St. Johns is Calling You
Hat teven churchei.
Hat a moit promitins future.
Distinctively a manufacturing city
Adjoin the city of Portland.
Haa nearly 6,000 population.
Hai a public library.
Taxable property, J4.50O.0OO.
Hat large dry doclcj. uw tnillij
Woolen mills, iron work.
Stove work, aibeatoi factory,
Ship building plant.
Veneer and excelsior plant.
Flour mill, planing mill.
Box factory, and other.
More induttriea coming.
St. Johm ii the place for YOU.
St. Johns is Calling You
It second in number of Industries.
Is seventh In population.
Cars to Portland every 16 min.
Has navigable water on 3 sides.
Has finest gas and electricity.
Has 3 strong banks.
Has five large school houses.
Has abundance of purest water.
Has hard surface streets.
Has extensive sewerage system.
Has fine, modern brick city hall.
Has good payroll monthly.
Ships monthly many cars freight.
All railroads have access to it.
Is gateway to Pprtland harbor.
Climate Ideal and healthful.
VOI,. II
ST. JOHNS, OREGON, FRIDAY, MAY 7. 1915.
NO 26
ST. JOHNS REVIEW
Devoted to tbe Interest! ol the Penlniula. tbe Manufacturing Center of the Northwest (
COUNCIL MEETS
Matters of Importance
Receive Attention
All members were present nt
the regular meeting of the city
council Tuesday evening, with
Mayor Muck presiding.
A communication from A. G.
Long stated that he was willing
that the Are steamer owned by
him should remain in possession
of the city for the present, pro
vided it bo given proper atten
tion and tho city be responsible
for its welfare. As there
somo question as to its value to
thucity for firo fighting pur
poie3, it was decided to invest!
gate its merits before action
should be taken regarding its
future disposition. .
D. C. Lewis told of commun
ications being sent to tho Mayor
and Commissioners of Portland
by nnti-mcrgcrites, copies of
which he read to the council.
He said ho believed the counci
ought to take cognizance of them
ami asked that they be publish
cd in the local paper.
Councilman Gradcn. Downey.
Pcrrine, Tollman and Bonham
mmlo remarks on tho subject
Councilman Gradcn stated
that tho local water company had
commenced laying new water
pipes on Oswego street.
Tho city attorney and Alder
man Gradcn, chairman of tho
water and light committee, were
instructed to interview tho local
water company in regard to in
stalling firo hydrants on St.
Johns nvonuo at us curly date us
possible.
, Upon recommendation of Coun
oilman Bonhnm it wns decided
that notices should bo posted
wnrning nil drivers of automo
biles not to exceed a
eight miles an hour in
8t)CC(i Of
tho lire
limits of tho city.
' Tho following bids were re
coived on tho improvement of
Ivanhoo street between Phila
delphia and Catlin streets: M.
E. Kilkenny. $3703.07; Andrew
& Harrer. $3772.57; Mnrtin. Lo
effelmnn&Oswnld. S3747; Coch
run-Nutting Company, $3718.77;
Mnrkwurt & Co., $3907.Ul: v.
VV. Mason. $379G.38; Ilahn &
Rebman, $3082.30. Tho latter
bein tho lowest bidder, thoy
woro awarded tho contract.
Tho following bids wero re
ceived on tho improvement of
Hnyos street between Philadel
phia unci CntHn streets: M. B.
Kilkenny. $3573.98; Andrew &
Hnrrer,$3530.31; Martin. LoelTcl
mun & Oswold. $3851.13; V. W.
Magon. $3407.51; Hahn & Reb
man. $3520.00; Cochran-Nutting
Co., $3182.57; R. Mark wart &
Co.. $3091.72. Tho bid of V.
W. Mason being tho lowest, he
as awarded tho contract.
Tho bid of tho First National
Bunk on $39G1.G4 of improve
ment bonds nt par, accrued in
terest, providing of bond forms
and a premium of $25 being tho
best bid offered, that institution
was awarded the bonds.
Ordinances providing the time
and manner of improving Pitts
burg street between Crawford
and tho forry slip and Ivanhoo
street between Burlington and
Richmond streets were passed.
