The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1899-01-14

convention becomes more evident
every day. His message to the New
York legislature shows groupings OF
the presidential bee buzzing in his
bennett.
How is Uncle Sam going to interpret
the Monroe doctrine in the future II
some European power comes over here,
licks little South American republic,
and takes control of it? Since we
haye started out to gobble up foreign
domain it will be difficult for US to say
much about the Monroe doctrine.
The New Years edition of the Ore
gon Statesman, published at Salem,
has been received and is indeed a
creditablo number. 1t is printed on
heavy calendared paper, well illustrated
with half tones, and contains much
valuable information concerning
Marion county. The publication is a
credit to the statesman and to the
capitol city.
That old fossil Alger, secretary OF
war, objects to Admiral Dewey being
governor-general of the Philippines.
No wonder. Alger has no use for any
body who administers an Office COM
petently. If Dewey were some incom-
petent upstart who had neither ex-
ecutive ability nor common sense,
Alger would approve his appointment.
That there are hundreds of thousands
of dollars escaping taxation in Oregon
is not questioned. This is largely due
to the fact that mortgages are not
taxed, and the notes for which the
mortgage is given cannot be got at if
the holder neglects to list it in his
property. The re-enactment of the
mortgage tax law would avoid this to
a great extent.
Former Comptroller Eckels recently
made a statement that trusts were
really benefit to the United States.
Consumers of tin plate would be pleas
ed to have Mr.. Eckels' figures on the
manner in which their bank accounts
will be increased. The tin plate COM
bine advances prices 25 cents on 100
pound boxes, and the jobbers see the
raise and go them cents better.
The legislature will be asked to re-
reduce numerous officers salaries in
order to make the pay received COM
mensurate with the service rendered.
A petition has been circulated here
and quite generally signed asking the
legislature to reduce the salary of the
judge and treasurer of Wasco county
to 5000 year, and it is very likely the
reduction will be made, as the present
legislature is pledged to economy.
1t is rather humiliating to state it,
nevertheless it is fact that there are
some men in the legislature who ought
to be in the penitentiary. They are
those who want to farm out clerkships
to relatives and friends in order to
even up on their expenses during the
session. Their argument is that their
salaries are small, and if they can get
their wives, daughters or sons ap-
pointed clerks, where they have little
to do, at from three to five dollars
day, it will help to pay expenses. A
legislator who will make such an argu-
ment ought to be in the penitentiary
instead of attempting to make laws.
No man is fit to be at large who would
teach his nearest relatives dishonesty.
Sheriff Huntington, of Baker county,
goes before the legislature with re-
quest that his salary be raised, his plea
being that the salary Is inadequate
to the service performed. 1t is
indeed late in the day for Mr.. Hunting
ton to discover:this fact. When nomi-
mated for sheriff he was willing to ac-'
cept the Office for the fixed salary, aud
after having filled the position for six
if he finds the pay is insult
fcient. tits his privilege to resign, and
let the county court find some one who
is willing to do the work of the Office
for the stated salary The. legislature
should pass law making it a felony
for any officer to attempt to get bis pay
increased during the term of his Office.
The people are ever willing to pay
their public servants a reasonable
but they detesta CRATER
who attempts to fleece them after he
has been entrusted with an office.