THE MORNING OttEOONIAN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL' 17, 1901
10
THE TAXPAYERS' LEAGUE
PRESIDENT MILLS ItEPORTS OJV
WOKK IT HAS ACC03IPLISHED.
Mernbem Have Striven for a Better
and More Economical Government
of the City and County.
President Mills, of the Taxpayers'
League, has given out for publication his
report concerning the work of the league
during Its two years' existence. During
this time It has been active In various
fields of reform, with a view to securing a
better and mere economical government
of the city and county. All the fields of
activity are described in the report, which
iollows:
President's Report.
Portland. Or.. April 15. To the Members or
the Taxpayers' League Gentlemen: The Tax
payers' Lessee has been In existence for two
years., and the president now bees leave to
present herewith as briefly as possible, a re
port of the work already accomplished and
what Is hoped may be done in the future.
Before proceeding -with the particulars of
this report, it mlrht not be out of place to
ntatc that the objects of the league, as ret
forth In Its constitution, have b"en adhered to
rtrlctly. and. although ot limes pressure has
boon brorrht to bear, the league has stead
fastly adhered to lt. constitution and has re
frained alolutolv from takln? part in any
artJon of a "artisan or poM.lcal character. Th-2
pergonal factor 7iever has been allowed to enter
Into the conrfderatlon of the acts of any offi
cial, and the league has insisted only that offi
cials do their duty and the existing laws be
enforced. In order that the city and county
it ight be c'vru a better and more econom
ical goveranuat.
To embrace In this rerort detailed accounts
of the many general and j-epclal meetings that
liavc been held would b Impossible, as the
lat two rear- have breurht much work for
tiw member- of the learue, aid. -while '.he
organization dors not claim to be the only
force work! for Tetter governmental condi
tions in our city and count", nevertheless it
can honest!;' be claimed that the members of
the loasTie have -worked unselfishly and con
tinuously fcr th'."cnd.
ro7jle Contract.
. . . - j .. .- .....-i.i
Ane Jl. t v. rc; unaaiHK-n mu t-.n: tuiuiu- .
oration or tls? contra'ci entered Into bstween .
Multnomah -Tiunty anl Mr. H. E. Noble, re
specting the collection .of delinquent tax;s.
After .matuf d"Hberatkjn the league caused a
suit to be broach t to have this contract an
nulled and set aside. Beth the Circuit Court
and the Supreme Court sustained the league's
view vof 'the matter, the result being that the
contract toK was not only set aside, hut,
which -was of rreat t Importance, the prin
cl;iie was iliorou-hly established that con
tracts of thU character would not be tus
talned. General 1Vor!c.
About the rame time committees were ap
pointed who- work a3 outlined covered prac
tically all tl- dstal'ls of the city, county and
school SGvcrrment. each committee being in
structed to make an examination of the par
ticular worn asMrned to it and to report its
recommendations to the league. As a result.
full and detailed reports were made on nearly
every office In the county and city. The af
fairs of the school district, street legislation
and the care of streets also were studied care
fully and reported upon. Through the cour
tesy of the dally pepcrs many of these re
ports were published, so that our citizens,
other, than members of the league, were en
abled to obtain a fair idea of the conduct of
the various offices and departments and of
the need of remedial legislation.
Madison-Street Bridge.
As the result of the work of these commit
tees, the first matter taken up, as being the
most urcent, was the question of the recon
struction of the Madison-street bridge. At
that time the County Commissioners were con
sidering seriously the rebuilding of this bridge
of steel, and the league's strong protest against
the use of steel in the reconstruction no doubt
aided much to. preventing this from being
done. The change In the plans then under
consideration saved a large sum of money to
the county. It also was proposed to let a con
tract for a new. steel draw, but the league
called attention to the bond still In force pro
tecting the county from defects In the draw
then in operation, and on the recommendations
of the league the rebuilding of this draw was
postponed from a time when iron and steel
were probably at the highest point until the
latter part of the year 1000.
Contracts for Tax Collecting.
It was decided wise to have two suits
brought against the County Commissioners, and
Mr. W. C. Ovlatt to set aside the contracts for
the collection of taxes. The result of these
suits was of no immediate financial benefit to
the county, ulnce before the cases were heard
the contracts practically were completed, but
the court, however, fully sustained the prin
ciple the league was contending for and set
its ban of disapproval on the custom that had
grown up of delegating to others the duties
for which duly elected officials were paid to
perform. Since then no such contracts have
been made; certainly hereafter no attempt
ever will be made to let such contracts with
out at least giving all responsible bidders an
opportunity to bid on the proposed work.
Street "Warrants.
The nest Important question which demand
ed and received attention was the non-payment
of warrants which had been Issued for
repairs to streets done on behalf of the street
railway companies. The league kept contin
uously at work on this long-standing abuse,
and It is understood that, due in a large
measure to the rlrorous action of the present
Council, all of these warrants have been set
tled by the street railway companies.
Varlons Other Matters.
Besides other matters considered and acted
upon was the action of the former City Coun
cil in releasing the former City Treasurer
from any liability for money deposited and
lost through the failure of banks in 1893. Also
the matter of the charges for the collection of
the blcyolji ptax, the employment of additional
attorneys 'by the County Commissioners; and
the letting "1 contracts without due adver
tisement. Many other subjects received at
tention, but it probably would weary the
members were a minute recital made. Each
and all of the reports of the special commit
tees carried recommendations, and where re
forms could not be effected otherwise legisla
tive action was suggested. It should be a
satisfaction to the -members of the league to
know that the great majority of Its recom
mendations have since crystallized into laws.
