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THE MORNING OREGONIAN, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1902.
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Itc xKgoxtiaxx
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T0DAT5 WEATHEn-Shonors. South to
west wind".
YESTERDAY'S "WEATHER Maximum tem
perature, 4(1; minimum temperature. 42; pre
cipitation. 1.42 Inches.
PORTLAND, JIOXDAV, FEBRUARY 10.
IiIBEL SUITS AXD ri'DUC AFFAIRS.
It Is the experience of the responsible
newspapers of the country that the
common expedient of those -whose
wrong-doing is exposed by the press is
the libel suit. It is seldom that The
Oregonian lias been exempt from these
infestations. But, beyond some annoy
ance, slight and temporary, they are
nothing; for, though libel suits in count
less numbers have been brought against
The Oregonlan, in no case, during its
long career, has judgment ever been
given against it. Of the suit brought
by County Commissioner Mack, The
Oregonian will say nothing now, beyond
the etatement that, of all the complaints
ever filed against it, this nnc is the
most ridiculous. The man who trans
acts public business in the way that
Mr. Mack has been shown to transact
it, is clearly wanting in moral intelli
gence: but it is a little surprising to
And him so stupid in his treatment of
the consequences.
The experience of the press is that
the people are always disposed to stand
"by the newspaper that does its duty to
them. Without the aid of the press,
there can be no proper participation of
the people In affairs of their govern
ment, for they will have no sufficient
information upon which to act. It is
the business of the press to be vigilant
in ascertainment and publication of all
facts that relate to the action of public
officials. The Oregonian recently has
discovered and reported certain trans
actions that the people had a right to
know. It believes, and the people gen
erally believe, that there are many
more of similar kind. Indeed, the ques
tion lies on the public mind whether
transactions of this nature do not run
through a very great proportion of the
business of the county.
This sort of men. this sort of dealing,
is the natural fruit of the system of
politics that has grown up among us.
It organizes itself into a machine, and,
through the methods its employs, based
on the influence secured to it by control
of the public treasury, it seeks to per
petuate ite power. It often succeeds in
sheltering itself for a time under pome
great question of National import, as
the .Spanish Tar and its consequences,
or the necessity of sinking everything
else in the contest for maintenance of
the integrity of tho monetary system
of the country; but a time comes when
at lust it is to be called to account. If
this is not the situation the present
year. The Oregonian makes a great mis
take in iu diagnosis and forecast. The
people want sourrd administration at
hohie and creditable, 'efficient repre
sentation at "Washington. To these re
sults they are entitled. To say they
cannot be attained is to proclaim the
hopelessness of popular government.
"WHAT IS Tins TIIAT WE HEAR?
The communication published in The
Sunday Oregonian over the signature,
"A. B.," on "Character in Education,"
indicates plainly, not only that some
thing is the matter with our system of
education as carried on in the public
schools of this city, but it points with
equal plainness to what that something
is. Is it possible, in this age of inquiry
and development, that a large corps of
intelligent teachers are held under the
Inflexible rule of the "system," by the
alternative of dismissal from eervice,
strictly to the dry routine of pages to
be covered in daily recitation, with the
view simply to the promotion of pupils
to the next grade? Again, is it possible
that in the early part of the Spanish
War, when we were making history
rapidly, and National geographical
lines were shifting, a teacher was
warned In effect to stick to the text
books and fall not therein at her peril;
or that, when she found pupils in her
grade very deficient in the first prin
ciples of grammar and arithmetic, she
was further warned by a friendly co
laborer, who had long been in the har
ness, saying, "Don't take time for re
view; you have a certain number of
pages to teach for examination; if you
take time for other work you will fail
on your pages"; or that this advice
she would have been compelled to fol
low had she continued to hold a teach- !
er's position in the public schools un
der the principal by whom her work
was then supervised, and who, as she
says, has since been promoted to a
larger school? And is there not a
.plain hint at the tyranny under which
teachers supervised by at least one
principal work in the timid plea follow
ing this friendly counsel: -"Don't say
that I advised you"? Are the subor
dinate teachers, then, the puppets of the
principals, who are in turn the puppets
of ft higher authority that arbitrarily.
administers a cut-and-dried "system,"
and who is but nominally responsible
to the School Board?
What is this that we 'hear on every
hand of men securely entrenched in
position, who rule Intelligent, hard
working teachers by the uplifted rod
of dismissal if they dare to open their
mouths in protest or pertinent Inquiry?
The stifled breath of scandal; the cruel
stab of injustice borne in enforced si
lence; the strenuous effort to bend
everything to meet the demands of the
"system" is it any wonder that, under
such conditions, the public schools are
not character-builders; that many pu
pils complete the course of studies pre
scribed, and at the end are unable to
pass a creditable examination in spell
ing, arithmetic, grammar and geog
raphy? Truly, "a stream cannot rise higher
than Its source." And if, as asserted
by tiie correspondent who had a hear
ing Sunday, no effort is made in the
public schools under the present man
agement to inculcate self-respect, truth
fulness, honor and pride of character in
pupils, it is high time that new methods
of instruction under new managers
were inaugurated. If this arrangement
is a just one, have we not, under the
name of education, too long paid tithes
of mint and anise and cummin and
neglected the weightier matters of the
law? It is for the School Board to con
sider these questions, and, in the light
of facts that, in the very nature of
things, must be in the possession of at
least a majority of the members of that
body, to make answer by its official
acts that will at once prove its courage,
its discernment and its devotion to pub
lic diity.