A resolution directing tho city
engineer to prepare tho plans,
specifications and estimates for
the improvement of Leonard
street between Charleston and
Chicago streets by sidewalk and
grade was adopted,
It was decided that the pro
posed improvements of John
and Charleston streets be filed
for the present.
An ordinance providing for
keeping dogs enclosed or in leash
when on the streets passed first
and second readings, and then
held over for alteration.
Councilman Martin stated that
the steam exhaust at the local
ice plant was so arranged that
the steam therefrom forced its
way over Dawson street, and at
times making it more or less
dangerous to traffic. The Mayor
volunteered to see Mr. Harria
and have the matter remedied if
possible.
Alderman Perrine gave the
details connected with the in
stallation of a comfort station
at the city hall plot, and said he
believed the work could be done
for about $1200 by day labor,
and he was given authority to
proceed with the work.
It was decided that the mayor
should make appointment of ap
pointive officers at the next ses
sion of the council.
rOH, RENT sard at thin effiM.
Missionary Societies
The following interesting and
instructive article was written
by Mrs. Geo. JeiTcott and read bv
her at the Mother's Meeting.
Monday April 19,subject: "Mis
sionary Societies."
Missionary effort and organi
zation to carry it on are distinct
ly a christian institution. Prob
ably in no one point does the
spirit and practice of tho teach
ings of Jesus differ from other
so-called religion as in its atti
tude toward those who know lit
tle or nothing of its power and
influence.
Moreover this snirit of helnfuL
sympathy more perhaps than any 1
otner one tiling establishes the
Divine charucter of Christ, and
his teachings.
Tho Missionary spirit shown
in such a striking way in tho
early church was something new.
It wus not brought about by
gradual development of a clear
er understanding of socinl reln
tions, but was manifest nil nt
once and umong tho followers
of u single toucher, and was ir
no way connected with the re
cognized social and religious
lenders or that dny.
Thut this is truo is indicutcd
by the position these lenders
took toward tho new teaching.
Nor huvo wo need to look fur
for the cause of their intolerance
nnd bitter opposition.
In tho fnco of tho growing
popularity and iniluenco of tho
new teachings tho Jewish lead
ers suw danger to their nosition
and authority.
Whilo tho Jewish religious
system wus for tho best tho
wrrld had known un to thut time
and could they huvo but grasped
its true 8Pir It would huvo lilted
them socially fur ubovo tho mi
tions about them. They seem to
novo valued it from purely selfish
motives. JeniouB of any en
croachmcnt on their privileges,
intolerant to any who might
duier with them on tho most
trivial point, and carefully re
serving to themselves nil know
lodge and favor of God. Thoy
form a striking contrast with
the followers of tho now Toucher.
Tho Missionary work of the
early church, whilo inspired by
common faith, wns nt first
Inrgely enrned out by individ
uals or nt most two or three to
gether.
Tho story of theso ear y mis
aionnrles, their loyalty to their
Mastor. their simple faith that
knew no discouragement nnd tho
wonderful results of their elfort
are umong tho finest things that
como down to us from tho past.
There nro dnrk chapters in tho
iiistory of the church when it
seemed thut tho spirit of tho Di
vine Muster was lost sight of
and faith wns dead, and yet
through it all there has seemed
to bo a recognition of herobllga-
ion to curry tho Btory of tho
crossto tho ends of tho earth.
In our times there has been a
marked increase of interest in
the various lines of mission
work. 'Practically every christ
ian church has some organiza
tion whoso special object is tho
sprend of religious truth nnd n
better understanding of man's
social and moral relations. Along
with teaching on theso lines,
much bus been dono to better
generul conditions.
Medical departments have
been established, work special-
y directed to tho uplift of wo
men, tne better education ot
children, etc., has been underta
ken. This extension of the field
of work has made better organi
zntion both for work nnd support,
absolutely necessary and the
various local societies have or-
anized under control of a central
body with the object of working
to a better advantage and furn-
shing better and more depend
able support.
To try to give statistics cover
ing the extent of the work would
bo out of the question, but com
pared with any other lines of
endeavor it is undoubtedly great.
What the results of al this
effort is and is to be, only God
whose love is its inspiration may
know. That it has been far
reaching in its effort on human
progress is certain.