The present method, or, rather, lack of
method, in improving and maintaining the
streets has been given -much thought and at
tention, and ttie time Is now at hand for put
ting into effect modern methods of street
building, maintenance and cleaning. In this
connection the fact should never be lost sight
of that on streets used by street railways the
railway companies should he compelled not
only to lay the proper kind of rails, but also
to maintain their part of the street. It is sat
isfactory to note that the street railway com
panies evince a desire to meet the views of
the city authorities In these matters.
Clean Streets.
In the matter of clean streets, the attention
of the officials who have this -subject in their
particular charge has been called repeatedly
to the open and willful violations of the city
ordinances by the use of the city streets as a
dumping ground for all sorts of garbage,
sweepings and filth. So far but little improve
ment has been made, and until a public senti
ment has been created that will demand not
only the enforcement of the laws, but also
will, by the example of the Individual citi
zen, show the benefit of such enforcement,
little noticeable results can be expected.
Through the new charter commission modern
methods of building and maintaining streets
probably will be adopted, but no laws should
be needed to enforce cleanliness. That virtue
everyone should practice, and each and all
should insist that the streets be used, not as
sewers and garbage tanks, but as thorough
fares for pedestrians and teams.
Legislation.
As the time for the session of the Legisla
ture drew near several meetings were held
with the mombers from this county and with
subcommittees therefrom, and much time was
given to the preparation of proposed laws and
to amendments to those in force. It- was
found that the delegation from Multnomah
County was largely in sympathy with the
league's views as to desired reforms, and the
members of the Legislature promised, and ren
dered, all the assistance possible in carrylrfc
through the measures recommended by, the
league.
The following are the bills which were fa
vored jwrticularly by the league, and which
have 'become laws:
Bill Amending the Bancroft Bonding Act.
Through a defect In the old Jaw the city has
been paying, and will continue to pay, Inter
est on the bonds issued for street improve
ments up to the present time. This charge not
only was a large one, but was growing con
stantly. The new law not only remedies this
defect, but also provides that the city may
call street improvement bonds after one year
from date of issue. While it is true that a
bond now may not bring quRe so large a pre
mium as formerly where It was a straight
10-year bond, without being subject to call,
still It does not require a great financier to
see that It Is vastly more to the interests of
the city to use the funds as they come in in
retiring 0 per cent bonds than it is to place
these funds In some depository not only at a
low rate of interest, but also with the pos
sibility of the loss of the entire fund through
some financial crisis.
House bill 224 provides for a special tax for
this year of 2 mills to meet certain emergen
cies, and also authorizes, by a two thirds vote
of the Council, the transfer of funds. This
was a most important measure.
Senate bill 22 provides for a charter com
mission for the City of Portland. This Is the
first time in its history that this recognition
has been rranted the people of the city. The
members of the charter corr.MlssIon belong to
all the political parties and to all the wings
of all the rattles, and It is believed that a
charter will be prepared that will be satis
factory to the majority of the citizens. Under
any circumstances, from an educational stand
point, this work will be invaluable.
Senate Joint resolution No. 3 provides for the
submission to the people of a constitutional
amendment allowing cities to Incorporate un
der a general act and to draft their own char
ters. House bill G2 Is the act consolidating the
offices of Clerk of the County Court, County
Keco.dcr and Clerk of the Circuit Court into
one office, known as the County Clerk. This
law does not take effect until 1002. It un
questionably will result In the saving of a
large amount of money for the county, and,
while it met with opposition. It was passed
finally, and it is believed meets with the ap
proval of the great majority of the people of
this county who have given the subject any
thought.
House bill 0C places the Coroner's office on
a salary, and fixes witness fees at inquests
on the same basis as those paid in criminal
cases in the courts, towlt: No witness re
ceives any fees unless subpenaed more than
two miles from the place of hearing the in
quest. This law also should result In a con
siderable saving.
House bill 07 regulates the purchase of pub
lic supplies. This bill provides that public
supplies can be purchased only after due ad
vertisement and by public bidding, and If this
law is enforced in the spirit in which it was
passed, and by people In sympathy with its
objects, there will be no trouble whatever in
the purchase of supplies for the county. Not
only the United States, but the State of Ore
gon, and the city quite largely, purchase their
supplies in this manner, and it would seem
that the county might use the same method
and that the county officials would be glad, to
be relieved of the responsibility and criti
cism (unjust though It often may be) which
lollows almost necessarily where public sup
plies are purchased privately and at the dis
cretion of the officials.
House bill 180 abolishes the separate Board
of County Commissioners, and constitutes thf
board in the same form that it was prior to
the change made two years ago. Prior to 1898
the law had done good service for many years,
and the return to the old lav will effect a
considerable saving, since the Commissioners
are paid, while serving, a per diem of ?3, and
not a regular salary of $100 a month. The
action of the lcagus In supporting this meas
ure had no politics in it; it had received the
Indorsement of many citizens, and was in line
with the league's demand for retrenchment
wherever retrenchment was possible without
affecting detrimentally the public service.
Senate bill 10, relating to drawing Juries;
Senate bill 33, fixing the fees of county offi
cers, and Senate bill 64, in relation to the
powers of the Circuit Judges in Multnomah
County., have to be considered together. It is
no violation of confidence to say that these
bills received the approval of the Judges of our
Circuit Court and other officials who are rec
ognized as experts on the subjects covered.
Together the three bills will expedite business,
improve the Jury service, and increase the In
come of the county. Once their workings are
thoroughly understood, it is safe to say that
these laws will give satisfaction. In this con
nection it is noted that, without In any way
reflecting on any other official or officials, roost
valuable assistance has been rendered the
league In all of its work by both the Judges
of the Circuit Court and the officers of that
court.
