ORE(
TyoTwaiit flrst-class JqIj work
AT LOW PRICES,
Leave yoar orders at this office,
OUmmOtmmitMKMXH KHHMHHIOOnOIHHHH.UJOO
(MHMlO MHKiTWXKMHHM00M)OOrMHtMKKtM,(lf)
iTyiTa lifFleSlostfii oa
COUNTY AFFAIRS,
Sabscrite for tie OfflciaJ Papsr,
VOL. ).
ST. HELENS, OREGON, FRIDAY, MAY G, 1892.
NO. 18
At SI t1"-
MITCHELL,
, NEW MARKET
THE OREGON MIST.
Ml EU liVtUY rillDA V MOMNINU
THE MIST PUBLISHING COMPANY,
J. R BEEGLE, Manager.
OFFICIAL COUNTY PAPER.
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Oil
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Local aoilcea, 14 cent, pe line fur flrt Inser
tion! 10 cent ur Unci fur cmli ub ci"ent in-
Mrtlnn. -'- '-
I.l .lv.rUMin.ulik, I M per Inch fur flrnt
laertlou. and 7ft ceula pur luclj furvmii .uIimi
queiitluMiiluii. CQUOMlllA 001! NTT DIHKOTOllY.
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r. I, Swllirr. M, Helen.
.7.7... K. K. Quirk, HI. IIH.u,
.Vm. Metikrr, H ll. lrn.
.11. V. Cole, . lUlvno
J. H. WnH'. H4'iifKiiie
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A. II. l.HU, Idiliilnr
llxrnnl Hi1 ir, VemuiiU
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miellD H.liir.liiy nuur lluniu li lull iiiniin
mi l-.tue. H at SfiLullle hHlt. Avr UliUtt'll.ri
Mar. Vl.lliiiK menilicr. In kikuT Uiiii1Iiih In
Tlir ilo iioiiii.
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" 1V)W Hv.r (l!it) fl .1 'iim a.' h.
I U llVUr itHMlll'ltlKK .1 I f M.
Ihrm-ill for Vcniuitla h.I I'ltlolnir iv
' l, rl.leut Mi.niUy, U'.luluy and 'rlla hi
Th ntlt fnr Vnr.hlnn.1. CIM.luiiilr n'l MM
leave, yunn Muuuuy, eiiiioi)- miu rnuuy
t i'l M.
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Traf.lcir.i Uul4e lllvvr U0H..
iTKAIIt. (I. W. IIH-I1W HI. Helena
f 1'iirll.iiit .1 II 4. D. Tueular, ThiirMluv unit
Katun!.?. Inva HI. Ilrleua for ' l.lakaul.
Na.lt)', WUulur aii'l Friday at IW A, M.
Mtkamkr lai.ni l,ivea ft ll.lvna fur Tort.
land tut a. . Riuruluii ai a WJ c. M.
Htkam. JarH Kai.innn la.Ht. Helena
fnr I'.irtlimd iinliy tucspi Huuuay, .17 A, a., ar
rltlnt at I'orllaud at MM: ruiuritluir. I.i
JNirilauv at I r. arriving al tit. Helena at I
VUOFE8SIOXAL.
QK. II. It. CLIl'P,
rilYSICIAN and SURGEON.
St. Kelcna, On'Ron
JJK.J. li. HAIX,
PHYSICIAN and SURGEON.
ClaUkuuln, lUilumUu county, Or.
y i. bice,
ATTORN EY-AT-L AW,
St. Hklchb, - - - Ouruon.
Deputy nittrict Attorney forOolumlita Co.
HA8. W
MAVaiSU,
NOTARY TULBLIC and
. - INSURANCE AGENT,
Mayger, Oro?on.
T. A. MclluiDt A. 8. Dnsmen.
JjcllItlDK A PRKHSKIl, ,
' ATTORNE YS-at-LAW;
; j OigoiiCUy, Oregon.
Prompt attention given lanil-ofllcebualness.
A.
