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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 1895)
THE SIOBNING- OREGONOLAjer, ' THUESDAT, FEBKTTAEV 21, 1895 )$X0X6&mtettl iterra I ? the Postoflce at Portland. Oregon. 3 second-class natter. REVISED SGESCRIFTIOX BATES. By Slat: (postzce prepaid) la Advance Sally, -with Sunday, per month.....? 1 00 Dally, Sunday excepted, per year. .... 10 00 Dally, with Eunday, per year ......... 12 00 Sunday, per year.... ......... ....- 2 00 The Weekly, per year.........-...-.. M The "Weekly, three months... . .. 5 f-TO -CITY SUBSCRIBERS. Dally, per week, delivered. Eunday excepte&23c DaUy, per week, delivered. Saadty Incluaed..S0c Theirs or discussion Intended for publication In The Oregonlan should he addressed Invariably "Editor The Oregonlan." not to the name of any individual. Letters relating to advertising, subscriptions or to any business matter should be addressed simply "The Oregonlan." The Oregonlan does not buy poems or stories from individuals, and cannot undertake to re turn any manuscripts sent to It without solicita tion. Ko stamps should be inclosed for this purpose. DAILY METEOROLOGICAL REPORT. PORTLAND, Feb. 20. S P. M. Maximum temperature. 52; minimum temperature, 42; height f river at 11 A. 1L. 2.7; change in the past 21 hours, 0.3; precipitation today. 0.01 J precipitation from September 1. 1834 (wet sea son. to date, 1B.US; average. S2.C2; dehciency, 12.01. "WEATHER SYNOPSIS. There appears to be a storm approaching the coast opposite the mouth of the Columbia river. Quite a heavy fall occurred in the barometer over Western Washington, which indicates that the storm is moving northeastward. Light rain fell in the western portions of both states. It became much cooler in Western Washington, end slight changes in the temperature occurred "WEATHER FORECASTS. Forecasts made at Portland for the 24 hours .ending at midnight February -1: For Oregon Light rain and stationary temper ature, with fresh southerly winds. For Washington Light rain and warmer. with light southerly winds, briik to high on the coast. For Idaho Fair weather and slightly warm er, with light southerly winds. For Portland Light rain and stationary tem perature, Ytith fresh southerly -winds. S. M. BLANDFORD. Acting Local. Forecast Official. that is In them. It is claimed that this institution is a model of its class, and its record for economical management is embellished by the statement that two years ago the trustees turned back into the treasury nearly $16,000 of the appropriation previously made for its maintenance, while this year, in spite of the increase of Inmates over the num ber upon which the estimate was made and the appropriation of two years ago based, there will be a surplus of about $2000. These facts are cited to show that there are some things for which citizens of the tax-ridden common wealth of Washington have to be thankful, though in the grand total of $2,6S1,885, the estimate upon which the state government expenses for the next two years is based, such small savings are insignificant. Every one has heard of the process of "saving at the spigot and wasting at the bung," which, though an unsatisfactory method, is, it must be allowed, better than a leakage at both ends of the governmental bar rel. PORTLAND, THURSDAY, FEB. 21. MORE TURNS OF THE SCREW. The Oregonlan has made the best ef fort It could for reduction of the taxes of this overburdened community. It has assisted or has had the assistance of citizens who realize that Portland must have this relief, or it will not be possible to own property, pay taxes and do business in the city. The condi tions are constantly growing worse. Property cannot bear these burdens. None will venture to invest, except at prices that heretofore would have been deemed ruinous. Owners of property, pressed to extremity by public burdens, are trying to get out of it anything they can. In all private affairs the closest economies are enforced. Men and women pinch and scrimp in all possible ways. But taxes are as high as ever. Official emoluments are not re duced, and a swarm of office-holders, fed fat at the public expense, have suc ceeded at the capital of the state In defeating the economical reforms that were promised to the people. It is discouraging, but the effort must go on. The conditions are relentless, and will compel obedience to their mandates.- -Till these taxes shallbefre duced, Portland will remain practically dead. Who will put money into a city so ridden by profligate officialism, so oppressed by taxation? Where is the employment for labor? There is none, because men will not embark money in undertakings subject to such ruinous taxation. There is coming the biggest delinquent list on the tax-roll that Port land has ever known. It is astounding that the state's rep resentatives should have united to de feat the effort to cut off the superflui ties, extravagances, peculations and ex tortions of officialism In this city and county. The effect will be felt not only in Portland, but on the prosperity of the state. It will be the basis, more over, of a political revolution; for these conditions cannot continue, and the peo ple will turn in any direction for relief. As stagnation shall deepen and distress shall Increase, It will be found out how imperious is the demand for such re duction of the public burdens as will emiblc men to own property, pay taxes, " make improvements and carry on busi ness in Portland. Even non-taxpayers presently will learn that they cannot stand it, be cause capital shrinks from investment in such conditions, labor can get no employment, and paralysis of industry ensues. Portland never has been con fronted by a situation so grave. It should have had this relief at this time. But it appears that other turns of the screw will be necessary to enforce it. We shall get them. MUNICIPAL REFORMS IN NEW YORK Changes growing out of the reform victory of last year have brought the city charter of New York into full har mony with the most modern notions of municipal government. These will therefore have an effective trial on a larger scale than ever before. As