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


DC called to our presnt needs.
Eastern Oregon is an empire II
ltseh IL is being developed by the
enterprise OF its citizens with startling
Iapiulty. It's resources are unlimited
ana 1t Is destined soon to be the
greatest cereal producing section IN
the world. The uime is not far distant
When lines of railroad will penetrate
INTO every part Of 1t. and the natural
direction for the shipment of all
the products of the country is toward
the Columbia rive rbasln, and thence
to the Pacific
In order to cheaper Transportation.
and enhance the value OF every com.
modify to the producer. all obstruc.
tons In the Columbia above the Cas-.
cade Locks should be removed
where that is not possible. locks or
portage roads should be constructed
around them by the federal govern.
ment, and that failing, the state itself
should take some action I'm the prem.
lses. This was done at the Cascades.
and there is no question but that the
course Of the state hastened federal
acuon with the result that the locks
there have been completed.
The money expended by the state
IN the portage road at the latter place
was well spent, and has been returned
thousand fold to the producers of
eastern Oregon in the way of reduc.
ton Of frieghts and consequent en-.
hancement Of prices.
The locks at the falls of the VIII.
iamette ought to be owned and con.
troiled by the national government
ana II they cannot be purchased at
private bargain. provision should be
made by law for their consideration
and purchase for public use.
Boys and Girls Aid Society.
] mean no invidious comparison
with other charitable institutions
when | commend to your consldera.
ton the Boys and Girls Aid Society.
nave come in close official contact
win the institution and its able man.
agement during the past two and one
nalt years. It has been instrumental
IN saving hundreds of innocent BOYS
and girls from lives OF crime and
shame. II Is deserving Of your conf.
dence and hearty support.
Public Lands.
There is now In the State Treasury
S729iS5.42 Of the irreducible school
fund unloaned. and consequently
bringing no revenue 90 the public
schools. Under these circumstances.
there is no reason for continuing the
sales OF the public lands OF the state
at minimum prices. II might be the
paH Of wisdom TO withdraw them
from the market entirely for two
years at least, but II the present poli.
cy Of selling them Is to be continued
the state land board ought TO be in
vested with a broader discretion than
they now possess, and permitted TO
refuse applications 10 purchase, or TO
sell either for their actual value after
proper ascertainment thereof, or at
public auction TO tho highest bidder
with power to reject any and all bids
that might be offered
Someproyision ought TO be made 10
enable the board TO asc rain and oh.
tain the actual value OF lands sought
TO be purchased. When application is
made, the lands embraced therein |
should be appraised by the state land |
agent in connection with the local |
agent of the board, or some dislnter. |
purpose at the expense OF the appli.
cant. There should be no further
sacrifice Of the remaining portion of
ne magnificent grants made by the
general government 20 the state, for
educational purposes. There have
'een at all times more or less abuses
n connection with the sale of the
'ublic lands, and consequently much
candal has attached TO various
'ticials and private individuals be-
ause thereof. Duties which the law
as intended should be performed by
ne clerk of tde land board and other
Metals have not I'm times past been
erformed by them, and contemplated
urchasers have been compelled 10
ay private individuals exorbitant 9
rices for information which ought 10 4
g furnished by the records OF the q
md department.
In his report 10 the governor OF 7
regon, made In 1896, Hon. T. w. n
avenport, state land agent. said: u
L Is not his" (the clerk'sD duty 4
ow," Ito furnish information) ANY a
ore than II was tho duty OF his pre-. s.
acessOrs. ever since the Office OF D
ERIK was organized In 1873, and b
ere are no legal fees for the per s,
rmance Of his duties other than the
hcial salary OF 81 500 a year He n
-nnot charge for information con. ai
Tning state land matters, or for \,
tiers pertaining 10 them. II Is al q,
ost needless 10 assert the selfeyi. m
mt proposition that he cannot abne- N
re any OF his duties In favor OF an m
tsider, and thereby get rid OF them lo
any purpose and especially TO of
arge persons doing business with n,
o office illegal fees, or TO speculate ",
state lands. All such things go h,
thou1 saying. and yet there is sur an
lent evidence 10 establish a moral st,
lyiction, all over the state, that the Nj
'rks Of the state board have been en-
ing Just those forbidden things N
m 1887 10 1895. Il rs a fact that 70.
ring the last mentioned period. ~
rchasers OF lieu land paid more IN,
m the legal rate. 81 125 per acre al,
some Instances az high as 81 per
Q We're paid Sl25 went 10 the
te and the remainder 10 those IN ~
deal" What was then said by the oA
10 land agent might. with equal m mn.-