I3iritOVE.ME.VT FOR WESTERN
OHKGO.V.
Even the old Oregon & California,
which has so long been regarded as a
third-rate railroad property, an ab
sorbent of good money earned else
where, and a refuge for antiquated roll
ing stock of all descriptions even this
exponent of mossbackism in railroads
is beginning to "take notice" and to
catch en to the spirit of progress that
has made other lines popular and prof
itable. The announcement comes that
it is to indulge in new steel bridges, to
do away with great numbers of moun
tain trestles, and to lay many miles of
heavy steel rails. These improvements,
it is understood, are preliminary to
heavier and more efficient rolling stock
and a general elevation of the physical
condition of the property to the level of
the best modern standard.''. This is
good news for Oregon the best railroad
news it has had in many a day.
Western Oregon has suffered for want
of up-to-date railroad accommodations.
AH it could do was to grumble and feel
hostile to the railroad as an institution.
Local railroad officials had their hands
tied by the powers in New York and
San Francisco. This was not in any
sense a transcontinental line, and it
suffered the fortunes of a feeder that
would not stand alone. It had to get
along with the least possible expense.
Interest on its bonds alone took $964,550
a year, which was more than the road
ever earned above its operating ex
penses. Under the policy that has been
pursued, a floating debt of about $6,500,
000 has been Incurred by the lessee to
keep the thing going. Western Oregon
has been a sufferer from its unprosper
ous railroads, and now that another pol
icy has been entered upon, there !e great
hope of advancement for this very rich
region.
Of course, it requires courage and
faith in the country to Invest money in
improvements under these conditions.
That the Harriman syndicate has this
courage and faith in Oregon is cau?e
for rejoicing. It Is no work of charity,
however. This Is the means taken to
reduce operating expenses, to bring bet
ter economy Into the affairs of the rail
road, to geta broad-gauge business pol
icy installed. The new policy of the
traffic deportment may be trusted to
open the country and get It to produc
ing greater tonnage for transportation
to market. Western Oregon has settled
deep into a rut, and it is no dream of a
midsummer night to get it out; but
the agencies by which this will be ac
complished are coming, and the people
will have every encouragement to enter
prise and broad development. A new
era Is opening, and the wise will not
hesitate to take advantage of it. The
state has long desired this opportunity.
PILOT HEFORM FROHAHLB.
The new Pilot Commissioners for the
State of Washington have announced
their intention of Issuing licenses to as
many competent men as are needed to
maintain a good pilot service at the
mouth of the river. If they follow out
this determination, a second pilot
schooner will undoubtedly be In service
off the mouth of the river before another
busy shipping seascn sets in. The fees
collected last year by the nine pilots
who at present have a monopoly of the
business amounted lo approximately
$45,000. After deducting the cost of
maintaining the schooner, and the 10
per cent paid the tugboats for towing
the- schooner, carrying the pilots back
and forth, and supplying them with
meals, the net earnings would probably
amount to $36,000, an average of $4000
each. This Is a greater yearly stipend
than has ever before been paid bar
pilots, and, despite the fact that the
calling in unpleasant and dangerous, it
Is In excess of the figure at which plenty
of good pilots can be secured. The net
earnings last year were, sufficient to
maintain two schooners on the bar and
still leave over $2500 per month to be
divided among a force of fifteen pilots.
If the Washington Commissioners will
provide the extra half-dozen pilots, for
which there is ample remuneration in
the business, a schooner can be secured
to work in harmony with the Oregon
schooner. The O. R. & N. Co. has of
fered to carry Washington pilots on the
tugs on the same terms as the Oregon
pilots are now carried. This neu
tral attitude of the company would
force the Oregon pilots to work in
harmony with the Washington pi
lots, and an understanding between
them would soon be reached Dy which
the two schooners could be kept on sta
tions far enough apart to render it ex
tremely lmprohable (hat a ship could
come up toward the bar and miss both
of them. The schooner Pulitzer, which
is nominally the Washington pilot
schooner. Is at present controlled by
the Oregon pilots, who own the greater
part of the vessel. She has for a num
ber of years been operated in place of
the Oregon schooner San Jose, which is
not very well adapted to the work.
This would necessitate the commission
ing of another schooner by the Wash
ington Pilot Commissioners, and the
business of the river certainly warrants
such an increase in facilities for han
dling shipping.
The fears expressed by the Oregon
Commissioners that the addition of
more pilots would cut down the remu
neration of those already on the bar
to a point where the best men would be
forced to retire are too ridiculous to
be given serious consideration. An in
crease of six pilots in the number now
employed would still admit of yearly
earnings of nearly $2500 each, and that
figure is sufficient attractive to keep
some pretty good men at work on the
bar.
With an increased number of pilots,
however, it would be necessary that the
pilots retain all of the money that they
earn. There should be no compulsory
presents of costly diamonds to the wives
of politicians. The annual contribution
to political sacks should be reduced
from thousands to hundreds, or even
done away with altogether, and not
one penny should be put up for the
political scavengers who go to Salem
every two years for the alleged pur
pose of checking legislation which
might be detrimental to the pilots.
Perhaps If the pilots could be assured
that they were to keep all of the money
they earn in their dangerous calling,
they would have less objection to ad
mitting a few more workers, and cut
ting off some of the bloodsuckers.
XEA1UXG THE EXD.
It is evident that the British are grad
ually wearing Boer resistance out. De
pletion of the Boer forces compels them
to act in smaller bodies; the block
house system commands all the rail
roads; concentration, subsistence and
movement of such forces as the Boers
still hold together are daily becoming
more difficult. The whole affair may
not terminate at once, but it will be
over before the end of the present year.
From all Indications, It becomes quite
clear that Van Boers are nearlng the
point of exhaustion.
But there will probably be some ne
gotiation at last, as a means -of com
pleting the pacification. Otherwise it
will be difficult to get rid wholly of
guerrilla bands. No one imagines that
independence will ever be conceded to
the Boers. That has been impossible
from the first; and after the sacrifices
Great Britain has made, with progress
of her forces and exhaustion of the
resources of the Boers, no body of pub
lic opinion in the British Empire would
entertain the idea. But the British will
grant local self-government, for the
whole of South Africa, as soon as all
resistance shall cease; and there will
be general amnesty, except In a few
notorious cases, where atrocious acts
have been committed, under guise of
war.
Under British rule a more liberal sys
tem will be established than the coun
try ever has known, and after the
waste of war shall have been repaired
a high degree of prosperity will follow.
The Boers have made a stubborn, rather
than nn intelligent, fight; but their
courage and constancy are qualities of
high order, worth the admiration of the
world.
A XAVAL TOWER BY NECESSITY.
Last year, while the United States
launched only two battle-ships of the
first class, two coast defense monitors
and a number of torpedo-boats, Great
Britain launched thirty-two ships of
war. The Erglish navy today exceeds
the combined French and Russian
fleets, but England needs additional
construction to maintain her superior
ity, for France, which ranks next to
England, and Russia, which ranks next
to France, are pushing on the increase
of their fleets at an enormous cost. The
British theory of naval administration
is that the navy of England should
equal the combined navies of any two
other powers. Next to Russia In pres
ent strength It would be difficult to de
cide between the United States and Ger
many, for, while the United States has
17 battle-ships buiit or building, against
Germany's 14 battle-ships, Germany has
26 second-class battle-ships. On the
whole the United States Navy, meas
ured by its seagoing efficiency and thor
ough equipment, is probably equal to
that of Germany.
If this estimate be correct, the Navy
of the United States ranks at least
fourth, to which rank it has advanced
during the last ten years from a
twelfth-rate naval power. Our cruisers
In speed and efficiency far surpass those
of the German Navy, and In the matter
of armored cruisers of the type of the
New Tork and Brooklyn we have as
good ships as there are in the world.
England remains today what she has
been for more than 200 years, the mis
tress of the seas, not only through her
navy, but through her vast merchant
marine. The growth of England as a
naval power is not wholly due to the
fact that her insular situation made the
people naturally a race of fishermen,
coasters and smugglers. England was
not a naval power of formidable
strength when Genoa, Venice, Spain
and Portugal were enterprising navi
gators and daring sea fighters. The
great discoverers, Columbus, Magellan,
Vasco da Gama, Cartier, Champlain,
were none of them English navigators.
Public danger from Spain forced Eliz
abeth to organize a respectable navy,
but when that danger was over the
English navy under James, who suc
ceeded Elizabeth, sank into a decline.
Public danger under Cromwell made the
English navy the first in Europe, but
under spiritless Charles II the English
navy lost Its supremacy to the Dutch.
Public danger under warlike William
III again restored England to the dig
nity of a first-class naval power, and
rom 16S2 England has been the first
naval power of the world. It was Eng
land's navy, not England's armies, that
really crushed Napoleon by absolutely
wiping out France as a naval power as
early as October, 1S05, 60 that from this
time forward until Waterloo Napoleon
was without a navy. Pressure of ne
cessity to protect her world-encircling
trade and to repel invasion made Eng
land the supreme naval power of the
globe. England became a great fighting
seaman because she was statesman
enough to see that only by supremacy
on the water could she make up for in
capacity numerically to equal the
trained armies of Continental Europe.