Senate bill 137 affects the office of County
Auditor for Multnomah County, and probably
Is the most important bill for Multnomah
County passed at the last session of the Leg
islature. This bill changes the office of County
Auditor from one in name only to one in fact.
Formerly he was appointed by the County
Commissioners, and simply recorded their acts;
now he is elected by the people, and becomes
a veritable watchdog of the county treasury.
He is under heavy bonds, and is personally re
pponslble for all his acts. All the county offi
cers must make to him, under oath, complete
and detailed reports of the business transacted
by them; no county official can draw any sal
ary unless he shows to the Auditor that he
has been, during office hours, in his office at
tending to county business and Is not Indebted
to the county in any way. The bill also pro
vides a thorough system of statements and
checks and balances. The present incumbent
is retained until the election that occurs in
1902. By this law the County Auditor becomes
the most Important officer today in Multnomah
County.
Senate bill 203 relates to the collection ot
taxes. It is in line with the general wishes
of the people; it makes taxes payable twice a
year; it provides for a heavy penalty If they
are not paid on time, and grants a small re
bate if they are paid In advance; it does
away with all unnecessary copying of the
rolls, the necessity of levying upon property,
and cures many of the defects In the present
law. under which It was found almost Im
practicable to make title of a satisfactory na
ture to property sold for taxes. While the
bill does not do away altogether with the sys
tem of advertising delinquent taxes, it does
provide a maximum rate of 25 cents per line,
which Is much less than has been paid. It
further provides that if this advertising can
not be arranged for as provided, the list can
be posted in three public places in the county,
which posting will take the place of advertis
ing. The bill also provides for the issuance of
certificates for the delinquent taxes to persons
paying the lowest rate of interest therefor, and
the legality of these certificates is guaranteed
by the county. Hereafter there should be no
such thing as unpaid taxes In this county.
The above 4s but a brief summary of this, in
the main, most excellent law.
The league also favored the passage of a
law raising the state tax for the next five
years by an arbitrary basis fixed on the aver
age valuations of the respective counties for
the past five years. While not scientific, the
method is believed to be fair; it did away
with the necessity for an expensive and un
satisfactory State Board of Equalization, and
focused the attention ot all those interested on
the necessity of further legislation on this
subject and allowed time for further consid
eration. In this law was incorporated the
idea of the league providing that after five
years the state tax levy should be based upon
the expenditures for the preceding year of the
respective counties. It Is said this latter pro
vision is unconstitutional; it may be, but be
fore the time comes to test it that question
can be discussed.
Measures prepared by the league making it
a penal offense to pay, as well as to receive,
interest on public money; fixing fees Tor Jus
tices of the Peace, and respecting the Clerks
of the Justice Courts, failed of passage. It
was found that the bill respecting the pay
ment of the Clerks of Justice Courts was not
absolutely necessary, as that matter Is largely
within the discretion of the County Commis
sioners. Though recommended by the league,
no bill was drawn abolishing the office of one
of the Justices of the Peace in Multnomah
County, since it was found that this also
could be regulated by the County Commis
sioners, "as your executive committee fre
quently has represented, the good or bad gov
ernment of the county, with consequent eco
nomical or extravagant methods of conducting
Its public business, depends largely upon the
personnel of the Board of County Commis
sioners. The fdregolng are the principal laws sup
ported by the league. In no law prepared or
supported was there the slightest purpose of
dabbling in politics or of furthering partisan
ends. Measures, not men, principles, not per
sonalities, were what the league desired. Our
aim has been, and should continue to be, the
greatest good to the greatest number. Irre
spective of what particular individual, party
or cause is affected.
Tax Levy 1001.
In January of this year a committee was
appointed to consult with the County Commis
sioners respecting the tax levy for the present
year. This duty was attended to, and a very
material change and reduction was made in
the proposed levy for 1001. It -is believed that
this levy will be found to be more than suffi
cient for all purposes, and If the payment of
the "mortgage tax" is enforced aa" It should,
be, by next January notonly the greater part
of the debt of Multnomah County will be dis
charged, but also a still lower levy can be
made for the ensuing year.
Work on Hnnd Assessment Lavrs.
While the league has done effective work In
the past. It by no means follows that its
labors are finished or its purposes accom
plished. A committee on assessments was ap
pointed last year to revise the assessment laws
of the state, to suggest amendments, and to
recommend ways of raising revenue more In
harmony with modern business methods than
those now In force. This work proved of such
magnitude that Is was found Impossible to
present It at the last session of the Legislature.
This committee, however, is now at work con
sidering not only the laws In a general way,
but also the. question of taxing franchises, the
policy of an inheritance tax, and the collec
tion of licenses or taxe3 from corporations on
filing their articles of incorporation and being
granted authority to do business within the
state. Many of these methods are In opera
tion In other states, and have been found to be
very effective In oalslng revenue, besides, to
some, extent, relieving property, which now
M M M M H t H H M
ONE OF FOUNDERS OF
IBB WHHHIi1 i ' ' lim
jSjHJBjHjVjKjflBHnVv
mBBU- "' jHBpMMif
CAPTAIN JAMES BLAKLET.
BROWNSVILLE, April 12. Captain James Blakley, the oldest Inhabitant of this
section, and one of Oregon's'oldest pioneers, was born in Lynnes Creek, Tenn.,
November 26. 1S12. In 1838 he went to Missouri, where he remained until April
4, 1840, when he started across the plains to Oregon. He arrived In Oregon Oc
tober 0, 1846, and took up a donation land claim, a portion of which forms the
site of Brownsville. He has resided here since.
