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THE MOHNINGr OBE(xONIANr TUESDAY, JAHUABjT ,3-6, 1900,
TAX IS 4.8 MILLS
School District No. 1 Votes This
Year's Levy.
TWO REPORTS FROM DIRECTORS
Gliairmc.iL Stro-wbridjje Ivored a
Iower Tax, but the Other Four
Were Ag-ainst Him.
A meeting of the taxpayers of school
district No. 1 was held at the high school
building last evening, and a special levy
of 4.8 mills was "voted.
One of the taxpayers present remarked
that he had attended a good many school
meetings, but none of them -were as
much muddled up as this one.
Thero -were 200 people In attendance,
about a dozen being women. Most of
their countenances threw out a ray ol
congratulation when they discovered chairs
in the hall on the lower floor and that
they would not have to climb up to the
assembly hall.
At 8 o'clock Chairman Strowbrldge
called the meeting to order, and Clerk
AUon read his financial statement, which
was as follows:
Financial Showing:.
The following report of receipts and ex
penditures for the year was rendered by
Clerk Allen:
To the Taxpayers of School District No.
1, Multnomah County. Oregon: Ladies
and Gentlemen I herewith submit for
your consideration the following state
ment of funds received and disbursed for
the year ending this date:
Balance on hand as per last re
port 5 233 47
Receipts
County school fund....$244,437 92
State school fund 30.649 S3
Special tax of 1896 2,239 2S
Special tax of 1897 13,562 06
Special tax of 189S 145.444 85
Delinquent taxes 1,148 94
Tuition
543 75
Sundry cash receipts...
394 55
BUls payable, notes
given since last report 105,600 00 543,821 33
Total
Disbursements
Teachers' salaries $181,442
Janitors' salaries 14,713
Clerk's salary 1,500
Supt. clerks salary.... 740
Supt. of repairs' salary 900
New buildings
Pulton Park school....? 2,837
Thompson school 2.SS5
New Holladay school.. 25,104
Portland Homestead... 6,719
$544,054 80
54
50
00
00
O0$199,296 04
99
07
35
27? 37,545 68
51
43
16
09
21
48
33
95
04
03
20
76
05
17
72
91
86
77
43
65
75
65
47
35
50
2S
40
15 7,813 30
itepairs to buiiamgs
High school building..?
Harrison school
Failing school
Atkinson school
Park school
Couch school .".V
Chapman school
Ainsworth school
Fulton school
Williams-avenue
Albina Central school..
Multnomah school ....
Highland school
Holladay
North Central
Central school
Stephens school
Brooklyn
Sunnyslde
Peninsular school
Woodlawn school .....
Portsmouth sohool
Clinton Kelly school...
Se'lwood school
Midway school
Fernwood school
Thompson school
"Woodstock school
Miscellaneous
Bonds ..... ............ .?
Bills payable, notes
785
618
597
424
416
101
161
4
9
1S2
127
21
200
512
328
166
506
761
8
640
61
178
809
115
3
16
11
39
2,500 00
outstanding, per last
report ... 115,922
Bills payable, notes
given since last report 105.600
Interest 14,410
00
Tuition paid to district
No. 29
Tuition refunded
Taxos refunded
Insurance
Fuel
Stationery
1S4
5
15
2,892
6 743
2,762
TL65S
SO
00
89
SO
74
05
82
92
75
50
3G
45
75
44
85
74
80-262,283 09
00
25
24
86
35
22 1,017 2
... 5507,960 03
20.803 70
... 15,291 07
water
School furniture 2,939
Oregon Telephone Co... 603
Rents 1.237
Janitors' supplies P0S
Portland Gas Co 194
Printing T91
Streets and sewers . 953
Advertising 42
High school laboratory 275
County school fund.... 1,979
General expense
Auditing committee..? 60
School election .- - 299
Taking census - -409
Collecting taxes 153
Attorney's fees 32
Cartage, etc 63
Total disbursements ,
Paid teachers, Jan. 13, 1900..
Balance on hand this date.
Total $541,054 SO
Statement of Indebtedness.
Bond account
One hundred 10-20 bonds. Issued
Oct 31, 1893. payable in 1913,
interest 6 per cent $100,000 00
Ten bonds, $1000 each. Issued by
district No. 2. Aug. 2, 1892,
payable In 1S02, Interest 6 per
cent 10,000 00
Ten bonds. $1000 each, issued by
district No. 31, June 2, 1890,
payable in 1902, interest 6 per
cent 10,000 00
Ten bonds. $1000 each. Issued by
district No. 31, June 1, 1S91,
payable in 1916, interest 6 per
cent ... . .-..-.. 10,003 00
Total bonded indebtedness $130,000 00
Report of Auditing; Committee.
To the Taxpayers of Sohool District No,
1: Gentlemen We, the undersigned, your
committee, appointed at the last taxpay
ers' meeting to audit the report and ac
counts of the school clerk of said district,
beg leave to report that we have made a
thorough and complete examination of
said school clerk's accounts and books
and find that all expenditures and dis
bursements by the clerk have been made
on vouchers approved by at least three
directors of the board; and that his ac
counts and books are correct.
We have compared the cash on hand
and balances in bank, and find they cor
respond with the accounts shown by the
reports of the school clerk.
G. E. WITHINGTON.
S. GRUTZB,
Auditing Committee.
Portland, Or.. Jan. 10, 1900.
Census Report.
The census of the district has been
taken with the following result:
Females between 4 and 20 years of
age 10,560
Males between 4 and 20 years of
age 9,902
Total 20.462
Of the above number 1394 females 'and
1054 males are between the ages of 4 and
6 years.
Respectfully .submitted. ,
- K. S. AMEN, School Clerk.
Portland, On January 15, 1S&.
On motion of J. N. Teal, the report
was received and placed on file.
StrowbrIdere, Minority Report.