There is no more reason why England
should be mistress of the seas than
France, save that England was the first
to appreciate the vital importance of a
great navy to a great commercial na
tion. France has a great coast line full of
splendid harbors on the Atlantic and
Mediterranean. She has a fine seafar
ing population, but the French mind,
which has displayed so much genius for
war on land, never seemed to be equal
to construction and support of a great
navy. It seems singular today that none
of the great captains of Louis XIV ap
preciated the necessity of France be
coming at least the mistress of the Med
iterranean from Gibraltar to Alexan
dria. England was allowed to wrest
Gibraltar from Spain, and since that
date Malta, Cyprus and Suez have
fallen Into English hands. England is
at Aden, at Zanzibar, at St Helena, at
Cape Town, at the mouth of the Persian
Gulf, at Bombay, at Ceylon, at Singa
pore, in Australia, In the islands of the
Pacific, at the Falkland Islands at the
extremity of South America; England
holds naval stations in the West In
dies, holds the Bahamas and the Ber
mudas, so that there is a great circle of
naval stations from Halifax to St. Kltts
and Jamaica. England has accom
plished all this not because she is a
born sailor or descended from a sea
faring race, for the Saxons were an In
land tribe, but because she is a born
trader and man of business, and was
quick to perceive that in order safely to
extend her trade and protect it she
must perforce become the greatest naval
power of the globe. Great Britain has
become a great naval power from the
pressure of business necessity, and it is
not unlikely that the United States will
slowly but steadily become a great
naval power for the same reason.
Our trade is extending by leaps and
bounds into foreign markets. We can
not avoid, if we would, collision some
day with some of the great powers of
the world in a trade quarrel, and the
only way we can make our strength
felt will be through a powerful Navy.
We cannot hope to transport great ar
mies of invasion adross the seas; we
ehall be obliged to do as England has
done fill every great commercial sea
with our battle-ships to protect our
commercial Interests and uphold our
flag. All this will not come .t once, but
some day we are sure to become a great
naval power.
The association recently formed In
this city for the promotion of outdoor
art, public beauty and civic Improve
ment, is worthy the encouragement and
co-operation of our citizens. It is very
appropriately named the "Lewis and
Clark Civic Improvement Association,"
and upon the success of its efforts along
lines designated, and of the progress of
the campaign of education that It pro
poses to Inaugurate in the Interest of
thrift, beauty and cleanliness, the ap
pearance of Portland at the Lewis and
Clark Centennial Exposition will in a
large measure depend. Nature has been
exceedingly generous to Portland. "Of
pleasure situate in hill and dale," river,
mountain view and location, it Is op
ulent. To cultivate, improve and care
for this heritage, so that it will be at
Its best and look its best all the time, is
a duty which will develop into a pleas
ure as the work is taken up in detail
and carried forward.
The appointment of Mr. Arrasmith as
Washington State Grain Inspector will
give that useless office more standing
in both the business and farming com
munity than It has ever had. The fact
that, out of the millions of bushels of
wheat exported from Washington, not
a single bushel Is sold in the foreign
markets on the State Inspector's grad
ing. Is conclusive evidence that the of
fice is superfluous, and a tax on the
farmers, for which they receive noth
ing in return. As it is the wheatgrower
alone who foots the bills, however, it
is eminently proper that the beneficiary
should be one of their own number in
stead of a cheap politician. With Mr.
Arrasmith it was a case of the office
seeking the- man, and the Legislature
which next takes up the task of abol
ishing this fifth wheel on the state
wagon will not find the new appointee
at Olympla lobbying to hold his job.
The Republican State Committee rec
ommends that the primary elections be
held March 22. That day, probably, will
be adopted. All persons who desire to
participate in the primaries, which, un
der the new law, virtually will be the
election, should register before March
22. And since there will surely be a
rush towards the last days, better
register now. For the first time, the
primaries are to be held under all the
regulations of law provided for a gen
eral election. Everj one who desires
can cast his vote and Indicate his choice
for candidates, with assurance that his
vote will be counted. But registration
Is the first requirement. Every voter
should register before primary day, and
there isn't too much time.
The new tax law deals openly, fairly
and in a businesslike way with taxpay
ers. The rebate of 3 per cent allowed
for the payment of the amount of each
individual tax within 30 days from the
date of the opening or the tax roll Is an
ordinary business procedure, which
should make the Sheriff's office a busy
place between now and the 15th of
March. Let taxpayers do their part
to simplify the complex tax system un
der which they have so long chafed by
making prompt payment, taking care
to file their receipts away carefully,
thus reducing taxes to their " lowest
terms, and making lighter a burden
which cannot by any possibility be cast
off.
The illness of the President's son Is
to be regretted, first, of course, be
cause it threatens the life of a prom
ising lad, and then on account of Its
wider significance in view of close
coming events of National and even of
international importance. The trip to
Charleston has already been given up,
to the extreme disappointment of the
managers of the fair, both the Presi
dent and his wife gofag to their son's
bedside at Groton, Mass., Instead. It
is hoped that the danger will have been
safely passed and the lad will be well
on the road to recovery before the
Hohenzollern drops anchor off Sandy
Hook.
