THE MORNING OEBGONIA-N, FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1900.
MONMOUTHSHIRE'S DELAY
OHIBXTAIi LIXER REPORTED IX
Q,UARAXTI3IE AT VICTORIA.
Passed? CarinnnaU Point Last Ben-
ing-Haa 150 Passengers aiscl uOUO
Tons ot Freight.
The Oriental liner Monmouthshire,
which was due at this port yesterday,
passed. Carnianab point, just inside the
straits of Fnca, last evening, and sig
nalled the observer at that point that she
had sickness aboard. This news came
ia a telegram receives by Mr. Prank
"Woolsey last evening. Owing to the fan
sire of the government to provide a quar
antine station at the mouth of the raver,
it is necessary for vessels coming to
port with patients aboard to go where
there is a station. By going into Victoria
with his ship. Captain Evans was fol
lowing instructions of his agents and char
terers, as had "he entered the Columbia
with a case of plague or smallpox aboanl,
the vessel would have been sent to the
nearest quarantine station. It Is impos
sible to learn when the steamer will reach
Portland. She has aboard about 75 Japa
nese and 10 Chinese for Portland, and
about GO Chinese for British Columbia. She
also has about 3000 tons of cargo, mostly
for Eastern points.
Smallpox on tlie Steamer.
VICTORIA, B. C, Jan. IB. The steamer
Monmouthshire, of Dodwell & Co.'s line,
arrived at "William Head quarantine sta
tion shortly after midnight, her run from
Yokohama to Portland having been Inter
rupted by the discovery of a mild case of.
smallpox, four days out, the pat'ent being
a Chinese passenger. Dr. Watt, of the
Dominion station, will thoroughly fumi
gate the shp and cargo, allowing her to
pass on to Portland, her des'Ination, in
two days time, but holding the passen
gers and crew -until the end of the pre
served isolation period.
The news that the Monmouthshire had
bubonic Plaugue aboard gained circulation
through misinterpretation by the l.ght
house keeper of the ship's signals. It had
also been incorrectly reported that she
had passed a wreck in the straits. No
new esses of plague had been reported in
four days before sailing from Japan.
DOTU MARU COMIXG.
Portland Will Skip Two WJieat Car
goes to the Orient.
The Japanese steamship Doyu Maru
saJed from Yokohama for Portland by
"way of Honolulu, December 2&. The steam
er is coming to Mr. J C. Robinson, who
"will load her outward for the Orient with
a cargo composed principally of wheat.
As the steamer is coming by way of Hono
lulu, whioh is at present suffering from
the ravages of the plague, Mr. Robinson
fears that she will hardly reach Portland
before next month. She will probably get
away from nere about the same time as
the Haddon Hall, which Is also under
charter to G. W. McNear to load wheat
for the Orient. Portland will thus have
the distinction of chipping the first steam
and the first sail cargo of wheat to leave
the Pacific coast for an Oriental part.
From present indications, there will bs
quite a number of extra steamers in the
Oriental trade within the next few months.
The Norwegian steamship Tyr is due here
next month to load flour for Siberia, ami
the Santa Fe lino will probably send an
other steamer here to load flour. The
British steamship Ness was reported yes
terday as sailing from Kutchinotzu for
Portland. The port from -which she sailed
Is a coaling station on the Japan coast,
and the vessel is said to be under a time
charter to Hong Kong parties for thg
trans-Pacific trade. None of the shippers
or steamship agents engaged in that trade
in thie city have been advised of th6 ob
ject t the Ness's visit to Portland.
ANOTHER WHEAT CARGO.
Portland Clears Five Ships for Eu
rope in Four Days.
Kerr, Giffor-d & Co. yesterday cleared
their .second shiD for the weekt the ves
sel being the British ship Scottish Isles,
which goes tJ Queenstown or Falmouth
for orders, with 116,710 bushels of wheat,
lalued at 58.400. This makes a fleet of
five vessels which have cleared during the
first four days of tb week, their com
bined cargoes amounting to oer 450.00D
bushels of wheat and about 90,000 bushels
cf barley. The Scottish Isles Is the ninth
vessel to clear from Portland since Jan
nary 1, compared with eight vessels from
San Francisco and none from Puget sound.
It is hardly probable that Portland will
keep the lead, which she has taken so
early in the year, over all other Pacific
coast ports, but there is enough wheat
In port, and handy to this port, to enable
her to pile np .some big figures on ship
ments before the year grows old.
The Scottish Isles will be followed today
or tomorrow by the Cralgmore and the
Cambrian Warrior, both of which sire
nearly loaded, and can be finished within
a few hours. Of the other vessels, most
of them have their cargoes on the dock,
go that Portland is assured of a January
fleet of at least 14. or 35 vessels.
Vessel's Fine Reduced.
ASTORIA, Jan. 18. The fine of $5000 im
posed on the French bark Louis Pasteur
for arriving at this port from L'merick
Without a consular bill of health, has been
reduced hy the treasury department to
510. The master could not read or speak
a, word of the English language, and de
pended entirely upon his agents to secure
the necessary clearance papers. Captain
Rebel, in asking for a reduction of the
fine, stated that he supposed he had the
proper papers, until after his arrival here.
After the vessel had sailed the agents
endeavored to secure a bill of health from
the consul-general at London, but were
unable to procure one. as the vessel had
departed.
The barkeaiine Tam O'Shanter cleared
at the custom-house today for San Fran
cisco with C23.531 feet of lumber, loaded at
ths Knappfon mill.
Thick Wcatnter at Astoria.
A very thick fog was reported down at
the mouth of the river nearly all day yes
terday, and shipping was delayed some
what thereby. The State of California
lingered at Astoria urtil noon and then
started seaward, and as she did not re
turn after vanishing in the fog, probably
crossed out without difficulty. The C. S.
Bement, which started up the river
Wednesday afternoon, was caught in the
fog, end at noon yeerday had only got
as far as Rainier. She had not reached
St. Helens at dark last evening, and will
hardly make Portland before noon today.
Ships bound down had less trouble from
the fog, and the Clackmanannshire, which
left here Wednesday, reached Astoria
without difficulty yesterday.
Tlie Xewfoxmdln.d Wreclc
ST. JOHN'S, N. F., Jan. IS.-N0 addi
tional facts in connection with the steam
er wrecked in St Mary's bay have devel
oped today. The agents in New York of
the German-American Petroleum Com
pany, wbosa steamer Helgoland, is sup
posed to be the Ill-fate vessel, have tele
graphed to the German consul here to
use every endeavor to recover and bury
the bodies from the wreck.
TJie Paris Afloat.
LONDON, Jan. 18. The American lice
steamer Paris, recently ashore off the
Manacles, was today successfully launched
nut of the dhek at Milfordhavftii. xrhfro
she had beeh undergoing temporary re-1
pairs previous to being taken to Belfast
for a thorough overhauling.
Marine IVotcs.
The river commenced falling pretty live
ly yesterday, and all dangers of a flood
are over for the present. The damage to
parties 'occupying lower docks was very
.light
In accordance with a telegraphic re
quest from San Francisco, Captain Bos
worth, the marine .surveyor, yesterday
made a survey of the damages to the
German bark Magdalene, which collided
with the Margretha. Captain Hohen,held
a survey on the Margretha the day pre
vious. Foreigm and Domestic Ports.
ASTORIA, Jan. IS. Arrived down at
3:40 British ship Clackmannanshire. Left
up at 9:S0 A. M British ship Colony.
Sailed Steamer State of California, for
San Francisco. Condition of bar at 5 P. M,
Obscured; -wind, southwest.
Kutchinotzu, Jan. IS. Sailed British
steamer Ness, for Portland.
San Francisco, Jan. 18. Arrived Steam
er Mackinaw, from Seattle; steamer Ab
erdeen, from Astoria; steamer Areata,
from Coos bay. Sailed Steamer Bristol,
for Nanaimo; steamer Columbia, for Port
land. For Townsend Sailed January 17 Brit
ish bark Dominion, for Tacoma.
San Diego. Sailed January 17 Barken
tine Retriever, for Port Hadlock.
Nanaimo. Arrived January 17 Hawaii
an steamer San Mateo, from Port Los
Angeles.
Hong Kong. Sailed January 17. British"
steamer Empress of India, for Vancouver.
Liverpool, Jan. IS. Arrived Sylvanla.
from. Boston.
Auckland, Jan. IS. Arrived Mariposa,
from San Francisco, for Sydney.
Queenstown, Jan. 18. Saiiea Rhyniana,
for Philadelphia; New England, for Bos
ton; Teutonic, for New York.
Now York, Jan. 18. Sailed La Gas
cogne, for Havre; WlHehad, for Bremen.
Philadelphia, Jan. IS. Arrived Belgen
land, from Liverpool.
Bremen, Jan. IS. Arrived H. H. Meier,
from New York.
New York, Jan. IS. Arrived Lahn, from
Bremen.
CHURCH ROBBED TWICE.
Westminster Presbyterian Chnrch
Stripped of Its Light Fixtures.
2Iore petty house burglaries have "broken
out in many places on the East Side. For
the secorai time during a brief period
the "Westminster Presbyterian church, on
East Tenth and Weidler streets, was en
tered Tuesday night, and every electric
light bulb in the church was carried off.
Entrance was effected through the side
doors on the north side of the church. An
ax was taken from the basement and tflie
door -was forced open, the edges being bad
ly chipped and scarred in the. effort. At
first the burglars tried to open the door
-with a leather pouch, a very peculiar in
strument to be used for that purpose, buc
it would not accomplish the -work, and
the ax was found and proved more suc
cessful. The trustees of the church kept
the matter quiet until yesterday, hoping
that they could obtain, some clew. They
informed the police yesterday. The former
robbery occurred a month ago, when two
coats wero stolen. The trustees held a
meeting "Wednesday night, and resolved to
spare no effort to brm2T the thieves to jus
tice, if possible.
Several houses in the vicinity of East
Thirteenth and East Oak streets were
broken into last week. Among them were
the houses of John Mock and J. Sloan,
which were robbed of their plumbing,
and damaged to the amount of about 525.
From the home of J. C. Thomas, on East
Pine street, while the famljy was absent,
a quantity of provisions and 12 50 In cash
were taken. Some silver spoons were car
ried away on a second visit. The home
of Mr. Bergen, also on East Pine street,
was broken into the same night, and
provisions and $S were secured. The fam
ily had retired, but the burglars went
about their work so quietly that no one
was disturbed. Tuesday morning the
home of F. A. Ford, East Pine and East
Thirteenth streets; was entered, but the
family was disturbed, and the thieves took
alarm and left. The people of this district
are very much worked up over these re
peated robberies, and the impression is
that the depredations have been com
mitted by young hoodlums, who have been
making a practice of congregating at the
barn on East; Ash, near East Twelfth
street. They are well known" and there
is serious trouble in store for them. The
residents are looking i-to the matter with
good prospects of finding out who are the
burglars.
Datli of a Pioneer.
Mns. Rachael Boggs, mother of Mrs. S.
W. Marks, who lives at 24 East Fifteenth
Street, and a pioneer of 1846, died at the
home of her daughter, Mrs. S. D. Mead,
at Spokane, January Ifi, and the remains
were taken to Albany for interment by the
side of her husband. The deceased was
born in "Wayne county, Indiana, February
25, 1S24. She afterward moved to Mis
souri, and in 1S46 joined a large immigrant
train bound, across the. plains for Oregon
with her husband. The train was under
command of Ben Simpson, father of Sam
Simpson, the Oregon poet, the former
having- been elected captain. "With the
large train, little trouble was experienced
from the Indians, who appeared to hesi
tate to attack so strong a party, although
they threatened to do so. When the train
arrived in the Willamette valley there was
no settlement on the site of the city of
Portland, and Mrs. Boggs and her husband
settled at Oregon City.
East Side Notes.
Phalanx lodge, No. 14, K. of P., formally
dedicated its new castle In the Odd Fel
lows' building; on Grand avenue and East
Pine. streets, last evening, with a recep
tion to the members and invited guests. -
Tfco excellent programme was opened by
the orchestra. Grand Chancellor J. P.
Kennedy gave the address of welcome.
Then came the published programme of
solos, recitations and delineations of
George F. Jones. The reception closed
with a dance.
F. E. Hamilton and Mrs. C. F. Kupell
left for San Francisco last evening to take
charge of and attend the funeral of their
brother, Monifred Hamilton, who died -in
San Francisco last Saturday. The infor
mation received by telegraph concerning
his dearth, was not altogether satisfactory
to the relatives here. They will be back
In a few days.
At a meeting of the Eleventh Ward Re
publican Club, held Wednesday evening,
the following delegates were selected to
attend the state republican league con
vention: N. D. Beutgen, L. M. Davis,
E. W. Rowe, A. Neppach, and M. E.
Thompson. In the course of the evening
remarks were made Dr. Davis, M. E.
Thompson, N. D. Beutgen and others.
ii a b
COMINS ATTRACTIONS.
"London Life."
After a surfeit of farces, comedies, etc.,
it seems as if drama is to have a turn,
and, to prove It, look at the success of
drama at the New York theaters: "The
Great Ruby," at Daly's theater; "Phro
so," at the Empire theater; "The Chris
tian," at the Garden theater, and "Zaza,"
at the Garrick theater, for they are all
nothing more nor less than dramas beau
tifully treated. "London Life," the new
drama to be presented at the Marquam
Grand Wednesday and Thursday, Janu
ary 24 and 25, Is equally as good as any
of these successes, and it is said by com
petent critics that it Is the strongest of
them all. An unusually good cast has
been engaged for Its presentation hre,
embracing many well-known names,
such as Mss Meta Brittain, Mis Mary
Davenport, Miss Charlotte Wade, Law
rence Griffith. Will J. Irvin. and. last,
but by no means least, one of the moat
delightful child-actresses on the stage to
day, little Nessei Lewis.
BANKS AND THE fREASURI
INTERESTING LETTERS AND PERTI
NENT COMMENT THEREON.
Intimation TJiat Political Considera
tions Sometimes Operate to Shade
Relations of the Treasury.
That there is much interest In the rela
tions of the national banks to the national
treasury is shown by the attention given
tile recently published official correspond
ence of Secretary Gage. The following,
from the New York Tribune, quoting the
Herald and World, and dispatch from
Washington to the New York Evening
Post, and the editorial comment of (the
Post on the matter, affords an enlightened
view of the question, which is -just nowt
occupying so much of the attention of
congress. The Tribune says:
Much comment was caused among down
town bankers yesterday by the publication
in the World and Herald as part of the
official correspondence called far by coil
gress, of the following letter to Secretary
Gage from A. B, Hepburn, vice-president
of the National City bank, and now vice
president of the Chase National bank:
"New York, June 5, 1SD7. My Dear Mr.
Gaee: The National City bank, of this.
city, of which I recently became the vice
president, through the consolidation ot
the business of the Third National baps
with it, is one of the banks desiznated as
a United States depository, and 1 write
to request that in any changes which may
bo made under the administration, wo may
not be disturbed in this respect. We
should like to remain a United States de
pository, as at present. Of course, the
bank Is very strong, and if you will take
the pains to look at our list of directors,
you will see that we also have very great
political claims, in view of what was, done
during the canvass last year. Very truly
yours, A. B. HEPBURN,
' ' Vice-Pr esldent."
Mr. Hepburn said yesterday afternoon
he had. no recollection of having written
the letter ot of having had any corre
spondence with the secretary of the treas
ury at that period. He added that he had
only a few days previously become vice
president ofT, the National City bank, and
pointed out that, in view of that fact, he
naturally would not have known, ipuoh
about any contributions which might have
been made by directors of the National
City bank- nine months, or more before.
President "Stillman, of the National City
bank, said, in regard to Mr. Hepburn's
letter:
"The date of the letter indicates that it
was written a few das after Mr. Hep
burn became vice-president of the Na
tional City bank; with which the Third
National, of which he bad been president,
had just been consolidated. It appears
to have been a personal letter, and it is
natural to suppose that Mr. Hepburn
wrote letters of similar tenor to a great
many of his business acquaintances. In
a natural desire to bring as much busi
ness as he could to the "bank with, which
he had Just identified himself. As for
the reference to campaign subscriptions, I
may say that our board of directors in
cludes prominent republican and promi
nent democrats, and it is very likely that
the renublican directors may have con
tributed to the republican national cam
apign fund. But there Is absolutely no
basis for any assertion that the. National
City bank subscribed a dollar to that
fund. Mr. Hepburn probably doesn't
know Secretary Gage as well as I do, for
I know that any suggestion that directors
had been subscribers to "the campaign
fund would not have had a particle of
weight with him."
In speaking of a letter from himself to
S-scretary Gage, dated April 8, 1899, Mr.
Stlllman said that ho had no recollection
of having sent it. This letter, as pub
lished in the World, is as follows:
"As you have doubtless noticed in the
press, the money market has been quite
unsettled during the latter part of the
week. We have leaned very liberally in
order to allay apprehension, "but at such
rates as would tend to force liquidation m
highly speculative securities. I "th1nx
this has been accomplished and the de
clines which have taken place will" have
a wholesome check.
"This uneasy feeling, however "will
probably not subside next week,' notably1
some $8,000,000 on Monday, the 10th, on the
Chicago & Alton business. I think it
would bend to help maitters if you, cari see
your way to deferring the payments
which we are to make on accpunt of Cen
tral Pacific moneys for one week each. I
trust that this will meet with your ap
proval, and thalt you will advise me either
tomorrow or on Monday morning by wire
of your decision in the matter. I enclose
the weekly statement of the associated
banks. Our- own position tonight: Cai'l
loans in Wall street of 850,101,000; and cash
in our vaults. $21,698,000."
Mr. Stlllman, in referring to this letter,
said that the National City bank, unlike
various other banks, had never Tefused to
loan money on industrials. It had always
been willing to loan moderately on indus
trials, but had charged higher rates on
that class of collateral than on the stand
ard railway shares, President Stlllman
also denied emphatically that the National
City bank had ever received "advance in
formation" from the treasury department
in regard to any contemplated action.
Gage Is Undisturbed.
The New York Post's special dispatch
from Washington Is as follows:
"Secretary Gage Is quite undisturbed
by the criticisms following the publica
tion of the letter from ex-Controller Hep
burn, published with the others in his
answer to tho Sulzer-Allen resolutions of
inquiry.
" 'I am to be pilloried, I see,' said he in
answer to inquiries by your correspondent,
'because I published that letter with the
rest of the correspondence instead of sup
pressing it Why did I publish it? Be
cause it was a part of the correspondence
called for, and I had nothing to conceal.
The, logic of this case is unique and in
genious. If a man writes me a letter con
taining any objectionable matter, I suppose
I must go to jail for It? Isn't that the ar
gument? " 'I dare say, if the files of this depart
ment were searched, these would be found
to contain hundreds of letters written to
various secretaries, making claims of one
sort and another on political grounds.
There is a widespread notion that th's
argument carries weight. With me, neither j
partisanship nor personality has had one
iota to do with any of my transactions as
secretary of the treasury with the national
banks I don't suppose I know the poll
ltics of six men in the treasury depart
ment, below the assistant secretaries. I
did. not find out till a day or two ago, and
then by the merest accident, that a man
who has been in my cloest confidence for
two years past Is a democrat.
" 'How much less, then, could I pro'ond
to keep acquainted with the political lean
ings of bank pre,? dents and others out
side. I have known them only in ther
business relations to the department, I
could not even name to you at this mo
ment two directors in the National Citi
bank, of New York. Mr. Stlllman, of
course, I know, and I have seen 'in the
papers a statement that ope of the Messrs.
Rockefellers Is a director, but I could not
say, wtihout looking it up, which one it
is. The criticism to which I have been
subjected from my oldest acquaintances
in the republican party is that I am too
Indifferent to party claims. At It seems so
hard o suit all tastes, perhaps the best
thing I can do is to continue in my inde
pendent course, doing what I believe to be
right, and losing no sleep over unfounded
censure.' "
The Bankers and the Treasury.
Commenting on the interesting situation
the Post says:
"The letters from two prominent bank
ers to the secretary of the treasury, which
are published elsewhere, are not pleasant
reading. Probably no one who knows the
authors of these letters would attilbute
to them any corrupt purpo.se. In one
case the letter amounte,d merely to a sug
gestion that a delay In paying over to the
government a fund arising from the Cen
tral Pacific railroad settlement would help
the financial sltuatidn. It was accompa
nied with a statement that the call loains
o the City bank were at the time $55,
000,000, and 'that the rates on the "mare
speculative collaterals in Wall street were
high enough to force liquidation. The
Inference is unavoidable that if the City
bank could retain the deposits of the gov
ernment for a week, it would make a large
profit from their use. It could lend larger
amounts at very exceptional rates. More
over, If the president of the bank were
assured of this money for a week, while
the public knew nothing of it. very profit-
I able operations in stocks were possible.
Very likely a public service would be ren
dered by' such action as was suggested.
Panic might be checked, failures prevent
ed, the normal and legitimate demands
of borrowers be met. Nevertheless, these
good results were to be produced by means
that are scarcely defensible on any sound
theory of government The notion that
the saeretary' of the treasury is a Deus
ex machina, whose duty it is to relieve
hard-pressed debtors and to maintain
prices for th ise who have to unload,
ought to be repudiated. Many people re
member the unpleasant events5 under Gen
eral Grant's administration, and we might
fa'rly say that scandals have attended the
relations of the treasury with the banka
during a large part of the existence of
our government.
"The other letter is simply an illustration
of the demoralization resulting from the
doctrine of political spoils. It was written
in behalf of a Dank which was already a
government depository, and which desired
to remain such. There was no impropriety
in making such a statement, nor in calling
attention to the financial strength of the
bank. But the letter closed with the in
timation that the directors of the bank had
rendered great services to the republican
party, and that on that account the bank
had claims on tho United States treasury.
The natural meaning of these words is
that tne directors had contributed a great
deal of money to the republican campaign
fund, and that they expected to 'bo' re-'
paid in some fashion and in some degree
by favors of the treasury. Very likely the
author of the letter was unconscious of
any impropriety In making such a sug
gestion. It was not Intended as a request
for any illegal favors., It was meant to-
remind the secretary of the treasury that
In such matters of discretion as the choice
of depositories of public funds, some re
gard should be had to be party services
of bank directors.
"There is nothing more in this than is
Involved In the claim which all out poli
ticians believe in, and which most of them
openly maintain, that the general govern
ment is to be carried on for the imme
diate advantage of the managers of 'the'
dominant political party. The postofflC23
are to be filled with republ'canS, when
they come into power. So are the custom-houses,
the Internal revenue offices,
the consulships, the departments in gen
eral, Some one must have the office, it
is argued, and it is absurd to give it to
a man who has done nothing for the suc
cess of the party,, when those who have
borne the labor and the heat of the day
really need to be supported. In precisely
the same way it can be argued that, as
the secretary of the treasury is obliged
to designate certain banks as depositories,
it is reasonable that he should choose
banks with good republican directors. If
there Is any profit in these deposits, it
ought to go to republican binkers under
a republican administration; and it ought
especially to go to such bankers as paid
the most money to put the republican ad
ministration In power. There is no ques
tion of loss to the government; its de
parts are well secured. It is simply a ques
tion of favoring republican bankers who
contribute to the party revenues rather
than democratic bankers, or those who
make no contributions. Let no one cast
a stone against the bankers who wrote
these letters unless he is ready to con
demn the spoils system, root and branch
"We may profitably recall an episode in
the political campaign of 1SS8. A letter
from a republican senator was brought to
light then, with very important political
results. 'If I had my way about It,' said
the author of this letter, 'I would put the
manufacturers of Pennsylvania under the
fire, and fry all the fat out of them.' He
also said: 'I was solicited to contribute to
a protective-tariff league and I replied
that-.. . . I did not propose myself to
contribute money to advance the inter
eats of men who were getting practically
the sole benefit, or at least the most
directly important benefits, of the tariff
laws,' Tins letter opaned the eyes of
many people to the true nature of pro
tective legislation. Those who are en
gaged in lines of business the profits of
which are affected by foreign competition
pay liberally to elect congressmen who
Will pass laws to protect them against
competitors. When they have elected
their congressmen they th'nk that they
own tho government. They have paid to
constitute it in a particular way, for their
particular pecuniary benefit. All of our
prominent manufacturers understand this
very well, and never think of disputing It
in private conversation. Bring the sub
ject up, and they are very apt to men
tion some aggravated case of tariff fa
orltlsm Bankers have until recently bsen
more exempt from "this political demorali
zation, but the exigencies of 1896, when
their business became a polit'cal issue,
were too much for many of them. Yet,
in spite of the callousness of so many of
our business men, there is a. great volume
of popular wrath at and loathing for the
whole system of plutocracy, and had the
democrats a leader of real honesty and
ability, he would be a formidable candi
date for the presidency."