B7LITTLK,
SURVEYOR Ajros--.-.'li-
CIVIL ENGINEER,
8t. Helena, Oregon.
(Jnnnty surveyor Lund aurvoylng, town
plalllug, and engineering work promptly
done. 1 '..,' v....- .
W. T. BuRNitr. J, W. DaAPRR.
V'RNEY t DttAVKR,
ATTORNE YS-at-LAW,
, Oregon City, Oregon.
' Twelve yeari' exruirienoe aa Regiator of
the Unitad HtuUa Lund Oftir here, rreotn
nindmioutpeclaliyof nil klnda of
huaineai before the Land Oltlno- or the
niirta.and iiiWlvin tha Otmcral Und
ClBoe., ' t
JaeBWJ3 .-"-1 f
Send for
CATALOGUE,
4 "and
PRICE LIST
FREE!
J-7V L II ,f
LEWIS &
BLOCK, -
I.
U. BROCK KSUriOlKJH,
ATTORNEY-at-LAW,
Orrgim City, OruRou.
'( iiiwcliil Kiri iil of Ceticrnl limd nfllre. )
H. iiiitNtUiitl, riucmptloii, mill Tlinbir
liiiil upi rntliHn, mill nilicr linl Oillcn
iHiflncsx a Hir?!.liy. Olllce. auvuiul flour,
I. hikI 0111. e HuililiiiK.
MIHCHLLAXKOUd.
THK TKANKM
3 !L A. 1j 33 jtL
In oow nmlflnit rculr round
tiiifroiu
OAK POINT TO PORTLAND
Daily Except Wednesdays,
I.kavixo OAK I'OIKT..
Kf ICI.I.A
" UAISIKH. ,.
" K AI. A M A ....
" ST. HKl.KNS
AMiviNg I'UUTI.AM)..
4:4l A. M.
8:00
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... .7:10 '
:(W "
... .11:00 "
RETURNING
Lkavw 1'Oinf.AtiU,.. 1:00P.M.
AKRlvrj'fKIXA... 7:4.1
W.E. NEWSOM.
Model Saloon.
8. (XOMNGER, Prop'r.
ST. HELENS,
OREGON.
Choice Wines,
Lioiiors and Cigars. Beer 5'Cts.
Billard and Pool Table
furQia JTeoommodution of Patroaa
CALL AROUND.
Portland Seed Co.,
' (F. W. MILLER, Mgr..)
DUAI.KIIH IN
TREES
Fertilizers, Bee Supplies,
Spraying Apparatus and Material,
PoDltrj Supplies, Etc., Etc.
171 Siooiul St. l'ortland, OreRon.
Komi for Catiiloeuo. ' iiov20-6m
BLUE FRONT
One Price Cash Store.
WM. SYMONS,
. DKALRK IN
General Merchandise,
DRY GOOD9,
GROCERIES, .. .
. TINWARE, ETC.
Ladies Fine Shoes
PATENT MEDICINES.
RAINIER, i : ! , : OREGON.
A. H. BLAKESLY,
Propriotor of-p ,
Oriental : Hotel.
8T. HELENS, ORSIGON. j
The house hn been, fully reiurnwnca
throuitliout ami tn nesi 01 accoiu
motliilluim will beuiven.
CHARGES REASONABLE.
STACK run In connection with
the hotel connecting with the North
ern I'aoillo Kallroad at Milion. 8tn:e ,
for Tacoma trHina 10 p. in. ror rorllana
trunk l 3 p. ui.
mmmw w
STMEil CO.
PORTLAND, OREGON.
ST. HELENS HOTEL
J, George, Proprietor,
Tfllilen always "iipplleil wiih thelienteditileii
ml iMIi'nde the market allorU.
. TERMS HK.VHOSADI.K
FOR REGULAR BOARDERS,
IfnvinR been newly rcfurniihrd, we '
am prepared t give nutlsfnctlon to all
our patron., uud nulicit a oliaro of your
putrunage.
ST. HELENS
OREGON.
-UO TO
JOHN A. BECK.
The Watchmaker and Jeweler.
- 10K YOUR
ELEGANT : ; : JEWELRY.
The Finest assorlincnt of Watches. Clocks,
and Jewelry of till description.
Oppoite the Kum md, Portlui d. Oreeon.
JAPANESE
CURE
A new n1 complt'te trenlniput, inimlHtlng of
Hiitp4flt.iri4i, OiittmentM 1u ( ftptiJo, ah-o In
Itux and IMIIh: a lentil tve Cure for Kxterual, In
tt'rnul. Blind nnd Hteeilnx, iK'hlin, Chronic,
If we nt or Hnrctlltary l'lle, mid ninny other
dlmmine aiMHvmitle wPnkncnrK; H ti nlwtiyH
Rrent bonuilt t tho leneml health. The timt
dlMtovorjr ufa inetlU'aTcure rouilvriiiRan uira
(lou with lue knife unno('rwary hereaftur. This
Komcty hn iiovor hwu known to fail. $1 lcr
hox. 6 for f -S; eiit by mail. Why uffr from this
teirthle dl4ne when a wrtttfu guarmitcc is
tjiven with 0 hoxtf. to refund thmoniy If not
ourwl. He ud Ktxiiip for froe Sample, (iuaruutee
Urn km! hy Woouaku, Clark k A. Ci., Wholenule
and Ketall DriiKifU, lo!e Akchu, Porlluud, Or.
NKAV
Columbia Restaurant
Lodging House.
EYerytbing New, ;.
Clean Beds and the
Best Table Set
MRS. M. J. SCOTT,
(Formerly Mra. McSuity.)
. PROP1UETRESS
Next Door to Ulusonio Hull,
8T. HELEN?, . - OREGON
OF COURSE YOU DO.
CTJ'Mt BKINO THT CASK. It hchooTes
O vi vi to tin.l the moat deniraUlu place to
piueliase vonr mvigurator."
THE BANQUET.
Keeps constantly on band the famous
Cuban Blossom Cigars,
Tho finest lino of Wines
Mnu.rs and
Ciuurs to be found ibis side
of Port-
Inttd. And if you wi.h to
eiiffuR. in a kiiiu of
POOL OR BILLIARDS,
They can axsure you that they have the
liest table in town, hvcrything new and
neat, and your patrouuxe la roiiccUuily
aoueiien,
"THE BANQUET"
8t. Helens. Oregon.
llBCfcleu'a Arnica Naive.
The Best Salve la the world for Cuts, Bruises,
Son., Ulcers, Salt Kheiim, Fever Bores, Tetter,
Chapiied Hands, Clillblnlna, Coma aud all Ktln
Krnptions, and poaitlvely cures Pllei, or no pay
required. It Is guaranteed to give perfect aatla.
faction, or money refunded, Price 25 cents per
box. For Sale Br Kdwin Koss.
One Dollar Weekly
Duya a good gold watch by our club sys
tem. Our H-karat gold-lllled eases are war-
routed for 20 years, vine lilgin and Wul
tluiui niveii'ent. Siem wind and set.
Lady's or gent's site. Kqual to any f")0
watch. To secure agents where we have
none, we sen one or uie nuniing cae
watches for the cluh price anil wad u.
O. 1). hy express with privilegeof examina
tion before paying for the same.
Our agent at Durham, N. C, writes.
"Our lewelors have eonfeaaed titer don't know
how you can (uruUh such work fnr the money."
Our agent at Heath Spring-, 8. ()., writes:
"Vonr watches take at light. The gentleman
who trot the last watch said that he examined
and priced a jeweler a w.telrea In Lancaster,
that wer. no butler than yours, but the price
W.hIIA."
Our agent at Pennington, Tex., writes: -"Am
In receipt of the watch, and am pleased
without measure. All who have aeeu it say it
would be cheap at IW."
One pood reliable agent wanted for each
place. Write for particulars.
Unrip- vyaTCH Co., New York.