A majority of the stock subscribed for
the Lewis and Clark celebration must
be represented at the meeting called
for Wednesday, or no business can be
transacted. Therefore, those who will
not be present at Wednesday's meeting
have been asked to execute proxies and
leave them with the secretary at 246
Washington street In ample time for use
at the coming meeting, when changes
In the by-laws will be proposed and
authority asked to increase the capital
stock of the corporation from $300,000 to
?500,000.
They say that Mr. Mack bases his
claim for $50,000 damages on the loss of
his expectation of being Sheriff. Re
cent disclosures have withered his hopes
In that direction; out of which, follow
ing the linoleum precedent, he reason
ably expected a graft of $50,000.
The 'action of the German Govern
ment against "Eddyism" will tend to
make a martyr of a very cheap sub
ject. Better let it alone, since it is of
the stuff that thrives on free adver
tising. Only one-fourth ef the vote of the
city and county Is registered thus far.
You will get left In the crush of the
last days, if you don't register now.
TRUE POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY.
Chicago Tribune.
A number of objections have been openly
made to the proposition to reduce the du
ties on Cuban sugar and tobacco. It has
been alleged that enough has been done
for the Cubans: that they are not really
in such distress as to need aid; that if the
sugar and tobacco duties arc lowered two
domestic industries will be Injured; and
that if the duty on &ugar should be re
duced the sugar trust will get all tho
good of it and the Cubans none.
These objections have all been answered
fully. Some have been answered by the
men who raise them. The Individuals who
say now that the beet sugar industry will
be destroyed by a concession to the Cu
ban sugar planters are on record as hav
ing explained with great minuteness two
years ago why that industry could not be
harmed by the free admission of Cuban
sugar. Ac regards the objection that the
Cubans are quite well off and need no as
sistance, it Is disposed of by the state
ments of. Governor-General AVood and ot
the President-elect of Cuba. The latter
has Just said: "It will be impossible for
me or any one else to establish a strong
and stable government In Cuba unless
tariff concessions are made to us by the
United States."
There Is another objection which Is be
ing whispered In the ears of Republican
Congressmen by associates who. for
whatever reason, are unwilling to assist
the Cubans. It Is that It will not be po
litically expedient to touch these sugar
and tobacco duties: that to do so will
"hurt the party"; that it will involve the
loss of votes in beet sugar and tobacco
districts, and may mean the loss of the
control of the House of Representatives.
Where a question Involves a moral fcsue
a3 this Cuban question does It is politic
ally expedient to be on the right side or
that issue. It cannot be politically expe
dient for a party to refuse to do what
honor and Justice demand shad be done.
To stick to the right Is the highest expe
diency. To deny to the Cubans that which
a decent regard for the moral obligations
of the republic demands shall be given
them would be to shock the sense of Jus
tice of the American people. It never can
be expedient for a party to do that.
The Representatives of districts in which
beet sugar Is made or tobacco raised
ought not to be stampeded by these hints
that by doing a shameful wrong by dis
honoring their country they will save
themselves and their party from defeat.
These Representatives will invite and will
deserve defeat if they listen to the cow
ardly counsels which are being given
them.
For every voter whom the gift of more
favorable duties to the Cubans may turn
against the Republican party tnere arc a
hundred who will be turned against It by
tho refusal of its Representatives In Con
gress to deal fnlrly, justly and honorably
by theso Cubans, whose distress Is gen
uine and great. Congressmen who as
sume that their constituents are indiff
erent to the moral aspects of questions
which may come before Congress are de
ceived. These constituents are not so
much Interested in American beet sugar
as they are in the maintenance of the
honor of their country, on which these
men who are whispering of "political ex
pediency" would put an Ineffaceable stain.
AX EDUCATIONAL PROBLEM.
The Church Collepje In Competition
"With the Stnte College.
PORTLAND. Feb. 9. (To tho Editor.)
As higher education Is under strenuous
consideration In Oregon, It may not be out
of place to ask whether the matter of
colleges and their maintenance In our
state have not, within the last 20 years
or so, materially shifted. There was a
time when tho church school afforded
the only opportunity for those who sought
the advantages of a college course, but
now that the state has taken up the mat
ter of higher education by establishing
and maintaining a number of excellent in
stitutions, thoroughly equipped in every
way for the training ot men and women
In all tho vocations of life, excepting pos
sibly that of theology, is it necessary or
possible, longer to sustain at Portland,
Salem, Newbcrg, Forest Grove, Lebanon,
McMlnnvllle, Dallas, Jacksonville, Philo
math and Pendleton, schools by private
contributions laid upon the altar of de
nominational prldo?
When no other means of securing an
education existed, the church did well in
providing a way, but does that necessity
exist now? With a multiplicity of church
schools, most of them struggling against
inadequate quarters, scanty appliances
and less than half-paid teachers, wholly
unable under the circumstances to do the
work required, is it not simply sentiment
struggling against utility? It Is perfectly
natural for Christians to prefer for their
children schools of their own church, just
as the Roman Catholic pleads for his
parochial school, a plea which the
Protestant refuses to hear, forcing the
former to support two schools, one by
taxation and the other by private giving.