Chairman Strowbridge then read his re
port of the doings of the board of di
rectors during the past year and the rec
ommendations for the future, and com
mented and explained as "he went along.
It was a report of the chairman only, the
other members of the board not agreehy
to It or signing it.
Mr. Strowbrldge described the school
buildings and their cost, discussed their
sanitation; said there were 130 non-resident
pupils, and that the schools were
all in fine condition, in charge of efficient
principals and good teachers. He recom
mended that the school clerk and city su
perintendent of schools be -elected by the"
taxpayers at the annual election for di
rectors in March. He xecommended that
the position of superintendent of repairs
be abolished. Mr. Strowbrldge said that
he believed that In addition to the five-mill
county school tax, the state school fund
and the amount of unpaid tax due the
district that it is-safeto,Eayi thaA 0.255
mlll special tax 'giving Uihe- tamount; of
?71,419 02, will be all that" Is necessary to
carry on the schools of the district for the
coming year.
Mr Strowbrldge's report was concluded
amid applause, and then Director Witten
berg moved that Director Warren be per
mitted to read a report prepared by all
the other members of the board. Pro
fessor Warren read the report, as follows:
Majority Keport.
To the Taxpayers 6f School -Dlottfct No. 1,
Multnomah County, Oregon ladles and Gentle
men: Inasmuch as the presentation. Just made
by the chairmen of the board is of so unusual
a. character, and bis refusal to permit its con
sideration or amendment by the board Is eo ex
traordinary, the majority of the board beg
leave to submit the follor-lnj? ea our views of
the condition of tbe district and Its needs for
the comlns ear. Your liberality in pafet years
has raised our schools to their present high
standard of excellence. We believe It to bar
the desire of the taxpayers to maintain thla
high standard. Hasty Judgment and unjust
criticism usually arise from lack of Informa
tion, and ours is the duty of placing- before you
the fullest information possible. Thla duty
we ehaH now try to discharge.
Indebtedness.
The indebtetoess of the district at our last
report, exclusive of the bonded indebtedness,
-was on notes due to banks, $115,022. To meet
the current expenses of our schools until money
should come In from taxes. It was necessary to
borrow from time to time various sums, aggregating-
$105,600 more. TMs makes our Interest
account appear large. However, we are pleased
to report that receipts have enabled us to pay
this large Indebtedness and leave a balance of
$15,291 07, In the hands cf the clerk. This,
however, does not give the real condition.
There is still to be paid on contracts for new
buildings, which will soon be completed, $25,
457. This will leave us with an lndebtedneeo
of $10,166, which we have Included In our esti
mate for the coming year. "We shall be com
pelled, also, to borrow considerable money to
meet the current expenses until the next, pos
sibly the second distribution of school funds.
This will require the payment of Interest,
which, "together with the Interest on the bonded
Indebtedness, has been provided for In our esti
mates. "We regret that we have not been able,
even with our receipts exceeding: our estimates,
to come before you without indebtedness, but
the great Increase In the cost of building ma
terial and labor has made the cost of building
nearly 25 per cent greater than we anticipated,
which accounts for our not being- free from all
debt, except the bonded Indebtedness.
Expenditures.
That the taxpayers may judge as to whether
the affairs of the district have been Judiciously
and economically managed or not we herewith
submit in tabulated form a comparative state
ment, showing our estimates of expenditures
for the year Just closed, the amount actually
paid, and our estimates for the coming j ear:
Estimate of
disbursements
for 1S99.
Teachers' salaries .. . $200,000
Janitors salaries 14,f28
Clerk's salary .. ..... 1,500
Superintendent clerk's ealary 600
Superintendent repairs salary,....' ,. ' 900
Bonds s. 2,500
Bills payable 115,922
Interest 12,000
Insurance ....... ............ ................ ...... 2,500
Puel - 4,500
Stationery 2 700
"Water 2,000
School furniture 2,500
Telephone 500
Rents J50
Janitors supplies ' 700
Gas r 250
Printing ......"-- 500
Streets, sewers" arid sidewalks'"'; .:'.. ?.. ... J '1,000
High sohool laboratory .......-.-.; ? --50
Advertising 100
Repairs and sanitation 8,2xx
Expense of election .....-. 300
Attorneis' fees 250
School census . 350
Due on contracts -
Extraordinary expenses l.$
New buildings 30.000
Totals ". $420,000
Ifcw BundingrB,
It will be observed, as already stated, that
the principal increase in expenditures over our
estimates is in the item of new buildings. It Is
the opinion of a majority of the board that at
least one new building ought to be erected
every year to meet the requirements of our
rapldly growing city. We are now renting one
room at Woodlawn, for which wo pay $10 per
month. This is made necessary, because the
people la that locality object to sending this
class to Highland, here there is one vacant
room in which they could be accommodated.
There is force in the objection, for the reason
that to take the class to Highland would make
it very Inconvenient for those living north of
the "Woodlawn school, as It would greatly in
crease the distance they must travel to attend.
"We are also renting a house in the southeastern
portion of the district, for which we are paying
$S, to accommodate the children Uvlns In that
locality who are too small to attend the Clinton
Kelly school, on account of the distance. Here
tofore the children were permitted to attend
-the "Woodstock school In district 29, this district
allowing the per capita of public money drawn
by the children In actual attendance there. But
the directors of that district informed us of
their disposition to discontinue that arrange
ment, and to forbid the further attendance of
these children unless thy paid the tuition at
the rate of ?22 per year for advanced grade
and -$13 per ear in intermediate grades. Being
unable, lawfully, to comply with this proposi
tion, the present arrangement was adopted), The
room rented and In use near the Failing school
will be abandoned as soon s tbe new building
in that locality Is completed. There are two'
rented rooms now occuplwi at Sunnyslde, for
which we pay $20 per month. Thl6 was made
necessary to accommodate the increased at
tendance there, and to relieve the overcrowded
condition of that school. The Increased attend
ance at Sunnyslde, Central, North Central,
Stephens, Atkinson and Couch schools make It
imperative to provide additional accommodation
In these localities, either by renting or build
ing. The addition of another section of four
rooms to tbe new building- at Central would re
lieve, temporarily, the Stephens and North Cen
tral This addition could be made for about
$6000, as the heating plant in the part now
built Is of sufficient capacity for eight rooms.
