Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-03-29

! earlier put irto effect by legal enact
ment. Though, as you say prepara-
tions for the housing of the state
, plant when the time comes, are going
, forward l presume.
You have intimated that there was
J log-rolling and unsavory deals in the
legislature on the printing bill. Well,
think you are probably right, but
will you be equally frank to tell us
through The Observer more of the
precise details and lineup? OF course
you are entitled to your political pref
udices and so am l. By these stand
ards you see it one way and l an
other, which is more or less natural
But will you carefully segregate the
men in the last legislature identified
with log-rolling deals, separate them
according as they were identified with
''the peepul" as you call them, and
''the interests you have doubtless
heard of? If you will, Mr.. Hayter, |
you will find the new state printing
! law championed right down the line |
by the friends of clean politics and a |
look-in for the "peepul," and you
will find the panjerers to privilege
lined up to man against the new
printing law and for a return to the
old corrupt system. With that cor
rection, l will agree with you, that
this bill was the storm center of the
rottenest and dirtiest Iog-rolling game
off in Bn 7 rieIo %,,v- .FI
Oregon-at least it would be difficult
indeed to imagine dirtier one
Why, every enemy of decency could
easily be induced to vote for some
good bill, if of no great Importance,
If he could secure in exchange there
for vote against the printing bill
But now let us briefly review the
entire situation and see if some new
light may not be let in.
Under the old political regime cor
ruption had become simply intolera-
BILE. (Let us assume this was not due
to the system but to the corruption of
he system. We are not now discuss
ng systems in their broader applica-
.ion) If Mr.. Hayter or any other
nan will come to the state house and
90 into the history of the develop
nent of the state printing problem
le is bound to be convinced that it
vas crowning work of corruption
nd graft veritable political jack
'ot, an example of political rottenness
hat would simply stagger the Gre
Of |
all political faiths here will assent
this cleaning up was simply
Imperative. The sheer strength of
ais one stronghold of corruption is
II that rendered it immune from the
at-salary wave of 1907. 1t alone
under the old so-called fee
ystem. Protests came from all quar-
RS. The people could not under
and it. They failed to grasp the =
IMPLY colossal amount of money and bo
olitical power this institution repre- bu
nted. Regularly every legislature it,
ruggles with bills to put the state
inter on fiat salary, but with ow
ual regularity this political graft tn,
on out. But finally, in 1909, unable is
niger to Withstand the demands for is
uehchhent' hat-saIary and state caI
9nership measure was only defeated kn
compromise for a bill that del
omised at least some Improvement bv
lat measure is now in effect. 1t has obi
rrected some of the more fragrant ref
d vicious practices, but the very cor
ct that 1T admits part of the evils is will
emphasis of those that remain. nm
e law, from the standpoint of good to
siness, is an abortion, a farce. a inc
Useless travesty on everything re- sea
milling a scientific regulation of 7
nting establishment. one
During the hey-dey of greatest liey
lft in the state printing depart pre
mt we have no record of Mr.. Hay was
advocating any improvement. He for
'ffered certain advice when it be- of
lie apparent that change must tha
made. But a simple change of pre-,
ce schedule was far from being the
'quate. The printing department stat
nted readjusting TO complete and fore
lest ate-ownership-and-o stitl
plan, or to one of complete flat that
lry-state-ownership and supervis- stat
plan, one or the other and not a touc
ilu dIialr whlch lacked every ele- dep'
ut of business sense. 1t never has. for
ing all the period of its worst crit A
m, been on a full and honest pri- do
basis as has been supposed and stat,
alleged The printing plant poin
been owned by the state printer buit
is hired under the law to do coul
position (typesetting), make thus
iy and presswOrk. All stock is the
sht by the state through the state for
ter; all binding, ruling. folding. part
hing. is farmed out through the boar
ter and paid for by the state. tutio
lerous other charges are met bv
state directly through the printer
is under no obligation to report sa
nybody at any time, nor is any,
authorized to examine his af-
in any way. His bills for COM
hon, etc, are audited and Maid as ~