OUR EXPORTATIONS
The Object of Eiporting is to
Obtain Better Prices.
Why Protection la Required for all
American I nil u.trlea Farmer.
Must be Protected. .
BY IIOX. THOMAS H. DUDLEY.
We exported in 1886 (111,715
wort'i of cutlery. Our cutlery ii equal
ij quality to any made in England
and i. as cheap in price. In the name
year we exported $1,181,065 worth of
saws, edge tools, etc ; of which 9126.Q43
worth went to Great Britain; Our
edge tools, axes, etc ; are found in near
ly all the hardware Htorca in England
and they are superior in' quality and
as cheap in price ns those mado there.
We exported 1,285,285 worth of
locks, hingea, and hardware, including
9187,112 worth to England. We ex
ported $3,685,220 worth of machinery
of which $636,138 worth went to Eng
land. We exported 554,365 pairs of
boot, aud shoes, some of which went
to England. The farmer can buy his
boots ami shoes in this country as
cheap as he can in Entrlaud. We ex
ported $2,121,812 worth of household
furniture, and $331,235 worth of
wooden ware, over $213,000 worth of
the former, and over $124,000 worth of
the latter going; to England. Furni
ture and wooden ware of all kinds, from
the wooden bedstead down to a clothes
pin, except were hand carved, are
cheaper iu this country than in Eug
hind. We exported $466,156 .worth of
woolen wearing apparel, of which over
$71,000 worth went to England and
rlcotland. We exported $664,304
worth of rubber and gutta-percha
goods, including 8,720 pairs of boots
and shoes to England. Our exports
of Carnages and horse cars were valued
ai l,34U,rJS, and our exports of agri
cultural impleiiienls,iucluding reapers,
mowers, plows, etc., were valued $2,'
360,021, much of which went to Eng
laud. All of our agricultural imple
ments and tools, as a rule, are better
in quality and cheaper in price here
in the United States than they are iu
England, and this will apply as well
to wagons, carts, barrows, etc. We al
so exported $1,778,660 worth of lire
arms; over 10,300,000 pounds of nails
and spikes; $106,208 worth of stoves;
$546022 worth of lamps, etc.; over 18,-
600,000 pounds of soap; over 8,000.000
pounds of wire, aud $1,314,639 worth
of books, maps, etc. As a rule com
modities are not exported unless they
are selling for less in the country from
which they are exported thau tlicy are
in the country into which they are
taken. The object of exporting is to
obtain better prices tli.-.o cuu be ob
tained at home. And this will apply
to all our exports of manufactured
commodities to other countries.
Something over three years ago I at
tended the National Agricultural Ex
hibition of France. It was held in
Paris, aud a grand exhibition it was
quite worthy of the great nation is rep
resented. I spent four days at the ex
hibition. There were fourteen or fif
teen acres of - ground covered with
farming implements, tools, machinery,
etc. All the exhibitors had their price
list upon their exhibits, and I was care
ful to obtain copies of thorn. The
lowest-priced horse rake was 250 francs,
or $50 of our money. You can buy
one just as good in any town in the
United States for . $27. The lowest-
priced mower was $202 in our money,
and was no better than we sell for $60,
if as good. The lowest-priced reaper,
without the binder, was $185; no bet
ter than ours for $110. The plows,
harrows, and cultivators were 20 per
cent, above the price they are selling
for in the United States. . There was
not a hoe, fork, shovel, spade or rake
on the ground but what was dearor in
price, and inferior in quality, to ours.
I therefore repeat what I have said
before, that under our protective tariff
the prices of all manufactured com
modities, instead of being enhanced,
have actually been reduced, and that
nioe. tenths of all manufactured com
modities now used by our farmers and
laboring people in the United States
are as cheap ns they are in England,
and iu many instances cheaper.
THE TARIFF ON CLOTHIKO.