Take for instance the advance
of civilization in our own land.
Before the pioneer, came the
missionary.. With a zeal un
daunted by hardships and priva
tion, inspired with the joy of
passing on to others what had
counted for so much in their own
ife, these men played no small
part in the development of the
wilderness.
The Missionary Society at its
best, supporting and backing up
its consecrated men. sympathy
and encouragement is a practi
cal working out of the Christian
spirit and its only explnnation
is the principle that it is more
blessed to give than to receive.
We might do well to give u little
more thought to this end of tho
work. Is the joy of the giver ull
there is to it?
"Tho life thntis shnring in
the interest tho welfure and tho
huppineBS of others is the one
that is continually expanding in
beauty and in power, nnd there
fore in hnppiness.
would thut wo miGht crnsn
the truth of tho crent law that
you will find your own life only
in losing it in the service of oth
ers. Thut the more of your life
you so give the fuller nnd th
richer, tho grenter nnd the
grander, tho more beautiful and
the more hnppy your own life
will b!." Trine.
Tho field of work of the mis
Bionnry society covers practical
ly every corner of the earth.
Standing on the principle of
tho common brotherhood of mnn
nnd tho Fatherhood of God it
more than nny other force has
broken down notional distinction
and race prejudice.
Through tho efforts of Biblo
Societies the scriptures nrc be
ing sent to nlmoBt every rnce,
written in their own tongue,
and ut tne same tune theso or
ganizations distribute millions
of bibles among tho pcoplo of
our own land. Tho appcurnnco
of the A. ii. b. nt tho time its
grcnt work begun wns n special
providenco to Homo Mission
aries. It closely conpernted with
tho Homo Missionury Societies
in tho now settlements, nnd Bi
ble distribution become ono of
the chief labors of tho Missiona
ry.
It is n joy to tho friends of
Missions that its mutinlving
churches do not forgot tho debt
thoy owe to the Biblo Society
and thut its revenues for Biblo
distribution have increased from
37.000 in 1810 to 450.000 in 1902.
In a brief review of tho sub
ject such ns this, one sees much
ground for encourngement to
thoso who nro engaged in this
lino of work. -
Certninly tho nnst hns born
fruit and working nlong tho lines
of christian uplift nnd in liar
mony with tho spirit nnd tench
ing of Jesus, wo mny fnco tho
future hopefully nnd unnfrnid.
Tho Muster plnces stress on the
Inw of sncrifico nnd of service.
Wo huvo His words "I como not
to bo ministered unto but to min
istor." "As the Fathersont mo
into tho world so send I you."
Tho Inw of scrvico wns mndo
binding on ovory ono who would
become His discinle. We mnv
ask tho question, who shall
prench tho gospel or who will go
to foreign Innds? Shall you or
shall I? If wo aro led by tho
guidance of tho Holv Spirit we
shall each know what our own
individual work may be. When
wo look about us and see tho vast
work to he done in our own
homo land we cannot sit idly
down, for whilo wo may not be
culled to go to Foreign lnnds,
there is tho homo work to bo
dono. There's u work In our own
fair stnte, in our own county,
yes in our own neighborhood, to
bo done. In the story of the
Good Snmaritan comes the ques-
ion, Which was neighbor?" and
forever after, neighborhood be
came n matter not of vicinity
but of intention.
It has been rightly said the
aw of love is the most fundamen
tal of all. It is this which vital-
izes
tho other two. "To him
who -loves, service is its own ro
ward, and sacrifice is privilege,"
Love is tho fulfill ng of al low
and is tho root from which ser
vice and sacrifice spring." So
mny we not each in love with
that personal vital touch, with
whoever wo may come in contact
work. "You in your small cor
ner, I in mine."
THE CHRISTIAN LIGHT.
Oh! what is this which shines so
bright
And in the lonely place
Hangs out his small green lamp
at night
Tho dewy bank to grace?
t is a glowworm still and pale
It shines tho whole night long.
When only stars, Oh! nightin
gale
Seem listening to the song.
And so amid the world's cold
night
Through good report or ill
Shines out the humble chris
tian's light
As lonely and as still.