they are still regarded as experimental, though in successful operation for some years in Philadelphia, and for a shorter time in Brooklyn, and in par tial effect In Chicago and Boston, the object-lesson of New York will be ex tremely valuable. Consolidation of administrative power in hands of the mayor, which is the cen tral and dominant idea of the modern science of municipal government, had been pretty well completed before the election of Mayor Strong. Successive republican legislatures have stripped the venal and incapable board of al dermen of one power after another. After failure of the experiment of nam ing executive boards by the legislature itself, their appointment was given to the mayor, of course without confirma tion by the council. This brought some relief from mlsgovernment and corrup tion under mayors like Hewitt and Grace, but when they were succeeded by men like Grant and Gilroy, of course the whole administration fell into hands of Tammany, and corruption ran riot through every department. Even the popular uprising of last summer and the election of Strong did not put an end to this infamous regime, because administrative boards and heads of departments had been ap pointed by his Tammany predecessor for fixed terms, and could not be dis placed. The police commissioners were forced to resign by the shameful ex posures of the Lexow committee, but other officials held on, some with sev eral years of unexpired terms ahead of them. No better practical Illustration could be given of the vital Importance of that feature of the Philadelphia and Brooklyn charters which give3 the mayor power of removal as well as of appointment. This weakness of the New York charter was so clear that the legislature lost no time in curing it by passing a law giving the mayor power to remove all executive officers, whether heads of dapartments or members of boards - . y . 'hTk, This Jaw now 4s in ''effect,Jand under it Mayor Strong is clearing out all the Tammany crew and filling the offices with new men. His appointments gen erally meet the approval of the prac tical reformers who brought about his election. They are not only non-partisan, but non-political, Including such men as Colonel George Waring, E. L. Godkln of the Nation,' ex-Mayor Grace and many whose names are not so well known, but who are described as mem bers of the body of earnest men who have fought misgovernment and cor ruption in both parties. It remains to be seen how much practical aptitude for affairs there reformers have. One thing probably can be relied upon; they will not steal. If they cannot gov ern. Municipal reform Is on trial In New York, and the result will be ex pected with general interest. state of Oregon should protect salmon, and that is for the benefit of the state. Salmon supply an abundant and cheap food for the people, and add several millions of dollars to the state's in come. For these reasons regulations should be adopted that would assure the continuation of these benefits. The Idea that legislation is for any particu lar class or business method should be abandoned. We see the same idea dominant in the game laws, which have been so arranged as to create a favored class of sportsmen and deprive the peo ple generally of the benefit to be de rived from the game of the state as a food product. It may not be too late to accomplish something in the way of closing streams for breeding purposes, though the sen atorial fight may continue to interfere with everything useful. However, a committee should now be appointed to report at the next session a bill drawn upon the lines of absolute protection, regardless of the business interests of any men or methods of fishing or work ing. This committee would have time to learn something about salmon and practical regulations, something that no committee can hope to do in the brief time It can give the subject during a legislative session. It should have time to learn the motives qf those who seek to mislead it, and to make Independent Investigation. The report of such a committee, intelligently and honestly made, would no doubt be proof against the attacks of selfish interests and com mand the support of all members of the legislature not dominated by local influences. If this Is not done, a few years will render salmon protection, a subject not worth worrying about. senate now. That majority does not ex ceed ten, and may be less. The reduc tion Is due to the Influence of the ad ministration over democratic senators. It may be added that the Sherman bill followed the proceedings above de scribed. The house refused to concur in the senate's free-coinage measure, and there was a. conference committee, out of which came the Sherman act the most mischievous of all our silver projects. The senate has passed a bill for de duction of indebtedness. If it shall be come a law, an enormous number of wealthy men will escape all taxation. There Is less property value and more debt in proportion than there was two years ago. Wfiile property is under valued, debt is deducted in full. There fore the tax-dodger wJJl have larger op portunities than.he had then, and they who cannot dodge taxes by deduction of debt will bear all the heavier burden. The naval appropriation bill has passed, and we are to have three new battle-ships. They ought to be made superior to anything afloat. Great Britain has just launched the first of seven great ships of the latest model, which will serve as a pattern. So far every new ship we have built has been superior to the newest British ships of the same class. We ought to be able to beat them again with these three new ships. THE "WORLD'S WOOL SUPPLY. A writer in the Bankers' Magazine for February reviews the world's wool situ ation. He produces estimates of the London board of trade, according to which the visible supply of wool, by which is meant the wool that reaches the world's markets, has grown from 955,000,000 pounds In I860 to 2,456,773,000 pounds in 1891. Since 1891 there has been considerable further increase. The tables show that the Increased wool supply comes almost wholly from three regions of the Southern hemi sphere, which