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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 1903)
CENTRAL IDAHO Its Growth Dependent Upon Irrigation Development, CONCERNING GOVERNMENT AID The Mormon Settlement of South eastern Idaho Their Character and Achievement Their So cial Practice, Etc. By a Staff Writer. BOISE, Idaho, -Jan. 1C My last let ter, as I - recall It. closed with a discussion of transportation in re latlon to immigration, with special reference to the conditions and Intercuts of Central Idaho. The matter Is one of importance, but there is, connected with the progressive movement of the country. an interest of greater importance, namely, that of irrigation. Much of the cultiva hie part of Central Idaho by far the larger part of it lies high and dry, and therefore under natural conditions worth little excepting for a few months of graz Ine each year. That it has .larger and more profitable possibilities is plain, but before they can be enjoyed the lrriga- tionist must get In his work. There- is not rain enough or it does, not come at the right times to make the country avail able for the general and more profitable uses of agriculture; and if the best is to "be got out of It, nature must be supple mented br art It Is not a matter of ex periment, for the irrigatlonlst has long been buey in the country in a small way. and the marks of his achievement may be traced on many Ides in highly developed gardens, wide pastures of alfalfa, and in countless productive orchards. The soil, like that of Eastern Oregon, is one of marvellous productive power. It Is a highly vitalized volcanic aeh. bearing pre cisely the elements demanded by advanc ed agriculture. Bring to it the fructifying waters, tickle It with husbandry and it laughs with abundance. No better coun try lies anywhere under the sun. And in its situation and general condi tions It Is a country made to the order of the irrigatlonlst. Either lightly or heavily rolling everywhere, backed always toy mountain watersheds holding the Win ter snows until well Into the Summer, abounding in reservoir sites and so lying as to give the principle of gravity a work ing chance, it asks for nothing but a com bination of some capital and much energy. And it is not asking in vain, for every eeaeon witnesses a noticeable addition to the Irrigated area and a corresponding In crease of working population and of com mercial production. The growth of Cen tral Idaho during the past few years In population and wealth is almost a precise register of the progress of practical irri gation work. Naturally, enterprise in thia line to as yet limited to the vicinity of tho Oregon Short Line road, for neither cap ital nor Immigration will In thesa days go far from transportation. The growth of Idaho is not general; it clings to the skirts of the railroad; in everything ex cepting mining jand stockralsing It is within the narrow zone which may be tracea by following on the map the dot ted lines which mark the track of the Iron Horse. In Central Idaho, ae in Eastern Oregon, there is iust now a vast deal of specu lation respecting the new irrigation poli cy of the National Government. There Is a "scheme" for every district and what appears to me a very dangerous sign a disposition to wait upon the movements of the Interior Department. The Govern ment, no doubt, will do something for Wa.ho ae It will for Eastern Oregon and the other semi-arid districts; but its oper ations "will be slow and Its work will In the nature of things be limited to ohe or two localities In each state. It is im possible that It can undertake a universal eystem of works In any state or relieve private enterprise and private interest of their responsibilities. For any particular district to wait upon the movements of the Government will amount practically to a postponement of the day of its de liverance. "Within the past few months I have looked over the Irrigation situation Ih the three states of Oregon, "Washington and Idaho pretty thoroughly, and ae the result qf this study I am fearful that the coun try in its Immediate Irrigation Interests Is more likely to loso than gain from the irrigation policy of the Government I find that communities and even Individu als in many district who, before the Na ytlonal irrigation policy waa "announced, were planning to work out their own sal vation, are now resting upon their oars in the hope certain in nine hundred and ninety-nine cases out of a thousand to' be disappointed that the official agents will light upon their particular section of country. I find, too, that much money which, under normal conditions, would be expended in practical Irrigation work. Is being put out In one form or another of What may be called "lobby" effort In pthcr words, there Is a disposition to relax the nerve of Individual or community self-dependence and to lean upon the Gov ernment It is, truly, a dangerous mood, and if It shall become universal or any thing like it, It la bound to postpone the ra pf irrigation for regions like this of Central Idaho, whose fortunes, both im mediate and ultimate, are totally depend nt upon it About the best thing to be expected from the Government in its irrigation operations is the practical exploitation of methods. Ancient as irrigation prac tice is and it Is older than the pyra midsit Is still new as a practical science. There are almost aa man? tentative plans of irrigation prac tice as there are engineers In the country, but there is not one man In. the ! wuoic engineering proiession who can claim to have reduced Irrigation to its final and scientific basis. No private com pany, much less any