Sortie of tho woolen goods used in
this, country are dearer than they are
n England, This is in consequence
of the duty imposed on wool for the
benefit of our farmer. As the duly is
imposed for the farmer's beneht he
should uot complain. ; ',
While considering this question of
woolens let us see to what extent it af
fects the laboring man, who lids more
right to complain, if there is any
wrong, the farmer, Take the amount
of wages that any laboring ninn earns
and compute out of it the am' tint he
expends for all the clothing he wears,
and you will find that it is not on an
averagu more than 18 per cent, of the
wages he earns ; then take from this
the part or portion he pays for his
woolen clothes, and assume, for the
sake of argument, that the duty on
these woolen clothes would be in
creased in price to the extent of' the
duty imposed, and you will see the in
significance of what he would have to
pay. It would amouut to almost
nothing alongside of the increased
wages that protection gives him; for
he earns here double the amouut he
would earn in Europe for the same
services.
But the du'y on woolen goods, aa
on all other manufactured commodi
ties in our country,, does not increase
and never has increased the price to
the extent of the duty imposed. Do
mestic competition, our machinery
and the skill of our people have always
come in and put down the price. Cer
tain descriptions of woolen goods are
now selling here in the United States
very nearly as cheap, and in some in
stances quite as cheap, . as they are
selling iu England. During the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1890, we exported
from this country oyer $300,000 worth
of woolen clothing. Some of this went
to England and Scotland. It does not
look as ii woolen clothing was very
much cheaper in England titan it is
in this country when wo are exporting
it to England. ....
Some late and very important testi
mony is nt hand confirming sulislan
tiully much that I have said on this
subject. It is from Mr. Schnenhof, a
free-trader, appointed United States
consul at Tun stall, in England, by the
lute democratic administration. . In
his report made to the state depart
meut, in speaking of prices iu Engluud
he says r
So fur as clothing and dry goods in
general are concerned I find that cot
ton goods are fully as cheap in I he
United States us here. Shirting aud
sheetings, if nnything, are superior in
quality for the same money with us.
so far us I can judge from the articles
exposed for sale in the retail stores.
Articles of underwear for women,
made of mutdin, are far superior in
workmanship and finish, and cheaper
in price in the United states. .
Nor can I find that mens' shirts, when
chiefly of cotton, are any cheaper here
Of boots and shoes, if factory made,
the same may be said.
Articles made to order, he says, are
cheaper iu England, owing to the low
prices paid for hand labor. - But he
then says :
The difference in the price of ready
made things is not so marked. . .
In workmanship and finish 1 find cor
responding articles of the wholesale
process of manufacture superior in the
United states This is true of cloth
ing as well as of collars, cuffs, and like
articles.
The argument, then, which we so
often liear that the laboring man and
the farmer are being injured, over
taxed, and robbed, because they pay
more for their woolen coats and cloth
ing than they would have to pay ifj
they could buy them in England, and
bring them here free of duty, is untrue
and is nude by the free-traders to de
ceive and mislead our people. Protec
tion does the farmer no injury; he is
benefited and not injured by it; aud it
would be a sad day for our farmers, as
well as for the laboring men of our
country when our protective system
would be broken down, our in
dustries transferred to England, and
our home market destroyed. -
LIMIT1 CAPACITY OF FOREIGN MARKETS
As so much is said about the foreign
market by some of our people, and as
it is so often held up to oar farmers
as the market that is ready to take ull
our surplus products, it will be well to
examine into it and see what its capac
ity is, and how far our farmers can rely
upon it. .
If we are to depend upon the foreign
market to take all our surplus agricul
tural products it is certainly our duty
to examine this foreign market so as
to ascertain whether it is large enough
to take this surplus. It will be remem
bered that the agricultural products of
this country, outside of cotton and to
bacco, amount to about $3,000,000,000
and that 92 per cent of this is now
consumed at home and only about 8
per cent exported. I know of but one
country in Europe that is unable, iu
one form or another, to raise food
enough to feed its own people, or, at
least, to keep them from starving, and
that country is England. ' The other
countries buy article of food t some
extent, but they could, if they desired
to do so, raise sufficient to feed their
people. But England with her dense
population, cannot do it. She is com?
pelted to buy food. Now, to what ex
tent do the European countries pur-
Continued on 4th page.: '
WEATHER BULLETIN
Our Weellj Report of. Hi
feather and Crops.