Captain Blakley has always been. an ardent worker In the upbuilding of the
territory and state, taking an active part In much of the history of both. He
was elected Captain of Company E, In March, 1850, and served three months In
the Rogue River Indian war, at the head of a company composed of his neigh
bors. He was one of the founders of Brownsville, and has held numerous posi
tions of trust during his eventful ca reer in Oregon. He represented Linn qounty in
the Legislature when Senator Mitchell was elected to the United States Senate the
first time. He was married In 1833 to Miss Sarah pjck, of Knoxvlllc, Tenn.,
now deceased. To them 10 children were born,' five sons and five daughters, alt
residing In Oregon except one daughter, who lives In Montana. He Is well pre
served for a man of his years, and takes an active Interest In all that pertains
to the upbuilding and the advancement of the state and his home town.
1
bears the heaviest burden of taxation, of some
of that burden. This committee has been In
structed to co-operate with the Secretary of
State Hon. F. I. Dunbar, who has given this
matter much careful attention. There is no
state in the Union that has such simple and
inexpensive methods of creating corporations
and which in return derives so little benefit
from them and receives so little return for
the protection that It affords and for the priv
ileges that It grants, as does the State of Ore
gon. ,
Charter Commission Street Cleaning
As the charter commission will soon begin
framing a new charter for this city, and as
the county affairs, so far aa the laws are con
cerned, are In fair- shape, the 'executive com
mittee has turned Its attention mainly to the
work of seeing that.the laws arc enforced. In
city matters It proposes to prosecute the mat
ter of street cleaning. Already a large num
ber of' gentlemen from Chicago have been
here; soon the Presidential party will arrive,
and Portland's reputation as a Summer resort
Is growing apace. From sanitary and from
business standpoints the cleanliness of Port
land's streets should be demanded. If from
financial causes the city cannot do It, then by
Individual effort should our streets be kept
clean. Our pavements are miserable make-.
Bhlfts and experiments; let not the fair name
of our city be still further smirched by the
fact that our citizens are so apathetic that
they are content to continue the present un
cleanly condition of our streets and public
places. .
Collection of Taxes.
A special committee ha3 been appointed con
cerning the cost of collecting taxes for this
year, as the new law does not go Into effect
until next year. This cost has been very great
In the past, and members of the league have
not understood the necessity for so much ex
pense. Accordingly, a committee has been ap
pointed to watch this matter during this
Spring.
Membership.
tvio momVioi-shln rt the leaerue has been main
tained without effort, and could be largely In
creased If desired. It has been thought, how
ever, better to have a working membership
thoroughly in accord and sympathy with the
movement than to have a large membership
with no one taking any particular Interest.
The league now has 60 members.
Finances.
From the members of tho league there has
been collected In the past two years the sum
of $1355, and there has been paid out the sum
of $1100 84, as per detailed statement here
with. This amount Includes every item of ex
pense the league has Incurred, and includes
compensation of attorneys, employment of ex
perts, court costs, stenographers' fees, rentals
and Incidentals. An unbiased and careful con
sideration of this report should convince every
member of the league that he has had at least
value received for what money he has contrib
uted to this cause. Not the least benefit result
ing from the work of the league has been the
creation of a better public sentiment, the
arousing of a civic pride, "the awakening of a
sense of personal, Individual responsibility, and
the practical demonstration that. In union there
Is strength. These results cannot bo meas
ured in dollars and cents, but they are worth
more to .the community than money.
In closing, on behalf of the executive com
mittee, I desire to thank the members of the
league for the cordial and unselfish work
which haB been done by each and every one
when called upon to perform any services for
the general good. Respectfully submitted,
A. L. MILLS, President.
WITTER SPRINGS MINERAL WATER
Can be used both Internally and exter
nally. As a nasal douche for nasal and
pharyngeal catarrh, It is a remedy par ex
cellence. For tonsllitls. cankered ore
throat and mouth. It gives Immediate re
lief, and performs a radical cure. As a
face wash it Imparts to the skin a soft
and velvety complexion. It is a sure cure
for dandruff. It gradually removes corns,
warte and tetter. Applied warm as a
spray, it will radically cure Inflamed and
granulated eyes. Send for circular to F.
J. Hellen, sole agent. No. 130 Fifth street,'
Portland.
ON THE WAY TO BUFFALO
OREGON COMMISSIONERS HAVE A
PLEASANT JOURNEY.
Encounter With, a Tacoma Adver
tisementNature's Bast o Presi
dent. McKinley.
NEAR LARAMIE, Wyo., Aprjl 13. (Spe
cial correspondence:) At last we are well
under way to the Pan-American Exposi
tion, to present and exploit the vast re
sources and advantages of Oregon. I
was naturally on the qui vlve on the fir
ing line, so to speak, of observation
when my attention was attracted by sev
eral cars in a passing freight train, head
ed for Portland, bearing banners, "Evap
orated Cream."
The shades of Moses! Taking evapo
rated cream to Oregon, a state conceded
H M H t M M M H H H
TOWN OF BROWNSVILLE.
T
to be one of the finest dairy countries on
earth the proverbial land of milk and
honey, Ted apples and rosy-cheeked girls.
Talk about taking coal to Newcastle; it
isn't a patching in the road alongside of
taking "evaporated cream" to Oregon.
Here is certainly an unoccupied field for
energy, brain, capital and commercial en
deavor. And when I gave vent to my
feelings and cried out: "It is all wrong
all wrong! When will all this 'stop and
the tide of trade turn East?" the answer
rolled back to me In echo from the high
cliffs of the Rocky Mountain. "When!
when! when!"