Furthermore, it is urged that the moral
and religious atmosphere of the state in
stitution Is not just the thing for children
from Christian homes, which may, in
somo respects, bo truo. Certainly this
and other matters are not In all respects
what the regents and faculty wish, but
these governors aro most, if not all of
them, active members of the various
churches', doing everything In their powor
to make some Influence. True, there Is
no denominational propngandism, or In
struction In theology a matter wisely ad
justed by one denomination maintaining
specific religious Instruction for classes
In theology in connection with tho State
University, availing themselves without
trouble or cost of tho literary benefits
furnished at the expense of the state. It
Is understood that other churches are at
liberty to do the same.
While this Is not written as a plea for
the state school, nevertheless It Is by
no means certain that the moral and re
ligious influence in and about tho state
institutions Is inferior to that of the
church college.
The legal right of the state to tax Its
citizens for educational purposes beyond
rudimentary principles Is seriously ques
tioned by many, but the state schools we
have are of a high order, and here to
stay, and scraping to the bone the church
people for means to support what, in some
instances at least, may be considered
needless, If not hopeless enterprises,
seems little elso than emphasizing a con
flict between sentiment and practical util
ity. CITIZEN.
Grovrth Since Sumner.
Independent.
Wo see things differently from what
we did a generation ago. Then San Do
mingo was offered to us. and President
Grant had prescience enough to under
stand the value of the offer. The failure
of the Senate to confirm the treaty was
the chief disappointment of his adminis
tration. We are pleased to remember
that, much as we admired Senator Sum
ner, the Independent earnestly con
demned, his sad and mischievous oppo
sition which killed the plan. Now our
people and our Congress have a clearer
sense of our own advantage and a higher
sense of our stewardship of life, lib
erty and happiness among the nations.
Our Queer Lnrigurnre.
St. Nicholas.
"When tho Kngllsh tongue ire" speak
"Why 13 "break" not rhymed with "freak"?
"Will you tell me why It's true
We say "sew," hut likewise "few";
And the maker of a vcr
Cannot cap his "horse" with "worce"?
"Heard" sound not the same as "heard";
"Cord" 1 different from "word";
"Cow" is cow, but "low" Is low;
"Shoe" Is never rhymed with "foe."
Think of "hose" and "dose" and "lose";
And of "Roose" and yet of "choose."
Think of "comb" and "tomb" and "bomb";
"Doll" and roll"; and "home" and "some."
And since "pay" Is rhymed with "say."
"Why not "paid" with "said." I pray?
We have "blood" and "food" and "good";
"Mould" la not pronounced like "could."
"Wherefore "done," but "sone" and "lone?"
Is there any reason known?
And, In short. It seems to ma
I Sounds and letters disagree.
AMUSEMENTS.
Cordray's Theater was crowded last
night at the first presentation of Mark
Swan's roaring farce, "Whose Baby Are
You?" Miss May Vokes was the principal
fun-maker in her slatternly make-up of
Abigail, tile janitor's daughter, and laugh
ter proceeded at the rate of about a laugh
a minute, with little ones thrown in be
tween. The farce begins when Madge
Morton, who is a blushing maiden of IS,
finds that she is tent by her father to
thu watchful care of an old friend, Walter
Mylton, Sr. In his anxiety to warn his
old friend of the arrival of his only daugh
ter, Mr. Morton writes to Mr. Myiton, Sr..
asking him for old-times' sake to take
good care of his "Baby Madge." When
the letter arrives at the Mylton home, it
is opened by mistake by Walter Mylton,
Jr. (C. W. Bowser), who reads the con
tents to three wild chums -of his. The
latter are puzzled at the Idea of Mr. Mor
ton sending his baby daughter to thejeare
of young Mylton. who is an artistand
lives In tho hope of inheriting his uncle's
wealth some day. But the young men
are determined not to show the white
feather, even at the prospect of the ar
rival of a baby In their midst, and they
buy up the contents of various stores In
their anxiety to furnish the baby with the
-latest toy dogs, cats and rattles, to say
nothing of baby garments.
A German Baron and Baroness, played
effectively by Mr. Fred Runnells and Miss
Cora Macy, arrive at young Mylton's
studio, with their baby reposing in a baby
coach, and young Mylton rashly agrees to
watch the baby while the BaronebS goes
out. The artist's model and sweetheart.
Gladys Penfield, prettily taken by Miss
Rose Tapley, finds out about the arrival
of the mysterious baby in the studio, and
complications ensue. Mylton's michevious
young men friends tell Gladys about, her
Walter's many shortcomings, one of them
being the arrival of the baby at the house,
and Gladys listen?, woman-like, half con
vinced. The janitor's daughter, Abigail, superin
tends the arrival of the baby's toys and
clothes, and adds to the general mix-up
that ensues by feeding the Baron's baby
with ice cream and lobster, and then
hiding the infant, to cover up her crime.
