Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1913-02-25

tural College requests. Speaking o
appropriations, it is probable that th'
bill carrying an appropriation o
$25OO for relief of George Messing
of Dallas, introduced in the house D.
Representative Brunk and Whlcl
passed that body with PRACTICAL!
unanimous vote, will survive the on
slaught of the senate watchdogs anC
become a law, unless the governor
uses the ak on it.
Everybody is Broke. y
The most disagreeable feature Of
the governors sudden fitting Il
found in the fact that practically
every clerk and stenographer and 9th
er employe of the legislature is with
out funds. They have been here 1ol
more than six weeks on expense every
day, and the drain has resulted II
leaving them practically strapped
The house and senate rushed through
the general appropriation bill on Fri
day morning, which carried an appro-
priation for the expenses Of the leglS'
lative session. This was done IN order
that the employees who had been dis
charged, might receive their salaries
before leaving for home. But the
governor didn't care for little thing
like that. He seemed to imagine that
he could pull off another spectacular
stunt by suddenly disappearing from
his office, and he did so, the result be-
ing that the bill could not be approx
ed and the penniless clerks and 9th
ers had to get along without their
money. They found themselves with
out Jobs, and with no money, and were
the innocent sufferers by reason OF
Oswald's baby act. 1t is said that he
doesn't approve of some Of the items
in the general appropriation bill and
is taking this course to "discipllne ~
the legislature for inserting such as
are distasteful to him. AS a monu-
mental "kidder" the governor is en-
titled to the bun. Ask any of the dis
charged employees who are wandering
aimlessly about the corridors today,
without funds, and unable to buy a
ticket home, what they think of Gov
ernor West and the atmosphere IN
that immediate locality assumes an
exceedingly lurid hue.
Why the Prolonged Session?
While it is given out that the ses-
sion is being prolonged simply in or
der to finish the work, there are some
who ascribe a deeper meaning to this
delay. They say that, had it been de-
sired, the work. using night sessions,
could have been completed last week,
and that the extended secession is not
for the reason, entirely, of working
upon bills which the governor might
veto. Wilson will be inaugurated on
next Tuesday, and will at once an
nounce his cabinet. 1t is claimed
that Senator hCamberlain stands an
excellent show of landing the interior
portfolio, in which event there would
at once become a vacancy in the office
of United States Senator While, un-
der ordinary conditions, the governor
is empowered to fill vacancy, a pro-
vision of the constitution makes it the
duty of the Legislature to elect, if the
occurs while that body is in
session. If the present session can
be prolonged, therefore, until after
March 4, and Chamberlain should re-
ceive a cabinet position, it will then
be up to the Legislature to name a
Great scheme, Ell? And
if this shall come about, it is probable
that President Malarkey, of the SEN
ate, will get the job. There is no
question about the aspirations Of the
presiding officer of the senate. That
he is, or will be, an avowed candidate
to succeer Chamberlain, two years
hence, is admitted, and if he can land
the job to fill vacancy, it isn't
likely that he would refuse. 1t would
mean another Republican in the SEN
ate, and Republicans in that body are
needed just now, or will be in the
next congress, so it is possible that
he present extended session of the
legislature has a national significance.
would be more simple. The
legislature may proceed leisurely and
inish up its business, in the next two
or three days, submit its bills to the
governor and then take an adjourn
nent for a few days, which would
bring the date after March l, then re-
urn here and pass upon veto messag-
IS and attend to the filling of the
United States Senatorial vacancy, if
me exists. Such a course would be a
terrible blow to Oswald, but it is not
say the wise ones.
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