At Granger we met the Overland Lim
ited, which brought to us fresh papers,
and, being hungry for news, I bought this
morning's Salt Lake Tribune, and one of
the first items that caught my eye was
this:
"W. H. Remington is in the city from
Tacoma. 'Tacoma is handling three
quarters of the exports and Imports, while
It is true that Seattle is handling .three
quarters of the coast traffic,' he said yes
terday. 'Tacoma Is second only to San
Francisco in the matter of foreign com
merce. San Diego does not cut any fig
ure, and is not likely to In the foreign
trade. A city to do much In that line
must have, a neighboring country that la
producing heavily in staple products suit
able for foreign exportation. Washing
ton is a great wheat-producing state, and
Immense quantities are exported, both as
flour and as grain.'
"Mr. Remington Is much gratified over
the success of his mining ventures at
Sumpter and other points in Eastern Ore
gon, where the properties In which he is
Interested are turning out valuable gold
ore. He reports Oregon as a very pros
perous sta'te."
It does not eeem possible that a journal
of the standing of the Tribune would de
liberately publish such a glaring false
hood, when all the world knows that
more wheat and flour is shipped from
Portland and the Columbia River than all
the other ports of the Pacific Coast com
bined. Poor Oregon seem3 to be pecu
liarly unfortunate in being continuously
vilified, misrepresented and lied about.
Who is to blame?
About a mile east of Green River Sta
tion, and perhaps one-half mile south of
the railroad track, is a high bluff, on
which are four promontories, one of which
is of especial interest just at this time.
When we passed here with our "prairie
schooners" 37 years ago we very plainly
discerned the outlines of a face. I have
watched it in crossings and recrosslrigs
of the continent, and observed that the
rains and storms of these many years
carved out what seems a strange phenom
enona most perfect head and profile of
President McKinley. As I pointed It out
J to my fellow-travelers, every one was
impressed with the resemblance. The
thought naturally came to my mind, "Do
coming events cast their shadows before?"
So far we have had a most delightful
journey. What a change from the storms
and blizzards we passed through only
three months ago. We have come along
strictly on time without a jar or a break.
The air Is delightful; the lambs are seen
frolicking on either side: the camas are
timidly' pushing through and showing
their blossoms, and while the gentle
breezes still have a tinge of that pecu
liar sharpness of the commingling of De
cember and May, they whisper to us,
"Spring is here yes, even- In these Rocky
Mountains, Spring, is here."
Grnnd. Avenue Improvement.
A petition for the improvement of Grand
avenue, between Belmont and East Burn
side streets, has been placed In the han&Yj
of Councilman Holbrook. This Is the best
that can be done It was honed to Im-
j prove the avenue between East Clay and
East Burnside streets, but only a few
property-owners south of Belmont sireei
took hold, and the result is that portion
of the avenue will remain in its present
dilapidated condition, unless Independent
action be taken. The promoters of the
Improvement north from Belmont street
are anxious to start work as soon as pos
sible. It Is useless to wait longer for ac
tion southward, as the condition cf Grand
avenue northward is Intolerable.
i
FAITH AND REASON.
Discontent of a Neighbor With Re
cent Oregonlnn Utterances.
The Catholic Sentinel contains the fol
lowing: An Open Letter.
To the Editor of The Oregonian Sir:
For many courtesies extended in the past
to the Catholic clergy and laity of Ore
gon and elsewhere, the Sentinel presumes.
In their name, to return sincere thanks
to your very influential paper. It la to
be hoped, therefore, that you will not
mistake the present letter for a mani
festation of base Ingratitude. Nothing
short of unswerving fidelity to doctrines
which are deemed most sacred by all who
deservedly bear the name of Christian
prompts the writing of this letter. The
Sentinel is "bound in duty to record its
earnest protest, in behalf of its many
Catholic readers in Oregon, Washington,
Idaho, Montana and elsewhere against
certain most un-Chrlstlan and offensive
articles which appear, from time to time,
on the editorial page of The Oregonian.
Indeed, sir, an article appeared on that
page last Thursday, April 4, which all
Christians should regard, not only as of
fensive, but also as blasphemous. Its title
was, "An Inescapable Necessity." Ap
pearing, as it did, in Holy Week, which,
as you undoubtedly know. Is regarded, by
Catholics especially, as the most sacred
period of the year, because during it the
church commemorates the passion and
death of him whom all Christians ven
erate as God and man; that article was
particularly shocking to us. If not ex
pressly, at least by Implication, you de
nied the divinity of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. You declared him Ignorant.
To us Catholics your assertions regarding7
him were like an echo of the derisive
shouts wherewith his executioners ridi
culed his declaration that he was the Son
of God. True, your article did accord him
a gentle, a beautiful, a deeply religious
character; but, whilst this concession af
fords some palliation, it does not cure the
wound that is left In Christian hearts by
the denial of their Savior's divinity. Inci
dental to the main offense given by your
article are several misstatements regard
ing the doctrines of Christ, and untrue
deductions are made. In keeping with the
aforesaid article Is your first editorial in
the Easter Sunday Issue of The Oregon
ian, wherein you attempt to reduce the
great Christian doctrine of Christ's resur
rection to a myth, a pretty story and
hallucination. The Sentinel cannot be
lieve that you really meant to insult your
thousands of Christian readers when you
came before them on last Sunday morning
with your editorial entitled "The Easter
Legend," for In other parts of that same
edition you allowed many beautiful things
to appear regarding the glorious festival.
