The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-02-14

mated for the purpose Of building a
dormitory. There is serious cues
ton as to the wisdom of this meas.
ure. There is not now any demand
for an institution of such magnitude. |
During the next ten years it is not
likely that there will ever be, at any
one time. TO exceed FIVE or six in
mates of the institution. The ex-
pense of maintaining the institu-
ton will be altogether out of pro-
portion to the benefit derived and it
is the fear Of those who are anxious
for the welfare of the State that the
legislature has provided a "white
elephant" There has been some
intimation that the Governor was
not entirely favorable to the meas
ure. That is to say, he was not
favorable to so large an appropria
tion at this time. We believe that
if such were the Governors idea,
he entertained the view of a great
majority Of the people of the State
and the legislature would have rec
commended themselves more favora-
bly, had they been little more
economical in this matter.
A bill has been introduced by
Senator O'Neal to repeal the River
Improvement law. The law as it
now stands provides that any iudi-
vidual or corporation desiring to
use the natural streams foi the pur-
pose of timber aoatage may, upon
proper proceedings, obtain a fran
chise from the State which enables
it to collect toll from all other peo-
pie using the river or stream for the
same purpose. The amount of toll
is regulated by the State board but
it must be sufficient to enable those
who improve the river to reimburse
themselves for all expenditures
made in connection with the i'm
provement. Senator ONeal pro-
poses to repeal the law and in sup
port of his measure advances the
following argument: THE timber
should be for the people and not for
any individual or corporation.
Ownership of streams by individuals
or companies gives them practical
ownership of all the timber on such
streams, even without title. :. Nc
person or company without fran
chise can compete with those who
havoc ne, for they would have the ad
ditional expense of toll to pay; peo
pie who have located on timber
land should have the free use O.
streams in floating their logs Th'
timber and the streams should b.
absolutely for the use OF the people
without hindrance No one shoult
be required to pay royalty to an!
person or company Stream
should be improved by the State or b!
some company or individual not in
terested in the lumber business"
There is considerable diversity o
opinion with respect to the Rive
Improvement law. It is claime'
by the friends of the law that with
out some inducement the stream
never would be improved so tina
the timber would be available.
is also claimed that no injustice i
worked because the State control
the toll and in no event shall til
, toll exceed the actual expenditure
, On the other hand is the argumer
presented by Senator O'Neal an
further argument derived from ez
perience that in the older States til
big lumber concerns have improve
rivers and streams for floatage pu,
poses without any special conside'
:, alton or assistance from the Stat
= It is really a serious questio
:. whether any legislation which give
y special privileges on streams
:. highways is beneficial to the peopl
# A strong effort has been made
d pass some local option measure
II There will be no temperance legi
: lation during the present session.
Is4T ~6c~nt:..nr - AlA xvvn1Enra rs a.