have entered upon wool growing as a special industry during the last forty years. Australia and New Zealand in 1894 produced 581,000,000 pounds of wool, against a product of 60.000.000 pounds in 1860; the Blver Plate region 443,000,000 pounds in 1894, against 43,000,000 pounds in 1850; and the Cape of Good Hope 122,000,000 in 1894, against 26,000.000 in 1860. It is this prodigious increase that so profoundly affects the world's markets. The production of wool has been in creasing far faster than the normal In crease of demand for the products of wool. This Increase is one of 'the most interesting industrial phenomena of the times. It Is matched by the devel opment of no other great staple com modity. While it is not probable that the supply from those three regions of the Southern hemisphere will continue to increase as rapidly as in the past, yet it is regarded as certain that their maximum production has not yet been reached. Of wool-producing countries, the United States is third in the list Its product in 1S94 is estimated at 325,000, 000 pounds.. it was but 60,"000;000 pounds in 1SC0. While, therefore, the increase' In the United States has been a little over five-fold in thirty-five years, it has been nearly ten-fold in Australia during that period. The wool clip of the United States has averaged for some years about 22 per cent of the world's supply of clothing wools. Under pressure of free trade in wool, a considerable reduction of this product may soon be expected. Prices will re main at the foreign level, and many of our people will give up the wool busi ness. The wool clip of the country will not disappear, but it will be greatly reduced; and Oregon will suffer about as much as any other of our states. What is to prevent the government from offering a popular loan of 4 per cents at 110, if authority to sell 3 per cents cannot be had? Then the Lon doners who subscribed to the syndicate loan ten times over, paying 8 per cent more than the bankers paid the gov ernment, can come here and take it. This is the way things are done In France. No groul? of bankers makes $5,000,000 on a single small French loan. The January statement of foreign trade Is not encouraging. Exports ex ceed imports by only $14,000,000, against $34,000,000 a year ago, and gold exports exceed imports by $26,000,000, against $600,000 a year ago. For the last seven months gold exports were $47,000,000, and merchandise exports exceeded Im ports by only $94,000,000, against $206, 000,000 for the same time In 1894, when we Imported 554,000,000 of gold. The Japanese send word to LI Hung Chang that they will make peace no where but In Japan. When other en voys went to Japan they were sent home. Next thing these cocky Japs will require the emperor of China him self to go to Tokio and sue for peace. The new United States loan was taken ten times over in London at 8 per cent advance over the price paid to the government by the syndicate, which will make $5,000,000 out of it. It was a great success for everybody but the administration. "The faction'- was again playing with the name of Judge Williams yesterday. Its vote was centered on him merely as a landing-placg", while the preparations go on with the populists and democrats for fulfillment of the real object of the "bolt" r: Income from Indian investments, but of these classes the large majority are al ready conservative, and would vote con servative under pretty well any circum stances. At the time of writing, Mr. Balfour's great speech had escaped my memory, but J. B. M.'s quotation recalled it. Such a speech to such an assemblage, or to a chamber of commerce, whether in London, Manchester or Liverpool, is es sentially an appeal to the moneyed and more educated classes; but its facts and figures will hardly stir the hearts or passions of the masses of the people. It was Mr. Gladstone who first (unwisely, as many think), invented the phrase, "The classes and the masses," still it Is to some extent a convenient one. The classes, as a whole, will in any event vote conservative or unionist, and lead ing conservatives may favor a confer ence on blmetallsm; but as yet no author itative announcement has been made that the unionist party, as a party, is com mitted to such action. The masses will in all probability divide their votes at the next general election between conserva tives, the various shades of radicals and home rulers, according as they are influ enced by such subjects as disestablish ment of the church in Wales, home rule, house of lords, unearned increment, land laws, etc., and it Is over these points the coming battle will be won or lost. Taking the ordinary London newspa per (with the exception of the Times), it Is rare to see an article on blmetallsm. So far as my memory serves me, and I have no statistics at hand, I should say the Times has most frequent references to the subject, only in the last number which reached me (of the 25th January) there was an article speaking of the re moteness of any International agreement. I regret only on Sunday I posted It on to a friend, or I would have quoted parts of the article. The Times, too, with out committing Itself, seems the most favorable to a dual standard. Other papers, such as the Standard, Telegraph, Morning Post, Daily News, Chronicle, Globe and St. James's, rarely mention the subject. Yhen they do, my recollection is that they are momometal lic. Within the last fortnight I have had copies of tho Standard, Telegraph, and various London evening papers, and I don't remember any article, or even men tion of the subject, other than cables from the United States concerning affairs In congress, and then It would rather be the silver question than blmetallsm. The London papers I have mentioned, though of vast power and authority among the middle classes, are not the papers that guide the workingman in the bestowal of his vote. It is the Dispatch, the Sun, Star, Echo, Evening News and others that form the opinions of the mass es, and in those papers an editorial allu sion to blmetallsm would be very rare. Personally I think the whole question of currency is for qualified experts to pronounce