Apart from your motive, certain declara
tions made in both the articles referred
to, "as likewise also in another editorial,
"Tolstoi's Depreciation of Women," are
not only false, but positively Insulting to
us as Christians. The object of this let
ter Is not to refute your declarations nor
to provoke discussion. Its object is, as
already Indicated, to protest against the
treatment accorded your Christian read
ers by suuh articles as "An Inescapable
Necessity" and "The Easter Legend."
Whilst, as already stated, we Catholics
are grateful for any and all kindness
shown us by The Oregonian In the past,
The Sentinel Is of the opinion that the
favors have not been all one-sided. We
would regret to say anything to our
Catholic readers that would deter them
from continuing their patronage of The
Oregonian, unless' The Oregonian forces
us to do so by the publication of articles
that we cannot "help regarding as most
offensive and pernicious.
If such articles as these referred to con
tinue to appear on the editorial page of
The Oregonian, The Sentinel pledges It
self, not In a spirit of resentment, but
In fearless defense of Christian faith, to
do all in its power to persuade our Cath
olic people In this region to forbid The
Oregonian entrance into their homes. In
matters religious we Catholics refuse to
believe that the supreme and infallible
teaching authority has been transferred
from the chair of Peter to the editorial
chair of The Oregonian. We treasure our
grand old Catholic faith more than our
very lives, and we respectfully decline
to exchange It for the destructive doc
trines of Infidelity. We cannot say you
must stop the publication of such doc
trines, but we can assure you that you
will confer a great favor on an outraged
Christian public if you do stop It.
EDITOR.
The time has been when Christianty
could refuse and did refuse to submit the
credentials of its dogmatic theology to
the inquiry of the world, but that time
never will be again.
A DAY ON THE COLUMBIA
RIVER.
A visit to Portland is Incomplete with
out devoting at least one day to the Co
lumbia River and Its magnificent scenery.
You can leave Portland at 9 A. M. any
day on tho -O. R. &. N. Co.'s palatial
Portland-Chicago special train, lunch at
The Dalles or In the dining-car, be back
at 4:30 P. M., and have seen the most
attractive portion of the Columbia. In
making the trip by rail you obtain a near
view of the many beautiful cascades, the
train coming to a standstill for a few
moments at Multnomah Falls, and
as the track skirts the south bank of the
river the stream and its north shore are
constantly In sight.
Should .you desire a ride on a river
steamer, take the O. R. & N. Co.'s train
at 9 A. M. any day except Sunday, for
Cascade Locks, spend a shont time there,
and then board the steamer as she passes
through the locks en route to Portland.
A more extensive river excursion can
be had by leaving Ash-street dock, Port
land (dally except Sunday), at 8 P. M. for
Astoria, on the O. R. & N. Co.'s fast,
electric-lighted steamer "Hassalo," arriv
ing at Astoria, 100 miles distant, about
daylight; returning, leave Astoria at 7
A. M. (except Sunday), arriving at Port
land about 5 P. M. All meals can be had
on the steamer, and altogether the trip
Is most delightful, restful and comfort
able. Particulars of Willamette River trip can
also be had upon application at the O. R.
& N. Co.'s city ticket office. Third and
Washington. Telephone 712.
No.
HILLSBORO, March 19. (To the Editor.)
Will you kindly state in your valuable
paper whether or not the recent Legisla
ture passed a bill providing for the re
demption of warrants issued by the old
territorial government of Oregon, and If
such a law was passed, give Its pro
visions? L- A. L.
Its least virtue is that
it lasts so.
Soap is for comfort; the
clean are comfortable.
Pears' soap cleanliness
is perfect cleanliness.
All sort of people use it, ail sorts of stores
sell it, especially druggists.
Pears'
G990SvC9SC999v9S
Iff 2
Woman
wants to put out a fire she doesn't
heap on oil and wood. She throws
on water.kno wing that waterquenches
fire. When a woman wants to get
well from diseases peculiar to her sex.
she should not add fuel to the fire
already burning her life away. She
should not take worthless drugs and
potions composed of harmful narcot
ics and opiates. They do not check
the disease they do not cure it they
simply add fuel to the fire.
Draanelds remale
Regulator should b'e
taken by every woman
or girl who has the
slightest suspicion of
any ot the all
monts which af
flict women.
They will simply
be wasting time
until they take it.
The Regulator is
a purifying,
stren gthening
. tonic, which srets
at the roots ofthe
" disease and aures
tho cause. It does not drug
the pain, it eradicates it.
It stops falling of the womb,
leucorrhea. inflammation
and periodical sufterlnjjr, ir
regiuar. scanty or painful
menstruation; and by doing
all this drives away the
hundred and one aches and
pains which drain health
and besuty, happiness and
good temper from many a
woman's life. It is the one
remedy above all others
which every woman should
know about and use.
81.00 per bottle
at any drug- store.
Send for our free
Illustrated book.
The Sradfield
fyguhtor Co.
Atlanta., Gx.
DR. SANDEN'S
ELECTRIC HERCULEX
Is Strength and Vigor
It Is a speedy and reliable cure for nerv
ous debility, rheumatism, lumbago,
sciatica, lame back, kidney, liver and
stomach disorders, poor circulation, sleep
lessness, etc. Call and see me or send
for my new Illustrated book, free.
DO YOUR OWN TH1NKIN&
Read "Health in Nature," Dr. Sanden's
latest work. Contains wonderful informa
tion for suffering mankind.
Dr. A. T. Sanden
Corner Fourth and Morrison
PORTLAND, - OREGON
Fried Foods
Such as fried oysters, doughnuts, fish,
potatoes, etc. don't always "sit well"
in s"ome stomachs. "Too rich," they de
clare; "don't agree with me." Why?
