Page:History of Oregon Newspapers.pdf/171

162 against the state runs up by geometrical progression. Then the expert who is sworn to do his duty for the state is in the interest of the printer and certifies under oath the correctness of work he never measured (the investigating committee quoted Anthony Noltner as testifying he didn't measure a page, though he certified its correctness and charged six days for measuring it) hoping to become printer and get a like good turn himself, and if the secretary of state (Mr. Chadwick) is also accommodating, the printer has a remark ably good thing. Then a legislative committee, when it looks into the subject, gets a hint or two concerning the profits of an "organized office."

Mr. Noltner of the Standard replied with defamatory remarks about Mr. Scott. This incident gave William Galloway, one of the legislative investigators, a chance for a memorable bon mot in the course of a hearing. A witness had dealt rather loosely with the truth and then explained that he wasn't under oath. "A man of honor," said Mr. Galloway, "is always under oath."

The Oregonian minced no words in its description of conditions in the state printing office. In its issue of October 17, 1878, it pointed out one conspicuous example of overcharging:

"For printing the amended school laws (the Oregonian said) the state printer charged the state $1,622.32. Examination by the legislative committee shows that the sum which should have been paid was $291.02. This is even a better profit than that made by Tweed's plumber on the New York city hall. Several other items in the printing show frauds equally gross. For instance, the charge for printing the rules and standing committees of the senate should have been $38.52, but General Brown got $237.40 out of it. These are some of the items which Mr. Noltner certified."

It was not, therefore, the most fortunate condition for the life of the young press association that both Mr. Brown and Mr. Nolt ner, under fire in connection with this printing bill, should have been so prominent in its activities. As the 1878 session adjourned, it was voted to meet in Portland the following June. Diligent search of files has failed to reveal any trace of such a meeting, and apparently the editors let the situation lie until 1887, when, as told elsewhere, the organization which has, under one name or another, lasted through the years, was formed at Yaquina City.

From 1870 to 1880 a good many papers were started in Portland. In his History of Portland, on page 421, Harvey W. Scott lists 20 of these, of which he does not speak in detail. His list follows: