The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-01-14
GOVERNOR r1'BRlDE'S MESSAGE.

Oduu y.
GOVERNOR n'BRlDE'S MESSAGE.
Condition Of State Institutions Re-
viewed-Few Recommendations.
Gov. Mcbride, when he appeared at
the opening of the joint session to de-
liver his last message, was we'll receiv-
ed. He acknowledged the applause
and then began the reading Of his mes
sage.
In opening, Gov. Mcbride stated
that he would leave it to his successor
to make recommendations as to future
legislation, combining himself to re-
port on the conditions in the state and
only such legislation as is connected
with or growing out of such informa-
ton as he had to impart.
In regard to the states finances he
says that the states Indebtedness has
been reduced in the last four years
1888. $500.
This reduction is due to policy of
economy. He points out several in
stances where appropriations made by
the previous legislature were not ex-
pended in full and the balance was
turned back into the treasury.
A Word Of Caution.
"In the matter of appropriations"
he says, 81 feel would be falling
short of my full duty, did not address
word of caution to the legislature.
The needs of the state are many and
to keep the expenditures within the
revenue will require constant struggle.
"The State Soldiers home, the
Western Washington Hospital for the
Insane, the Eastern Washington Hos
pital for the Insane, state penitentiary,
state reform school; state school for de-
fective youth-institutions under the
management of the state board of con-
trol-are entitled to your consideration
in the matter of appropriations. The
increase in the number of inmates
renders necessary increased amounts
for the maintenance of all these insti-
tutions, except the state reform school.
Owing to the present rather crowded
conditions, aud the certainty that the
number of their inmates will continue
to increase, new buildings are also
needed at all these institutions, except
the reform school.
'The state educational institutions
dependent for support upon state ap-
preparations by the legis allure, name
ly, the University of Washington, the
Agricultural College and School Of
Science and the Normal schools at Ell
lensburg, Cheney and Bellingham, are
all in fourishing condition"
Gov. Mcbride then gives detailed
statement Of the financial condition Of
each of these institutions.
irrigation Legislation.
Gov. Mcbride goes at length into the
matter Of legislation needed to secure
government aid for irrigation in the
state under the federal reclamation act
Of June II, 1902.
He says that it seems to be the in
tent Of this act that the money derived
from the sale of public lands in each
Of said stats is to be expended in that
state Subject to the existence Of feas-
IDLE irrigation projects therein pro-,
vided the laws of the state are such
that the spirit and purpose Of the act
can be complied with.
81 understand that this state has
contributed in the neighborhood of
So, 500, 900 to the reclamation fund. It
is certainly Of the utmost Importance
to the state that this money should be
expended in the state. Whether this
can or will be done seems to hinge
first upon the existence of feasible irri-
cation projects in the state from an
engineering standpoint and upon
whether our laws are such that those
III charge Of the reclamation service
would deem it feasible to attempt to
carry out such irrigation projects as
may be feasible from an engineering
standpoint. No one doubts the exist
ence of feasible irrigation projects in
this state from an engineering stand
point. And it seems equally clear that
our laws are not such as to warrant
those in charge Of the reclamation SER
vice in undertaking to carry out such
projects.
Therefore, in the final analysis,
the question Of whether the money
contributed in this state to the recla-
nation fund is to be expended in this
state depends upon the action of this
legislature. This, in my opinion, is
one Of the most important subjects
which you will be called upon to con-
slider.
Railroad Commission.
In conclusion the governor takes up
the railway commission question, say
ing:
II feel like congratulating the peo-
pie of the state upon the fact that sen
timent is now almost unanimous in IA
vor OF the passage of railway CON-
mission bill. 1t is needless for me to
say that there are commission bills
and commission bills. A commission
bill that is commission bill in name
Onlv instead 0f ruiotinO xUould Goruo