Lewiston daily teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1901, 1900-11-01

b
Mcconnell at the opera house last night
and listened to an excellent campaign
speech, the greater part Of which was di-
rected to the question Of state issues and
was reply to the assertion made by the
opposition that the present fusion state
administration has given the people of
Idaho wise, economical administration.
Governor Mcconnell said in part:
The democratic committee claims that
the present state administration saved the
taxpayers hundred five thousand dol
lars ($Io5 ,ooo) in two years. How did
they do it? Are any of them receiving
less salaries than the constitution allows3
The contrary is the case. They are
even receiving more than the constitu.
ton guarantees them, although it is in
violation Of the constitution. Page 4s8,
Session Laws 1899, tells the shameful
story, $500 being appropriated for the
board of pardons and $500 for the board
of equalization, while the constitution of
the state of Idaho expressly provides
that the salaries of the state officers shall
be in full for all services rendered the
state. The governor, secretary of state
and attorney general comprise the board
of pardons They meet as board of par
dons once month and are not in session
to exceed one hour on the average each
meeting. The board of equalization has
but two meetings, ordinarily, during the
year. These meetings do not continue
as a general rule, longer than
from one to two hours. At one meet
ing they assess the railroads, telegraph
and telephone lines, and at the other
meeting they equalize the taxes, raising
or lowering TIE assessments made by the
county assessors. Yet a fusion legisla-
ture placed the additional burden of tax
alton necessary to pay these salaries upon
the taxpayers of the state, to the men,
bers of this "wise and economical admin
istration."
The last fusion legislature, also passed
an act lhouse bill 35S) authorizing the
issuance of bonds for the finishing and
furnishing of the State University of
Idaho, improving the Idaho state peni-
tentiary, building and furnishing hos
pital and other improvements for the
soldiers home and repairing and improv-
ing the capital building, making in all,
$4,000. Sec. 9 Of this act reads as fol-
lows:
"No contract or award or understand
ing for repairs or improvements for the
different institution mentioned in this act
shall be made or entered into by the var
ious governing boards Of the institutions
herein mentioned unless the same shall
have been submitted to aud approved by
the chairman OF the state board of exam
liners, and at least one of the other men,
bers of said boaed of examiners"
BY this provision of law, it was made
possible for contracts to be awarded and
payments made without the publicity at
tending an examination by the state
board If examiners, at an open meeting.
The minority of the board, Mart Patrie,
our present candidate for secretary OF
state was thus shut out from any know
ledge of these proceedings and such
scandsl as has been recently attached to
the PURCHASE OF FURNITURE AND MA
rERIAL for the State University made
possible.
House Bill No 362, page 463, session
laws 1899, page 454-4oS-455, ofthe session
laws of 1899, reveal another disgracefu
story In the attempts Of the presen
state board to deprive homesteaders o