The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1904-12-13
ATHENA, DECEMBER 18, 1904


The Salem Capltal Journal, Iepuph'
can paper, is out with its pruning knife
for retrenchment in cost Of state govern
ment. There is much good in the sug-
Restions made in the following article
taken from that paper, but the Press,
always a steadfast and consistent friend
OF the only state institution east Of the 4
Cascades, the normal school at Weston,
can see little or no fairness in Brother
Hoppers scheme to limit normal school
appropriations TO sum fixed each year
on the number Of students attending.
Such a procedure would work to the.
material disadvantage OF the Eastern
Oregon school, for the reason that it
takes time to establish an educational
institution as we'll as institutions Of any
nature. Consequently. with a restric-
tion ia funds placed on the youngest
normal school in the state, it would be
retarded in growth from the very in
ception II the cutting down process.
The PREss for one desires to see the
Eastern Oregon institution receive every
dollar Of state aid necessary to place it
on an equal basis with any normal
school in the Northwest, and this paper
does not take kindly to any move that is
made with the purpose Of taking away
afarthing Of its already meagre appro-
priations made BY the state. The article
ia question fellows:
HThe Journal called attention to some
opportunities for retrenchment. and
recommended that the next Legislature
take up definite reform program.
Among opportunitiea for improving the
financial exchequer Of the state was
enumerated;
Fiat salary law will save yearly $4,000
Equalize four normal schools and
save 10000
Save expense Of holding state pri-
mary election ......, ,..... 6O,OOU
Out one halt Legislative clerkships 10000
Abolish domestic animal commis-
aion .. 5000
Abolish atate biologist 900
Abolish state labor bureau. b,pO0
''None Of these statements have been
challenged, but some attempt has been
made to explain them away. 1t Is said
the flat salary law would not be 9 saw
ing, but would simply leave that much
more In the treasury. Well, if this is
admitted, $4,000 more in the treasury
would certainly leave that much less
each sea.r sea.r .sc .sc be sssl!ssssa by taxation.
"The proposition to save $4,000 a
year by equalizing the four normal
schools is very moderate estimate. At
the last session Of the legislature the
following appropriations we're made for
normal schools
Drain. .,.......s....,.... Slz'VVu
Ashland ...,...,......,..s.s. 22,OOO
Weston ........ 24,OOC
Monmouth ..........., ...-., 2T'OOV
Total ..,.s.......,,...Se Seo,oVV
sAll but the Drain normal school have
been equipped with buildings at the ex,
penae Of the state. No more appropria'
tiona for buildings should be made, un
less 1t is at Drain. The four schools
should be put under joint board Of re
gents composed Of disinterested citizen'
Or the state. Their course Of studies
should be confined to professional work
Their appropriations should be limite'
DO sum fixed each year on the number
Of students attending. A plan Of thi
kind would save not $4,000 year, bu
$4,000 year"
'ql you are not going 70 spend none
On necessary international improve
ments. shen lam in favor Of tariff r'
vision is the ulterance Of Senate
Fulton. What the senator wants. theI
Is tariff FOR revenue, and not tariff tc
protection. II don't believe the be-
interest q the country would iostii