Individual, can af ford to exploit the many proposals look ing to the simplification and cheapening p irrigation practice, but the Government has & longer purse, and it can well af ford to carry forward experiments and demonstrations -which the whole world of semi-arid America is eagerly waiting for. The Government ought, with the great sum at its disposal for irrigation work, to be able in this way to aid every owner of an acre of Irrigable land; this is within reason; but that it will do much for the profit qt individuals by the creation of special, irrigation works Is very much to be doubted. In irrigation as in other matters, it is the community and the in dividual which depends upon itself and which reaches out for itself that will make the surest and greatest gains; for. after all Is said and done, Irrigation must for the most part be a community or an Individual concern. Wholesale enter prises will do something to fructify the semi-arid West pari-oularly in the great future when the need and the hunger for land shall be more serious than it Is now; but for every acre redeemed and made fruitful by the wholesale process there will be a hundred acres to the credit of In dividual enterprise and diligence. The Man With the Hoe is and will ever be the great irrigatlonlst I will not enter the field of prophesy respecting the future of Central Idaho in connection with irrigation tempting field as it is, and affording as it does an easy means of distinction. In the nature of things It is bound to be very great. The soil everywhere is potential; even its up lands, where they have been brought un der ditch, yield with a prodigal abund ance. The supply of available water is almost unlimited, for In addition to the local watershed which is everywhere a calculable, and in most Instances a suf ficient quantity, the many considerable rivers the largest being the Snake may be brought to pour into the thirsty re gions an unlimited and unfailing flood. It will take time and capital and courage and Industry and skill; but these things belong to the American condition and character and they will not be lacking. And when the lands of Central Idaho have been brought to their own, where now there is a scattering population of some slxty-and-odd thousands, there will be the third part of a million; and the field Is wide enough and fruitful enough to yield them bountifully of all material blessings. The Mgrmon communities of South eastern Idaho are giving the world an objeot lesson in the work of practical ir rigation. I cannot speak of their achieve ments from the basis of personal and direct observation. I have seen only so much of their country as presenta Itself to one who sits at a car window, but even this limited and fleeting glance was Intensely interesting and has prompted me to diligent ingulry during the few days of my stay here. The southeastern counties partake of the general character of Central Idaho and Utah, lying in tho same semi-arid belt, eharing In the same intermountaln climate, holding In their soils the same organic elements. That In this district of comparatively limited space there has developed a large popula tion and a large and profitable agrlcui tural industry is due to a variety of causes, but its method la that of working the soil with the aid of irrigation water. Those who have seen the farm gardens of Utah cannot fail to hold In their minds memory that will aid them to under- stand what Southeastern Idaho Is like. It is an ideal picture of domestic thrift. a picture lacking in no material element of community welfare. What the Mor mons have done others can do. or else we must confess that somewhere in their system there Is a power which makes them materially, at least, a. superior peo pie. This Mormon population of Idaho is interesting from many pointe of view. and not least from Its highly effective working organization. It was made up originally and has been constantly re cruited by picked men and women. The church does not consent that its peoplo ihall wander ungulded through the world. As in the days of old. Its cantalns of thousands, of hundreds and of tens, keep account of the capabilities- of those under them, and by one form of influence or another guardian their conduct If there Is to be a movement upon a new section of country. It Is not allowed to "work Itself out" by careless and unorganized processes. The land la first spied out; Its character and needs are determined; those sent Into it are chosen for their adaptability for the work to be done. Jt is no haphazard and straggling Immigra tion, but the orderly movement of an organized industrial army. To each man is assigned his special place and duty, anu 10 ii eacn goes wun me iorce or a disciplined mind and spirit It is a com munity actuated by the spirit of social ism, but without its embarrassments and limitations. The people are not co-part ners; they do not work in common nor share in common; literally they are breth ren. ine lamlly spirit prevails in all their operations, yielding at every point co-operation Instead of antagonism, mak ing mo strength which obtains when many combine in a common purpose. If anywhere there is physical or moral weakness, there is to meet and counter act or support it the authority and sym pathy of the family spirit I am glad to be able to add that the social practice of the Mormon population of Idaho does not differ from that of the American world In general. It is declared and be lieved to be true that there is not among the 40,000 or. more of Idaho Mormon? an instance of plural marriage; and it is also declared and is probably true that the standard of social and