For Rent One G room house.
$8,00; one 7 room house with i
acre, $8.00; one fl room house all
remodeled, $10.00.Peninsula
Security Co., Room 5 over First
National Bank,
THE LIBRARY
Interesting Notes for the
Library Patrons
Hours:
Afternoon, 12:00 to 5:30.
Evening, 7:00 to 9:00.
Sunday, 2:30 to 5:30.
NEW BOOKS:
Guerber Empresses of France.
Josephine, Mnrio Louise and
Eugenie arc names which call to
mind endless pugennts nnd touch
ing or dramatic scenes, which
historians, novelists, poets, and
playwrights huvo already used
In their works, und will doubt
less use ngnin. The straight
forwnrd nccount of their lives
us given in this book, is so
dramatic ns to cull for no ficti
tious oddlttons.
Johnston Yorktown Cam
paign.und the Surrender of Corn
wullis.
An nccount of this final cum
pnign of tho involution in tho
light of the old and such new
material ns our historical collec
tions oiler.
Kuufmnn Do Somcthincr. Bo
Something.
A new philosophy of human
efficiency."
A book that is fairly peppcret
with exclamation po nts nnd
oven closer filled with remnrks
which need them. Stimulating
to tho ninth degree as witness
tho following: "Dream to the
starsfling your dnres a thou
sund miles."
"History is tho dinry of bar
bnrism tho chronicles of Civ
ilizution nro yet to bo written."
"You enn't be helped becnuso
you're n jolly fish. If you wero
iftcd up, you'd flop back liko a
soggy sponge, btnrt in and
grow a spine. Wade out of your
self pity and your fnlse pride.
Dig through your cowardice
and your fenr nnd find tho mnn
n yoursolf."
"Impossibility is now nn old
nshioncd word with n definition
but not a meaning. Impossibil
ties are tho half-hearted ciforta
of quitters. Mngic hns become
unionized trude. Wiznrds
punch tho clock four times a day
and stop nt thocushicr'8 window
ovory Saturday."
"When you nro ouito satisfied
with yourself you'll begin to
dissatisfy the rest of us. No
mind nt rest enn do its best."
Mncmnnus Yoursolf und tho
Neighbors.
If you wero ono of tho lucky
ones who huvo seen nnd lienrd
tho Irish storyteller, Senmus
MucMnnus, on ono of his Port-
nnd trips, you will not enro to
miss this.his latest book of Irish
tories. And 1 you read this
book of stories you will see to it
thut you do not miss Mr. Mucun
us on his next Portland visit.
Tho first five stories aro con
cerned with "Yourself nnd Her
self," and take you that is, of
course, if you happen to bo un
old fashioned Irishman on tho
old sod from "Barefoot Time"
through" Your Courtin' " "Your
weddin'," and "When a Man's
Married," to "Evening's Quiet
End," when
A great wake you had surely:
your thousand friends camo from
far nnd near to smoke n friend y
pipe at your house and to pray a
prayer over you, and sit for
some hours by your bier, lament
ing that tho parish would nover
see your like again, and tho fu
neral wns something thut would
have delighted the heart of you,
iad you only been able to see it.
n relays of four, tho finest men
f tho parish shouldered you over
bog and moor, hill and dale,
road and river. to your final field,
wjth five hundred footing It be-
ind, and when you were lower
ed to your long home, and Fath-
Peter, in shaky tones, had
committed you, "Earth to earth,
dust to dust, ashes to ashes,"
the boys who filled your grave
said with the last sod, "With
all
our sorrow, we're proud,
from this day out 'twill be
boast that we planted the
or
our
best man Killymard ever knew.
God rest you, Johneen!"
And a hundred bowed heads
muttered a deep and fervent
Amen!"
Back to the Farm
Would you like to own a choice
ttle farm in Yamhill County.
Oregon? If so, come in and see
what I can do for you. I have a
few friends with choice little
farms who wish to exchange for
City property. Dr. W. J. Gil
strap, First National Bank Build
ing, St. Johns, Oregon.
Rose Carnival Notes
Oregon's marvelous
wonders, with tho Ninth
Rose Festival June 9, 10
as a fitting climax, will
scenic
annua
and 11
be the
basis for the nhontonlav.
