The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1903-01-17
: ~ = = -5s :
HIS MESSAGE
REGoMMENDATIONs.e MADE BY
GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN Z
TO LEGISLATURE.

Wants but two Normal Schools
Must be no More Land Frauds
-Real Estate Should not
Bear More Than its
Share of Taxation.
Salem, Jan. 14.-The message
read before the legislature by Gov.
ernor Chamberlain today, embod.
les the following.
"Gentlemen of the Senate and
House of Representatives: I would
be recreant to my duty if I did not
in the very beginning of what
have to say, express to you, and
through you to the ptople of the
state, my high appreciation of the
great honor which has been con-
ferred upon me in electing me chief
executive. When a convention of
my party put me in nomination for
this exalted place, it was with one
voice and without solicitation on
my part. I feel and know that I
am indebted for my election to that
generous spirit Of political independ-
ence which has characterized the
people of this state from the earliest
pioneer times, and fully realize that
it was not because of any superior
merit in me. Under such circum.
stances enter upon the perform.
ance of the high truat that has
been imposed upon me with a deep.
er sense of the great responsibilities
that devolve upon nae, with agreat-
er fear that I may not be able to
meet the expectations of those who
have SO henorfd nee, and with a
firmer determination to do all in
my humble power to best subserve
and protect the interests of the
state. I have no higher ambition
than to win the encomiums of my
fellow citizens when my term shall
have expired, for duty faithfully
and honestly performed.
With absolute consciousness of
and faith in the rectitude of my
own intentions, keeping in view the
oath I have taken to support the
and laws of the state,
I place my trust in God and appeal
to him to direct and guide me in
all that affects the welfare OF the,
people Of the whole state, irrespec-
tive of race, religion or party.
While the mandate of the consti-
tuition requires the incoming S well
as the outgoing of the executive to
embody in message to you such
suggestions as may seem proper as
to legislation, in the vsry nature of
things the suggestions of the retir-
ing executive deserve and will re-
seiye at youi hands more attention
han any 1 can make. Many years.
service as a legislator and four years
IS executive have not only famil-
iarized him with the business af-
fairs of the state, but peculiarly fit
him to point out for your consid-
Grafton needed legislation to meet
conditions. Still, I cannot
but take advantage of the oppor-
tunity afforded me by the constitu-
ton to calfto your attention in a
general way some matters which
seem appropriate to be considered
atsthis session of your body, and to
them<I will refer.
Concerning assessment and tax
alton, the message points out that
the constitution is continual y vio-
lated in that the assessment valua-
tiors are not uniform. Itsays that
real estate is made to bear the chief
burden of taxation while personal
and money largely escapes
taxation at all. It urges that ap-
pointment of assessment commits
sion to prepare a law correcting the
evils complained of, the report to
be submitted to the next legisla-
ture for adoption or rejection. I'm
der taxation also the message says
that CORPORATIONS, such as tele-
graphs, telephones and companies
Of kindred character are not taxed
in proportion to the protection they
receive under the laws, and that
provision should be made for. them
to pay a Just proportion of the pub
lie expenses.
The message urges the enactment
Of o law taxing inheritances, and
says that in the various county
courts of the state, papers are con-
stantly filed that disclose the urgent
need of such law. Large space is
devoted to the discussion of fel.
low servant law, and much atten-
ton is given to fixed salaries for
state officers. On the latter point,
the President reminds the leg
islature that both party platforms