Young Mylton aids Abigail In her comedy,
and lodges the Infant in his private room
to keep its Identity hidden from his beau
tiful model, fearing possible complications.
In- the midst of plot and counter-plot,
the real "Baby Madge," Miss Madge Mor
ton, a part cleverly taken by Miss Ger
trude LIddy, arrives, and she takes up her
residence in the artist's studio, under the
impression that she Is being entertained
at the home of Mr. Mylton, Sr., who Is
absent at the time she calls. Hearing
that a baby is raising at the Mylton
house, the artist's men friends thought
fully send three real babies on the scene,
and at the end of the second act the ba
bies, dressed in white and looking like
sweet little cherubs, arrive in their nurses'
arms.
In the third act Madge Morton kindly
makes known her identity and the mys
tery lessens, and saves the artist's men
friends the pain of pretending that they
suffer from lunacy, with regard to the
baby act. Then the pretty model believes
that her Walter Is faithless und she con
siderately falls in love with one of his
friends, who returns her affection. Nothing
daunted, Walter consoles himself with
Madge Morton. Then Abigail does a vig
orous dance, which nearly brings down
the gallery-
The fun In the farce, is Infectious.
"Whose Baby Are You?" will be the at
traction at Cordray's this week, and It Is
worth seeing.
VAUDEVILLE AT TIIE MAKER.
Splendid Projrrnmme Plenses Two
Lurfjce Houses.
That the season of polite vaudeville at
the Baker has caught the public fancy
was evidenced by the two large houses at
yesterday's performances. The bill is at
tractive beyond the usual vaudeville pro
gramme in theaters on the regular cir
cuit, and when the fact is considered that
it is necessary to bring the artists SCO
miles off the established routes of vaude
ville performers, who make the jump
from Omaha to San Francisco and back
the same way, Manager Baker is evident
ly under tremendous expense In provid
ing an entire show of topllners. The Pa
loma Ladies" Quartet, which holds over
from last week, has made a decided hit,
and last night received an ovation from
old friends and new ones made on the
spot. The Volkyra family, equilibrists,
were newcomers, and presented a splen
did act of difficult balancing. There Is a
refreshing newness to the feats which
makes it go big. Weston and Herbert,
musical comedians, played a number of
selections, and the instruments were as
varied as the repertoire. Weston fur
nishes an excellent brand of comedy with
the music. Carrie Weston, a talented and
versatile little miss, rendered a violin
solo, and then to show some of tho other
accomplishments she possesses did a dif
ficult club-swinging turn and clever danc
ing. May Russell, in Illustrated songs.
caught the crowd, and the pictures were
unusually good. Al Hazzard presented an
amusing and at times clever exhibition
of ventriloquism, a specialty that Is
growing less frequent each year. Haz
zard understands his art, and His per
formance was in every way satisfactory.
Carlta, a girl conjurer and magician, per
formed several new tricks in a most ac
ceptable way. The Carlson sisters in
songs and dances, and Billy "Johnson, a
comedian, in a schoolboy make-up, were
also on the bill. Both acts were enter
taining and found favor with the audi
ence. ONE THEATER IS EX OUR II.
Maunder Uakcr Gives Up linker City
Opera-XIonse Management.
BAKER CITY, Feb. S. George L.
Baker has resigned as manager of the
opera-house In this city. Mr. Baker came
up from Portland to attend a meeting of
the board of directors of the opra-house
Thursday evening, and returned to Port
land on the early train yesterday morn
ing. Before returning he placed his
resignation in the hands of the president
of the board and at a meeting held last
night it was accepted. Lee II. Pearl, who
has been the local manager under Mr.
Baker, stated last evening that I. H.
McCord had been selected to fill Mr.
Baker's place. It is understood that the
new manager will make a complete
change In the force around the opera
house. TiIOHJESKA AXD .7 AMES.
Production ot Henry VIII liy Com
pany Heaiieil by Kumons Star-.
Wagenhals & Kemper's production of
"Henry ArIII," which will be presented
tonight and tomorrow night at the Mar
quam by Louis James and Madame Mod-
jeska, Is a production- said to vie with the
best efforts of either Sir Henry Irving
or Richard Mansfield. The play Is one of
the most popular on the American stage,
and it is replete with spectacular effects.
The special Incidental music, written by
Carl Busch, and the work of the chorus
and ballet materially enhance the real
ism of the court pageants and functions.
Queen Katherlne, who stood as a pillar
of moral grandeur and exalted purpose in
a sea of corruption, could have no greater
exponent than the famous Polish actress.
Mr. James should be no less brilliant
in portraying the insatlablo and over
reaching ambition of the crafty cardinal.
Rupert of Hcntxnu.