The
ianu oi rrom so to ho nro
duced in Portland by tho North
west weekly, an Oregon motion
picture compnny. The purpose
oi tne nnoton nv win ho to n
uuue ino scenic attractions in
if - . .. .
various portions of tho stnto
about n story of tho carlv his
tory of Oregon. N. Olness, who
win produce tho n cturo. w
hnve tho cooperation of tho Ro
snrinns and tho festival assocm
tion. Tho scennrio wns written
by Pearl Builey, n Portlund girl.
nnd wns considered tho best out
of more than thirty plays sub
mltted to the judges. A com
puny of photoplay actors will
bo tuken on u tour of tho state
nnd pictures will bo stnged nt
tne racmc occun benches ulong
tho Oregon const lino; on the Co
lumbin highway, near Mt. Hood,
ulong the Columbia river, nt
Orator Lnko National park ; ulong
tho Deschutes River in Central
Oregon und in fertile vulleys.
There will be more thnn 100
scenes.nnd tho photoplay will be
produced in two reels and nlnced
on motion picture circuits cover
ing thcntrcs all over the civiliz
ed globe.
To secure a queen for tho Port
land Rose Festival that will ren-
resent tho irrentest number of
people, tho fiestu mnnngemont
has received nominations from
ovory orgnnlzutlon In Portlund.
Voting Will bo bveounonn in tho
dnily papers until Mny 10. The
contest closes Mny 19. giving
threo dnvs for votes from cities
and towns outs do Port nnd to
reach tho contest mnnncror.
Orgnnlzntions in Portland will
appeal to similar societies thru-
out tho state to forward them
coupons. Tho girl receiving tho
uiKnuBi, vuiu win uo muuo queen
and the next six highest will
bo Princesses.
Queen Rose, us the ruler of tho
1U15 festivni will be called, will
bo crowned tho afternoon of
opening day at tho Festival cen
ter. Iho six princesses will also
bo given the names of flowers.
Tho crowning ceremonies will
call for ono of tho most pictur
esque ceremonies over manned
in tho history of tho carnival.
Sovernl hundred school children
will huvopnrt in a beautiful pict
ure to bo stnged on tho Portlund
Park blocks. )
Engineer Force Busy
Tho engineer's office is n busy
Iace these days. An unusual
amount of street work is being
dono, and it keeps tho engineer
ing corps on thejumn. This de
partment of city u Hairs Is in most
competent hands. James Bur-
son, city engineer, is n mnn
woll qualified to net in this cu
paclty. Ho hns brond und vuricd
experience ns civil engineer.
and hus an Intimate knowledge
of tho conditions and require
ments of practically every street
in the city, ills recommenda
tions aro over listened to with
respect and with full confidence
that Mr. Burson is fully cogni
zant of conditions nnd of the
best method of remedying de
fects, and making repairs. His
judgment is thoroughly reliable
and his work Is painstaking, ac
curate and meets with tho ap
proval of tho peoplo in general.
le has two efficient assistants
in E. W. McLean and Ben Hoo
ver, lioth aro trustworthy, cap
able and take great pride in tho
work. AH work is kent un to
date as nearly as it is possible
to do so. When It is proposed
to improve a street, tho engineer
)y resolution is given twenty
days in which to prepare tho
plans, specifications and esti
mates, but it is very rarely the
case that the engineering depart
ment does not have all in readi
ness in half tho time alloted.
very one receives courteous
treatment at tho engineer's
office, and always any ono
wanting information regarding
street work can secure it with
acility and dispatch there.
Mayor Muck and tho city coun
cil have again shown fine judg
ment in retaining Mr. Burson
and his assistants.
Notice I deliver groceries anv
place in St. Johns. Deliveries
are made four times a day, at 8
a. m. and 10 a. m. and 1 p. m.
and 4 p. m. Yes, my solicitors
call if desired. A. S. SCALES.
hono Columbia 210: 501 Fes-
senden street.
Communications
The communications below
aro published at tho renuoat of
D.
u L,twis, in order that the
people mny know their contents.
