Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-01-13
Submits
a Strong
Message
Governor West in His Mes
sage Readin Joint Session
Today, Points out Some
Work for the SOIOnS

The message Of Governor West de-
livered before both houses of the leg
islature was distinctively one of re-
form recommendations. The law en-
forcement program, as outlined in the
message, is elaborate and contemplates
a hedging in on the liquor traffic that
goes to the very brink Of actual prohi-
bition, Among the charitable pro-
visions advocated is the establishment
of a drunkards home.
The governor urged a liberal sup
port Of the Panama exposition and the
expenditure of large sums for educa-
tional advancement, including legisla-
tive assistance for the rural school
system Of the state. The Oregon sys.
TEN is endorsed, with the sole sugges-
tion that it be amended with respect to
the procuring Of signatures to petit
tions
Single Board of Managers.
The governor believes there should
be a single board of managers that
will have charge of all the state insti-
tutions, and strongly urges the legisla-
ture to adopt this system and create
such board. He also recommends
that certain of our state institutions
be abolished, and that closer restrc-
tions be thrown around others. In this
connection he advances the idea that
the state prison can be made self-sup-
porting, and again suggests that in
stead Of sherffs bringing prisoners to
the pen that the prison authorities
have charge cS the matter, sending its
own Officers after them.
Would Establish Homes.
The governor put considerable en-
phasis on his recommendation that the
legislature establish and provide for
the maintenance of a reformatory, this
for boys Of certain age, He also in
sisted on the establishing of a home
for the aged and dependent, and laid
strong stress on the making Of home
for the care and cure, II possible, Of
habitual drunkards. He also recon-
mended the creating of a home for
wayward girls.
Insurance, Roads and Offices.
The message endorses the theory Of
state insurance, copied presumably af-
ter that Of Wisconsin, by which life
insurance is carried by the state at
actual cost, and in this connection he
strongly indorses the proposed COM
pensation law, which Is In the nature
of insurance against accident. He sug-
gests careful legislation in the matter
of good roads, recognizing their neces-
sity, but also their enormous cost, the
latter making careful study of the sit
uation and a thorough understanding
of how deep It will go into the taxpay-
ers' pockets, the duty Of every legisla-
tor.
The message also recommends that
the legislator carefully examine into
the offices of the state and to abolish
and useless. In this connection he
also very wisely suggests that there
are dozens OF laws on the statutes that
are practically dead, and urges that
they be repealed.
Schools, Labor, etc.
He recommends that the public
schools be maintained through a pub
lie service corporation tax, and that it
be made the duty of the state board to
prepare the annual budget. He favors
labor legislation, and asks for the
creation of the office of auditor Of
public accounts"
Water and Other Liquids.
The governor also asks for an inves-
tigation of the water powers irriga-
tion possibilities and mineral resour-
ces of the state, and advocates the re-
peal of the Coos Bay wagon road grant
A geneuine law enforcement program
is urged. Then in close order follow
that power be granted for the removal
of delinquent officials; the prevention
of liquor being shipped into dry terri
tory; the prohibition Of the sale Of
near beer in dry counties, no saloons
outside of Incorporated cities, the clos
ing of saloons on Sundays, and early
closing on week days; no saloons in or
about railroad stations, and cashing Of
checks by saloons prohibited. Blind
pigging by druggists to mean forfeit
ture Of their licenses.
Along Criminal Lines.
He suggests the sterilization of Grim
inals of a certain class, the passage Of
blue Sky law, the putting Of loan
sharks out Of business, He would stop
the carrying Of concealed weapons. A
more equitable system of aiding county
fairs is suggested and the rearranging
Of the salaries of county officers Is
indorsed. He would also have q new
rule adopted for the fixing Of the val
ues of property taken for public use.
The governor also urges that we make
vigorous effort to secure for Oregon
the better element from the great flood
Of immigration expected to follow the
completion Of the Panama canal. He
advocates a liberal appropriation for
Oregon's exhibit at the Panama exposi-
tlon; liberal support for the public
schools and especially for the rural
schools. He fayors direct election Of
senators, but suggests changes in the
method Of securing signatures to can
,didates' petitions.
In conclusion the governor congrat-
ulates the legislature upon the pros
poets Of an early organization, and a
business like session.