domestic purity among them is exceptionally high. I have been interested to inaulre Into the political attitude of this Mormon ele ment, for it makes a large figure in the numbers of the Idaho people" and easily dominates one of the three districts of the state; and, as usual under conditions where intense prejudice is involved, I have met with many sorts of response. It is a case where the Inquirer may eas ily get any kind of information he wants. One man will tell you that the Mormons are a league of blind devotees subject implicitly to the will of leaders who have the purposes of the devil plus the address and diplomacy of archangels; that In all matters., the action of the individual is subordinated to the will of those set over him by the church; that in every way the Mormon population is a menace to the Interests of Idaho; that it Is destined to drive all non-Mormons from the state; that it grasps after political power and Is bound to gain and to wield It to the ruin of every Interest which declines to accept tb domination of the Mormon hierarchy. others will give ydu another and very different report bearing testimony to the Industry, thrift and social merit of the Mormon communities and representing them as among the highly effective and worthy elements of the state life. And of the two reports, I am convinced that the latter comes more nearly to the truth. That the Idaho Mormons have discarded polygamy is nowhere denied; tha.t they are industrious arid thrifty- and that, they are doing a great work in the development of the country is plain; that they are a law-abiding and orderly people la a matter of record; that they are sub ject to the influence of their, leaders is probably true, but that they are mere toola of the will and purpose of their leaders is probably not true. The polit ical record of the Mormon counties is a point of special interest In the main, they are Republican, but everywhere they divide into parties and conduct 'the rival ries of both local and general politics (THE MORNING precisely as do other people. In the re cent election it Is worthy of note that the ticket espoused by tho leader of the church In a county overwhelmingly Mor mon was beaten. In a crisis especially in a crisis related to Mormon interests the churdh influence would, beyond a doubt, be a very potent thing; but there is no reason to believe that It would be more so than with any other body of people religiously affiliated. There Is un questionably a Mormon vote in Idaho precisely as there is a Catholic vote, a Methodist vote and a no-church vote In every state In the Union. The wisest men of Idaho men who have no special motives, of sympathy with or for the Mormons are In no terror of the church power. A. H. OREGON STATE ASYLUM. Interesting Facts Sho-irn by the Biennial Report. SALEM. Jan. 18. (Special.) The bien nial report of tho board of trustees of the .state insane asylum recommends that counties be required to pay a portion of the expenses of patients who are not insane and who are not. therefore, prop erly state charges. The report says: The number of patients treated exceeds that of any previous period. Thin, to some ex tent, is due to the continued practice of the county officers in committing to the asylum the ased and infirm, ana the temporarily Insane through intemperance and the opium habit Many of these panents arc properly county charges, and for whose support (hey should be responsible. The aged and Infirm, If discharged, have no place to go. and, being without means for their support, are soon recommitted. While the state is able to maintain them at a less per capita cost than the county, there is no good reason why th counties Should not bear a portion of the ex pense of caring for this class of patients. We most respectfully suggest your consid eration of this matter and the enactment of some measure providing that the counties shall refund to the state the expense of the care of the. patients who are committed to the asylum by reason of their Infirm and aged con dition, or through Intemperance and tho opium habit The asylum medical corps should have the authority to determine those patients who are properly chargeable to the counties. The recommendations of the superin tendent of the asylum for appropriations are as follows: Maintenance Based on tho netJncreaso of population during the last 22 months. It Is fair to assume an Increase during the next two years of 120, provision ror whose main tenance for that period, with insane and Idiotic fund, would amount to $324,000. Lighting The lighting of an Institution of such size Is a very important item, and, as both gas and electricity are used for such purpose, these, with the necessary fixtures and supplies, are estimated to cost, under the present contract, J15.S0O. Returning patients As a small balanco will doubtless be found by January 1, 1003, In the fund appropriated for the expense of return ing patients to their homes, less is asked for at this time, $1000. Library and amusement A similar reduction is made In the estimate for the library and amusement fund, as tho library- for the pa tients Is now well supplied, $1000. Miscellaneous Exhibit "A" for $10,300; ex hibit "B" for f4873, and exhibit "C" for $43. 