Muny erroneous reports have
been in circulntion concerning
their contents so thnt their pub
Mention will set muny people
right regarding what they con
tain. Mr. Lewis assures us thov
ure true copies of tho origlnnls:
To tho Editor tho Rnvi mv T
think it wns on election dnv von
and I had a short conversation
regarding tho merger election.
wo both agreed that whichev
er way the electors voted, tho
will of tho neonlo should ho rn-
spectcd nnd tho sumo ought to
bo ucceptcd ns final. nnd tho nno.
plo ngnin become united und
work in harmony for tho up
building of this section.
The Voters snokn. P.v n mn.
iorlty, not only of tho vote cast,
but also of the registered voto as
taken for tho lust city election,
tho sentiment wns strong for
merger. Thnt being so where is
tho jUBtificntion for this late at
tack made against our nnotiln?
is u mcrgcrites or anti-merger
i: ..
Ites who uro funning tho flume?
Read tho numes of thoso signing
tne petitions attached to tho let
ter sent to tho Mnyor nnd Com
missioners oi I'ortlnnd.
' I ' II (1 SI n inunn.. I ...... f.
pled Is tho equivalent of Buying
ho is "without virtue." nrofli-
xy oujr u JJUiauil IB UnprillCl
gnto. openly immoral, corrnnt.
dissolute, depraved, wicked, dis
roputnble, nnd such n chnrgo is
slnndcrous nnd criminal. Note
tho longungo of tho otter: "Mis
representations woru mndo hv
unprincipled men." Tho language
is piurni. wear tho closo of the
so called petition which is attach
ed to tho letter "promoters" nrc
referred to. Evorv norson who
contributed money to nid tho
merger cnuso. or worked for tho
same, or spoKO lor tno sumo or
oven voted for tho Bume in a
sense nro promoters and nro in
cluded In tho chnrge of being
unprincipled.
I mnko tho letter nnd petition
nnd numes attached, all of which
aro filed together in Port und.
and woro read as ono instrument
n pnrt of this letter that tho
renders of tho Review mny know,
exnctiy wnat ib taking place so
thoy can clearly plnco tho blame.
In tho petition reference is
mndo to tho number of electors.
Why call tho commissioners at
tention to last full's registra
tion? Thut wns n Stnto regis-
trntion nnd contains ninny names
who woro not und vet nro not
nuturnllzcd Amorlcnn citizens.
A misuso of tho truth for pur
poso of deception is equally as
bad as opon.dellberato falsehood.
Explanations may bo due. D.
C. Low is.
St. Johns. Oregon, April 28,
1915. To tho Honornblo Mnyor,
nnd Bonrd of Commissioners,
Portland, Oregon. Gentlemen:
I huvo been requested by citi
zens to send you tho enclosed
petition signed by somo of our
principal business men who aro
opposed to signing all of our
rights and privileges as citizens
away. Wo aro all very friend
ly and have none but tho kindest
feelings townrds tho City of
Portland, and know that your
prosperity ulso means much to
lour city, but wo cannot feel but
that you novo all tho territory
now that you can well look after,
and whilo we are willing to ad
mit that the timo will como
when it may be to our advantage
to join hands with you all for a
greater Portland, but feel that
tho timo has not yet arrived.
Misrepresentations wero made
to our citizens in muny wnys by
unprincipled jnen to secure their
votes nnd many of them aro now
sorry. Our object in sending
this letter, although late, is to
call your attention to somo un
constitutional features of tho bill.
Should Portland voto to take in
St. Johns, it means a long and
hard fought battle.
Most respectfully yours, J. E.
Williams.
If required, hundreds of our
citizens would gladly sign this
or a similar petition. J. E. W.
To tho Honorablo Mayor and
Board of Commissioners, Port
land, Oregon. Honorablo Sirs:
As to tho feasiblity of placing
upon the ballot at the June elec
tion of your City, tho question of
merging St Johns with Portland
is being considered by your Hon
orable body, there are several
matters relatlvo thereto that
perhaps have not been brought
to your attention.yet aro worthy
of consideration at this timo.
First, Constitutional amendment
Moving By Mail
, Mrs. Annio Olsen, of Seattle
is said to be the first housewife
in the United States to "move"
by parcel post.
