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About The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 1904)
Oorvallis Times. Official Payer of Benton County. -WBTAIAIS, OREGON, DEC 7, 1904. THE NEW ELECTION J.A.W. The indications are that the next general election in Oregon will not be held under the primary election law, and that nominations for state and county offices will be made as formerly under the primary and county convention system. , At torney General Crawford has ren dered an opinion to the effect that the law will not be effective for nominating purposes until after there has been a registration under it, giving electors opportunity to declare political preferences. No general registration occurs under the new law in time for nomina tions to be made lor the next elec tion, the date for such registration expiring the 15th of May, but two weeks before the election actually occurs. Under this view of-the law, in order to make nominations for the next general state election there would have to be resort to the usual primaries and county conventions. As a matter of fact, it would not ' be surprising if the law never becomes operative. The increased expense that its operation would entail, doubling, in fact, the already large cost of an election, all without securing the benefits urged for it, is a feature that will always Btand in the way of its suc cessful operation. members of the gang are at the endl of their rope, that government officials who could not be . bought are prosecuting them, and that the prosecution- is merciless. MAKES ANOTHER OFFER. TEE LAND THIEVES. The spectacle presented in Judge Bellinger's court at Portland for the past two weeks has been humil- iating to the people of Oregon, The disclosures there in connection with the land fraud cases have been a revolving panorama of swind ling, oeriurv and deceit. The picture of shame' and rottenness, revealed , by the testimony, is the worst ' that has been seen in an Oregon court in many a year. The oper ations of a gang of adventurers, involving not only ordinary mounte banks but even salaried servants of the government, have smeared shame all over the fair name of Oregon. In'some cases, men whose business it was to defend the pub lic domain against the operations of land-grabbers, have actually joined the gang and become aiders and abettors of the frauds. False land entries, false certificates, false statements and false representations have been the assets of the swind lers, and the despoiling of the pub lic lands their achievements. In the process, honest men have been corrupted, perjury has been sub orned and theft promoted. Sometimes when a government official became troublesome, a share of the ill gotten profits was thrown to him, and apparently ' he sur rendered to the pirates,' to wink thereafter at their corrupt machin ations. As the disclosures multiply, and the surprise of them wears off, the wonder grows as to how far up in official position the rottenness ex tends, and what guilty ones more or less remotely connected with the steal will escape the punish ment their perfidy calls for. , If too, so much of rottenness appears in this instance of Oregon frauds, in which the operators are "tin horns" in their class, what mon strous steals of timber and other lands have not been perpetrated on the government by railroad cor porations, syndicates and other full Hedged pirates, whose opportunity capacity and power for fraud made them adepts in conspiracy and more successful in its promotion?. The condition illustrates the widely prevalent notion that to plunder the government or the people, by fair means or foul, is not stealing, but a legitimate means of profit. It also suggests the query if there be not all through the government service, dishonest scrubs who draw official salaries with one hand while they plunder, peculate and pilfer with the other. The one refreshing thing in the Of Mountain Water Council is Con sidering it Old Company. Another offer of mountain water has reached the city council. It is by Dr. Farra. president of the local company, and it is v now . in the hands of the special committee of the council. It differs from the former offer in that it contemplates that the city shall be owner of the system, but that for 30 years the property shall be under the control of the water company. The city is to issue enough in bonds for se curing oae half the funds, and .additional bonds for raising the balance of the money to be issued the plant. To take care of these bond issues, a sinking fund of $2,000 per year is to be set aside trom the receipts. In lieu of in terest on the bonds, the city is to receive all water for city purposes. except for street sprinkling, with out charge, The offer in full, is as lollows: 'I propose to construct a system of water works in Corvallis, Ore gon, which shall receive its supply of water from Rock Creek near the base of Mary's Peak. "This system to be modern in all its appointments and construct ed under a contract with the city of uorvams Dy which the city becomes the owner of the plant as soon as completed and assumes control of the same at the end of thirty years. "One half of the cost of the plant to be' paid by the City at the time ot the construction and the balance at the end of thirty years. For the remaining one half of the cost price the City shall authorize the issuance of "Water Plant Bonds" whose payment shall be secured by a mortgage on the plant, but contain no further obligation1 of payment on tne part of the City. "During the thirty years while I remain in control of said . plant, I am to provide a sinking fund which shall be increased at the . rate of $2,000 annually; one half of said sinking fund to pay off the "Wat er Plant Bonds," and the remain ing half