600 are further amplified by detailed enumera tion of Items, which, are mostly self-explanatory. Reference, however, will be further made to some presented In the last report Fire walls In attic In case of fire In the attic of the main building, no Hindrance exists to the swift and direct passage of the flames through the entire structure, which would quickly baffle all human efforts to save any portion of it, with seriously Increased danger to the Inmates, especially at night Fire walls between the several wings would measurably stay the progress and give time to battle with the fire, aa well as to notably Increase the possibilities of saving lives, considerations which surely require no more elaboration. For this only S500 Is required. Locks More than once attention has been called to the worn and dangerous condition Of such of the original supply of locks tor the doors of patients as have sot been replaced. They are unreliable, and, in many Instances, almost Inoperative, and surety not only consti tute a discreditable annoyance, but also a constant menace to the safety of the helpless patients, especially if a Are should occur dur ing the night. For this much needed repair Is asked $1000. Closed cottage To receive and care for the ordinary net Increase In population, more room will be needed. For Reasons which readily sug gest themselves, IV Is wisest and best to erect additional wards at the Cottage Farm, rather than the main building. To construct and fur nish a closed cottage there Is a necessity, and for that purpose Is asked 518.000. Quarantine building A long and urgently needed feature has been partially supplied by the construction of one-halt of the quarantine building, thus providing for one sex In an emergency. The other portion constitutes Just as essential a requirement and ror this con struction and furnishing the sum of 11 GOO is asked. Dining-room, Cottage Farm The congregate dining-room system has beep operated very satisfactorily at the Cottage Farm, although its complete success has been prevented by the' ract that the population surpasses the ac commodations. This troublesome condition will be surely increased beyond any practical man agement with the inevitable additional popu lation occupying the needed cottage, and more dining-room space must be secured. An addi tion to the present dining-room must be built which can P conveniently done, and for this is asked the sum of $4000. Barns The horse barn and cow barn at the main building have long been inadequate, the former also being Insecure, and the latter un hygienic For the purpose of building a horse barn of sufficient capacity, and to replace the present structure, which has long been in danger of falling, the sum of $8300 Is asked for. For the cow barn, to replace the present out-of-date, cramped and crowded structure, the sum of $6500 Is asked. Lavatories The condition of the lavatories In all tho wards constituting the original 'build ing Is defective, worn and unsanitary. The bathtubs are old, with unprotected edges, con stituting a constant source of danger to the patients. It Is proposed to place tubs and lavatories outside the present walls, which can be accomplished by tho construction of two new walls, and the. entire furnishings should be renewed. For this Important and much needed Improvement Is asked the sum of $10,000. j.iiu Krauum decrease in mo .cost ner capita of maintenance of the Oregon state Insrno asylum Is shown by the fol lowing figures, which cover the 20 years of the existence of that institution. Frac tions of a cent are omitted: For two years ending November 30 Average No. Cost Cost, patients. dally, monthly. 387 $0 45 $13 80 418 41 1271 475 . 40 12 20 , C74 40 12 40 722 39 12 10 , 001 81 10 57 1,040 32 0 80 ,...,.1,125 31 0 59 ...v, 1.160 32 "1000 1.218 32 0 00 18S4 18SG 1&8S 1890 1692 ISO 1900 1W& Labor Mayor Striken Rocky Road. GRANT'S PASS, Or.. Jan. 18. Tho new Mayor of Grant's Pass, W. F. Bashor. elected on the labor union ticket has been seated and has taken up his duties. Asra majority of the Councilmen aro non union the new Mayor is finding difficulty in getting his appointees confirmed. Of tho six men whom Bashor appointed for various city offices, only one was con firmed. One matter of particular Import ance that was decided at the last meet ing, was the reduction of the city tax from 7 to 5 mills. Miner' Remain Sent to Ohio. GRANT'S PASS, Or., Jan. 18. The body of J. H. Conp, who was killed In the Cleo patra copper mines, of Diamond Creek District, Del Norte County, Cal., has been brought to this city and shipped to ine relatives or tne deceased in Ohio. Conn was killed while at work in the lower tunnel of the Cleopatra. In at tempting to set a timber the dirt abovo suddenly gave way and fell on tho unfor tunate man, crushing his life out ih stantly. He came from Baker Cltv to this section. OREGONIAN, MONDAY, STATE BOARD OF HEALTH BILL PROVIDING THEREFOR TItODUCED IX SENATE. IX- Glvea Power to Establish Quaran tines and Collect Vital Statis tics County Boards. SALEM, Jan. 16. (Special.) Tho bill for the creation of a State Board of Health, Introduced by Dr. A. C. Smith, Senator from Multnomah County provides for the appointment of a board composed of eeven physicians, eix of whom are to be ap pointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, and the seventh, a secreta ry, to ba elected by the other six. The term of office of the six members Is four years, three of the members going out each two years. Vacancies may be filled by the Governor. "The State Board of Health shall have general supervision of the Interests of the health and life of the citizens of the state. It shall keep the vital statistics of this state, and make eanltary Investigations and inquiries respecting the causes and prevention of diseases, especially of cpl demlcs, Including those of domestic ani mals. It shall study the causes of mor tality and the effects of localities, em ployments, conditions, food. beverages. habits and circumstances of the health of the people. It shall