HEALTH OF THE CITiY.
Commissioner Menefee Makes
Hiu
Report for Deeemuer.
Tbo report of Health Commlsisonr J. P.
Menefee, for the month of December! has
just been issued. The number of mar
riage licenses issued during the month"
was 74. The number of births registered'
aunnc tne month was 78; males, 35; fe
males', 42; white, 75; yellow, 3. Thb num
ber of deaths registered during the' month
was 73; males, S9; females, 34; white, 67:
colored, 1; yellow, 5. Nativities of de
ceased: Oregon, 24; other states, 24; for
eign, 25. '
There were 9 deaths of persons ftom 0
to 70 years of age; 6 of persons from 70 to
SO years, and 1 between SO ana 100 years
The principal causes of death given are?
as follows: Valvular disease of the heart,
6; tuberculosis, 6; pneumonia, 4; append!-
citis, 3; typhoid fever, 3; diphtheria, 4;
meningitis, 4; bronchitis. 2; hemorrhage of
Rings, 2; old age, 2; scarlet fever, 2. Cases
of contagious diseases reported during -.
the month: Diphtheria, 29; measles, 3; ty
phoid fever, 12; scarlet fever, 11; smallpox,
1; chicken-pox, 1.
Sanitarynotices served: To filll cesspools, v
30: to clean filthy yards, 31; to clean cel
lars, and basemewts, 3; to remove ma
nure piles, 3; to remove swill b-vrrelsi 20;
to remove nuisances on the, street, 7, tot
remove nuisances in buildings, 3; to, clean
chicken yards, 5; Chinese wash-iiouss in
spected, 2; fish markets and oyster-nouses
inspected, 3; number of letters written, 3S.
The report of the plumbing inspector
M. P. Fleming, appended, shows that durr
ing the month he Inspected 4X new build
ings and 43 old buildings, with new plumb
ing; 'caused 17 cesspools and 28 sewer to
be connected; served 36 written notices;
reported 15 cases of defective plumbing,
and caused plumbing to be remodeled m
IB cases. Total number of visits for the
month, 464
get 1
Lnvrton's Witness.
Hartford Courant.
Messrs. Bryan, Hoar, PettIgrew, Billy
Mason and their fellow-Agumaldlans in
this country sundry college professors,
preachers and editors included are still
doing what they can to make more funer
als of American officers and soldiers in the
Philippines. From his grave the noble
Lawton still beara witness against these
theorists and pious sentimentalists, with
American blood on their hands,
MEET NEXT IN PORTLAND
CLOSE OF-MEETING OF, THE NORTH
WEST FRUITGROWERS.
Asli That a Man. Be Sent to Europe
to Investigate Means' of Clicck-
ingr Codlin Moth.
TACOMA, Jan. 18. The seventh annual
-gathering of the Northwest Fruitgrow
ers' Association closed this afternoon. It
was decided to hold the next annual meet
ing at -Portland.
The association will request the depart
ment of agriculture to end a man to
Southern Europe, whire the codlin moth
is prevalent, but kept in check by natural
enemies, to Investigate the pest, and. If
possible, to devise treatment to afford re
lief to the growers of the United States.
Tho standard California apple box,
slightly smaller than the' present Wash-i
Ington box, was adopted as the official'
package for the four states embraced in
the association.
Papers read were by H. P. Stacy, of
Minneapolis, on "Shipping Fruit" ; "Colonel
W. J. je'lfe, of the Fust Washington dl
unteert?, on "Prospective Markets in the
Philippines"; J. O'B. Scobey, of Olymp.a,
on "Preserving Fruit"; E. A. McDonald,
pure food commlss.oner, on "Pure Food
Law"; Professor A. B. Cordley, Cofivallis,
Or., "Apple Cankers."
Henry E. Dosch, of- Portlandr read, an
interesting paper on "Foreign Markets,"
as follows:
" 'The great secret of success in life Is to
be rea'dy when the opportunity comes.'
Lord Beaconsfield.
"The subject of markets is perhaps the
most serious problem confronting the fruit
grower, and when we look, over the large
area that lias been planted to fruit, and
Id still being planted throughout the fruit
districts of the United States and Canada,
we cannot help speculating what to do
with all these fruits, especially in a good
fruit ear.
"There is, perhaps, no frultf which Is
more universally planted at this time than
the apple, owing to the facti that the"
apple is, par excellence, th& commercial
fruit of the world. Millions of trees are
being planted yearly, and If it were not
for the fact that winter apples are grown
comparatively, aa yet, in few localities,
the Tesult would, be appalling. Ev en as
it is, our home markets are now fully sup
plied, and in a short time will be glutted.
There is but one solution to this prob
lem, and that Is, to seek foreign markets.
"My attention was first drawn to this
matter about eight years ago, when the
Chamber of Commerce of Portland hon
ored me as a delegate to the Nicaragua
canal convention, which was held in New
Orleans in November, 1892; and there, in
conversation with representatives from the
South American republics, I learned that
there would be a good market for northern-grown
fruits, If freight rates could bo
arranged, .gain, my attention wascaKe'd
to it in a letter I received from a consul
in Manchester, England, three years ago,
stating that, a lot of Rogue river apples
had found their way .there, and that finer
apples were never seen, and buyers w ant
ed to contract for the entire output for
this man's crop, which was 4000 boxes In
898, and all were shipped to that point. In
this connection, the New York Journal
of Commerce says: 'A large increase In
the shipment of Pacific coast apples abroad
by way of Now York this year (1SSS) is a
noteworthy feature of the fruit trade, and
is exciting no littlet interest; large quan
tities of Newtown pippins In boxes weigh
ing 50 pounds net, grown on tho Pacific
coast, principally in Oregon and Califor-
nia, have been sent to this city of late, in J mark, "Further; comment Is not neces
carload lots, and from New. York havo sary," and endeavors to make It apply
been sent directly abroad. Some handsome
Newtown pippins passed through New
York lately from Oregon.' But it is not
England alone; there ia a growing mar
ket? irt Germany and France for our fruit.
