe
that such commission should be appointed
by him. any member OF IL to be removable
at the VIII OF the governor Thus faith
fulness TO the people would be insured or
the governor justly held 10 account The
expense OF a transportation commission
ought not to be hnrdensome and would
amount 10 an inf!nitesimai part of the d.
rect benefit accruing TO the patrons Of
common carriers within the state. as a
result OF reduced rates and "a better reg,-
lated service
To what was then said I have IN ada
that decision OF the United States su-
preme court In the Nebraska ease since
rendered has emphasized the necessity Of
a railway commission as the only practfca.
means OF securing the remedies desired
This commission should consist OF three
men, one of whom at least. should beiour
to the political party In opposition To ths
appointing power The members shol,td h.,
broad minded men of AFFAIRS. possessing,
the confidence OF the people Of the state,
men who would be atse TO carry an aver
and impartial hand in the decision of M.
complex matters brought before them
This commission should be given all naces-
saTy power, the decisions OF the board q,
be appeslaoie 10 the supreme court. sg,ha
board should be appointed by the governor
and should tse removable by him. Ii elect
ell for four years its members -eery 81 on
become fixtures In their Own minds. and.
as has been the case in other states little
good 70 the people results We VIII gun
pose for the moment proper law pazses.
by tais legislature and thai some ftrtstra
governor appoints board OF railway COM
missioners that fails in Its duty. Imuedi-