make, and is hereby empowered to enforce euch quarantine regulations as seem best for the preserva tion of the public health, and It shall be tne auy of all police officers. Sheriffs, constables and all county officers and em ployes of the state to enforce such regu latlons, subject to the authority of the ncaith oiilcer." The bill provides that the secretary ehall hold his office as lone as he shall faith- ruuy dlscbarge the duties thereof, but may oe removed for cause upon a majority vote of tne board. He shall receive a sal ary to be fixed by the board, and his trav eung expenses and necessary expenses for clerical service. The members receive no compensation. An appropriation of JsOOO per year is provided for the expenses of tne ooara. In each county the Countv Judre and County Physician shall constitute a coun ty board of health, and the Countv Phy sician snail be health officer. If In any county It is inexpedient to have a County Physician the Judge shall be health officer. ine county health officers must keen ree ords of births, deaths, contagious and ln- xecuous diseases, and report monthly to the State Board of Health. It Is made the duty of nhvalnhm mid lives ana neace or families to report all uinne and deaths to tho county health of- ncer and or all persons under whose charge any Infections or epiderhlc disease occurs, to report the same. Burials can not be had until a death certificate has been procured and the trnnKnortntinn f the remains of persons who Hip A tram nt Infectious disease, except as the State Board of Health mav direct la Violation of the provisions of tho bill" is punisname Dy nne of from $10 to $100. Senator Masters' emnlnwrs1 UnVitut,- bill. Senate Bill 26, Is one of the shortest measures ever proposed on that subject. It provides that every railroad company In thi3 state shall be liable In damages for any injury sustained bv anv pmnTnvA ui such corporation, as follows: vrnen such Injury resultR frnm th wrongful act, neglect or default of nn agent or officer of such corporation supe rior to tho employe Injured, or of n. nprsnn employed by such corporation having the right to control the sen-Ices of such em ploye or the services of the employe by whom he Is Injured; and also when such injury results irom the wrongful act, neg lect or default of a co-employe engaged In another department of labor from that of the employe Injured, or of a co-employe on another train of cars, or of a co-employe who has charge of any switch, sig nal point or locomotive engine, or who is charged with dispatching trains or trans lating teiegrapnic or telephonic orders. Knowledge by an employe Injured of tho unsaie or oerective condition of maehln ery, ways, appliances or structures of such corporation shall not of Itself be a bar to recovery for any Injury or death caused thereby. , "When death results from an Injury to any employe of such corporation, received as aforesaid, the personal representative of such employe ehall have the right of action therefor against euch corporation, and may recover damages In respect there of. Any contract, express or Implied, made by any such employe to waive the oenent of this section or any part there of shall be null and void, and this section shall not be construed to deprive any such employe or his personal representative of any right or remedy to which he Is now entitled under the laws of this state. "The rules and principles of law as to contributory negligence which apply in other cases shall apply to cases arising under this act, except eo far as the same are herein mpdlfied or changed." Senate Bill No. 30, by Senator Mulkey, to provide a uniform and equal rate of as sessment and taxation of express, tele phone, telegraph and oil companies, is based, upon the Ohio statute, which has been declared constitutional. .If this bill should become a law, the Secretary of Stato, State Treasurer and Attorney-General will constitute a State Board of Ap praisers. In May of each year the board will ascertain the value of the property of express, telephone, telegraph and oil com panies In this state, and In so doing they aro to be guided by the total value of the capital stock of the company, and such other evidence and rules as will, enable tho board to arrive at the true value of the property within the state In the pro portion which the same bears to the entire property of said companies, as determined by the value of the capital stock. The total value of the property of such corporations In the state, less the real property assessed, Is to be apportioned among tho counties in the 'proportion of the length of line of telephone and tc!i. graph companies in each county, and of me gross receipts or express and oil com panies In each county. When thn has been apportioned the County Asses sors enter tho same on their mil nr. the property thus valued Is taxed the same as other property. Senator Sweek's bill amending the law relating to actions for damages for In juries causing death, proposes to raise tho limit of damages from $3000 to $25,000 The law which Senator Sweek proposes to amend is seotion 3S1 of Bellinger & Cot ton's Code. The bill Is known as Senate Bill 29. Representative Kay, of Marlon, has pre sented a bill to authorize the Land Board to lend the Irreducible school fund to municipalities and school districts. The bill is in the judiciary committee of the House. It is an Important measure. Its main provisions are as follows: Any surplus of the Irreducible school fun, university fund or Agricultural Col lege fund, or any other fund held by tho Land Board, is to bo Invested as far as possible In public securities In the State of