Winter Wheat' on Low Lands la
Turning Vellow Continued Cool
Weather Prevailed Last Week.
Oregon Slate Weaiher 8ervice in co
operation with U. S. Weaiher Bureau
of the department of Agriculture.
Central office, Portland, Oregon. Crop
Weather bulletin No. 1, season of 1892.
For week ending, Saturday, April 30:
THE MONTH OF APRIL.
Throughout Oregon the rains during
April have been in excess of the nor
mal amount. The total amount has
varied from over four inches in the
Willamette valley, to two inches and
over in southern and eastern Oregon.
Snow has fallen on the mountains and
higher elevations at frequent inter
vals. The ruins have penetrated the
soil, and it is now more thoroughly
moistened than it has beeu for years.
Water stands oil the low lauds . of the
Willamette valley. Temperature has
been from 2 to 4 degrees below the
normal for the month, this deficiency'
is apparent in every section of the
state from tho retarded condition of
vegetation. ' The season is fully four
weeks late. .. Frosts occurred with un
usual frequency and they did alight
damage to (he fruit interests, A severe
wind and raiu storm, one of the most
severe on record, occurred on the 24th.
There hue been a marked deficiency in
sunshine, and an excess in the num
ber of cloudy and rainy days. The
weather has delayed spring seeding,
and farming operations in general; it
has been unfavorable to shearing and
lambing, the latter has been very suc
cessful however, fully 85- per cent, of
the lambs being saved. The wool clip
is unusually good, the staple being j
long and remarkably clean. The
acreage of grain is as large as ever be
fore, and considerable is yet to be
sown. " That which is sown is in first-
class condition, except in a few places
on the low lands of the Willamette
valley.' The wheat has a good stand
and has atunled well. Though the
season is lute, yet vegetation is healthy
and offers bright prospects.
WESTERN OREGON.
Weather. -Continued cloudy and
rainy weather, wliiWcool temperature
prevailed. On the 24th a severe wind
and rain storm was experienced, es
pecially along the coast aud iu the
Willamette valley, the storm was al
most as severe aa the great storm of
January 9th, 1880. The total rainfall
varied from 2 inches at Portland to
.50 of an inch in Southern Oregon.
Snow fell oil the mountains. Frosts
were experienced on the 25th, 2Cth,
27th, and 2Stli in various sections.
Thunder storms and hail prevailed on
the 25th and 28th in the valley.
Crops. But little farm work was
done during the week; seeding was
practically at a standstill. Winter
wheat on low lands is turning yellow,
but ou up lands it is growing nicely.
Hops are a foot or more high. The
wind storm on the 34th blew most of
the fruit blooms off the trees. Prunes
are reported injured by frost at Day
ton, and apples injured at Williams.
The correspondent at Grants Pass
says: "Notwithstanding reports by
some parties to the contrary, our cold
snap has undoubtedly wound up inott
of the peach, almond and fruit crop
for the year 1892." The Ashland cor
respondent says: "There is a promise
of a fair crop of fruit, orchards are be
ing plowed aud spraying has com
menced." EASTERN OREGON.,
Weather. Rains, enow in the
mountains, cloudy and cool weather
lia-e prevailed during the week, with
frosts of frequent occurrence. The
temperature has risen somewhat, but
is yet below the average. The wind
storm of the 24th was experienced
more or less. The rainfall for the week
varied to .30 to .90 of an inch.
s Crops. The' spring seeding has
progressed considerably, yet in locali
ties it has been delayt d. Winter
wheat is from 20 to 30 inches high,
and spring wheat is in may localities
from 6 to 15 inches high. The most
excellent crop prospects prevail, and
generally the acreage of grain is larger
than ever before. Sheep shearing and
lambing continue, and from 75 to 95
per rent of the lambs are being saved.
