The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-09-03
MEAD EXPLAINS
HIS POLICIES


gathering at Elks' temple last
night to welcome Governor Mead,
significantly declared everybody
knew who would be the party nom
inee for gubernatorial honors after
September 8. Thereupon the gov
ernor rose smiling and delivered an
address which was received with
tumultuous applause and en-
thusiasm. The only disturbing ele-
ment throughout the meeting was
at the close of the governors
speech when Jack Quinn, the ire
pressible bailiff in Judge Sullivans
court, arose at the psychological
moment and beloved three cheers
| which almost ratified the seats.
| The governors speech was large
ly an exposition of why more
money has been spent during his
term than any other He urged
giving the direct primary a thor
ough trial and he believed in it. at
is an effort to reinstate the people
in place of party bosses and inter
mediaries," he declared.
Referring to state financial mat
ters he said that one of the things
which demanded great deal Of
money during the past four years
was educational institutions. He
referred particularly to the state
college at Pullman, where 100000
was spent on new buildings and
equipment. When he declared. 81
am proud to live in a state with
such a school," applause prevented
further speech for fully minute.
Much money has been spent for
penitentiary, reformatory and
| asylums. These are the white
mans burdens" he said, land if
We of this state are to- provide at
all for our unfortunates we should
do 1t well. If the appropriation
have been honestly expended the
people are broad enough to say the
money was needed"
The governor lauded his railway
commission and declared it had
added millions to the state tax on
railroad and timber property. He
| takes much of the credit for the
authorization of the committee by
| the legislature. 81 called my po-
litical and personal friends to my
aid on behalf of this measure" he
said.
"The commission has laid bare
the true values of railway prop
erty, put it upon the tax rolls and
furnished basis for future freight
| rate regulations. We are now in
shape to go into the courts and
force favorable action
1--WE have given you an inspector
of tracks and equipment and the
people owe debt of gratitude to
Inspector A. w. Perley for his
hard work. This inspection is for
the protection of the lives and
limbs of railroad employees and the
travelling public. There have been
less injuries and accidents since.
There is also inspection of mills
and factories. Lawyers claim that
on this account the damage suit
business is one the wane. Many
men are now with their families
on account of these laws"
Referring to the money received
from sale of state school lands the
governor said that after taking Of
fee he rummaged about in
the state had more than $3.50, 900
from the sale of lands, but instead
of it being invested in municipal
bonds, as provided by law, the
money lay in banks. The bankers
were indulging in financial felicity
while the public was not getting
the benefit of the interest. The
money now, however, is invested
in municipal bonds and the interest
is making up an irreduceable fund
for school improvement.
The governor has been severely
criticized for his laivshness in par
doning criminals. He declared last
night If reelected he would pursue
the same policy. Il have treated
my office as court of mercy and
have hardened to many appeals of
wives or relatives of those inn
prisoned," he said.
Railway Commissioner j. c. Law
renee and Inspector Perley also
made brief addresses on state mat
tiers under their charge.