The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1903-02-25


"Would it be any less uncopsti-
tutional in 1907 than in 1862"
demanded Smith of Umatilla.
sNot bit" said the senator from
Clatsop. Il do notapprove of the bill
at all, but if it is to pass I want it
to take effect only after the expira-
tion Of the terms of the present in
cumbents of state Offices"
Senator Mulkey took similar view
and said that when any change is
made in the compensation of state
officers it should be done by amend
| ing the constitution.
Senator Smith, of Multnomah,
held that the Republican party had
bound itself to pass fiat salary
law and he wanted this one passed
now.
Senator Rand said that he and
all other Senators had taken an
oath to support the constitution of
the state, and that the constitution
fixes the compensation of the state
officers. To vote for a bill which
gave higher compensation he
would consider a violation of his
oath of Office. "The Republican
party never pledged itself to pass
an unconstitutional measure for
fiat salaries,'' declared Senator
Rand.
Senator Miller, of Linn, advo-
Gated the passage of a fiat salary
law and said he would vote against
any bill that did not go into effect
at once.
The amendment carried providing
that the law should go into effect
in 1907, and then the bill was put
upon it's final passage and defeated.
Salem, Feb. 21.-The two legis-
lative chambers in the State Cal pitoI
may be aptly described today as
scenes of wreck and ruin. The
rooms are in the most disorderly
condition imaginable. Last nigh
and this morning the mem bers and
clerks packed up their belongings
as hurriedly as possible, throwing
papers, pamphlets, etc, in every di-
rection. During the late hours of
the night, while waiting for the re-
suit of the senatorial contest, the
people ate oranges and apples and |
threw the peelings on the floors and
carpets without any thought of ,
damage that might result. In the
corridors, cigar stumps by the
thousand covered the floor.
Early this morning the Secretary
of State had a force of janitors at
work in the corridors and got the
doors cleared. In the legislative
nails some of the members were
still at work packing up, and no
attempt was made at getting desks
ind other furniture in order. By
Monday night, however, the Secre,
ary of State will have the rooms
ooking as neat as usual unless
here are members or clerks around
o prevent the cleaning up process.
Plunder is not a bad word to use
n describing the scenes in the Leg
slative halls last night after ad-
ournment. Men and boys and
wen women walked around among
he desks looking for something
hat had any appearance of having
,een abandoned and that might be
worth picking up and carrying I
way. Ink bottles. mucilage bottles
,lotting pads, baskets, paper clips,
,ens, pencils, and even cuspidors
we're considered legitimate prey for
my who could get away with them.
When janitors questioned a clerk
'r stranger regarding a waste
,asket or other articles he was car
ying away the answer would come
hat "It is mine" or that Senator
Blank gave it to me.''
The rush and excitement and
onfusion of the occasion were the
opportunity for an exchange of hats
o the advantage of the man who
lad first choice. AS the evening
7as clear, no one had an epportu-
lity to secure new umbrella. One
Dung lady who happened to be
tanding near Senator Fulton when
e was lifted to the shoulders of
rowd of admirers, in the midst of
surging mass of men, all anxious
D grasp the hand of victory, suffer-
d loss of her gold watch. Some
ne had Snatched it from the clasp
hat held it to her dress.
Members of the Legislature as a
ule took away with them the codes
ession laws and Legislative jour
ais which they had voted them
elves early in the session. Most
them believe that the state
hould furnish these to the members
the Legislature, especially since
be compensation is less than en- :
ugh to pay his actual living expen-
IS while he ia in Salem. Two or