My advices from the consuls and dealers
are very enthusiastic and encouraging.
Mr. Cunningham, consul at Chemnitz,
Germany, a large manufacturing center,
writes to me:
" 'I wish I had time to detail to you the
desires of the people here for our fruits.
German hunger for our fruits, apples be
foro all others,' etc.
"In France we have a promising market
for our fine Italian prunes and for apple
chops. Mr. Joseph I. Brittain, consul at
Nantes, France, writes to me that there
is a good opening for evaporated apples
known as 'chops.' These apples, which
are the lowest grades of windfalls, are
sliced thin and dried. Including skin, seccltj
and cores and inhabitants. They are
packed in plain barrels. The poorer classes
here use largo quantities of these apples
for making an apple wine known as
plquette.' Last season one firm imported
U,000 barrels of apple chops at a cost of
7 cents per poun. Mr. Albion W. Tour
gee, consul at Bordeaux, France, says, in
thLg connection, that in 1897 35,000.000 gal
lons of this Dinuette were used, whichln-
j creased to 50,000,000 gallons In 1898; as It
takes one pound of chops to one gallon
of plquette, It means 50,000,000 pounds of
apple chop. And so are all other reports
of foreign states, many stating that in
stead of exporting, as heretofore they
would haVe to Import more" and more each
season.
"Latest advices from Berlin say: 'In
view of the circular sent by the German
government to the chambers of commerce
and other bodies, inquiring zs to the de
sirability of a duty on fruit? the Society
of Hamburg Fruit Dealers has adopted a
resolution declaring emphatically that
American fruit Is indispensable there, and
protesting energetically against a duty.'
But, owing to the h'gh freight and re
frigerator eharges from' the Pacific coast
to the Atlantic seaboaTd, we of the Pa
cific Northwest are somewhat handicapped
in European markets which, however, is
offset by our superior, fruits and the higher
prices thoy command in these markets,
especially England. Prices for apples
ranged this fall as follows:
Per barrel
Variety London. Hamburg.
Baldwins ...12S16a
Ben Davis 4 1215s
Wlnesaps 11G13S
York Imperial 16(S;1B3
Kings .... 1519S
Northern ' Spy 131 s
Spitsenbercs 1314s
13021 m
OffilSm
10f212m
16(ffl7m
1517m
1719m
1014m
.Note m stands iior marks (German).
"Now please note:
''Pacific Coast Newtowns, 11 shillings
per box, equal to 33 shillirgs per barrel
more than double the prices realized for
Eastern apples.
"Theeo figures will also form some guide
to Intending planters of apple orchards,
"as well as to shippers. The total shipment
this fall up to December 1 was GS,920 bar
rels. "Prunes in Germany:
Processed
Size Italian. French.
30s to 10s lS20c 14c
40s to $0s. 1517c 12c
"In France the prices range from 16
cents to 20 cents. Small size prunes should
not be sent, as they come Into competition
With tho home-grewn goods. But we have
a market which Is practically our own.
When I became convinced that the Pa
cific Northwest would soon grow more ap
ples than.could be used at home, as well
as prunes, I put myself In communication
with the- consuls of Europe, China and
Japan regarding the possibility of ex
porting some of our fruits to thpse re
spective countries, and have received hun-
I dreds of encouraging repljes, and it affords
me great pleasure to state that I re
ceived the first cash order for a lot of
apples from Nagasaki, Japan, which has
been fiUqd by one of our dealers. Thl3
Oriental market is the one for us to op
erate in. 3t Is n field of such importance
that it should be taken in hand at once
Its possibilities are 50 vast that the end
cannot now be seen.
"Recent stat'stics show the exportation j
of fruits In 1SSS to OHemai markets to
have been about as follows (the "1S99 re
ports are not yet available), vie.: Brlt'sh
j'Eest .Indies, ?12,348; British Australasia,
5260,01; other Asiatic' possessions and
Oceanlca, 5147,151; Hong Kong, 5S7.71S; oth
er parts of China, 523,751; Japan, 522,713;
exports of preserved food, including fruit
from Spain to the Philippines, 5113,231;
wine, S148.S16; flour, 5149,340. Here are mar
kets which should be, In fact, mu3t be,
cultivated and developed, and they are
practically our own, especially for our
fine apples anuTtalian prunes. The evap
orated product of this prune is too fine
to, bring Into competition with sun-dried
French prunes, as is done now in our
Eastern markets. This competition would
be eliminated in the Orient, as the in
habitants of that climate demand a semi
tart fruit, a quality not possessed by the
sweet, Insipid sun-dried French prune of
California. Therefore, this market belongs
exclusively to the Pacific Northwest. But
in catering to this market wa must pre
pare our fruits in the way thoy want
them," and not in the way In which we
would like to have them taken. At the
risk of repeating myself, and only for the
Important matter contained therein, allow
.me once more" to quote from the reply to
my letter cf Inquiry addressed to Mr. John
son, consul at Amor, Japan: 'There Is a
r.teadlly Increasing demand among the na
tives for foreign fruits, whether canned,
dried or preserved. The European popu
lation look to these imported fruits al
most exclusively to supply their tables.
