Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-06-03

N
pie seem to be somewhat divided in
their feelings respecting these high
er institutions Of learning. A great
many take an advanced and progress
sive view, and consider them a ne
cessity In our public system of ed
ucation. While others look upon
them as luxuries that can be dis
pensed with. without serious damage
to the present, and the future they
feel no interest In. All with a few
isolated exceptions. recognize the
worth of these institutions to our
advancing civilization, and yet there
are many, while admitting their val
ue are disposed to procastinate In
granting them adequate support for
their proper development in their
ever widening field Of usefulness.
To overcome these objections and 70
Danish that desire to procastinate
and leave to the future the needs of
the present. is to carry on a vigorous
and continuous campaign of educa-
tion among the people. To head and
conduct a campaign OF this kind
none are better equipped for the
work than the officers, professors
and teachers OF these institutions.
Let them set forth the manifold ben
eflts to mankind to be derived from
higher education by making II possia
BILE for all who seek higher educa
tion to find II by means of our public
Institutions of learning. Let them
make these institutions beneficial TO
the producing classes OF society, by
ever being on the alert In guarding
their interests and liberties, by warn
Ing them of the dangers and taking
steps to prevent the ever encroach-
ing menace of corporate greed ana
by interesting themselves In the nat
ural resources of our state and lead
in securing a portion OF them to the
state to be held in perpetuity for the
bensft OF the state and her instl'
tutions.
Your committee unhesltatingly
upholds the higher institutions of
learning. We consider them the nat.
ural outgrowth and expansion of our
public school system, and as such are
entitled to that generous suppor.
necessary to keep them in the front
rank OF our ever-advanolng clvlllza-
tion. But is should be the care OF
those who control the destinles of
our state TO see that the funds for
their support is drawn wholly, or In
part, at least, from other sources
than direct taxation on the produc
ing CLASSES of our people, Your COM
mite finds that in other states
where the higher institutions of
learning are far more generously
supported than in this state that
they have better system of tax
alton. The funds for the support of
their states and state institutions are
obtained from taxes on inheritanees
and taxes on corporations for priv
iliges granted them by the state.
This form of indirect taxation re-
moves the burden from the produc-
ers and the menace to taelr higher
institutions of learning is obliterat-
ed.
Your committee is firmly Inn
pressed with the idea that If proper
Interest is manifested by the State
Grange that ways and means can be
found in this state to raise funds in
abundance for the adequate support
and proper development of our high
er institutions of learning without
resorting to any form of direct tax
alton, Aside from a graduated tax
on inheritances and tax on all
corporations doing business in our
state. we have vast natural resources
that II secured to the state to hold
In perpetuity for the benefit of the
state and her public Institutions
would yield an annually increasing
revenue for years 10 come that
would meet the expenses of the
whole state government.
We have within the borders Of
this state thousands of acres Of
land unfit for agricultural
purposes. bat well adapted 10 graz