Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-02-27
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
CREATES AMUSEMENT
RumOrS of Its Coming Kept the
Organization Guessing for
an Uneasy Hour.
BUT IT WAS ONLY A FAKE
Suggested Appointment Of Joe Singer
ns Bee Inspector and Complained
=. Of the Penitentiary Hens,

Governor West indirectly had a lot
of fun with the house last night, or
rather the house organization by hav-
ing an unsigned message read to that
body by Representative Eaton,
Early in the evening, in some way
the s.ory was started that a very
welghty message-one Of tremendous
importance, would be forthcoming
from the governor along about 8
O'Clock. The organization leaders
grew worried and anxious. They could
not dope out what the message would
be about, but imagined everything un-
der the sun.
Speaker Macarthur became so wor-
red about s o'clock that he ordered
the doors locked and that the door
keepers allow no member to leave the
house without the speakers written
permission. Macarthur, in view the
forthcoming message wanted a full
quorum, especially of organization
men and every friend they could mus
ter on hand for quick fight and ac-
tion on the message.
In the meantime every once in
while Governor West would shoot a
minor veto message into the house
and each time "a message from the
governor" was announced, all house
members would lean back at high ten
sion, and after it was read would sigh
with relief"
Finally the real, long-expected thing
arrived. When Eaton arose he an
nounced that he had just come from
the governors Office and that the fol-
lowing unsigned message was found in
n waste basket there which he would
read, Fully twenty organization men
popped TO their feet with objections
and motions as soon as Eaton said he
had come from the governors Office
and they saw the paper in his hand,
Every effort was made by the organ
ization to prevent Eaton from reading
the supposed message, they not know
Ing what it was about but the Lane
man held the floor and finally was per-
mitted to proceed The unsigned mes
sage read as follows:
"Col Bush a prominent citizen and
taxpayer Of Bull Run called at the
Office today to pay his respects and
incidentally to endorse Joe Singer for
appointment as bee inspector should
the bill creating that Office be passed
by your honorable body.
In the course of our conversation,
the colonel, who is a man OF keen per-
cepuon, called my attention TO a mat
ter which had entirely overlooked
and which | believe has also been
overlooked by your honorable body.
In perusing the minority report Of the
committee appointed to investigate the
affairs Of the penitentiary he finds that
one Of the principal causes Of COM
plant against the administration is
that the hens in the prison chicken
yard had produced, through the pro-
cess Of egg-laying, but S22.S9 worth Of
revenue during the month OF January.
"The colonel stated that while this
was condition of affairs which mer-
tied criticism, he felt that II was one
over which We probably had no con.
troll and he wished to call my atten.
tion TO the fact that IL compared most
fayorably with the record Of the legis.
lature, for the amount Of revenue pro,
duced by the hens was Just S22S9 in
excess Of the revenue which has been
produced at this session during the
forty-four days It has been laboring.
"The colonel further stated that he
still had absolute confidence and faith
in your honorable body and he felt
that even in this late hour you might
perahps find time to resurrect mum.
Der Of revenue measures, which in the
rush Of business were accidentally left
to sleep in some committee or indef
nitely postponed, In order that you
might point out to the taxpayer IN
your home town some new source
from which the state will derive a rev.
enue.
81 submit these suggestions AZ the
colonels request and recommend them
TO you for your consideration"
Colonel Bush Is mythical leglsla.
tive character who 10 supposed to be
heavy taxpayer Of Bull Run. AZ the
laugh that ensued over the message