The demand for school facilities- at a point near
Ockley Green Is Increasing. Multnomah school
building should be removed to that locality.
This would necessitate finishing the six rooms
now unfinished in the Thompson school.
Reduced Assessment.
But, In view of tbe fact that the assessed
valuation of property In the district has been
cut down $10,118,300. ard also that the tax
payers have been burdened during the past few
years of financial depression, we hesitate to
recommend anything for new buildings the
coming 3 ear. This win probably require the
renting of rcnrs In certain localities, and un
doubtedly" will necessitate a much larger ex
penditure in the year following. It Is hoped
that the taxpayers will be oetter able to meet
the requirements then than they are at the
present time.
The county ocshool tax Is limited by law to 5
mills on the dollar, but this district actually re
ceives less than 4 mills out of every 5 mills
that It contributes. The reason Is that this
sum first suffers a subtraction of $50 for each
district in. the county, end is then divided
among the various districts in proportion to
their respective populations. Thie district, hav
ing fewer children in proportion to Its taxable
property than other districts in the county, re
ceives from the fund less taan it contributes.
The condition of the state school fund Is
somewhat more hopeful. The last legislature
cut down the rate of interest to C per cent,
which undoubtedly will enable the treasurer tp
place more money at Interest than formerly.
The decreased rate may, however, disappoint
us as to the amount we shall receive from this
fund.
But the base of our estimates on one source
of Income has been so materially reduced that
to meet the requirements of the district In pre
serving the school property and maintaining the
schools, without Impairing their efficiency, will
necessitate a larger special levy than last year.
The Increase is apparent, however, not Teal.
Ti cloelnsrriP of lour tax rolls by ssIbb of de
linquent property during- the past sear gave us
an unusually large Income from the delinquent
taxes. This Irccme will, of course, be row cut
ott, and we have estimated only a small sum
from that source, jet quite as much as we can
reasonably expect to receive.
The lowering of the assessed value of the tax
able property in this county from $42,870,464 to
f31.659.771 diminishes the amount to be, ex
pected from the 5-mIll tax for the. coming year
sy about $?o;O06. This sum Is to be added to
She amount to be raised by a district tax. Con
sidering this addition and the fact that the
-'assessed value'" of taxable property. In the city
has been lowered from $S$,6S5.411 to ?23.G67;
111, a special tax of 4.8 wills means only as
much total revenue to the district as would
have been realized with a special tax of 2vt
mills bad the assessment of the city and coun
ty been the same as last year. jj7
In order to show how nearly our estimates yx.
receipts and expenditures made a year ago
have been realized, we Append the following
statement:
Estimated receipts for 1800 $420,000,00
Total amt. received from all sources. 438,454 -cO
Excess of receipts over estimates.'.. S 18,454 SO
Estimated expenditures for 1609 ,$420,000 00
Actual expenditures. ..".$402,360 03
Due teachers Jan. 13,
1900 ..., 20.S03 70 423,163 73
"Excess expenditures over estimates -$ 3, 163 "73
(These expenditures include $1079 90 refunded
to the county sohool fund, which amount was
erroneously allowed us in the last apportion
ment.) Actual cash on hand .- $36,094 77
Due teachers Jan. 13, 1900 (since paid) 20,803 -70
Available cash $15,29107
Estimated Income for JOOOi ,
County school fund :. h ...:.-. . .$114,000 00
State school fund .., 34,000 00
Tax Yoll.of 1897 1. 800 00
Tar roll of 1808 .. 2,500 00
Other delinquent taxes 1,000 00
Tuition 1,000 00
Sundry cash receipts 300 00
Special tax of 4.8 mills 123,400 00
Total ...... $278,000 00
It will be seen that the foregoing estimates
require a special levy of 4.8 mills, which we
recommend.
As we have before stated, it has hitherto
been the policy of the board. In order to meet
the growing demand- upon the district for ad
ditional room, to build at east one sohoolhouse
each year, as well as to cnange such portion
of the plumbing In the older houses as does
not conform with the existing municipal re
quirements. In our estimates just submitted
no provision is made Which will enable the
board to proceed with this work the coming
year. If the people desire the board to continue
this work, provision will have to be made in
the present levy. Concerning thi3, however, we
make no recommendation.
The important matter of providing circulating
libraries for the elementary schools has dur
ing the past year received considerable, atten
tion. The liberality of Hon. D. P. Thompson in
donating a library to the Thompson school, and
of the heirs of the late John H. Couch In making-
similar provision for the Couch school, is,
In our opinion, deserving of the thank3 of all
friends of public education.
Respectfully submitted,
R. K. -WARREN,
J. V. BEACH,
R. WmJAMS,
H. WITTENBERO.
January 15, 1900.
This report was finally adopted after all
sorts of technical tangles were waded
through.
Chairman Strowbrldge made a statement
referring to deliquent taxes due the dis'-'
trlct and Mr. Wittenberg said that assess
ments were not generally collected In full.
Director Williams explained matters from
Estimate of
Paid, 1809. disbursements
for 1899.
