The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-01-22

l.
of Gov. Mcbride to the Washington Leg
islature was read in joint session at noon.
The message is full of figures as to the
various funds of the state, and recon-
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
s 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 a sufficient sum to take up the per
cent interest bearing warrants outstand
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 3h 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
first lien upon the proceeds derived from
the sale of lands granted to the state for
the public buildings at the capital. l
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. If this state is to take part an
a .propriation 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
it's value, viewed from practical stand
point, yet sentiment naturally inelines
one in it's favor. What other states, in
Guiding even Oregon, may do Is not yet
known. Pursuant to Senate Concurrent
Resolution No. IT, adopted March 4, 1901,
Gov. Rogers appointed Hon. f. j. Parker
of Walla Walla, Hon. J. G. Megler Of
Brookfield, 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,
and to report to this Legislature it's rec
4 Home hat r,rio fifafl
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, 1852, 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
the privilege of putting in the necessary
furniture, with the understanding that
they might remove 1t 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.