Warmth and sunshine are now needed
throughout Oregou to develop and
bring forth vegetation. At this time
of the year the prospects were . never
better for a successful grain crop,
.. B. 8. Paoce,
Observer Weather Bureau.
1
' Reports from the itnTflfli of the Co
lumbia are to the ettoctJnl there are
plenty of salmon f hore, and they are
beginning to coniSTfiflo the river. X
little warm weather Will start them up
towards the headwateia.
CREATING ROAD DISTRICTS.
Oregon is not the only state where
interest in the matter of good country
roads is awakening. It is snbject of
common importance everywhere. The
papers of Massachusetts, Indians, Il
linois and Missouri are culling the at
tention of their farming communities
to the advantages to them of belter
public highways.' While in these
older states there arc many good roads,
especially the thoroughfares connect
ing the more populous towns, the
ordinary country; roads, over which
the farmers must carry their products
to market, are little, if any, better than
those in our own state. . Here, how
ever, we have no good roads whatever,
either the chief thoroughfares or the
rural highways, save some in the vi
cinity ot Portland, and even the streets
of most of our villages are but muddy
wallows. The question of a practica
ble system of providing solid and dry
high ways ' is the one ' needing first
solution, and this must be determined
by the legislature. It is a hopeful
sign that the country papers are de
manding in the name of the farmers
legislation of this character from the
members of the legislature to be elected
in June. It is pretty well settled that
when the farmers of Oregon unite iu
demanding legislation of any kind they
secure what they desire. The rural
districts dominate that body. Iu this
niovemeut they may safely count
Umjii the assistance of the Multnomah
delegation ; hence if a proper road law
be not passed, it will be because the
farmers do uot want it.despite the uni
versal dissatisfaction expressedwiih the
present muddy highways.
Practical means of raising the money
necessary for this important work is
the first consideration. Experience
shows that progressiveness runs in
spots, that the people of some districts
are progressive and liberal, and that
others are parsiiuoiious aud content
with cheap makeshifts, of all kinds.
. For this reason a practicul road law
should be a district law, under which
any district desiring good roads might
secure them, while others might con
tinue to wallow iu the mud if Uiey
should so prefer to do. Besides this,
while good roads are matter of impor
tance to the prosperity of the state,
they chiefly concern the communities
that use them in their duily traffic,
and the expense of their construction
should be borne by them. , The power
of thn legislature to set off portions of
the state into districts, with authority
to bond or tax themselves for public
improvements, has been settled by the
creation of the port of Portland, aud
the establishment of its constitution
ally legal status. The port of Portland
has the authority to issue bonds, and
to use the money received from their
sale to improve navigation in the Will
amette and Columbia rivers eveu be-
youd Hie limits of the district bonded.
The constitutionality of a law creating
road districts, with power to bond or
tax themselves for the construction of
public highways within the districts
thus raising the money cannot, be
dou'ted. Highway bonds issued by
any populous district of Oregon, in
amount proportional to the assessed
valuation of property, ought to find a
market on good . terms. The legisla
ture might divide the state into high'
way districts, or it might adopt a sys
tem by which property owners could
unite and form districts uuder a
general law, as has been done iu Cali
fornia and Washington for irrigation
purposes. : , , 5
Whatever may be done, the matter
will finally rest with the people of the
districts. Under a proper road law,
they might have good highways, or do '
without theiii, as a majority of the
property owners should elect. The
thing of immediate importance is to
secure the proper legislation, by which
the people of those progressive dis
tricts recognising the value of good
roads and willing to pay for them,
might accomplish what they desire.
while those districts in which a major
ity of the property owners are still un-
progressive and think more of the
present cost than of future benefit,
might continue lo endure the present
mud blockade every winter foe an in
definite number of years.' It is a ques
tion of emancipating the progressive
sections from the domination of the
inert mass that has so long prevented .
the stale from enjoying the prosperity
that should be hers. t reg uian.