$202,240 24 $210,000
14,713 30 , 15,500
1,500 00 1500
740 00 700
900 00 ,000
2,500 00
115,022 00
14,410 43 '" 10,000
2,892 80 3.OO0
6,743 74 5.000
2.762 05 2.800
1.658, 82 1,600
2,099 92 2,500
603 75 800
1,237 50 1,000
9il8 36 800
194 45 ' 250
304 75 ''" 400 "
053 44' , - -l,000 i
216 74 - 800
42 85 SO
7,813 30 8,000
299 25 300
32 35 250
409 24 450
10,000
482 77 1,500
37,546 68
$421,183 93
$278,000
-JJ
his standpoint, i and isome big figures were
tackled and stood around for general In
spection. Director Williams said that last year
the district did not receive the allotted 5
mills, taking no account of delinquent
taxes, because $50 was taken from each
district, and that the rural districts had
received $21,500 last year.
The chairman then remarked that the
amount of delinquent taxes due the dis
trict now Is as laTge as It' was last year,
therefore the estimates in the minority
report were large enough, especially as
there was no litigation on the amount
due the district.
J. W. Whalley moved the adoption of the
chairman's report.
D. P. Thompson said: "It is evident that
the minority report Ib misleading, as very
little taxes can be collected from delin
quents. All delinquent- taxes were col
lected last year that could be. "No per
son of Intelligence" can take a stand that
any considerable amount of these delin
quent taxes can be collected. There will
be a large deficiency should the minority
report be adopted. The law- limits our
indebtedness to $100,000, and we cannot af
ford to levy a tax that would cause the
closing of the schools or the violation of
the law. Litigation is sure to follow if
we try to run the schools on borrowed
money. People will resort to courts and
oiot to elections. We all know that we
cannot carry on the schools with the
money allowed in the minority report."
C. K. Henry moved to amend the mi
nority report by substituting the report
of the majority, but was ruled out of or
der by the chair.
Chairman Strowbrldge said he had much
Tespect for Mr. Thompson, but would ven
ture to make the assertion that large
sums of money were being held back by
certain persons. He regretted very much
to make the statement, following Mr.
Thompson's remarks, as they were boys
together in Oregon Cltyt
Director Wittenberg said he was not
making any grandstand speeches, and only
referring to plain facts. From a business
standpoint he had carefully gone over the
chairman's figures, and he thought it was
folly, foolishness, to try to run the dis
trict on the ridiculous sums asked for by
the estimates of the cha-'rman. The lat
ter stated that he could keep the build
ings in repair for a year for $1500. "I
wish he could have the contract," said
Mr. Wittenberg. "I defy "him to take it
at double that sum. . Buildings' must be
kept from rotting down, "if we can't
have new building3f we must have money
to repair old ones. It is ridiculous to
think of keeping up repairs for a pitiful
$1500. I would like to know where there
is any money due the district that has
not been collected. Det us look where we
jump before we jump. Some of the build
ings must be painted this year to preserve
them."
J. W. Whalley said: "The desire is to
maintain ourschoo's with, efficiency.. The
people are nqw already overburdened with
taxation. no taxes are so high that it
amounts to confiscation. It was formerly
much easier to raise money to support
the schools than it is now. There has
already been too much spent If the
amount had been less, the schools would
have been conducted with just as much
efficiency Tear by year we are asked for
sums of money that are extort'onate. We
always hear the same old song and dance.
Our property has been eaten away, and it
simply amounts to confiscation. A Thla
business can be managed with more econ
omy, and the way to go about it is to
withhold the sinews of war." He then
moved to amend the minority report by
substituting a levy of 3.5 mills,
Frederick V. Holman said he understood
that the difference between tie two re
ports was only $6000 and that, hinged on
repairs. He asked Tvhat fraction of a nilll
would the repairs be. He suggested ''that
the meeting talk"afooufc something else.
J. N. Teal said that the only difference
in the reports was In the estimate of
Income from delinquent taxes and cost of
repairs. There was now one alternative
do you Tvant thO schools to run as usYial
or to cut down salaries? One or the other
would happen. Of the back taxes, It
was Impossible -to bd611ect any-' large
amount. There were 10,000 live children
In the schools, and it took money to keep j
up repairs on buildings they occupied. He
was opposed to going into debt. m
The chairman said that the great
trouble .with organized bodies was the
more money you give them, the more
"they want to spend. He believed 2.5 mills
:s harder -to raise -now than five or six
Jyears ago, and It should go as far when
it was disbursed.
- Bonton Klllin remarked that the law
authorized tho county to bid In delinquent
property for taxes. This year the county
did that as usuaL He said there had
come a snarl from the chairman that
might mean that the clerk or some one
kelse was withholding money. "I want to
imow what he's talking about, he said;
"he donlt seem to know himself."
Mr. Wittenberg stated that he would
vote to spend the money appropriated to
the best of hls.abillty, but would not go in
debt.
C. K. Henry said the adoption of the
minority report might result in the
teachers' salaries being exit, and he was
opposed to that being done.
D. P. Thopipson, in, speaking on the mo
tion to subsUtjJte 3.5 mills, 'gald: "We can
not reduce our teacliers' salaries, for they
would leave, and we know "what "we are
to expect from the state and county,
and it Is nonsense to think that any of
the delinquent taxes that would amount
to anything- can be collected, and it is
useless to talk about a less tax. than that
suggested by the majority report. The
teachers are getting as small salaries as
we can get them for, and the expenses
are kept down as much as possible; the
Insurance is low, and It Is folly to talk
about a lower lervy."
Motions and amendments of all kinds
were mado and discussed and seconded
and declared Impossible, and brought up
again and laid over under the table and
tangled and tied up and untied again, and
finally the result of the whole businesswas
that the majority report was adopted.
The auditing committee of last year was
again elected, and at 10:40 half tho house
departed.
Resolutions.
The following resolution, offered by D.