Tinned pears, peaches and apricots come
principally Worn America, while preserved
fruits, jams and dried fruits still come
largely from Europe. The reason is ap
parent. The American manufacturer will
not, or decs not, meet the conditions re
quired. Since there are no peaches or
pears In Eurape which can compete with
those of California, the Oriental merchant
has no choice; In- other lines, he is not
so' restricted. Prunes and- raisins are
largely, used. Tho dried fruit Is put up
In bottles and sealed. In no other way
can it be shipped to the tropics without
great loss, as the humidity of the climate
or insects will soon render it unsalable-
Np fruit, biscuits, crackers or any other
food products can be safely shipped to
Central or Southern China, Japan or Phil
ippines without being sealed ip glass bot
tles or tinned. The English and Conti
nental merchants and manufacturers un
derstand this, and put up their fruits ac
cordingly. If tinned., the tint, are either
painted or varnished to prevent rust and
consequent loss to merchants. .
"The American manufacturer hasfound
a market for his product without" these
extra expenses, and is slow to meet thte
demand, hence' dried fruits, jams and
tinned fruits are usually bought In other
countries where these necessary details
arc looked after. If our exporters of fruit
expect to hold the market in the Philip
pines, or to gain a better footing in Ghini
or Japan, they should begin by studying
the conditions and .promptly meeting them.
Priqes realized Jn China and Japan for
fruit justify the expense necessary to put
them up, so as to insure their being in
good condition when they reach the cus
tomer." A general discussion on the codling moth
was held.
Officers elected are: President. N. G.
Blalock, Walla Walla; treasurer, W, S.
Ofener, Walla Walla; secretary, Henry
E. Dosch, Portland; vicerpresidept fqr
Oregon, E. L. Smith, Hood River; vice
president for Idaho, L. A, Porter, Lewis
ton; vice-president for Washington, Frank
L. Wheeler, North Yakima; vice-president
for Montana, S. M. Emery, Bozeman;
vice-president for British Columbia, Thom
as G. Earl, Lipton. '
OUR CITY ADMINISTRATION.-
A Letter in Reflly to Rcmarlss liy
Mr, Goldsmith.
PORTLAND, Jan. 18 (To the Editor.)
Mr. Goldsmith takes exception to my re-
( to all ne saia? in nis commun.cauon.
1
intended it to apply only to his statement
that the tax .rate of Seattle and Tacoma
la less- than that of Portland, which
statement was clearly incorrect, and preju
dicial to our city.
My authonty ("United Stateg Statistics
of Cities," September, 1S39). shows under
the table "Income of Cities," as follows: ,
From Property tax
Portland 5392.2S3
Seattle,? 61W0S
Taooma 137,414
Andx under the table of expenditures:
For interest on debt
Portland $28U44
Seattle 215JE5
Tacoma 204,Di3
Includes water and Port of Portland
interest
I think tne above, without going Into
detail, proves that Portland city tax rate
Is less than either Seattle or Tacoma.
I did not Intend to discuss other matters
referred to by Mr. Goldsmith.
He, however, asks a question: "Do you
consider .that our city, county and state
administrations are honestly and economic
cally administered?"
In reply I will say that I am not fa
miliar with the details of county and state
administrations, and for that reason it
would be obviously unfair for me to ex
press an opinion. With the city admin
istration I am familiar, and I assert that
the city administration is honestly and
economically administered. I further as
sert that there is not a city in the United
States of the population and area of Port
land whose municipal affairs are as care
fully, economically and honestly admin
istered, or where the municipal property
tax rate is aa low as m the city of Port
land. I do not mean to say that there
are not abuses In our city affairs, but they
are of minor character, and are being cor
rected. It should he borne in mind that
the payment of the interest on our bond
debt absorbs over 4 mills of the 8-milr tax
rate permitted by law, so that our tax
rate for municipal purposes Is really but
4 mills on the dollar. Further, that of
the bond debt on which the -city has to
pay 123,140 Interest annually, not one
fourth part was Incurred by the munici
pal authorities,, and the remaining- three
fourths was plaeed upon us by the leg
islature. In answer to the question as to whether
the total state, county, city and school
tax rate of 32 mills cannot be reduced, I
can speak for the city only, and say that
under presert valuations and the present
Interest obligations to be met, I do not
think the city rate can be reduced.
I do not desire any controversy with
Mr. Goldsmith, and beliave him sincere In
his desire for the welfare of our city,
but I feel satisfied that had he the man
agement of city expenditures his present
ideas would! be greatly modified.
A. N. GAMBELL.
East Wnsninerton Jay Be Improved.
There are some prospects that steps will
soon be taken for the Improvement of
East Washington street, between East
Water sitreet and Union avenue. The
matter had been discussed for some time,
but until recently there has been little
hope of any substantial movement being
made toward the improvement. The
property-owners, who suffered serious loss
by the closing down of the Stark-street
ferry, have not felt that they would be
justified In pajing for the ereotion of a
new elevated roadway oh that street, es
pecially when there promised so lttle re
turn. A man who has a permanent busi
ness on East Washington street has bean
Investigating the matter, and making- in
quiries among some of the property-owners.
He states that those he talked with
'have expressed a willingness to have the
Improvements made, and It is expected
that the movement will take some definite
form before long. The construction of
the O. R. & N. railway on East Second
street, and the prospects of other Improve
ments In that district have encouraged
the hope that it will pay to have the 1m
provemen made. It will be necessary to
make an entirely new Improvement, as
tle old roadway I3 In such a condition
that it cannot be repaired. It is one of the
oldest elevated roadway on the East Side.
Br every one who has looked into tiie
matter. It is considered that it would pay
the property-owners to have the improve
roent made.
ARE NOT YET WORKING
AFFAIRS SEMiPING UP FOR THE CON
GRESSIONAL COMMITTKSS.
