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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (June 28, 1890)
WEST SHORE. sua McDonald, the political boss, whom the police would have defended if in their power, was a victim of the News. The result of it all is that the better sentiment of the community has been aroused, the city government is in disgrace, and the course of this fearless journal has been sustained. Had the press of San Francisco possessed enough courage and sense of duty to take a like firm stand against prize fighting in that city, in stead of vieing with each other to see which could be come the organ of the sporting element, that place would not have sunk so low as to compel the state authorities to interfere to enforce a semblance of de cency and a show of respect for the law. Twice has the West Shore called the attention of the people of Oregon to the fact that if this state is to be properly represented at the World's Columbian Expo sition it will have to begin preparations at once. To be sure, at the last moment we can gather a few hand fuls of grain, a few wisps of grass and a few boxes of fruit, which, with a dozen or so chunks of ore and about a score of square blocks of wood, will do their duty as representatives of the great state of Oregon ; but, however satisfied with this kind of an exhibit we may have been in the past, it is to be hoped there is within the wide limits of the state no one who imag ines that a display of that kind will be acceptable in Chicago. It will take time, money and brains to make such an exhibit as will attract the least attention in that grand collection of the products and attractions of the world, and the sooner this fact is realized the better. An organization ought to bo made at once for the purpose of managing the exhibit in conjunction with the state commissioners and of properly employ ing the time, securing the money and enlisting the brains. Bear in mind always that a display to attract attention must be novel, interesting and large, contain ing features that appeal both to the eye and mind. Such a movement properly begins in the Portland Board of Trade. Those free coinage republicans who are combining with the democrats to pass a bill against the judgment of their party are going too far, and the unwisdom of their action is shown by the motives actuating their democratic allies. And, too, it is doubtful if those democrats who are pushing this matter for the pur pose of securing whatever political advantage may bo gained in the west by a veto of the bill by President Harrison, are not overshooting the mark. Tho people of the United States look upon this question as one too serious to be juggled with for mere political ef fect, and will have little confidence in those whose actions show them to be ruled by such motives, no matter on which side their votes may be cast. They will have greater respect for an honest and fearless veto by the president than for an insincere and dema gogic juggle by congress. It is stated, with appcaranco of truth, that tho Great Northern has secured control of tho Burlington & Northern, from St. Paul to Chicago, which will givo it a completo transcontinental lino from Chicago to its Pacific coast terminal points on equal terms with tho Northern Pacific and Union Pacific. A line stopping anywhere west of Chicago is incomplete and would do business at a great disadvantage, a situation Biich a road as the Great Northern would not consent to oc cupy. Therefore, it may bo taken as certain that if the combination mentioned be not made, sonic equal ly good one will bo mado beforo the lino from St. Paul to Seattle shall have been completed. It may be possible that tho republicans will suc ceed in passing an election law through congress this session, but it will bo after a debate as bitterly sec tional as any yet heard in thoso legislative halls. No matter how patriotic the legislators may deem them selves, future generations will look upon such a bill as a purely partisan and political measure, and tho judg ment of history will bo that the true, tho generous and the statesmanliko course of tho north should have been to let tho south solvo its raco problem without mod dlesome4 political interference. Tho czar appears to consider tho times ripo for once more asserting Russian ascendancy in Bulgaria. The 6trained relations between England and Franco may lend him encouragement in the demand ho has mado upon Turkey for immediate payment of tho war indemnity upon pain of enforced collection. Tho " Sick Man " appears to bo in need of foreign physi cians again. There is hardly a city in tho United States that is satisfied with its census enumeration. There is no doubt that tho effort to have tho enumerators accom plish more than was possible in tho time allowed them, combined with an insuiliciency of pay, has resulted in a voluminous mass of statistics in which no ono will place confidence. Neither tho question of tho bathing .together of tho sexes at tho sea coast nor Tal mage's opinion on tho subject is of sufficient importanco to bo telegraphed over tho country. Mexico's periodical revolution is attracting tho attention of tho government of our sister republic to tho south.