P. Thompson, was adopted i
Resolved, That one-fourth of 1 mill of the
property tax levy of this district for the year
1900 shall be devoted exclusively to the purpose,
of the construction and repairs of school build
ings In the district, wherever and whenever, in
the opinion of the directors the construction and
repair of school buildings are advisable; and,
be It further
Resolved, That it is the sense of this meet
ing' that no moneys of the district shall be ex
pended for either construction or repairs, ex
cepting ouch as shall be realized from the tax
levy above authorized; and,
"Whereas, The indebtedness of this district
now exceeds the limit of Indebtedness author
ized by law, towit the sum of $100,000, bo It
further
Resolved, That no indebtedness be created for
the district until the Indebtedness now existing
shall be reduced to or below the statutory limit
of the Indebtedness authorized.
J. N. Teal offered the foljowing resolu
tion, and It was adopted:
Resolved, That Uie directors of this district
be and they are hereby requested to tin estlgate
specially the question of to what extent non
residents of this district are receiving: the bene
fits of the school system of the district, and to
adopt measures to prevent the free use of the
iBohoola of this district by nonresidents; and
that we condemn the syeftem of the establish
ment of a temporary residence In this district
during the winter months "for school purposes"
only at the expense of the taxpayers of this dis
trict. There were motions to adjourn, and
probably some of them carried, but while
they; were getting-into a state of active
eruption, Joseph Paquet offered the fol
lowing resolution, which was also prob
ably adopted as much as anything could
be at that stage of the game:
Resolved, That the directors of the school
district are requested to establish a sinking
fund for the purpose of retiring the bonded in
debtedness of the district, and for that purpose
there be Incorporated in each tax-year levy a
percentage of tax, which in the aggregate
stoalK furnish funds sufficient to meet the out
standing .bonded indebtedness of the district as
It onall mature, and that all moneys realized
from the tax levy for th! purpose be devoted
exclusively to the retirement of ouch bonded
indebtedness, and shall not be expended for any
other purpose whatsoever.
At 10:45 the janitor commenced to snap
together the grasshopper legs of the fold
ing chairs, and the taxpayers started
home.
Board Meeting:.
A special meeting of the school board
was held at the City Hall yesterday af
ternoon, to consider estimates for the
coming year All members of the board
were present, and Chairman Strowbridge
read a report he had prepared, which
was to be submitted to the meeting of
taxpayers as the report of the board.
There were several estimates and rec
ommendations in the report which did not
agree with the Ideas of the other mem
bers of tho board, and, after a general
discussion, Mr. Wittenberg moved .that
the report of the chairman, as read, "as a
whole, be not adopted by the board. The
motion was carried, and then the chair
man declared the meeting adjourned.
Considerable discussion followed after
the adjournment, and then the members
of the board, except the chairman, went
to another room to prepare a report,
which was submitted to the taxpayers'
meeting.
9oecos9eoeeooee9oeeee
LAWTON FUND
e
s n
q The following sums have been re- "
e celved by The Oregonlan since the sub- 0
scription lists for the General Lawion o
fund were closed and called In:
a Previously reported $10 ?
J Cash 60 J
Total - $60
0 The new list will bo held open till
January 31. q
6
eeoeeeeooeoooQoooeoooeoose
PERSONAL MENTION.
B. D. Gelser, a Baker City mining man,
is at the Portland.
Mrs. D. C. Kindred, of Astoria, ia a
guest of the Parkins.
J. M. Will, of Aurora, and wife, aro
guests of the Perkins.
John H. Gault, of Hillsboro, is regis
tered at the St. Charles (
John Mays, a Clatskanle farmer, Is reg
istered at tho St. Charles.
O, J. Aikens and wife, of Sauvies', are
registered at the Perkins.
George W. Blanchard, of Tacoma, is
registered at the Portland.
Ira Oglesbee, a mining man of Eugene,
is registered at the St. Gharles.
John W. Croker, a Liverpool shipown
er, is registered at the Imperial.
H. B. Miller, president of the state board
of horticulture, is registered at the Im
perial. C. R. Smead, a Gilliam county fruit
grower. Is registered at the Imperial, from
Blalock.
A. Bouer, a San Francisco business
man, is at the Imperial, accompanied by
his wife.
J. 3D. Crane, representative of the O.
R. & N". at Arlington, is registered at the
Perkins, accompanied by his wife.
James Neill and wife, Edward Neill,
Mrs. Julia Dean and J. W. Burton, of
the Neill theatrical company, aire regis
tered at the Portland.
C. C. Holllnsheaa, of New Tork, who
has recently . undergone an-operation for
appendicitis, at St. Vincent's hospital, Is
able to be out again, and Is staying at the
Portland.
o t
SMITH'S SHAMPOO.
Is the best preparation 'for cleansing the
scalp andjyashing the hair.. Always gives
satisfactions. -FrJce. 25c, at drug stores,
a n '
Pianos Organs. Wiley B. Allen Co.
IN THE SEVERAL COURTS
VITAIi POINT AS TO CUSTODY OF
? NEGGECTEp..CHIIDREX.
Can -tbe Court Tarn Them Over Per
manently to tbe Boys' end
Girls Aid Society?
A habeas corpus proceeding having for
ita purpose the release of Anna Miller
Schmidt, aged 14 years, and Emma Miller
Schmidt,, aged 10 years old, from the cus
tody of the Boys' and Girls' Aid Society,
was argued before Judge George yesterday,
and a decision will be announced soon.
The parents of the children are Gottlieb
Schmidt, an aged German gardener, and
Emma Miller Schmidt, wno is considerably
younger than her husband. The girls wtro
I turned over to tho society temporarily
April 26, 1S9S, by Judge Northup, and tho
final order was entered by Judge Cake on
July 30 following, after a full hearing of
the case. The society avers that the chil
dren are Its wards until they reach their
majority. The decre of Judge Cake
states that the father has neglected and
abused his parental authority over the
children, and that Emma Miller Schmidt,
the mother, is a person, of notoriously bad
character, and that tho father has repre
sented the mother to be his daughter, with
her knowledge and consent.