Simon and Arid Land Matters H ear
ing of Indian War Vcturana'
Bill to Be Had.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13. Although se
lected before the holiday reeaa, th pen
sion committee of the houses has not yet
regularly organized, and consequently the
subcommittees have not yet been decided
upon. ,Ir is a well-known- fact tlnat all
bills that are referred to the pension
committee are first acted upon by at sub
committee, before taken up by th entire
committee. As soon as the pension com
mittee organises, and appoints Its sub
committee. Representatives Tongue and
Moody, of Oregon, are to appear before
a subcommittee and make statements in
Kbehalf of the Indian war veteran, bill
which has been raintroducefcl .n the house,
as well as In the senate. Mr. Tongue had
this bill before the committee at the last
congress, but In bringing it up this time
ho will have the able support of hli col
league, Mr. Moody, who, while not the
author of the measure, is intensely inter
ested In the matter, and Is very anxloua
to sae the measure passed. This matter
has hung fire In congress for a great
many years, and there is considerable!, op
position to it Mr. Tongue, however, say a
that he expects to get a favorable report
from tho committee on pensions, and n
that event will work persistently te push
the measure thiough the housv There are
representatives from other Western, and
particularly Pacific coast states, who are
anxious to have this bill pass, and they
will stand in with the Oregon representa
tives. The oppeslfon comes principally
from the Eastern members, those who are
not interested In the Indian wars, and
who in many cases know nothing of the
great conflicts that waged in the far West
back in tho '50s and '60s. It Is hoped
by making a good showing in the com
mittee, and securing a good strong report,
to break down this misguided opposition
and have the bill parsed.
Senator Simon has rot yet called n!a
i committee together, but vrll look Into the
subject of Irrigation of the arid lands for
the purpose of formulating a bill which
he hope? to report before the close of
the session. Senator Simon does not sea
much uso in proposing measures which
can by no possible means receive the
sanction of the senate or house. He hopes,
however, to bring about some sort of
legislation which will result hi reclaim
ing the arid lands. He knows that thla
cannot be done all at once, and that such
a great problem must be handled with
caie, and that the psople generally must
be educated up to the necessity of proper
disposition of the arid lands. He is not
sure that there is any practical measure
now pending of the several that have been
Introduced, but he intends to sift them
himself, and when he pepares a measure
which he thinks will be of some value,
will call the committee together to hear
their views.
Objections of the Wealc-Xnecd.
One of the objections that some weak
kneed republicans make to the gold-standard
bill is that as soon a it Is passed, a
crusade for free trade wlil be commenced.
It Is asserted by these men that as soon
as the Eastern democrats, who have al
ways been free-traders, know that there
is cot the li-ast possibility of the coun
try going on a silver bais. win to the
gold-atandard law, they will vote for
Bryan and free silver enntlWa te generally,
with the hope that they wilH get some
democratic tar'ff lesislatlon in place at the
1 republican laws which are now on the
statute books. In this sams connect on
It Is said that after the goldnstamhtirt bill
has once passed, it will require not only a
free-stiver president, but j free-aEver sen
ate and a free-silver howe to repeal it.
Tho republicans assrt thtvt the democrats
would elect gold-standard men to the
house, and they w'll supplant republican
senators In New York. New Jersey and
Maryland with gold.-standard democrats,
and will then be able to prevent a repeal
of the gold-standard law and at the same
time pass a democratic tariff law looking
towards free trade. This is one of the
things behind which the'republtean! with
a leaning to silver would like, te hkle.
"iVar Uevenuc to btnnd.
It has been practically settled that there
will be no amendment to the tariff law this
session, and, further, that there is no
possibility of a repeal of the Internal rev
enue law known as the Spanish war reve
nue law. The members of the ways and
means comm'ttce of the house, and th
senate committee, have taken the matter
up casually and have concluded that any
amendments proposed would meet with a
great deal of opposition, or at least would
mean almost the entire revision ot the
customs and revenue laws. The state of
the finances of the treasury at the present
time, with the great expense which the
conduct of the war in the Philippines en
tails, means that no great amount of
money can be spared, and that the reve
rues cannot be reduced at the present
time. The war revenue law, as well as. the
other customs laws, will stand.
FUND FOR LAWTON'S FAMILY
General Corbln AcLnoIedjjes Re
ceipt of Portland Subscriptions.
The following letter has been received
by Tho Oregonian:
"War Department. Adjutant-General'3
Office. Washington: It gives ne pleasure
to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 5th Inst, Inclosing $&i) 35. subscrip
tions received by The Oregonian in be
half of the Lawton fund.
"I desire to thank you very much for
the valuable assistance you have rendered
In the- premises, and through you to each,
of the subscribers? the appreciation of
the committee for their generous re
sponses. Very sincerely,
"H. C. CORBIN,
"Adjutast-General, U. S. A., for the Com
mittee." Since this remittance was sent to Gen
eral Corbin $70 has been received by The
Oregonian, as follows:
Previously reported 30
Pacific Coast Biscuit Company 10
0
DAILY CITY STATISTICS.
Real Estate Transfers.
C. A. Cook to F. H. Shaw, N. f
lot 10, block 22. Alblna; January 17..51SGQ
Ardee H. Merrill and wife to Ws. N.
Donaldson, 1.101 acres. Perry Pretty
man D. L. C; December 23. 1890..... 1
John L. Rexford to P. S. Barzee, lot
24, block 1. Wheatland Second addi
tion; October 11. 1SS3 90
F. S. Barzee to Charles W. Barzee.
same: February 3. 1S99... SO
Wm. Boorman and wife to Chari
Kranter. E. 30 feet lots 6. 7, block,
14. McMUlen's addition: January K33C0
Marj Griffiths to John Griffiths., tot
J, block Iff, and lot 2. block IS, Cen
tral Alblna. January 13 500
Asa B. Dowell et a!, to G. W. Oarpenr
ter, lot 5. N. -block Q. Portland;
January 10 10
Wm. B. Dowell ct al. to George W.
Carpenter, same; December 30 1S8IL 2008
P. H. Marlay 10 A. M. Smith, lot .
block B First Street Terrace; De
cember 30. 1S 1
Births.
January It Boy, to th wWe of Gceg
Stewart. 101 East Eleventh stisefc
January 11 Boy to the wiJa ot Mi SV
Crouch, Woodlawn avenue.
January 13 Boy. to the wile ml W. J
Bobbins. Woodlawn avenue.
January 12 Twins, girls, to tb wtfr ot
Thomas J. Gray, near GuiJrt3 avenue,
North Portland.
Contajcioas D1sch"Mjs
Paul Sfeambaugh, 2, Salmen stseet;
laryngitis.
MHdrla Bryan, agadff yee.Es; 280 Colum
bia, street; scarlet fevr.
Beath.
January IS-On Gfp. aged 54) yeass, IS
Second street; pbthfrfe ptrfmonatts.
f