Nine times out of ten because they
have been fried in lard, and what was
charged to richness belonged in the hog
fat column.
Send for a pall of
White
Cottolene
And use that for shortening and frying.
There will be no more complaints of. the
"don't agree" sort, unless you overeat
of these good things.
White Cottolene is an old friend In
thousands of homes where lard was
formerly used, but even at this late
day there are some who are missing a
good thing several of them In the line
of cookery because they haven't been
Using this new shortening agent, made
from pure vegetable oil and beef suet.
It's a clean product, and makes foods
into which it comes better and more
wholesome for its coming.
Order a pall today and test it.
ThcN. K. Fairbank Company
unicago Bote aianuiaciurers.
FREE!
Our dainty booklet.
'A TiihHp Secret "
mailed free to any address. For
two 2c stamps we win sena iree
our 125-page recipe boolc'Homa
Helps," edited by Mrs. Rorer.
No hg fat in Cottolene.
TO CURK DA2JDIIUFF.
It Is Necessary That the Dandruff
Germ Be Eradicated.
"Destroy the cause, you remove the
effect." Kill the germ that causes dan
druff, falling hair and baldness, you will
have no more dandruff and your hair
must grow luxuriantly. Herpiclde not
only contains the dandruff germ destroy
er, but it Is also a most delightful hair
dressing for regular toilet use. No other
hair preparation Is on this scientific ba
sis of destroying the dandruff germ, and
none other claims to be, for the simple
reason that it Is only recently that a de
Btroyer of the germ has been discovered
Newbro's Herpiclde. the only hair prep
aration that actually kills dandruff.
AroIS firybiy Inhal
ants, use that which
cleans, and heals
the membrane.
ELY'S
CREAM BALM
ts ouch a remed7,
cures
CATARRH
enjtlv and oleasantly.
I Contains no mercury
' nor sny other Injurl-
I cua druar.
It la quickly absorbed.
I It Opens and Clean- prtl r h, U C" A ft
s the ?asal Passages, yyj -n H&aft&f
Allays Inflxminatfun.
Heals and Protects the Membrane. Restorw th
Betoos of TaMe and Snail. Regular Size. 60
cents: Family Slxe. $1.00 at DrusglsU' cr. by
mall.
St-Y BBOTHSR.6. MJTafAStreetewJforji
O jWvJSJSrsjra
It flpf v
KSirwk
pHBBppfr
P.S.
CATARRH
THE PALATIAL
0REG01N BUILD
fa
Tiot a darlc office in the bnlltiins;
absolutely fireproof; electric Usui
and artesian water; perfect sanita
tion and thorough ventllatlou. Ele
vators ran day and night.
Room.
AINSLIE. DR. GEORGE, Physician...
ANDERSON. GUSTAV. Attorney-at-Law...tll2
ASSOCIATED PRESS; E. L.. Powell. Mgr..S0U
AUSTEN, F. C, Manager for Oregon and
"Washington Bankers' Life Association,, of
Dea Moines, la ...C02-303
BANKERS' LIFE ASSOCIATION. OF DES
MOINES. IA.; F. C. Austen. Mgr 502-503
BAYNTUN. GEO. R., Manager for Chas.
Scrlbner's Sons .......315
BEALS. EDWARD A.. Forecast OHlelttl U.
S. "Weather Bureau 910
BENJAMIN, R. "W.. Dentist 31
BINSWANGER. DR. O. S., Phys. & Sur.410-U
BROOKE. DR. J. M., Phys. and Surff.. 708-700
BROWN. MYRA. M. D 313-;iW
BRUERE, DR. G. E.. Physician.. .412-413-4W
CANNING. M. J C02-60X
CAUKIN, G. E., District Agent Travelers
Insurance Co 718
CARDWELL. DR. J. R 3tf
CHURCHILL. MRS. E. J 710-717"
COFFEY. DR. R. C. Phys. and Surgeon... 709
COLUMBIA TELEPHONE COMPANY....
. 604-C05-60-y7-013-(U4-aUSi
CORNELIUS. C. "W.. Phyai and Sargejn...2oa
COVER. F. C.. Cashier Equitable Life SfltJt
COLLIER, P. F.. Publisher; S. P. MeGutre,
Manager ........................ ....... ...413
DAY. J. G. & I. N 318
DAVIS. NAPOLEON. President Columbia
Telephone Co JTi
DICKSON, DR. J. F.. Physician 713-14
DRAKE, DR. H. B.. Physician G12-513-3M
DWYER. JOE E., Tobaccos 403
EDITORIAL ROOMS Eighth Floor
EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE SOCIETY.
L. Samuel, Mgr.; F. C. Cover. Cashler....30
EVENING TELEGRAM 325 Aldar street
FENTON. J. D.. Physician and Surg..500-3u
FENTON. DR. HICKS C. Eye and Ear...31K
FENTON. MATTHEW F.. Dentist 500
GALVANI, W. H., Engineer and Draughts
man '
GAVIN, A., President Oregon Camera Club
214-215-210-217
GEARY. DR. EDWARD P.. Physician and
Surgeon 212-218
GIESY, A. J.. Physician and Surgeon.. 700-710
GILLESPY. SHERWOOD. General Agent
Mutual Life Ins. Co 404-4O3-40W
GODDARD, E. C. & CO.. Footwear
Ground Floor. 120 Sixth streer
GOLDMAN. WILLIAM. Manager Manhafe- -
tan Life Ins. Co., of New York 20O-21OP
GRANT. FRANK S., Attorney-at-Law U17
HAMMOND. A. B .....310
HOLLISTER. DR. O. C. Phys. & Surg.WM-WMt
IDLEMAN. a M., Attorney-at-Law. .410-1718
JOHNSON, .W.iC. .313-;n-3VT.