upon, and not at all fitting for the necessarily ill-informed electorate to deal with. For that reason I should be very sorry to see It become really a party question at home; however, so far as I have yet read, or know, I do not think it will so become. If it is really deemed wise and beneficial for Britain to join in a currency conference, I do not see why radicals should oppose, or tories make a party matter of it. Universal blmetallsm, which I suppose means a universal fixed ratio between gold and silver, would probably largely benefit English commerce, inasmuch as It would give a fixed value to the ru pee, and steady Eastern exchanges, but it appears to be just in the fixing of that ratio where the difficulty comes In. Yours truly. C. S. which she has lived 6S years, in East Xorthfield. Mass. She Is In good health, and superintends the work of her house every day. Anson Cory, who lives In Lafayette coun ty. Mo., probably Is one of the oldest ex slaves In the United States. He was born 15 miles from Knoxville, Tenn., In 17S3; went to St. Louis with his master in 1795, thence to Fort Sibley, and was present with his master, Dort Hlcklin, when the site where Kansas City, Mo., now stands was purchased from the Indians. Senator Chandler is said to have mel lowed wonderfully of late, and his sarcasm Is no longer of the frosty, killing kind. Ho says sharp things, but they are disarmed by his genial laugh. He 13 keen, but the blade glances where It used to penetrate to the bone. His wit, which bubbles forth a hundred times a day, is sugared with the utmost good humor, and It amuses and entertains where onec it rankled and embittered. YAQUINA HARBOR. GUARD THE TREASURY. Friends of Economy Need to Be Mr. Henry WUson may pay a nomi nal fine for assault and battery, but no jury' would -"hav1 punished - him -for "homicide. There'-' aeh'urnan'"rights 'to' which fornraf law bows. New Orleans councilmen are being sent to the penitentiary for various terms. There are worse things for councilmen than losing their salaries. The proposed combine of the popu lists, semi-populists and democrats on Lord again failed yesterday, but may be attempted today. The free kindergartens of the city, instituted and kept up for the benefit of the children of the poor, are mediums of the most intelligent charity, and de serve Its generous support. The fact that Individual charities are the first item in the expense account that is made to feel the stress of hard times is oxcmpllfied In the falling-off of the subscriptions for the support of these kindergartens. There are four of these Infant schools, situated in sections of the city where the children of the very poor are most numerous. Their work is of the strictly charitable order, and its benefits are incalculable. To close one of them would be a calamity In its way, and yet the indications are that two will have to beclosed,unless the subscrip tion list can be at once increased. The good people of the city should Inter est themselves to the extent of pledg ing the relatively small monthly sum required to prevent a retrograde move ment In this basic charity, which works tho combined miracle of cleanliness, po liteness, morality, Industry and happi ness In its beneficiaries. The Washington legislature, through committees appointed for that purpose, has found the eleemosynary and re formatory institutions of the state eco nomically and humanely managed and worthy the confidence of the taxpayers. Thjs Is especially true of the school for defective youth in Vancouver, and the refrni school at Chehalls. The latter institution has In charge at the present time J60 boys and girls, who had, be fore, their commitment, little or no home training,' but who are moving toward honorable manhood and womanhood along linos of discipline, instruction and industry calculated to bring out the best ANOTHER FIASCO. The utter inability of the legislature to accomplish anything for the general welfare has again been shown by the defeat of the salmon bill. While that measure was by no means perfect, It was a great improvement upon the present Insufficient, conflicting and im potent law. The legislature began in a most unbusinesslike way by appoint ing two committees, one to Investigate the salmon industry and the other to confer with a committee of the Wash ington legislature on the subject of joint regulations. These committees arrived at somewhat different conclu sions, and by so doing discredited the work of both of them. There are half a dozen conflicting In terests that always struggle to protect themselves at the expense of each other whenever this subject is before the legislature. There are glllnet fish ermen, trapowners, cannerymen who own traps and those who do not, wheel owners on the upper river, canners in the same locality, and market men and shippers of live salmon. Whenever the legislature appoints a committee to in vestigate the matter, representatives of these interests swarm about It, and the one that brings the most irffluence to bear secures a report on regula tions favorable to its branch of the business, and then all the others fight the bill. This time the wheelowners and cannerymen of the upper river got what they wanted from the committee, and the canners and fishermen of the lower river succeeded in killing the bill. This leaves us just where w.e were be fore, with regulations that the United States fish commissioner has officially reported will lead to the speedy exter mination of the salmon, and will pre vent, as they did last year, the opera tion of hatcheries by the flsh commis sion, and which are nullified by con tradictions and by decisions of the su preme court. The difficulty is that the various in terests are purely selfish, and, while professing a desire to have the salmon protected, are not willing to have it done if it inconveniences them or calls for any temporary sacrifice on their part. Each wants it done at the ex pense of the others. Coupled with this is the idea that salmon laws are made for the benefit of the men engaged in the salmon Industry, instead of for the public good, and this Idea seems al ways to dominate committees