A. P. Flegel, appearing for the Boys'
and Girls' Aid Society, took the position
that the decree of the county court was
final. There had been no appeal from it,
and the time for appeal had long since
expired, and the circuit court could not
inquire into the case In a habeas corpus
proceeding. The society had the perma
nent custody and control of the children
during their minority.
Henry E. McGinn, as attorney for the
petitioners, submitted numerous proposi
tions of law in support of the opposite
position, his principal argument being that
the county court, under the act of 1SS9
regarding neglected and abused children,
has no jurisdiction to appoint the Boys'
and Girls' Aid Society as the permanent
guardian.of children, but only temporarily.
If the conditions under which the minors
wero placed under the charge of tho so
ciety have long since ceased, the parents
can reclaim their children. Counsel said
a man might be In a position so as to be
unable to care for his offspring, and two
years Iate"r his circumstances could have
eo changed that he might be able abund
antly to provide for them. A mother could
reform. A father who was a drunkard
might reform and become prosperous and
a creditable member of society. The tak
ing away of his children might be the In
centive to bring about hl3 reformation.
Such persons were entitled to the return
of their children. Mr. McGinn said:
"What does the welfare of the children
demand? If ever there comes a time when
the parents can care for them rightly,
they can have them." Counsel read a
Massachusetts case, under a law which
he stated was the same as that in this
state, where the supreme court said: "If
there Is anything- more than an order for
the temporary care of the child, then the
law cannot be sustained."
Mr. Flegel argued the case at consider
able length from the opposite point of
view, and read numerous authorities fa
voring his contention. He said the only
-question between them was whether the
order was only a, temporary order, and
if the court had power to make but a
temporary order, and had no power to
make a permanent order. He strongly as
serted that the custody was permanent,
and was authorized by law. He further
argued that the only court which has
power to change or modify the order Is
the county court, which originally made,
it, and that habeas corpus in the circuit
court was not a recognized manner of
procedure. The order of the county court
relative to jurisdiction granted to them
in this case, which is a part of the de
fendant's answer, recites that these chil
dren "are surrendered to the Boys' and
Girls' Aid Society, and they shall have
and exercise all the right and authority
of parents, under the provisions of the
laws of Oregon, "act, of 1889, regarding
apprenticing arid adoption, of children."
Mr. McGinn took Issue with the law as
to apprenticing. He said: "To apprentice
a man's child without notice to the parent
is doing something the constitution does
not permit A parent has the right to be
present and know what is done with his
child."
Superintendent Gardner states that the
question Involved In this case is an Im
portant one, as, if this case can be re
opened, others can be, and the society Is
likely to be put to a great deal of trouble
and expense. ,
"Want to See the Books.
In the suit of the United States Mort
gage Company against P. A. Marquam et
al., to foreclose a mortgage on the Mar
quam block and other property. Attorneys
U. S. G. Marquam and E. B. Watson yes
terday argued a motion before Judge Cle
land that the Title Guarantee & Tarust
Company1, the trustee of the property, be
required to exhibit their books, showing
the receipts and disbursements of the
property. The matter was taken under
advisement.
The answer of the Title Guarantee &
Trust Company was that monthly state
ments were furnished to Marquam and
also two full statements of everything
that has been done. It was stated that to
allow Marquam's attorney or others act
ing for him to search the books and ac
counts would be unreasonable and un
just, not only to- the trust company but
to Its many other clients with whom it
had private business relations.
Counsel for Marquam said there was a
matter of $5000 deposited as advance rental
for which no account had ever been ren
dered, and it was suspected that Interest
had been compounded every three months.
For these and other reasons Mr. Marquam
should have the right thoroughly to in
vestigate the company's accounts with
the defendant. It was not necessary In
so doing to look into other people's af
fairs. Criminal Conrf.
The grand jury returned an Indictment
against John Allen, charging him with
larceny of $6 from a dwelling-house, the
personal property of John Cornell.
An indictment was also returned against
Thomas Wilson and Edgar Blanding,
charging them with larceny of numerous
articles from the dwelling-house of R.
M. Hutchinson.
Thoma3 Stevens, indicted for assault
with a dangerous weapon and cutting the
throat of Fred Holmes, was arraigned
and granted until this forenoon to plead.
Charles Heintz, Indicted for an Indecent
offense, pleaded guilty and will be sen
tenced today.
William Hughes, indicted for burglary,
In breaking into the store of I. Benjamin,
was arraigned and granted until today
to plead.
Albert Ross, indicted for larceny of va
rious articles of clothing from the dwelling-house
of F. C. Hammerick, pleaded
guilty.
Up for Contempt.
F. C. Miller," appointed by Judge Cleland
receiver of the property of the estate of
P. C. McCann, deceased, consisting prin
cipally of about $6000 cash, yesterday filed
an affidavit asking that Administrator
John F. Xiogan and Attorneys O'Day &
Tarpley be clted to5 appear and show
cause why they should not be punished
for contempt for refusing to turn over
the money, etc. The court ordered them
to appear this morning at 9:30 o'clock.
Judge Cako ordered John F. Logan, who
succeeded James S. Cooper as adminis
trator of the estate, to distribute the
property to James McCalm and his sister
in Philadelphia, and Mr. Logan turned
over the funds and certain shares of stock
to Attorneys O'Day & Tarpley, who rep
resent these heirs. About this same time
or immediately prior thereto Chester V.
Dolph brought escheat proceedings In the
name of the state of Oregon, and dis
puted the rights of these heirs. The re
ceiver was appointed in the escheat pro
ceeding. Probate Matters".
