The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-09-29

only be required to meet our run
quired an Indebtedness thus far of
$125,OOO, any Washington school boy
familiar with the ordinary rudiments
Of arithmetic can easily calculate that
during the year 1906 we will not only
pay all of the expenses of maintain
ing the state government and all of
it's agencies, but will have a comforta-
BILE surplus to apply to the reduction
of the state debt. And, in this connec-
ton, let me point out of what this
state debt consists.
Including the 100000 I have men
toned, the state is indebted to the
permanent school fund in the sum
of $1,S75,000, bearing interest at the
rate of 31s per cent per annum. Such
investment in the school fund pro-
duces annual interest in the sum OF
$48,125.
Whatever interest is paid upon this
bonded Indebtedness is paid into the
current school fund and distributed in
the manner provided by law to diff
ferent counties and school districts
in this state for the support Of the
public schools. 1t is fair to presume
that, if this interest was not earned
the different school districts would be
compelled to levy additional special
school taxes for the purpose Of pro-
viding an amount equal to the amount
they receive from this source. In
other words, the people of the state
receive the benefit of the interest or
this bonded Indebtedness.
BY the passage of the act providing
for the supervision Of the charitable
and penal institutions by state
| board of control this state has
achieved marked advantage over q
great many other states of the union
Through this act a great many loca
boards have been eliminated and
much confusion and unnecessary ex-
pense has been avoided.
AS the present board of control is
a purchasing agency for the state in
all matters affecting the institutions
under it's supervision, we can, in my
judgment, extend it's usefulness by
making it the purchasing agent OF
all the different departments Of the
state government, including the pur-
chase of supplies, such as fuel and
building material for the educational
| institutions, for the state capitol
and in fact for the purchase of al
supplies of any kind or nature what
soever for the use an dbenefit of the
state of Washington or any of its
agencies. BY the enactment of such
a law, the state would enjoy the same
privileges accorded to private citi-
! zen of buying all of it's supplies ir
large quantities, by competitive bids
which would mean a great reduction
to the taxpayers in the cost of main
tanning the different institutions.
Notwithstanding the great benefit
the farmers and wheat growers OF
eastern Washington enjoy by reason
of the establishing and maintaining OF
the jute mill and factory in connec-
ton with the state penitentiary, 1 be-
lieve that by certain necessary changes
in the laws governing that institution
| the 700 or 500 able bodied men con-
fined there for violations of the
laws of their country could engage ir
the manufacture of products, and ye1
not come into competition with the
free labor of this state, to such ar
extent that the institution at the emf
of each month and at the end of eacf
year not only maintain itself abso-
lutely, but contribute a substantial
revenue to the state.
Expresses Gratitude.
In conclusion, my friends, l wish to
express my gratitude to the man.
agement of this association for the
privilege of being with you today. The
people of the state of Washington
have abundant reason to be proud OF
this fertile, fruitful Walla Walla val
ley. You are to be congratulated or
the achievements you have wrought in
making this valley the garden spot
of the northwest.
Fortunate, indeed, are we to live in
state which has already made
SUCH remarkable progress and thar
has such splendid possibilities for
the future Fortunate, indeed, are we
to live in a country now enjoying such
marvellous prosperity and where such
broad and generous feeling exists
among it's people. Fortunate, in
deed, are we that this nation has
suddenly developed tremendous
force and influence as a world power
Thrice fortunate are we that the des-
tiny of this great nation is in the
hands of a chief executive whose in
f1uence in tine pacification of war
ring nations has been felt throughout
The world, and whose efforts in caus-
ing the god of war to stay his hand
have received the plaudits of kings
emperors and political leaders
throughout the civilized world.