East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-11-06

For almost 40 years II has been the
custom for the state treasurer of Ore
gon to furnish liquid refreshments for
the Oregon Legislature, perhaps, for
the reason that his graft through the
use of the peoples money has been the
greatest in the state.
Anyway, he has always kept stock
of wet goods" on hand free to the
members at all times, this stock of
fancy drinks having been designated
as House bill No. T04."
The present state treasurer, how
ever, proposes to abolish the practice,
which makes the following sketch of
the matter interesting:
This venerable relic of past gen.
Grafton has been in the keeping of the
state treasurer at Salem for nearly 40
years and now the new treasurer,
George Steele. who is to inherit that
office next January, says 1t has out
lived its usefulness and will not a.
tach to the office in the next four
years.
Along with this startling announce
ment comes another from Frank W.
Benson, the new secretary of state,
that copy of house bill No. 10i,
which occasionally has been found in
the archives of that office, will not be
found there either.
The most popular copy has been
that of the state printer, and even
this is to he abolished, says Willis
nuniway, who is to be the new incum-
bent of that office.
There have been rumors. in past
sessions, of duplicate of the famous
bill in a cupboard in the old quarters
~ supreme court where the
"sluli" was said to be pretty good;
and of another in a recess of the
state librarian. Whether these have
perished is awaited with keen anxi-7
ETY..
Origin of the "Bill."
According to tradition, "House Bin
No. 104" was originated in 1S6S--SS
years ago-by "vic" Trevitt, senator
for Wasco, whose present resting place
is marked by the solitary shaft on
Memaloose Island in the Columbia
river, near The Dalles.
At the end of the legislative ses-
sion on October 2S, 1868, the senate
found itself idle because of the slow
ness of the lower house in considera-
tion of bills. In the midst of the
languor. Trevitt's voice moved ad-
journmcnt to nearby chamber for
consideration of house bill which he
numbered 10i, because the last bill
introduced i'm the house had been
numbered 1903.
The senate adjourned to the desig-
mated place, where ii found the con-
tents of house bill 1O4 very convivial
on final adjournment of the legisla-
ture 1t was entrusted to the state treas
urer, Z. n. Cooke, who was enjoined
to preserve it during his administra-
tion and tn pass this solemn duty on
to his successor, that the bill might
be kept forever and never grow old.
The fame of the solemn charge grew
with succeeding sessions, nor did n
state treasurer ever forget. Lawmak-
ers, worn with long Journeys to the
capitol. found the elixir I'm that office,
before beginning their legislative
duties. When they were weary with
lawmaking, there it was always at
their service. Members OF the third
house knew also that the door to the
oasis opened easily. After 40 days of
toll and trouble, the bill rejuvenated
all hands for their journey homeward.
List of Custodians.
ID. Fleischner was, custodian after
u, \. Cooke. from 1910 to 1874: A. II.
Brown to 1878; Il. Hirsch to 1887: G..
w. Webb. to 1891; Phil Metschen TO
1899, and Charles S. Moore to 1907.
And now comes George A. Steele,
treasurer-elect, who says house bill
1ol will so out with Mr.. Moore.
A long lease of life has been the lot
of the treasurer's ward. 1t has re-
ceived unnumbered parched patriots
and sent them away with light hearts
ana many with light heads Some
have permitted It to soak" them for
the 40 days. Two years ago an old
war horse succumbed, whose health
was said to have been shattered sever
al years before by too constant attach