Albin Floss, administrator of the estate
of Ferdinand Adler, deceased, yesterday
filed objections to the account of George
Knierim, who was guardian of Adler
while he was Insane. He says the charge
of $75 by Knierim as guardian was exces
sive, and that the sum of $75 charged far
additional services was unreasonable. It
Is alleged that the 40 acres of land could
have been leased for $75, but that Knierim
persisted In managing the place himself,
and the estate was damaged to the ex
tent of $150. Floss says Knierim pas
tured his own stock on Adlers land dur
ing tho years 183S and 1S99, worth $30, and
paid nothing. Three acres of oats and
some fruit, it is stated, were taken or
disposed of by the guardian. Some other
like charges are made.
The administrator of the estate of Ken
neth Macleay, deceased, was ordered to
continue the payment -of the allowance
of $75 per month to Isabella M. A. Barnes
for the months of January, February and
March.
Lylo N. Aumack was discharged as ad
ministrator of the estate of E. S. Rash,
deceased, and his bonds exonerated.
The county treasurer was directed to
turn over to R. W. Patterson, adminis
trator of tho estate of Nellie Conn, $251
cash, one pair diamond earrings, one
pawn ticket, three rings, a sealskin
sacque, etc.
F. Ciarno, E. H. Moorehouse and T. H.
Hogue were appointed appraisers of the
estate of Mary Warren, deceased.
The inventory of the estate of Harry
Anderson, deceased, was filed. Tho val
uation Is $160.
Demands Court Expense.
Mary Trigg, nee Purklns, who has sued
her husband, John E. Trigg; of Wood
stock, for a divorce, has filed an affidavit
asking that the defendant be made to pay
money into court to enable her to prose
cute the suit and pay her attorneys. She
avers that her husband has a substantial
Income from notes and mortgages, and
the sale of property Jn Glenwood, Wis.
PORTLAND'S TAX RATE.
comparisons SnoTvinff How Exces
sive It Has Become.
PORTLAND, Jan. 15. (To the Editor.)
in me "world's Almanac" for 1900, page3
S95 and 396, our city figures as having the
second highest tax levy of any city In
the United States towit, 8 mills the only
higher one being Peoria, 111., with a levy
of 8.S5 mills; but, as Peoria's valuation la
reported to be only 10 per cent of the
actual value of Its property, while ours is
reported as being 40 per cent of it3 actual
value, our levy on actual value is really
four times as great, and we have the un
enviable distinction of being the highest
taxed city in the Union. Our rival city,
Seattle, compares wtih us as follows:
, Seattle. Portland.
Estimated populat'n in
1900 80,000 92,000
Net public debt $ 3,500,000 $ 5.42S.335
Assessed valuation 32,263,292 38,396,620
Per cent actual value.. 60 40
Tax rate, mills 2.25 8
Tacoma has a tax levy of only 1.15, with
assessed valuation of $22,549,840, and a net
public debt of $4,420,944, and SO per cent
assessment on actual value.
These statistics are stated to have been
furnished by the mayors of the respective
cities,
It will be noticed that our net public
debt, as reported, is nearly $2,000,000
greater than that of Seattle, but as In our
Indebtedness the water bonds are includ
ed, for which no tax levy is made or re
quired, therefore it will be seen that the
debt of Seattle for the interest of which
a tax has to be levied Is larger than tho
debt of Portland for the Interest of which
a tax has to be levied, and, making even
due allowance that Seattle, as reported,
assesses 60 per cent of the actual value,
while Portland assesses only 40 per cent
of it, yet tho taxpayer of Portland pays
three times as much taxes on actual value
as does the taxpayer of Seattle.
Moreover, the statement that the as
sessment of the city of Portland is made
on a basis of 40- per cent of actual value
does not hold good as far as the assess
ment of real estate is concerned. Be
tween 1893 and 1S99 most of the town lots
have been assessed not only at full value,
but many at more than full value, if full
value means the price at which a thing
can be sold for in the ordinary way of
business. I am, however, willing to con
cede that, while real estate has been as
sessed at much more than 40 per cent of
Its actual value, personal property has
been assessed at much les3 than 40 per
cent of Its actual value, so that both may
have averaged 40 per cent, but at a fear
ful cost to the owner of real estate and
a corresponding advantage to the owner
of personal property.
The main object of this communication
is to try to bring vividly before our citi
zens the facts as they exist, and to lead
them to examine Into the matter and ask
themselves how long we can remain in the
race with neighboring and rival cities,
loaded down and handicapped with taxes
as we are In comparison with them. How
will it read abroad? Tacoma, with a tax
levy of 1.15, Seattle 2.25, Portland 8.00
will it be any inducement for Investments
from abroad? Will It bring many here to
settle and become owners of homes among
us? Will it be of any profit to our own
citizens to make Improvements and be
taxed out of. existence? Our own people
being afraid to Invest in property on ac
count of the taxes, how much more will
strangers be? Nature has done much for
this city. No city has to any greater de
gree that which Gibbon says made at one
time Constantinople such a great city. It
Is "easy of access and easy of defense,
surrounded by a fertile soil, and having a
salubrious climate." Nature, indeed, has
done much for this city, giving It many
material and geographical advantages
mudh superior to that of our rival cities.
If we are distanced in the race for su
premacy, it will be through faults of our
own. It will be because we will suffer
L tho consumers of our taxes to finally con
sume our properties and strangle the fu
ture prosperity of our fair city.
B. GOLDSMITH.
TIMBER-LAND CASES.
Owners of Mining: Onlmi Protest
Against Timber Fllingr.
La Grande Chronicle.
Tho United States land office has been
doing an extensivo business the past few
months in the way of receiving applica
tions for timber and stone claims, there
being as high as 12 entries made some days.
It now seems to be proving a "boomer
ang" from the lively scene in and around
the land office the past two days. Many
of these timber and stone claims, it ap
pears, are located and being worked as
mining claims, at the time they were
filed on under the timber and stone act
Now, the question Involved is as to wheth
er or not the country in which said claims
are located is more valuable for timber
and stone or for mineral, which question
will have to be decided by the land office
department of Uncle Sam's domain. Many
of the claims in controversy are located In
the Sumpter mining district, and the affair
is causing considerable anxiety among the
miners of that and adjoining districts.