of said sinking fund to se cure the City against loss "on its original payment. , ; "At the end of 30 years when the remaining half of said purchase price becomes due, the City shall receive credit on said balance of purchase price, of the amount of depreciation which said plant shall have suffered, this depreciation to be determined by a commission ap pointed in some manner hereafter to be agreed upon. Should said depreciation exceed the amount of the remaining half of said purchase price, then such excess shall be paid to the City out of the sinkine tund provided lor security as above. ' During the30-yar period above the City shall have, free of charge, all water for municipal purposes, except sprinkling. G. R. Farra, Pres.C. W. C." The new offer is very similar to that under which the Dallas moun tain water system was put in. It was substituted for the former offer because of a provision in the state constitution which prohibits counties, cities or towns from ', raising money for or loaning its credit to any company, corporation or association. Article XI. snb di vision 9 says: VNo county, city, town or other municipal' corpora tion by vote of its citizens or other wise, shall become a stockholder in any joint company, corporation, or association whatever, or raise mon ey for, or loan its credit to or in aid of, any such company, corpor ation or association." The former offer contemplated that the city should, in effect, issue bonds to the amount of $25,000. and loan the sum to the local water company for a period of 25 or 30 years., which fact brought it within the prohibi tion ot the provision quoted above. By assuming ownership from the beginning, however, the "city can issue the bonds as proposed, and as was done in the case of Dallas, per mitting the company to manage the system for the 31B years, the city then to take possession under the terms of the contract. Everything 'Needed -for- AT THE BUSY BIG STORE Our Holiday Stocks were never so beautitul and comprehensive as tHey are this II -r 1 - -t . 1 i i-.li i. j i. ISI year, iou can make our nristmas purcnases now out oi mn assortments anu at ybur leasure avoiding the great crowds that will come later on, and if goods are to be shipped, insure their certain delivery on time. We will hold purchases made now and deliver them to you any day in December that you want them. m, . - - Games -::'r Crokinole and combination game boards. A large assortment of these novel and fasinating games with plenty of excitement on land or sea. From 25c to $3.50. Dolls Xmas Fair 1904 1 Handkerchiefs You'll find here a collection of every nationality and description. Some are dressed very stylish while others are ready for dressing. Bring the little folks and visit them. . 5c, 10c, 25c, 1.00 mp to 7.50. For ladies and gentlemen, in plain, silk, hemstitched, lace and embroidered edges of all kinds. All new. - v':'; . 5c, 10c, 15c, 20c, 25c, 50c, 75. Pictures and Decorated Ware I have a f all assortment in cups, saucers, dishes, Ipl lamps. etc. . V f pi) From 5 cents to $5.00 Ties, Mufflers, Gloves And suspenders. The latest designs and colors in values that can't be beat. 25 cents to $1.50 m Inlaid Wood Novelties and Basketry Somethingentirely different than has ever before shown in this city. Baes in all shapes and sizes." Hand earved and inlaid with bark and fancy wood, 25c to $3. V Baskets for sewing, gloves, handkerchiefs and many other uses. Some are made to be lined and drawn with ribbons while others are ready for use 5c to 1.25. Albums Photo and autograph al bums of every description. 25c to $5. " ' Purses and ' Auto Bags all new and novel at 25 cents to $2.50 Collar 6c Cuff Boxes Glove and Handkerchief, Jewel and "Work Boxes. A more beautiful assortment than ever of these goods 56c to $2.50 Ladies Furs Kich furs at low prices during holidays. $1.50, 2.50 3.00 up to 9.00 Toilet Cases In all the latest novel ties 50c, 75c, $1, $1.50 up to $5.00 Overcoat Special The finest and best line we have ever had. All at a reduced price during the month $5.00 to $18. Xmas Slippers. For ladies and gentlemen. Ouf line is large and very attractive, See window display - 50oto$2.00 The Busy Big store is now at its best and I would like you to come and look at our Christmas display. That's all I ask - v' - S.L. Kline G0RVALL1S, OREGON. Mail orders promptly filled. Heating Cornice, Roofing, Guttering'and all kinds of sheet metal work Let Santa Glaus put good things in the stocking, j But we put good things in the stomach. , . Everything Fresh. Satisfaction (iuaranteed Before selecting Xmas presents seethel,ibby cat glass at Zierolfs. My! Its wonderful those bar gains in toys at Moses Bros. present instance, is that the rotten Get it Free. A $50 diamond ring at Pratt's, Ticket with fach $1 worth of goods purchased between Dec 5th and Jan 5th. Lucky number takes the ring. d7tf Produce taken in exchange for goods at Moses ro3 new store. In connection with J. H. SIMPSON Hardware Store. & u. omi'$ music Bouse of Albany, Oregon removed to 350 Alder street Portland Oregon. Write . ' for prices, save money. Special atten- tion to mail orders .... . Cecilian, the Perfect Piano Player. Oranges, Wax Beans, Turkey, Lemons, Asparagras, Macaroni Bananas, Corn, Cider, Apples, Tomatoes, . ' Mushrooms, Grapes, Mincemeat, Catsups, Figs, Honey, Capers, Cranberries, Preserves, Worcester Sauce, Celery, Cheese, Chow Chow, Lettuce, Oysters, Salad Dressing, Onions, . . Shrimps, Mustard, Sweet Potatoes, Lobsters, Olires, French Peas, Plum Pudding, Sour Krout, Etc. Don't Forget- We have a large stock of Candies, Nuts, Cookies Fancy Crackers, Nabiscos, Raisins, Currants, Citron, Orange and Lemon Peel, Glazed Cherries, Pineapple and Ginger, Pop corn and Xmas Candies. See the nice things in our window. HODES' GROCERY.