Postoffico clerks were astonish
ed when Mrs. Olsen appeared at
the pnrcel post window demand
ing stamps for conveyance of the
household goods from Seattle to
Quinault, where she has gone to
join her husband. "I figured it
would bo cheaper this way,"
said Mrs. Olsen, stamping a bar
rel containing her kitchen stove.
"It cost me $20 the Inst time I
moved." Other nrticles of furni
ture followed, weighing in nil
337 pounds nnd including kitchen
utensils, a rocking chair and n
dining table umong other things.
They cost her $'1.02 in stamps.
"Undo Sum for me!" exclaim
ed Mrs. Olsen. "I knew it
would bo economlcnl." Journnl.
which was passed by tho vote of
the peoplo Inst Full, making the
merger of adjoining cities in
this stuto possible, providing
thnt merging should take nlnco
provided n majority of tho elec
tors of each of tho Incorporated
cities or towns or municipal cor
porations affected authorize tho
surrender or merger, ns the enso
mny bo. The Inngungo is plain,
yet tho last Legislature attempt
ed to alter or amend this Consti
tutional amendment, nnd so
worded tho merger bill thnt a
majority of thoso voting at the
election should ell'ect merger.
It is conceded by legal advisers
generally that tho Legislature
has no power whutover to niter,
amend or oven interpret a Con
stitutional Amendment, ns the
formor must bo dono by a voto
of tho peoplo ut large, and tho
lnttcr is a judicial function and
not a Legislative one. So it
would seem that tho Constitu
tional Amendment must stand ns
it rends "u mujority of tho Elec
tors." St. JoluiB hus a popula
tion not far from 0000 peoplo
nnd about 2200 electors. Lnst
Fall 2079 woro registered from
St. Johns. At tho recent elec
tion on merging only 799 voted
in favor of merging, whilo tho
constitutional amendment, in
unmistakable terms, states that
a mujority of tho electors must
bo secured before merging can
tnko plnco. Jt will be seen by
tho figures quoted thut a major
ity has not been secured, in fact
only about 35 per cent of tho
electors ot bt. Johns expressed a
willingness to merge. This be
ing tho case, if morgor could bo
completed under theso condi
tions, would it not bo questiona
ble, to soy tho least, of being
nblo to sell improvement bonds
for street or sowar work in St.
Johns, since the bonds uro bus
ed on und backed by tho proper
ty of tho diBtrict and not by tho
City?
Tho voto on merging in St.
Johns was undoubtedly secured
on tho assurance by tho promot
ers that Portland would almost
immediately provido Bull Run
Water ut Portland rates to St.
Johns inhabitants, that tho Firo
Department would bo enlarged,
that School facilities would bo
increased und thnt largo sums
would bo spent on docks in St.
Johns. Those nt the head of tho
merger movement wero mostly
rcul cstuto men, whilo the busi
ness men and property owners
wero generally opposed to merg
ing. In vjow of nil theso fncts wo
would suggest that tho matter
receivo tho most careful consid
eration nt your bunds nnd thut
tho Constitutionality of tho Inw
bo thoroughly analyzed by your
legal Department.
1 rusting that you may do this
and thereby avoid any legal com
plications that might hereafter
ariBe, wo remain,
Yours Most Respectful y.K.
C. Couch, Merchant; C. C. Cur
rin, Druggist: Dr. J. V. Scott,
Dentist: H. W. Bonham, Mer
chant; Ed. S. Currier, Merchant;
W. K. Evens, Merchant: C. S.
McGill, Merchant; W. L. Orman
dy, Merchant; H. W. Ormandy,
Merchant; D. E. Brodahl, P. C.
C. : C. R. Thompson. Druggist:
J. H. Knowles, Contractor; S. L.
Lonnany, Labor; J. IS. Williams,
insurance.
FOR SALE.-I will sell on
easy terms ut u barguin my half
acre of choice garden land with
smull house in St. Johns only
two blocks from cur line. Would
accept a modern five pnssenger
auto as part payment. What
mve you to offer? For particu
nrs, sco Dr. Gilstrap.
Full blooded Barred Rock bnbv
chicks. Call at 815 W. Buchanan,