Among those from Sumpter who are look
ing out for their Interest, who had their
claims located as a timber and stone
claims, were Emery Proebstel, Dave Mc
Coy and S. E. Stephens. These gentlemen
came in and filed a protest Wednesday.
However, the case was amicably adjusted,
later, and the protest withdrawn. It Is
said that at least SO protests have been
filed since, by locators of mining claims
in the Sumpter district. x
a
Suit the people, because they are tired
of bitter doses, with the pain and griping
that usually follow. Carter's Little Liver
Pills. One pill a dose.
CATTLEMAN F0RC0NQRES5
CROOK COUNTY WAJITS REPRESEN
TATIVE WTT.TJAMSOS.
They Think tbe Stoclc Interests
Should Have a Direct Voice
in National Legislation.
Arthur Hodges, county clerk of Crook
county for the past 10 years, was In Port
land yesterday, on his way to Salem,
where he expects to take unto hlmseit
a wife. Mr. Hodges was four times
elected as a democrat and on. the fifth- as
a gold democrat, and he sees no recourse
for himself now but to join the republ
ican rank3, as the Bryan democracy la
still championing free silver, while the
gold wing of that party is too weak to
accomplish anything alone. He feels as
sured that the old battle of fiat money
f against sound money is to be fought over
again this year, and he thinks the sound-
money men should all rally unaer one
banner.
The Crook county republicans, he says,
are booming Representative Williamson
for congress this year, and quite a strong
Williamson delegation will probably ap
pear at the congressional convention of
this district. Mr. Williamson Is a sheep
raiser by occupation, and a good many
Eastern Oregon sheep men think they
ought to be represented In congress, whilo
the forest reserves are In danger of be
ing closed to their flocks. No objection
la made to Mr. Moody, and the man from
The Dalle3 will no doubt be re-elected If
nominated, but Central Oregon is hust
ling Mr. Williamson forward, as a mat
ter of local Interest.
Crook county stockmen are still agitat
ed over the reserve question he says,
as there are some 300,000 head of sheep
within It3 borders and a large number of
cattle. About half the sheep are sent
Into the Cascades for the summer, the
other half going eastward, to the Bluo
mountains. If the Cascades are shut
against sheep, cattle will suffer, as tho
sheep, being compelled to remain on tho
prairies, will devour more of the bunch
grass upon which the cattle depend
No official notice has yet been served on
the stockmen In regard to the Cascades
reserve, and unless some move is mado
on the part of the department of the in
terior, sheep will start for the reserve in
June as usual. Mr. Hodges scouts the
idea of sheep being a damage to the tim
ber of the Cascades, and contends that
the little animals are a benefit instead
of a damage, as they keep down the grass
which would otherwise catch fir In tho
fall and cause devastation to spread
through the timber. No practical man
who knows anything- about sheep and
timber would ever object to the harm
less animals ranging in the mountains
while grass Is plentiful In the summer
months, he said. x
In regard to the finances of Crook coun
ty, Mr. Hodges says taxpayers are to ba
congratulated, as the total amount of out
standing warrants does not exceed $10,000,
and the delinquent taxes being collected
will go largely toward calling these war
rants in. The county is now only nine
months behind in the cancellation of war
rants, and in another year Crook will
be out of debt altogether. People of that
county being mostly "goldbugs," believe
in meeting their obligations with cash,
and so the county warrants now issued
sell readily at par.
Nevr Cable Lines.
France is absolutely dependent upon
England for new3 of tho Trcnavaal war.
because the cables are under h' control,
and she is ready to spend a vast sum of
money to free herself. Thl3 Is like many
people, who, after allowing- dyspepsia to
settle- upon them, spend a fortune seeking
deliverance. Save your money and try
Hostetters Stomach Bitters, the medicine
which never fails to cure dyspepsia, con
stipation, biliousness, malaria, fever and
ague.
c i
DIscoornKlnpr to Hopgrowers.
Jefferson Review.
The hop crop of Miller, Jones & Thies
sen was sold this week for 5 cents per
pound, about 1 cent below cost. It wa3
a fine lot of hops (21,700 pounds), cleanly
picked and well dried, and It Is, to say
the least, very discouraging to the grower
to have to sell at such a flsure.
a
A Case of Woodbox.
Elma (Wa3h.) Chronicle.
Mr. Will Wood and Mls3 Viola Box,
of Aberdeen, wero married last Saturday.
This appears to be about as pleasant an
arrangement for a woodbox as we have
heard of for some time, and beats a fir
one all to pieces.
A handsome year-Book flleti
with Beautiful illustrations and a
1 complete calendar. It is sold on
all news-stands lor 5 cents, and
it's -worth ve times tnat amount.
It is a reliable cnronology of
the progress of the 19th century
and a prophecy of what may be
expected in the 20th.
Hero ara a few of tha great men who h&TO
written for It:
Secretary Wilson, on Agriculture
Sen. Chauncey M. Depew, on Politics
Russell Sage,
on Finance
Thomas Edison,
Gen. Merritt,
Adml. Hichbom,
"Al" Smith,
" Electricity
u Land Warfare
" Naval Warfare!
" Sports
You will enjoy reading it now,
and it will be a book of reference
for you through the years to
come. Sixty-four pages, printed
on ivory fnish paper.
If your news-dealer cannot sup
ply you with it, cut out this ad.
and send it with three one-cent
stamps and receive this elegant
3 book free. Address
J.C. Aycr Co. Lowell, Mass.
i mini iii I ii ii i ihm T-T'-r 11v"-r""","'"l-',B
Ayers j
ZOth
xeniurif
. s P
jfjJmanac
(Not the ordinary kind) j
iA