Oregon. This 13 to be done by the Land Board. j Before any school or municipal bonds I are sold In the state, notice of their nend- I Ing sale Is to bo given to the Land Board. ! Tho board is empowered to purchase all I or any part of such bonds, with money i of the irreducible fund, university fund ' or Agricultural College fund. The notice ' of the pending sale Is to bo accompanied with legal opinion as to the validity of the bonds from the City Attorney, local . attorney for the Land Board, or District ' Attorney. The interest rate Is not to j exceed 5 per cent A bill Is In the judiciary, commltteo of : the House relating to execution and ac- j knowledgment of deeds. In any foreign country, and the curing of defectives ! deeds, powers of attorney, or other in struments for the conveyanco of lands or any interest therein. If a deed be executed in any foreign country. H may bo executed according JAKUARY 19, 1903.. to tho laws of such country, and this acknowledgment may be made before any Notary Public of that country or other specified officers. Two bills for a mining bureau were In troduced In the House yesterday, one by wneaidon of Wasco, and the other by Hale of Josephine. Both measures are In the hands of the committee on mines and mining. The "Wneaidon bill provides tor a Doard or nve trustees or the bureau to bo named by the Governor, and for an appropriation of $10,000 annually. The Hale bill, drawn by W. H. Hampton, of urant s Pass, prpvldes for a Commission er of Mines, who shall be a Mine In spector, and who shall gather data about the mineral resources of the state. This bill appropriates $15,000. and allows the Commissioner a salary of $250 per month This official Is to be appointed by the Governor. Tho Whealdon bill, on the other hand, provides that the seven trus tees shall appoint a metallurgist at a salary not oyer $250 per month. Unlike the Hale bill. It does not require mine Inspection. Tho bill of the Portland Taxpayers' League to require parents or guardians of minors In the Reform School to pay $10 per month to the state for malnten ance of such charges, has been referred to the committee on penal institutions The bill was Introduced in the House by Mr. Nottingham. Mr. Nottingham In troduced another bill from the league, on similar lines, to require parents or guar dians of patients In the Insane Asylum to pay $20 per month for maintenance of such charges, provided that the patients or guardians are financially able to do so. This bill 13 also In the hands of the committee on penal institutions. A State Tax Commission Is provided for in a bill Introduced In the House yester day by Mr. Nottingham, of Multnomah Tho Governor is authorized to appoint a commission of five citizens, who shall report upon matters of assessment and taxation and legislation therefor. The commission Is to meet the first Monday of next July. Tho Governor Is em powered to fill all vacancies In the board Five thousand copies of tho report are to ba printed by the state. There Is a strong sentiment In favor of such commission. The bill for a fireboat at Portland has been referred to the Multnomah delega tion. It was Introduced yesterday by Representative Nottingham and Mr Fisher. It authorizes the City Council of Portland to collect a special tax not exceeding 1 hills for acquiring a fire boat. The bill of the East Side Improvement Association for rebuilding the Morrison street bridge has been referred to the Multnomah delegation. This measure w-as drawn up by W. D. Fenton and was Introduced In the House by Mr. Cobb. It authorizes the issuance of $100,000 in bonds. A bill to carry out the provisions of the Initiative and referendum amendment to the constitution is with the election committee of the House, Many persons think that that amendment Is operative already without statutory additions. The measure prescribes two forms of netition for referendum. One or these is for referendum on legislative acts and the other for referendum on constitu tional amendments Each petition is to be accompanied by an affidavit which shall attest the genuineness of every signature. It Is also to be accompanied by a full text of the measure proposed by Initiative petition. The Secretary of State Is to decide whether the petitioners are entitled to the referendum, but ap peal may be taken to the Supreme Court from his decision, ine decision oi tne Supreme Court Is to be final. When refer endum Is required the Governor Is to proclaim the fact. The bill then -prescribes how copies of the proposed measure or amendment are to be printed on the ballots of election. Election is to be held in the regular manner. A State High School at Burns is- tho object of a bill introduced in the House by Mr, Test, of Malheur. The measure "appropriates $10,000 from the general funds of the state for the school, the money to be paid In four annual install ments. The board of directors is to consist of the County Judge and two County Commissioners, the County Treasurer and the County School Super Intendent The money is to be expend ed under the direction of this board. Tho bill cites the fact that citizens of Har ney County are remote from the regular educational Institutions of the state, and that many of them are therefore unable to attend them. This Is the first meas ure of the kind that has yet appeared Strong opposition will undoubtedly grow up around the bill, as the sentiment against small state schools seems to he decided among many lawmakers. In view of Governor Chamberlain's utter ances in his inaugural address he cannot be expected to support the bill, although he and Mr. Test are Democrats. A bill to regulate fees of county offi cers has been presented by Represents tivo Burleigh, of Wallowo. Some of the fees are noted as follows: Affidavit, 50 cents; otncial certificate, o0 cents: attest Ing assignment of mortgage. 