The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-01-14

hs mine has been.
Il is with grateful heart that l
hank the people Of Oregon for the
eenerous and unfailing support they
hhve at all times given me when the
obportunity has been given them,
aaa 1 return to private life dom
mated by the allpervading. hope that
lhb future of this great commonwealth
t.say be commensurate with that post
llbn among her sister states which,
|uhder the providence of God, her re-
s6nrces and her people have said
Abould be hers.
covernor chamberlaln's Address.
stentlemen of the Senate and House
OF Representatives:
would be recreant to my duty II
III did not in the very beginning oil
What | have TO say, express to you,
md through you to the people OF the
etate. my high appreciation OF the
.reat honor winch has been conferred
mon me in electing me. Chief Execu-
I've. When a convention of my party
I'M me in nomination for this exalted
Mace. IL was with one voice and with
tat solicitation on my part. reel
md know that | am indebted for my
4lection to that generous spirit OF po-
Ntical Independence which has char
tcterized the people Of this State
|rom the earliest pioneer times, and
I,,lly realize that II was not because
M any superior merit In me- Under
tuch circumstances, | enter upon the
nerformance OF the high trust that
has been imposed upon me with
.leeper sense Of the great Responsible
HES than devolve upon me, with
ereater fear that may not be able to
meet the expectations of those VINO
ave SO honored me, and with a frm-
er determination to do all IN my num-
Bile power to best subserve and protect
she interests of the State. | have no
higher ambition than to win the en-
|comiums of my fellow citizens when
NV term shall have expired, for duty
faithfully and honestly performed.
with absolute consciousness OF, and
hath in. the rectitude of my own in
|tentions keeping in view the oath
have taken TO support the constitution
and laws of the State, ! place my
irust I'm God and appeal 70 him to di-
tect and guide me in all that arects
the welfare OF the people OF the whole
state, irrespective of race, religion or
party.
while the mandate OF the consti-
ANTON requires incoming as well
a. the outgoing executive TO en-
bodv in a message 10 you such
,n4eestions as may seem proper
with reference 10 legislation, IN the
very nature of things the suggestions
of the retiring executive deserve ana
win receive at your hand more atten'
lloh than any can make Many years
sereice as a legislator and four years
As Executive have not only familiar
lied him with the business anairs OF
the State. but PECULIARLY nc him TO
point out for your consideration need
ed legislation to meet existing condl'
tons. Still. cannot but take ad-
vantage OF the opportunity AFFORDED
me by the constitution 10 call your
attention. in a general way some mat
.ers which seem appropriate to be
at this session OF your
,ody and to them will refer.
Assessment Laws.
II IS to be expected tat as the State |
.Fows In population and sin wealth |
here must be a proportionate increase |
n Expenditure TO successfully admin |
stor It's affairs But il does not fol |
ow that the general rate of taxation |
Ihonld continue 20 increase. The |
|teady growth in wealth. constantly |
Iddlng TO the aggregate assessed val !
Iatfon, ought 20 keep down the rate |
4 The tax levy. This has not been
ne ease. With an increased and /
-. |II.g avnaudffura tho
ate OF the levy has not only remained
tationary, but the tendency is to In
rease' each year. The responsibility
on this condition OF things lies pri-
aarily In defective assessment law,
nd secOndarily with the assessors OF
he several counties.
Notwithstanding the acknowledged
act that there has been large in
foase in our population since lS9z,
nd In consequence a proportionate in
roase in wealth, the returns made
, the Secretary OF State by the as
aaaors OF the several counties show
nai the aggregate assessed valuation
: an the property in the State in
69t was $3.50. .26S, $4,000, while In
500 II had decreased 10 1920. .s2S, ,s79..
0. reaching In 1900 the sum of $117.
D4.S74.13
The decrease has been steady each
ear since the date first mentioned {
lth the exception OF 1898. when there
|na a slight increase in the total val.
AlIOn. II this condition continues, {
81 result is inevitable under the pres. I
al system OF taxation that the fixed I
s4ernmental charges remaining the 7
.Ntp and other expenses continuing 4
Increase, the rate Of taxation must Z
'IIespOndingly increase. An exam o
LION of the assessment rolls will p
lose that a majority Of the coun- v
have decreased their aggregate l.
Nations, when every man In the q
|.Ie knows that there Is not a single p
Hnty In the State but has increased b
hOtb DODuIatiOn and wealth