KADY, 'MARK T., Supervisor of AgsnW
Mutual Reserve Fund Life Ass' n.... 604-005
LAMONT, JOHN. Vice-President and Gen
eral Manager Columbia Telephone Co 000
LETTLEFIELD. H. R., Phys. and Surgon.20u
MACKAY. DR. A. E.. Phys. and Surg. .711-712
MANHATTAN LIFE INSURANCE CO.. of
New York: W. Goldman, manager... .209-210
MARTIN, J. L. & CO.. Timber Lands. ...Cni
McCOY, NEWTON. Attorney-at-Law 713
McFADEN. MISS IDA E.. Stenographer. .20,1
McGINN. HENRY E.. Attorney-at-Law. 31U-12
McKINNON. J. D.. Turkish Baths..30O-30U302
METT, HENRY -w
MILLER. DR. HERBERT C, Dentist and
Oral Surgeon W-GM
MOSSMAN, DR. E. P., Dentist.... 312-313-314
MUTUAL RESERVE FUND LIFE ASS'N;
Mark T. Kady. Supervisor of Agents. 604-005
Mcelroy, dr. j. g., Phys. & sur.701-702-703
McFARLAND, E. B., Secretary Columbia
Telephone Co 000
McGUIRE. S. P.. Manager P. F. Collier,
Publisher 13
MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO.. of New
York: Sherwood Glllespy. Oen. Agt. . .404-3-0
NICHOLAS, HORACE B., Atfy-at-Law..710
NILES. M. L.. Cashier Manhattan Life In- '
surance Co., of New York 200
OREGON INFIRMARY OF OSTEOPATHY;
Dr. L. B. Smith, Osteopath 408-400
OREGON CAMERA CLUB. ....214-213-210-217
PACIFIC CHRISTIAN PUB. CO.; J. F.
Ghormley. Mgr. &&
PORTLAND EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY
Ground flcor. 133 Sixth street
PORTLAND MINING & TRUST CO.; J.
H. Marshall. Manager.. 513
QUIMBY. L. P. W., Game and Forestry
Warden ....407
ROSENDALE. O. M., Metallurgist and Min
ing Engineer 513-51U
REED & MALCOLM. Opticians... 10JI Sixth st.
REED, F. C, Fish Commlsalonij. . 407.
RYAN. J. B., Attorney-at-Law.. 417
SAMUEL. L., Manager Equitable Llfe...30O
SECURITY MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE
CO.; H. F. Bushong, Gen. Agent for Ore
gon and Washington B0L
SHERWOOD, J. W., Deputy Supreme Com
mander K. O. T. M 317
SLOCUM. SAMUEL C, Phys. and Surg... 70ft
SMITH. DR. L. B., O-steopath. ..408-400
STUART, DELL. Attorney-at-Law.... 017-Olh
STOLTE, DR. CHAS. E.. Dentist..... 704-705
SURGEON OF THE S. P. RY. AND N. P.
TERMINAL CO 700,
STROWBRIDGE. THOMAS H.r Executive
Special Agt. Mutual Life of New York.. 400
SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE ...........201'
TUCKER. DR. GEO. F.. Dentlat 010-011
U. S. WEATHER BUREAU.. .007-003-009-91O
U. S. LIGHTHOUSE ENGINEERS, 13TH
DIST.; Captain W. C. Langntt, Corps of
Engineers. U. S. A S03
U. S. ENGINEER OFFICE. RIVER AND
HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS; Captain W.
C. Langfltt. Corps of Engineers, U. S. A..S10
WATERMAN, C. H., Cashier Mutual Life
nt New York O1
WILSON, DR. EDWARD N.. Physician
and Surgeon
.304-306
WILSON. DR. GEO. F.. Phys. & Surg.70rt-TO7
WILSON. DR. HOLT C. Phys. & Surg.B0-3n8
WOOD DR. W. L.. Physician 412-413-4W
WILLAMETTE VALLEY TELEP. CO 0W
A few more elesrant offices may be
hnd by applylnjc to Portland Trust
Company of Oregon, 101) Third st., or
of the rent clerU in the lnlllln.
MENS
Cur
2H3
ofly
THE MOLlEKN Al'PLlANci. A yualuvi
way to perfect manuoud. 'lho VaCClM
TREATMENT cures ou without inetlicina o
all nervous or diseases ol tho generative or-;
gans. such a lost manhood, exhaustive dr.iinV.
varicocele. Impoiency, etc. Men ure iiulekly re
stored to perfect hrulth and strength. Writs
for circulars. Correspondt-nce condduntUL
THE HEALTH APPLIANCE CO rooms 47-40.
Saf riwiu Hide . Seattle Wash.
CHICHESTER'S ENGLISH
flrfuiniti anil On It Genuine.
a nrn ivYrtikii I ..u. k-nnt
y(T&M for CIIICIIESTEK'S ENGLISH
tfS'SiS In ltEI H'vl Cold nirtillic boiti IM.
' W i ViM Dnncrrou SulittJtuUcno un j tialUi.
itanr for I'nrtlrul ir. Testimonial
and "Rellrf for Lalle.'m Utter.br re
tarn Mall. 10.0IIO ilnranl. tt!r
"C
xl! I)rarrln. Clilchcxt-r Ohrrnloal n
HtatlcathUoDtr. MmIIoa aiun, miLA.l'A.
Mil
9Mr t4X