and the legislature Itself, so that proper regu lations cannot be bad, because some glllnet man, canner or wheelowner raises the cry that it Interferes with his business. There is only one reason whv the The financial depression promises a political revolution in Canada as well as In the United States. The revenues are falling off, there is a deficit of over $1,000,000 this year, and the public debt has increased $12,000,000, mainly on ac count of government subsidies. Last year at this time the treasury had a surplus of over $2,000,000, so that the real loss, as compared with a year ago, is between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000. The estimated net deficit for the year is about $6,000,000. The cause of the defi cit is the decrease in customs receipts, due to smaller Imports rather than un usual government expenditures. The conservative government has been lib eral in its distribution of bonds for sub sidies and public works, and has loaded the treasury pretty well with obliga tions, which are and will be maturing for some time, but, had revenues kept up, the deficit would have been small. The disposition of the government seems to be to wait for something to turn up. Premier Bowell does not like to ask parliament to increase taxes, and is loth to face the commons with no plan for dealing with the situation, and It Is predicted, therefore, that the elec tions will be ordered without another session. This suits the liberals exact ly, as they will go Into the campaign with the cry of extravagance and cor ruption against their opponents, and the promise of reform on their own part, and probably will win. BI31ETALISM IX ENGLAND. It Is Not anil Probably "Will Not Be come a. Party Question. PORTLAND, Feb. 19. (To the Editor.) Your correspondent, J. B. M., has rather the advantage of me in a matter of con troversy, as he is evidently at home and able to consult books of reference and files of newspapers, whereas I am compelled to Tely on my memory, and have not even a Whitaker to assist me. ' Quite possibly I am In error in believing that no reference was made during the late elections to blmetallsm, but that speeches of Mr. Chaplin on that subject had any determining power at either I do not think. I read the weekly edition of the Times carefully during the time, and had both the Standard and Telegraph every few days, Dut i cannot say my memory recalls any speech, which made me think blmetallsm was an important factor In the elections. To imagine the average agricultural voter of Lincolnshire (of Forfar and Worcestershire I do not know so much) weighing the merits or de merits of such an intricate subject as bi metalism is to credit him with an ability and intelligence I am afraid he does not possess. It must not be forgotten it is no longer the squire, the farmers or even the small tradesmen who control the majority of votes, but under the new register the franchise has been lowered to very near manhood suffrage. I notice J. B. M. bases his assertion on a cable to a New York newspaper, not on quotations from an English, paper, and I would point out, how very often the American correspondent fails to grasp the really salient points of any occurrence, and cables some portion of a speech, or lays stress upon some minor fact, which Is scarcely at all regarded by the English press. Of course the same thing occurs with English correspondents in America. Doubt less they cable to England a variety of matter as being Important an American would regard as of no weight- An American correspondent in England would be especially liable to attribute an exaeKerated importance to any pronounce- ment of Engll3h statesmen which seemed In favor of silver, whereas English people would read the same speech and be little stirred or affected by it. Notwithstanding J. B. M.'s quotations from Mr. Balfour's speeches, I adhere to my opinion that at the present time bl metallsm is an academical rather than a political question In England, and that it will remain so until thsre is some reason ablechance of an universal national agree ment being reached; secondly, that It Is not a question that will form a real ground of party difference, or will be of general interest to the vast mass or the English electorate. Just now some leading men on the con servative side and the conservative party generally, may be more willing than the radicals to send British representatives to a monetary conference; but a conservative will not give his vote to a radical of what ever shade because he happens to be a bimetallst, or a radical vote for a conser vative candidate because he is the re verse. It is quite different, of course, in the United States, where the silver ques tion Is the question of the day, to the ex clusion of almost everything else. The people in England to whom the pros and cons of blmetalism are Interest ing are the representatives of the great mercantile and banking houses, con cerned In forelsm and Eastern trade, and measure for it. This was carried by a J secondly (a numerous class, I admit), vote of 43 to .24 nearly two . to one. I those, connectcd-wlth the Indian military There Is no such silver majority in the i and civil staff, and those deriving their of Economy Need Wntclifnl Still. THE DALLES, Feb. 19. (To the Edi torsTaxpayers of Oregon have cause to feel thankful at the nrobable defeat of all special bills calling for appropriations. .forschools at certain points,. TWhy should Lakeview have $5000" and 'Klamath Falls' nothing? Ashland $5000, unless Coquille City is given a like sum? The same rea soning which appropriates $5000 for Drain would entitle The Dalles to $20,000. The one thing now to be closely watched is the general appropriation bill. The university at Eugene will ask for $30,000, the agricultural college at Corvallis the same, and the normal schools (at Mon mouth and Weston) for substantial sums. That tbe state university, with an an nual attendance "of les3 than 200, and more than half of these from Eugene alone, should ask for more than $10,000 is little less than shameful. These are hard times and taxpayers are fairly groaning under the load they