Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-01-19
Governors Message Is
Read In Joint Session

OLYMPIA, Jan. 13.-The first message
of Gov. Mcbride to the Washington Leg
islature was read in joint session at noon
The message is full of figures as to the
mendations to the Legislature in regard
to the same.
IN regard to the state capitol warrants,
OF which approximately $4,000 are now
drawing interest at the rate of per cent,
the governor makes a recommendation
that some of the surplus state school
land funds now idle in the treasury be
borrowed and security to be given upon
lands granted to the state for the pur-
pose of erecting capitol buildings. He
says in this connection:
The permanent school fund has hun
dreds of thousands of dollars idle in the
treasury. The capitol building fund has
outstanding against it warrants drawing
per cent, the same rate paid to that
fund by the general fund, in the warrants
of the capitol building fund, thus finding
safe investment for the permanent
school fund and, at the same time, saving
to the capitol building fund Az per cent
per annum. The method of procedure
would be this: Transfer from the perma-
nent school fund to the capitol building
fund sufficient sum to take up the per
ing against the latter fund. Issue state
bonds to that amount and deliver to the
state treasurer, for the account of the
permanent school fund. said bonds to
draw interest at the rate of 81 per cent
per annum, interest payable semiannu-
ally. Provide for the payment of the in
terest upon these bonds from the general
fund. The permanent school fund and
the general fund would be protected by a
first lien upon the proceeds derived from
the sale of lands granted to the state for
the public buildings at the capital.
would commend this subject to your care
full consideration.
Exposition Appropriations.
Recommendation is made for the appro-
priation of $4,000 for a proper exhibit at
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at
St. Louis.
Regarding the Lewis and Clarke Expo
sition the governor says:
An exposition is in contemplation to
be held at Portland, Oregon, in 1905, COM
memorative of the Lewis and Clarke ex
petition. II this state is to take part an
appropriation should be made for that
purpose at this session of the Legislature
While the fact that it follows so closely
upon the St. Louis Exposition may lessen
its value, viewed from a practical stand
point, yet sentiment naturally inclines
one in its favor. What other states, in
Guiding even Oregon, may do is not yet
known. Pursuant to Senate Concurrent
Resolution No. II, adopted March 4. 1901.
Gov. Rogers appointed Hon. +. J. Parker
Of Walla Walla, Hon. J. c.. Megler Of
Brookfeld, Hon. w. w. Tollman of Spo-
kane, Hon E. M. Rands of Vancouver and
Hon. George w. Brown of Castle Rock as
members of a commission to represent
the State of Washington In the prelimi-
nary work connected with this exposition,
nvrI HI trlo kvsr0
concentrations as to what appropriation
should be made. The report of this COM
mission will, doubtless. be laid before
you. Probably you will be in possession
of sufficient information before the close
of the session to enable you to determine
the proper course to pursue.
Furnishing Legislative Chambers.
On the goth day of June, 1902, arrange
ments were entered into for furnishing
the legislature chambers in the new CAPT.
toll, the commission then still having a
strong hope that the building might be
completed in time for occupancy at this
session Bids were called for, due notice
having been given through the principal
newspapers of the state. The lowest and
best bids were accepted, but the COM
mission not having the necessary funds.
no attempt was made to bind the state.
The successful bidders were simply given
furniture. with the understanding that
they might remove it unless this Legis
lature, within thirty days from the open
ing of the session, made an appropriation
to pay for the same. The commission
believes that the price agreed upon be-
tween it and the successful bidders is fair
and reasonable. l would suggest that
each house appoint a committee to con-
slider this matter The secretary of the
capitol commission will lay before such
committees all information in it's posses
sion.
Expenses Will Increase.
Growth in population and increase In
volume of business necessarily call for
a constantly increasing expenditure for
public purposes. The number OF inmates
in our asylums for the insane, and in the
penitentiary, Is steadily growing. Sep
TENDER 80, 1898, our asylums for the in
sane contained $50 patients; September
&c. 1900, this number had increased to
1913, and September 80. 1902, to LAG
These unfortunates together with the in
mates of the School for Defective Youth
and the Reform School, must be properly
cared for. September &c. 1898, there were
800 convicts in the state penitentiary;
September 30. 1900, 405; September 30,
1902, $50.
From September 30. 1898, to September
Home increased from 112 to 16S. No one
can object to these men, who, in the hour
of their countrys dire need, fought it's
battles, receiving the necessary support
at the hands of the state.
Our higher educational institutions, the
State University. the Agricultural College
and School of Science, and our three Nor
NAL Schools, are supported by appropria-
lions from the general fund. The number
in attendance increases with an increas-
ing population, and at each succeeding
session of the Legislature it has seemed
necessary to make larger appropriations
for the support and maintenance of these
educational institutions. If it were left
to the heads of these institutions, or to
their boards of regents or trustees. to say
how much money could be spent to ad-
vantage in their support no doubt the
aggregate would far exceed the state S
ability to provide the means. l do not
say this by way of criticism for 1t Is I'M
doubtedly true that the field of usefulness
of our State University, or of our Agri-
cultural College, or of our Normal Schools
could be greatly enlarged did the revenues
of the state permit. To the Legislature
falls the task of squaring the natural de-
sire of those in immediate charge of these
institutions with our financial condition.
Viewed from this standpoint, you will
probably feel yourselves compelled to