The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-01-13

OL MP1A, Jan Io.-\opScldlJ- ilO
final message of Governor Albert E.
Mead was read to the legislature to-
day, and was listened to with rapt
attention by the members Of both
houses. The message was long and
dealt with many subjects affecting the
state.
Governor Mead read his message In
person to the Legislature this after
noon at a joint session presided over
by Lieutenant Governor Hay.
No morning session of the senate
was held. The house at brief ses-
sion passed resolution that no bill
could be introduced after February
% and also passed a resolution pro-
viding for a special observance Of the
Lincoln centennial.
The governors message read in part
as follows:
This, the eleventh regular session
of the legislature of the state OF
Washington, is assembled at the op-
ening of a year which promises to ex-
ert a stronger influence upon the flu
ture veal of this state than any other
period in its history. This virile
young commonwealth, in the full en-
joyment of wonderful prosperity,
has enterep upon an era of progress and
economic development seldom equall-
ed in the history of any other state.
In addressing my message to the Tenth
legislature 1 optimistically predicted
that at the close of the next biennium
this state would boast a population
eaDr01n In
my most sanguine expectations have
been surpassed, which demonstrates
that in this state the events of to-
morrow may easily exceed what ap-
pear to be the eXaggerations of today
and which were considered the dreams
of yesterday
1.-The domination CT the political ma
chine has ceased in Washington. No
longer can few adrOit manipulators
dictate party platforms and name party
candidates. This prerogative. which
our forefathers intended should be
vested in the people only, has been re-
stored to the electorate of this state
through the passage of a direct pri-
mary law. The people exercised that
prerogative for the first time last sum-
mer They have chosen their represen-
tatives for the various administrative
positions and through them the peo
pie rule.
A wholesome provision of the d1-
rect primary law extended to the ell
ectors of this state an opportunity at
the September primaries to register
their choice for United States senator
TIE people having exercised that priv1
lege therefore denied them. and hav-
ing declared their decision, the simple
DUTY rests with this legislature to
elect and. thereafter with the execu-
tive. to issue a commission to the peo-
pies choice, the Hon. Wesley l.. Jones.
You are to be congratulated that
for the first time in the history of the
state this capital city will not be the
scene Of an unseemly scramble for this
exalted position. Deliberations will
not be disturbed by the discord and
enmities usually engendered in sena-
tOrial controversies. Charges ana
counter charges ordinations and re-
examinations will not be introduced to
disturb the harmony which ought to
exist among representatives of the
peop'e called together to enact laws
for their welfare and advancement.
The time usually lost in senatorial con-
tests may be used to good advantage
in the prosecution of your duties as
lawmakers. The prompt considera-
ton, therefore, of all bill presented to
YOU. and their early disposition will
permit you to conclude your labors
upon a date earlier than the constitu-
tional time fixed for your adjourn
ment
Labor and Employment Bureaus.
The republican party in the cam
paign OF 1908 pledged the enactment OF
legislation creating free reading rooms
in the larger centers of population tc
be provided with leading magazines
and newspapers; the shortening OF
working hours for female employees
from ten to eight hours; the passage
of an effective child labor law; the en-
actment of an eight hour law for un-
derground miners: and particularly the
passage of a comprehensive employers
LIABILITY law in conformity with the
federal statute dealing with this sub
ject In addition to the legislation spe
form to promote the welfare of oul
laborers and wage -earners. / desire tt
urge upon you the wisdom and justice
or providing free employment bureaus
under the supervision of the state la
Dor commission. to assist working mel