must carry. The manage ment of the state university seems unable to comprehend this, and, instead of econo mizing, has actually added to Its expense by creating one or two unnecessary pro fessorships. Still, there may be method in this. With $30,000 from the state, and $10, C00 to $15,000 annual interest on the land and endowment fund. It requires some in genuity to spend all this money. And, of course, it would never do to have a dol lar of surplus at the end of the year. Let members of the legislature who are friends of economy be watchful still. Nor should they be hoodwinked by the ex pected, but misleading cry of fostering the educational interests of the state. The general appropriation bill should be care fully scanned, and every item cut down to the lowest possible limit. The uni versity at Eugene shculd not have more than $10,000 at the outside. The agricul tural college iccelves $15,000 per annum from the general government, and has no need of special state aid. Smother for all time those "certificate factories," the so-called normal schools, by withholding all appropriations, and let those who would teach, win their way on merit alone. TAXPAYER. The result of the municipal election in Philadelphia is extremely significant. The democrats took advantage of the municipal-reform contagion, to which they mainly attributed the election of Strong in New York and Schieren In Brooklyn, to run ex-Governor Pattlson for mayor. Pattlson has a larger pub lic record as a reformer than Strong or Schieren, but he was defeated by over CO.OOO majority, the largest ever given In the city. This throws new light on the election of Strong and Schieren, and suggests that, after all, they may have been elected as republicans rather than as reformers. There is reason to suspect that the height and depth and strength of the republican reaction has not yet been measured. Manifestations of it continue to crop out In unsuspected places. The idea that New York really Is a republican city Is almost Incredible. The silver majority in the senate is smaller than it was five years ago. At that time there was no difficulty in putting any free-coinage measure through that body. When Windom was secretary of the treasury, a- hill was drawn up at his suggestion for limited purchase of silver. It passed the house, but when It came to the senate a motion was made to substitute a free-coinage PERSONS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT. Ruskin is reported to be in excellent health at Brantwood Coniston, in the lake country. Rev. Dr. T. T. Stone, of Boston, Mass., the oldest living graduate of Bowdoin col lege, celebrated his 94th birthday recently. Mme. Hissa Ohyama, wife of the Japan ese minister at Vienna, has joined the Roman Catholic church, with, her hus band's consent. Governor McKlnley will make the annual address before the Alumni Association of the Chicago Northwestern university, on commencement day. Oliver Wendell Holmes' library is ap praised at only $804 50. It is evident that the poet went on the principle that it is enough for a man to write books without collecting them. The bust of Richard Malcomb Johnson, of Kentucky, at one time vice-president, has been placed In the senate chamber. "It is the work of James Paxton Voorhees, son of Senator Voorhees, of Indiana. W. W. Fuller, of Durham, N. C, is to re ceive a salary of $50,000 a year as chief at torney of the American Tobacco Company, of New York. He is a son of Judge T. C. Fuller, of tBe United States court of pri vate land claims. The chain long worn by the Count von Moltke, as knight of the Black Eagle, the highest Prussian order, is to be given to Count Waldersee a great honor for him. The count's wife, before marriage, was Miss Lee, of New York. Professor Charles W. Walcott, director of the United States geological survey, has had confred upon him the Bigsby medal by the Geological Society of London, in recognition of Important services rendered by him to geology and paleontology. Galusha A. Grow, for all his three score years and ten, Is one of the sturdiest and mo3t vigorous men in the house. He is more regular In his attendance than al most any member except Reed, and he Is as much in evidence as any of those who are no more than half his age. Dwlght L. Moody, the evangelist, cele brated his 5Sth birthday recently in San Antonio, Texas. On the same day his mother, Mrs. Betsey Holton Moody, cele brated her 90th birthday in the house in which she brought up her children, and in Captain Synions Report Satisfactory to the People of Vaquloo. NEWPORT, Or., Feb. 19. (To the Ed itor.) In your issue of February 16, when commenting on the action of certain of our citizens concerning the improvement of Yaqulna harbor, you state that the people here are said to be very sore about Captain Symons' last report. While there may have been some expressions of re gret, by those who would have been per sonally benefited by the expenditure of the money in the vicinity, that the appropria tion may be discontinued for a short time, yet all who have a desire for the welfare of the state can but rejoice that the results of the Improvement have so far surpassed Captain Symons opinion of what they would do; that from a shift ing channel of eight feet it has been changed to a permanent channel of 15 feet at low water, and Is continually being deepened by the scouring process of the current. It would hardly be expected Li the most enthusiastic that the full ef fect of the improvement would he realized at once, but that the change would be gradual. That any one would expect Cap tain Symons to make any change In the plan thrit has been so productive of the desired fend, until the effect of the present plan is fully determined. Is unreasonable. Near the entrance of the present jetty the current has removed 12 to 13 feet of sandt giving 21 to 22 feet of water at low water, where formerly there was but eight to nine feet. Now, if this current action is sufficient to remove such quan tities of sand in one place, under similar conditions it will be equally effective in other places. To produce these similar conditions it will only be necessary to