The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-02-15

faction but il s in reason that the people have the
srst right to ask relief at the hands Of the party in
,wer and that it s likely to be in power ana that IL
il largely to blame for the present system oi Tees and
perousities and direct emouments OF state oihcisls
Governor Thayer is said to have been the last Gov
ernor who took only his constitutional salary Since
then Republicans, Democrats and Populists have
taken all that was allowed or provided directly or
indirectly, except that Governor Geer claims he s
not taking 500 year allowed for expenses In one
case. But without claiming any credit Tor him on
this account and without reflection on any prede-
cessor who took more or took less, 1t il time to
change the system and adopt flat compensation for
each official that s fixed by law and in the way 1t
was intended by the constitution.
Before nominations are made The JOURNAL will
call upon all the candidates FOR governor todeclare
themselves on this question and agree to publicly
stand for the proposition during the canvass before
the people, The state officials thould all accept their
nominations with the understanding that they are
to accept fiat salaries to be determined by law and
no other.
It is only by entering upon this matter in the
broad spirit Of justice to the people, and not for par
tsan or iactional purposes that 1t can be brought
about. The senatorial fight that is always injected
into the legislature makes II difficult to get any leg.
islation from the standpoint oi REFORM But this
matter does not concern any candidate for the
senate any more than it does any candidate for Gov
ernor All candidates for senator will no doubt say
it h right and should he put into effect so far az the
state officers are concerned. Candidates for senator
ought to be willing to have some check put on the
legislature against too great eXtravagance 1t is
we'll known that both factions will work the legis
lature to get votes for senatorial candidates. But
in the presence Of the ubiquitous senatorial fight
the legislature be held down II there is right
determination from the start.
So THE JOURNAL as an independent paper de-
mands that this question be put foremost in party
platforms II Republicans expect TO retain their hold
the taxpayer and businessman OF the state There
should be no evasion or quibbling and the demand
for salary reform should be stated % plainly that
there can be no installing the meaning. The good
Intentions of the legislator ought not to be guessed at
and the state platform and the legislative delegation
no matter who they are for on the matter OF senator,
should be specific on this question. The showing
printed in this paper Of the multiplicity Offices and
perqusities, OF the compensation for services on
boards and commissions is not denied by any one
II based on the laws and the constitution and the
page and section Of the laws cited and the pres
ent system of abuses Of long standing has now
reacheda degree of hagrancy that permits Of no
more delay. 1t should be abolished and the people
do not care to which faction shall belong the honor
or to which candidates shall belong the credit 90
long as it is accomplished. It lie the demand of
right and justice and ought not be delayed an
other four years unless the Republican party wants
10 commit suicide.