Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-01-17
HOUSE KILLS JOINT GRAFT.
vo,es Down Committee to Investigate
state Land Office.

1
ment along the line Of the abolish
ment Of The old custom OF appoint
ing committees on investigation o
the different state institutions an
departments, with clerical assistance
came up directly and was thresheC
ont on the aoor OF the house thii
| morning upon tie adverse report oI
the resolutions committee upon the
| NcCue. Clatsop, resolution for joint
committee. with clerks, 70 investigate
the records OF the state land de-
partment The report Of the com
mlttee was adopted by an aye and
nay vote Of 80 !or and 16 against.
This IS regarded as precedent
against the appointment OF special
investigating committees and clerks,
and ia fayo. Of a proposed bill, now
being prepared by Newell, Of Wash
ington. for the creation Of an expert
examiner OF accounts.
When the report was made, with
motion TO adopt. Mr.. McCue asked
for an explanation Of the objections,
and Mr.. Newell. Of Washington, a
member Of the committee, stated
that Il was the sense Of the COM
mittee 10 cut out all such abuses and
10 abolish special clerks and investi-
eating boards generally, and TO put
a stop 10 expensive iunketing trips
lie stated that he had In preparation,
I'm accordance with the recommenda-
tlon OF the governor. bill looking
TO the creation of the Office Of expert
examiner OF accounts; which he would
present in a few days.
lie cited the records Of past legis-
latures tending to show that these
investigations and side trips OF spe-
clal committees were nothing but
farce and a source OF great and need
less expense to the state, and urged
that radical retrenchment, In accord
ance with their campaign promises.
be practlced by the present session,
and that the best time to start out
with this sort OF policy was right at
the very outset Mr.. Newell was
heartily supported In this contention
by numerous members Of the house,
while. during the discussion, which
was prolonged and spirited. Mr. Me
Cues contention that Il was abso-
lutely necessary that some sort OF In
yestigation be made In order that the
legislature may proceed intelligent
~ In making the necessary appropri-
atlons asked for by the different state
institutions. were likewise generous.
" supported.
Another OF the principal obiec-
ions raised by the opposition to the
'ustom OF appointing these special
INVESTIGATING committees was the
Wholesale abuse of the clerkship
privileges conveyed by these resolu-
ions. aud the farcial manner a.
which the investigations were con
lucted In the majority OF cases. In
lefense OF this contention Mr.. McCue |
tated that, In urging the adoption OF |
he resolution, and the rejection OF
he adverse committee report, he had |
10 person In view for the position |
Il clerk and. So far az he was con
erned, he would leave the selection
4 competent assistants for the COM
nittee either TO the speaker or the |
iouse as a committee OF the whole. |
he debate upon the question alb.
orbed over an hour OF the honse's
lme, and, upon final vote being TAX
N, the result was as above stated.
More House Bils.
II, Il. No. 81, by Eaton. relating to
he University OF Oregon.
II. h. No. SS. Jones, Polk. author
,ing Coos BAY railroad TO construct
ridge across Willamette river near
'ortland.
II. h. No. 80, Jones. Polk, 10 ryg.
late railroads. I
H. II, No. 40. Northrup. 20 amend
ode relating TO sale OF property.
II. n No. Al. Cornell, pertaining
b TAXATION OF deeds.
u. n. No. as, Beyeridge. 10 define
overs OF county school superintend-
nts.
IL. b, No. a.. Barrett. Umatnla. 10
oolish noNious weeds In UmatIne
auufy