ex tend the present jetties far enough to direct the current on the sand to be moved. Captain Symons, however, at this time hesitates to make this recommenda tion, for the reason that there is a pos sibility that it will throw the "bar be yond the protection of the outer reef," which' is such an effectual barrier to heavy seas approaching the entrance of the jetties. But there is a condition that a careful study of the surveys will sus tain, and that is, although the inside of the bar has been cut away or moved seaward, the outside of the bar has been stationary and parallel with reference to tho inside of the outer reef. Between the bar and the outer reef there is a permanent channel about one-quarter of a mile wide, having a permanent depth of water at low tide of 30 to 40 feet. That this channel is maintained by an eddy current flowing south at right angles to the jetties at a rate of from two to three miles per hour, there is but little reason to doubt. If the jetties were ex tended toward the reef the same principle would apply as in the groin system; the 1 velocity would be increased as the space diminishes; thus the jetties would serve the double purpose of jetty to the en trance and groin to the eddy current. But why speculate on plausible theories and reasonable possibilities when, In re ,aUty,.rYaoTulnaiharbqr is now as good, if not' better, than'that, on which Portland,, with her marvelous wealth and great commerce, was built and sustained for 25 years, until the experiments at Yaquina bay proved to a certainty the method of applying and permanent benefit of the jetty system that has been adopted with such splendid results at the mouth of the Columbia? One has not far to search among the ports Of the country to find many places less accessible than Yaquina that are transacting more business than all Ore gon Is at present producing. That part of Captain Symons report 5n reference to Yaquina being unworthy of further improvement has been by some misunderstood. In the plans for a new project submitted to Captain Symons for his consideration, there is a prescribed form for reports on the same, and these forms are usually worded worthy or un worthy, and do not preclude at some fu ture time the recommendation of a pro ject for further improvement. Captain Symons certainly would not declare that Yaquina harbor was not worthy of greater improvements, if the project, in nis opin ion, was for the benefit of the harbor, when we consider that the opening in Oregon of this practically new harbor has saved to the people of the Willam ette valley in reduction of freight alone within the past five years over five times the amrint expended by the general gov ernment in its improvement, to say noth ing ahout the advance of the price of produce, which will amount to at least $2 per ton on all grain raised in localities accessible by rail or water to this port. In view of these facts, connected with the very bright prospects of an early exten sion to an Eastern transcontinental con nection, with branch lines extending to Eugene, Salem and Portland, the holders of Yaquina bay property have no good reason to feel jealous of Portland or any other seaport In Oregon. I. ; ?EWS OFTHE SOUTHWEST. Oregon. Joseph Dame has been appointed re ceiver of the Ashland mine. Herrick's new cannery at The Dalles Is being put In shape for work. The Florence fire department Is con structing a bell tower 3S feet high. Union has a new fire bell In the tower of the city hall, ready to ring out alarms. Albany's new charter provides for Is suing $20,000 in bonds to pay off accumulat ed Indebtedness. The telephone company at Joseph will increase its capital stock and extend its line to Wallowa, and probably to Elgin. Albany has reduced expenses by dis charging the engineer of its fire engine. It will trust to luck and volunteers In case of a fire. George Cramer died at Eugene Monday at the residence of his daughter. Mrs. Johnson. He was almost 90 years, old. He was born in Ohio, and" lived there and In Iowa and Missouri before coming to Or egon in 1S90. The Salvation Army invaded the Wasco county jail Sunday and held services for the benefit of Otis Savage, the young robber, the only prisoner there. A Dalles paper says that if that is part of his sen tence It is all right, but If not he ought to be protected. C. J. Armstrong informs the Jackson ville Times that the cold weather has not Injured the grasshopper crop. He has been examining the ground in the Hanley alfalfa field lately, and finds thousands of eggs of the hoppers almost ready to hatch. If the conditions are the same in other parts of the county, they may have trouble with the pests this summer. W. E. Davenport informs the Rose burg Review that the grain aphis Is so thick In the ground on his place, on the river bottom west of Roseburg, that the newly-plowed soil has the appearance of ashes. The Insects seem to be mainly in the sorrel roots, and on warm days are quite lively. Mr. Davenport's dis covery will not reassure the farmers, who were hoping the pest would not reappear this year. DUTIES IN GOLD. PORTLAND, Feb. 20. To the Editor.) My answer to "Single Standard" is this: If a reservoir is supplying a demand It must have a contributing source of sup ply. If a bank has a regular line of de positors every day, it can keep up an average deposit, or, as we call It, an average reserve. So with the United States treasury. If duties be made pay able In gold, the treasury becomes the great receptacle of geld. Importers and bankers will deposit their gold and take from the treasury gold certificates of de posit for the same. These certificates are used to pay duties. Thus the treasury becomes the great depository for gold in stead of the banks. This known deposit of a large amount of gold in the treas ury creates the necessary confidence. Formerly, when duties were paid in gold and pledged to the payment of Interest on the public debt, one had no distrust. This is one of the remedies necessary; not the only one. H. W. CORBETT. An Expert's Opinion. Jacksonville Times. It is amusing to note the difficulties into which our representatives are getting