25 cents: attesting citizenship papers, $1; acknowl edgment or deed, $l; marriage license, oiner license, $i. Appropriations of 11(100 tr Pnrh xnnnK- for annual Industrial fairs are provided for in a bill offered by Representative .puneign, or wauowa. The measure pro vides also for creation of boards In each county called "Agricultural Societies. which shall expend the monnv. ThB boards shall consist each of flv mom bers. appointed by the Governor. These commissioners are to h.ojd office for four years. A hill tn T-1 (cf fVio or1o-.. n K w.uatwu j ui me futili ty Shopl Superintendent of"Mu!tnomah tram iow to zouu per year is under con sideration bv the delecration fmm thn't county, xno measure is a long one, pre scribing in detail the duties of the Su perlntendent The StiTwr!ntnrff tho County Court are to be a hoard for laying ore tne county into convenient dls trlcts. Tho bill defines the conditions im der which certificates and teach may be Issued. It provides also xor ine apportionment of Kohoni fimria between the districts. Representative Kav. nf Mnrinn , bill In the judiciary committee ' of the nouse to mane tne salaries of public em ployes subject to garnishment. BUSINESS ITEMS. If Baby Is Cnttlne- TVJi. TIa a Mrsa anrl nu tVnt .1J j ... ., t. X.r . - wcu-iriea remedy Mrs. Wlnslow's Soothing Syrup, for children teothlng-. It soothes the child, softens the minis allays all pain, cures wind colic and diarrhoea. Ayer's Cherry Pectoral What would you do the next time you have a hard -cold if you couldn't get Ayer's Cherry Pec toral? Better think this over. He., 60s., $1. J. C.AyirCo., 19W9U, Mm, NONUNION MEN INJURED RESULT OK STREET FIGHTING AT ABERDEEN, WASH. Sailors' Union Refused to Let Schooner Solano Leave Part Police Afraid. ABERDEEN. Wash.. Jan. 1 (Special.) The trouble between union sailors and so-called jcabs which began with the re fusal of the Sailors' Union to allow the schooner Solano to sail, culminated abouc midnight In a collision between the forces. Five nonunion men were severely wound ed, one of them being William Kehoe, who has the contract for loading the schooner Benicla, owned by Turner, of San Fran cisco, who owns the Solano. Revolvers were drawn during the melee, but no shots were fired. Kehoe wau followed across Horon-street bridge by a howling crowd, who pelted him with sticks. A policeman saved him from more serious Injury. ' There were five different scrimmages be tween the union and nonunion men. The police seemed afraid of the crowd and made no arrests, but warrants will be Is sued for some of thosa who made the at tack. The saloon district, where the fight ing took place, was in a frenzy of excite ment for several hours. The injured men are: W. Kehoe, Joseph Spellesey, Will lam Cowdy, Chris Berg and a man un known. No union man was Injured. HUSTLING FOR NEW OFFICE. Baker Connty Men Who Want to Help the Mines Ont. BAKER CITY, Or., Jan. IS, (Special.) A lively contest Is brewing In this county over the posltloh of state mining Inspec tor, or commissioner of mince, as the case may be, pending the action of the Legislature on the bills already Introduced and to be Introduced. The candidates for the position from this county will be Sey mour H. Bell, of Sumpter, and Paul E. Polndexter, of this city. Neither gentle man Is particular about the title to be given to the office, so long as the Legisla ture creates the new position and gives the Governor the power to appoint some competent man to fill the place. It Is understood that Mr. Bell will have the backing of Representative Rabbins, of this county, who, by tho way, wlli probably Introduce a bill providing for the Inspection of mines. The mining men generally are In favor of the appointment of a state mining Inspector, although there may be some opposition from this part of the ot.ate to the creation of the office of commissioner of mines, provided the commissioner Is given authority over the sale of mining stock as provided In the Booth and Myers bills. The mine own ers are al! greatly Interested In the mat ter of legislation regulating the mining Interests and will maintain a large and HOME TR It Makes No Difference How Far You Are Away. Our specialist in diseases of men, owing to his long experience, is able diagnose most cases and prescribe, providing a good description Is giver letter. Although we number pur parents from every state, our business Is not to by Dr. W. Norton Davis, Head Physician. Treatment Different From Others We prescribe for each Individual case. Any benefit received from treatment Is part of a permanent cure, as we give no temRorary stimulants, and our methods are all original. Stricture Our treatment dissolves the stric ture at night during sleep without pain, allays all irritation, removes all discharge, absorbs any obstruc tion in the urinary passage and re stores all, parts to a natural condi tion. Syphilis We give no dangerous minerals to drive the virus to the interior, but treat this hideous disease, eradi cating It ent'rely from the system by means of harmless blood-cleans-irtg remedies that remove the very last taint of the disease. HOURS S TO 8; Dr, W. Norton Davis & Co. 145 Sixth Street, cor. Alder, Portland, Or. YOUNG MEN troubled with night emissions, dreams, exhausting drains bash fulness,, aversion to society which deprive you of your manhood. UNFITS voir FOR BUSINESS OR MARRIAGE ' - US UU MIDDLE-AGED MEN who from excesses and strains have lost their MANLY POWER. BLOOD AND SKIN DISEASES. Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, painful bloody urine Gleet. Stricture, enlarged prostate. Sexual Debility. Varicocele. Hydrocele Kidnev arid, Liver Troubles, cured without MERCURY AND OTHER POISONOUS DRUGS. Catarrh and Rheumatism CURED. x-uiau-NUua Dr. Walker's methods are regular and scientific He uses no patent nostrums or ready-made DreDaratlons. but cures the disease hv thnrmmh mi.ni . His New Pamphlet on Private Diseases sent free to all men who describe their trouble. PATIENTS cured at home. Terms reasonable. All letters answered In plain envelope. Consultation free and sacredly confidential. Call on or address Dr. Walker, 149 First St, bet. Alder and Morrison, Portland, Or. iZTZ I a host of friends In this part of the state who will champion their respective causes. so that a lively contest may be looked for In the event of the Governor having the right to name a man for commissioner or Inspector. Mr. Bell Is now In Salem look ing after his interests, and Mr. Polndex ter will prabobly be there before the end of the week. PROMINENT PIONEER DEAD. Mm. Eliznbcth Henderson, Who Set tled Jn Eugene in 1S5U. EUGENE, Or., Jan. IS. Mrs. Elizabeth Henderson, one of the most prominent and best-known of the pioneer women of this county, died at her home at an early hour this morning, aged 76 years. Elizabeth Schray was born In McClel land. Pennsylvania, November 13, 1S2$. being of Pennsylvania Dutch parentage, and there spent the early years of her life and received a liberal education. In 1S50 she was married to E. P. Hender son, the young couple moving to Mis souri, where they lived for one year. They then returned to Pennsylvania and settled In Wavnesbursr. where they re- j mained for five years. I In 1S36 they came to Oregon across the j plains, and upon arrival here settled In Eugene, where for three years Mr. Hen derson hejd the position of president of Columbia College. They then removed to California, where they remained for three years, and returned to Oregon for their permanent home. Mrs. Henderson was the mother of seven children, four of wham are living Mrs. Marietta Thurston and E. K. Hen derson, of Eugene; Melvin Henderson, of Paisley, and Charles Henderson, of Sil ver Lake. There are also five grand- 1 children living. Mr. Henderson died In 1 1S33. The funeral 'services will, be held tomorrow afternoon. . PASTOR PRESENTED PANIC. Cunrcli Was on Fire and People Ex cited Loss $1500. BOISE. Idaho. Jan. IS A sensational fire occurred In the First Methodist Church this evening while services were In prog ress. Rev. I. F. Roach, the pastor, had just announced his text and was opening his sermon, when a burst of smoke and flame shot up into the. auditorium from a register In the main al3le. Instantly there was great excitement. The church was packed and for a moment there was Im minent danger of a panic, but Rev. Mr. Roach, raising his voice above the screams of women and shouts: of men. called out that the fire was from paper that had fallen into the register and that there was no danger. At the same time Junius Wright sprang forward with an overcoat and threw It over the regis ter. The audience quieted down and quickly filed out. In the meantime an alarm had been turned in and the department was on hand promptly. It turned out that the small basement used for the heating apparatus was a mass of flames and the fire had eaten up around the register. It took an hour to get the lire under control. The main floor of the church was wrecked, the loss being $1500. EATMENT confined to this continent, but we send treatment to nearly every country in the world. Not long ago a gentleman sent a letter describing his - case and also a money order .from Paris, France, and asked us to send him treatment, remark ing that we had cured a certain gentle man whq was a friend of his. Another gentleman, residing In the prov ince of Posen, Germany, wrote, saying that he had seen our advertisement and would like to have us send him treatment for stricture, if we were not afraid to trust him across the sea. "We sent treat ment by mall, and in sixty days received a letter saying he had sent a postofiice order by same mall, apd that our treat ment had cured him entirely. He inci dentally remarked that he believed the specialists of tne United States-wero far superior to those In Germany. We have also patients in Australia. Sandwich Islands and in the Philippines. "Weakness" What Js commonly called '"Weak ness" Is merely a congestion of tho prostate gland, causing premature ness, loss of power, etc Most doc tors treat this trouble by means of tonics, which relieve at the time, after which the patient Is in a worse condition than ever. Our patients use a local treatment at heme, which restores the part to a normal condition, after which form er strength and vigor returns, and all organs obtain their former size and condition. We desire all men who are not up to the standard to call. If possible, and have a free and confidential talk with us regarding their condi tion. SUNDAYS, 10 to 12 33 TWENTY YEARS OF SUCCESS In the treatment of chronic diseases, such as liver kidney, and stomach dlaorders, constipation diarrhoea" dropsical swellings. Brlght's disease, etc. ' KIDNEY AND URINARY Complaints, painful, difficult, too frequent, milky or bloody urine, unnatural discharges speedily cured. DISEASES OF THE RECTUM Such as plies, fistula, fissure, ulceration, mucous and bloody discharges, cured without the knife, naln or confinement. DISEASES OF MEN Blood poison, gleet, stricture, unnatural losses lm potency. thoroughly cured. No failures. Cures Guaranteed.