words "two hundred and fifty" and inserting in place thereof "two hundred and forty"; and inserting after the words " to be numbered" the words "in the order introduced." On motion of Mr. Ross, the amendments were adopted. MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR. STATE OF OREGON, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Gentlemen of the legislative assembly: Owing to the destruction recently by fire of the mechanical hall of the agricultural college at Corvallis, a large number of students will be greatly inconvenienced in the prosecution of their studies, unless some measures are immediately taken for the erection of a suitable building for the ensuing year. In consideration of these facts, I submit to you the propriety of making an appropriation for the purpose of its erection, and herewith forward, for fuller information, a copy of a report to me from Hon. J. T. Apperson, president of the board of regents of the Oregon agricultural college. WM. P. LORD, REPORT. Governor. OREGON AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, September 28, 1898. To his excellency, W. P. Lord, governor of Oregon: I regret to have to report to you the entire loss of the mechanical building and its contents at the Corvallis college last night by fire. The aggregate loss will approximate $35,000. We have insurance on the building and machinery amounting to $16,000. This loss is a great inconvenience to the large number of students now in attendance at this institution. It will be absolutely necessary to take steps at as early a date as possible to secure the erection of a suitable building to accommodate the students in attendance during this year. There is enrolled in the several mechanical departments of this institution over one hundred and twenty scholars that cannot be instructed in the mechanical departments until such time as we can make arrangements for the replacement of this building and the necessary machinery to enable us to impart instruction required. I would also report that we sustained a loss of the entire arms that were used in the military instruction of this institution. These arms were insured to the extent of $1,750. I regret that it appears inevitable that we shall have to ask at the hands of the legislature now in session that they should make provision for the early construction of the necessary building to enable us to do the work required at the college and station. I do not think that the insurance money of all the insurance companies will more than replace the loss in the machinery and implements that was lost by reason of fire. On behalf of the board of regents, I, as its president, will ask that you submit to the legislature now in session the importance of their taking early action in this matter. I will probably convene, at an early date, the board, so that they may take necessary action for the construction of adequate buildings to accommodate the large number of students in attendance in this department. Very respectfully submitted, J. T. APPERSON, President board of regents. Mr. Nichols moved that the special message of the governor be referred to the committee on agriculture with power to make an investigation relative to the loss, and report by bill or otherwise such recommendation as in their judgment is proper to be taken. The motion prevailed. Mr. Stillman roved that the speaker appoint a committee on daily revision of the journal, in accordance with that of the 1895 session. The motion prevailed. The speaker stated he hoped to have his committees ready to announce tomorrow. On motion, the house adjourned to 10 o'clock a. m. Friday, September 30. A. C. JENNINGS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1898. MORNING SESSION. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, September 30, 1898. The house was called to order at 10 o'clock a. m. by the speaker. The roll was called, and all the members were present except Messrs. Bayer, Conn, Donnelly, Hobkirk, McCourt, Myers and Young. The morning session of the house was opened with prayer by Rev. J. W. Bowersox. On motion of Mr. Reeder, the reading of the journal of yesterday's proceedings was dispensed with. The speaker announced the committee on agriculture as follows: Messrs. Stewart, Nichols and Wilson. The speaker called Mr. Roberts to the chair. Mr. Speaker: MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE. SENATE CHAMBER, September 29, 1898. I am directed by the president to inform you that the senate has adopted senate concurrent resolution No. 6, providing for a joint committee to prepare a school law to be by them presented at the next regular session. And the same is herewith transmitted to you for the consideration of the house. S. L. MOORHEAD, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6. Whereas, the laws of Oregon touching public schools are in a chaotic state and are in need of thorough revision; and Whereas, much time and deliberation is needed to arrange a law that will enable the public school system of Oregon to grow at a pace commensurate with the damands of public sentiment, and to put her upon equal footing educationally with older states; therefore, be it Resolved, That a committee of two on the part of the senate and three on the part of the house be appointed to act in the interim before the meeting of the regular session in January to prepare a school law to be presented at such session, such committee to act without compensation and without incurring any expense whatever to the state. On motion, the resolution was concurred in. COMMUNICATION. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, September 30, 1898. To the honorable the house of representatives of the legislative assembly of the state of Oregon GENTLEMEN: I have the honor herewith to transmit to the house certain recommendations of the state board of equalization, addressed to the legislative assembly of the state of Oregon. These recommendations were directed to the nineteenth legislative assembly, but could not be transmitted to that assembly, as it did not organize. I transmit these recommendations to this legislative assembly, it being the first organized assembly since the recommendations were filed. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. R. KINCAID, Secretary of state. RECOMMENDATIONS. OFFICE OF STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, SALEM, Oregon, December 30, 1896. Hon. H. R. Kincaid, secretary of state, Salem, Oregon DEAR SIR: By direction of the state board of equalization, I inclose you herewith a list of recommendations for changes in the equalization law, with the request that you transmit it to the legislature when it assembles. I also inclose you a list of property omitted from the rolls of various counties which will probably be placed upon the county rolls by sheriff's assessment. Yours truly, H. L. WELLS, Recommendations to the Oregon state legislature at its 1897 session as to changes in assessment laws of the state of Oregon: I. Require the assessors to conform to the classification of all real and personal property as prescribed by law under sufficient penalty. II. Classification.--First, tillable lands; second, non-tillable lands; third, improvements on deeded lands; fourth, improvements on non-deeded lands; fifth, railroad tracks; sixth, street railroads and electric lines; seventh, telegraph and telephone lines; eighth, money; ninth, notes and accounts; tenth, shares of stock of national and state banks (providing that all other corporations be assessessed on property and not as shares of stock); eleventh, household furniture, carriages, watches, etc.; twelfth, merchandise and stock in trade; thirteenth, machinery and equipments, including steamboats and stationary engines; fourteenth, farming implements and farm machinery; fifteenth, horses and mules; sixteenth, cattle; seventeenth, sheep and goats; eightheenth, swine; nineteenth, railroad rolling stock. III. Providing for all sheriff's assessment rolls be furnished to the secretary of state and added to totals of assessment rolls of succeeding years, for state purposes only, IV. Require all assessment rolls to be delivered to the secretary of state at fixed date, providing a penalty for noncompliance. V. Have all changes made by state board of equalization relate only to state levy. VI. Have each county furnish its pro rata of state tax after state levy has been made. G. WINGATE, Memorandum of property omitted from county rolls of 1896: Morrow county, Western Union Telegraph Company; Baker county, Oregon Construction Company, Huntington, BaisleyElkhorn шine, Robbins-Elkhorn mine; Wasco county, Eastern Oregon Land Company, about 25,000 acres of land. On motion, the communication was referred to the committee on assessment and taxation. COMMUNICATION. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, September 29, 1898. To the honorable the speaker of the house of representatives of the legislative assembly of the state of Oregon - SIR: I have the honor to transmit to you herewith the correspondence between this office and the office of attorney-general of Oregon, on the question of submitting to the voters of this |