themselves, and their efforts to crawl out of the slough of their Inanity, by char acterizing everything regarding their do n as lalsehoods. It is easily to be proven that Jeffrey did promise a clerk ship to a lady of this county, and that he did not appoint her, but instead she re ceived an appointment at the hands of the Multnomah delegation, a place which in the nature of things she has as much chance of getting as we have of meeting some of our brother editors in the here after. The committeee on education has three lady clerks, and If the Hon. John A. didn't have the naming of one of them, he isn't nearly as "foxy" as we thought him. Somewhat Exacting. Walla Walla Statesman. Many land seekers from Nebraska are heading this way, but the trouble with them is they not only want an improved farm well stocked given to them, "but also require the owner to pay the hired help for them. Woahlnerton. Troop A, N. G. W., will present "After Taps"at the Spragua opera-house Fri day night. Professor Otto Kross, a prominent Se attle musician, died of consumption in that city Monday. Lieutenant George H. Fortson has been elected captain of company B, at Seattle, to succeed Captain L. S. Booth, resigned. Everett has taken a fit of spite against Seattle, and will show it by joining Ta coma In Calllns Mt. Rainier Mt. Tacoma. There are three candidates for appoint ment as surveyor of Pierce county to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Shepherd. Snohomish and Marshland debaters have held a joint discussion of the time-worn theme about labor-saving machinery be ing a detriment to mankind. While celebrating the county-seat vio tory at Snohomish, Alman Buck received a painful wound in the hip, from the ring of the anvil used In lieu of a cannon. The Sprague Rod & Gun Club was or ganized Tuesday night with a membership of 20. The following officers were chosen: President, J. W. Merritt; secretary, C. F. Bassett; treasurer, H. W. Boone. The Famous clothing-house, at Seattle, was entered by a burglar Monday night, and, although he was detected in the very act of rifling the money-box In the office, and was pursued and fired on by officers, he succeeded in making good ni3 escape. The burglar secured $11 20. ' INTERROGATION POINTS. PORTLAND, Feb. 20. (To the Editor.) Dr. Grant is reported to have remarked to your reporter at the ministerial meeting, held on Monday last, as follows: Why should the, press go nosing around tryinff to 8me!lbt'8ometfafne''8'ensatlb'alil?-'Anylnfng that is foul; anything calculated, to belittle; or to bring anything or anybody Into disrepute, the press is sure to rake it up. Thanks to The Oregcnlan for Its alert ness and enterprise in keeping the citizens of this city and state so well informed, upon everything of a news character from all quarters. But, aside from this there are one or two questions I would like to ask in connection with Dr. Grant's statement: First, does The Oregonlan go "nosing around to smell out something sensa tional," where there is nothing sensational to smell out? And, second, can It be pos sible that at a meeting of evangelical ministers, held In this city of Portland, anything of a "foul" nature could have taken place, or "anything calculated to belittle anybody or bring anything Into disrepute"? It seems hardly possible to conceive that such could occur at a meet ing of Portland divines; and yet this Is the impression Dr. Grant's statement leaves upon the minds of the worldly minded. PARAGRAPHERS PLEASANTRIES. Interrupted. "Who called?" "The doc tor." "I can't see him tell him I'm not well." Pall Mall Budget. "Git any valentines?" asked Tommy. "No! Didn't git noVnln' at our house cept a baby," sniffed Johnny. "Girl, tool" "Anything new or fresh here today?" asked the reporter. "Yes," said tne oi ficlal addressed; "that paint you're lean ing against." Philadelphia Record. A How do you know that Maler has come in for a fortune? 3 Why. for merly people always said he was crazy; now they say he's original. Lustlge Blaet ter. She did not mind the wintry blast. Nor stinging, bitter cold; For poetry and cook books, too, For long years she had sold. New York Morning Journal. LUlie Why did you speak to that hor rid fellow In the car? Weren't you afraid it would affect your standing? Millie Not a bit. He never offered a girl, a seat in his life. The Sketch. "I don't see why Ethel has so many ad mirprs" she remarked. "She neither sings, plays, paints, nor speaks French." "H'm'm," he replied, reflectively; "may be that's why." Washington Star. The reporter wrote "She is au fait," But the printer made it "all feet," And the writer's best girl, so they say. Don't speak to the scribe when they meet. New York Morning Journal. Bear (in trap) Wowl ow! ow! Free Bear Roaring won't get you out of the trap. First Bear It's not the trap I'm roaring at. That brute away up there congratulated me on having "quite a snap" here and I can't get at him. Judge. Miss Manchester Mamma, I was awful ly afraid papa would forbid me to marry Sam when he found out that he played poker. Mrs. Manchester Well, your papa made a good many Inquiries about Sam and found that he nearly always win3. Pittsburg Chronicle Telegraph. A militia regiment In the north of Ire land usually drilled in a level field close to the side of a river. One day the drill corireant. who was given to blustering. and was by no means choice In his re marks to the men, met a young recruit coming late to drill. "You're late again," roared the sergeant. "Go down to the river and fall in!" "Oh, no," said the recruit; "I wish you to understand that I did not enlist in the Coldstream Guards." TlilH Ought to Sell Lot. Astorlan. W. W. Wishon and James Cummings, of Butte. Mont., who were In Astoria some time ago and secured a number of lots which they placed on sale In their city, advertise Astoria as the New York of the Pacific coast, with an additional statement that the Northern Pacific rail road Is headed for this city. They also state that the 2000 vessels which annually load In Portland will hereafter (as soon as the Bonner and Hammond railroad Is fia- i Ished) load their; cargoes at this port