The cast of "Rupert of Hentzau,"
Anthony Hope's sequel to the "Prisoner of
Zenda," which will be produced at the
Marquam on Friday and Saturday even
ings, is headed by such well-known play
ers as Harry Lelghton, as Rudolph Ras
sendyi, and Miss Charlotte Tlttell, as
Queen Flavia. "Rupert of Hentzau" is
popular with Eastern theater-going peo
ple, and its Initial appearance In Port
land promises to be well received. The
supporting company has been especially
engaged for their particular ability. The
scenery, costumes and Investures are di
rect from the artists of Daly's and the
I Lyceum. Theaters, in New York.
NOTE AND COMMENT.
Today's weather Assorted.
Marconi is keeping quiet. Is he court
ing another girl?
Why not build a canal across Chill, the
Andes and Brazil?
It is understood that there Is some little
political talk around town.
It is hard to see the point of a tack
when you are at the butt of It.
AVc might as well make "The Wacht am
Rheln" the national anthem and be dona
with it.
Kipling hasn't written any poetry late
ly, and John Bull is beginning to have
a relapse of chestlncss.
Thirteen persons were killed in a. Pan
ama church Saturday. Now can anvono
say that 13 is not an unlucky number?
The Kaiser Is making a fight against
Mary Baker G. Eddy. When autocrat
meets autocrat there is going to be
trouble.
Prince' Henry's special train will have
no car for newsparer correspondents.
But then. It must be remembered that to
Is not running for any office.
It Is announced that the Boers were
taken by surprise and defeated. But It
Is natural for them to be surprised- when
they happen to lose a battle.
A canvassing committee has a field in
cluding newspapers, reporters and feed
stores. Why were threshing machines
and camclopards discriminated against?
There are still a few sections of New
York which have not fallen victim to the
seemingly general .belief that gunpowder
and dynamite can be treated like railroad
baggage.
President Roosevelt will not allow Col
onel Roosevelt to be brevetted for gal
lantry. This jealousy of the reputation
of a brave officer Is certainly an un
worthy trait.
The New York statute against prize
fighting was passed by the Legislature
on the express recommendation of Gov
ernor Roosevelt in his annual message of
1000, and the bill was approved by him
as Governor. In his message Governor
Roosevelt said: "Athletic sports are ex
cellent when treated as what they should
be, that Is, as healthy pastimes; they be
come harmful If Indulged In to excess,
and If their Importance In relation, to tho
serious work of life Is misestimated; and
still more harmful when twisted into ad
juncts of brutality or gambling."
A monument has been erected at the
old Pawnee Indian village, near the town
of Courtland, Kan., to tho memory of.
Captain Zebulon Montgomery Pike, U. S.
A., who, at that place on September 2),
1S0G, pulled down a Spanish flag and
raised the Stars and Stripes. It was tho
first time and place tho then new Na
tional flag had been raised west of tho
Mississippi. From tho place In Kansas
where the monument has now been .dedi
cated. Pike went west along the Arkansas
River, and camped near the springs now
known as Manltou, at the base of the.
great peak which bears and perpetuates
his name. The land for the monument
site was given by Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson,
and the Legislature appropriated, tho
money for the monument. The man thus
honored, the soldier-explorer, Pike, was
killed In 1S13 In the attack on Toronto
(then York) by the explosion of the mag
azine of the captured fort.
On the railroad running between Buf
falo and Olcott, N. Y., an electric loco
motlvo has been In operation handling
freight cars for three years. It has
pulled up 24 loaded freight cars at ono
time, but usually 16 to 18 cars make up
a train. Tho speed Is about 30 miles an
hour. The company has also developed
the past season the trolley freight car
for handling fruit and vegetables. Tho
car Is of the ordinary freight and express
car type, 32 by Ca feet, and furnished
with a motor similar to that of an ordin
ary street-car. Late in the evening tho
fruit and tho farm products are placed
on tho car at Olcott and arrive In Buf
falo about 3 A. M ready for the early
market. This season tho company will
haul all sorts of farm products. Tho
present rate of 40 cents per 100 pounds
will be reduced when the system Is thor
oughly organized. A conductor, motor
manand two assistants are employed for
each car, which carries fruit, vegetables
and poultry. The freight motor car car
ries rail wagons as trailers, which take
the load unbroken In the wagon from,
the time It Is loaded until It Is delivered.
This rail wagon Is a combined road,
wagon and railway truck, animal power
being used on the highway, and electrlo
power on tho rail tracks the skeleton
truck being placed under and between
its wheels when elevated some six inched
above the bed of the roadway.
Mr. Hnrrlmnn an a. Humorist.
Indianapolis Sentinel.
Mr. Harriman really outdid himself In
his explanation to the Interstate Com
merce Commission of the benefits of the
Northern Pacific combination. In' re
ply to a suggestion that It would enablo
the company to control rates, he said
that the complaint had been made that
rates were too high and "we may be able
to stop the discrimination In rates of ono
shipper against another." Considering
the recent testimony before the commis
sion, the Idea that complete control by
railroad officials would eliminate discrim
ination in rates is quite humorous. But
Mr. Harriman has a humorous vein. Ha
seriously argued to the commission that
competition could not cause any per
manent reduction in rates.
PLEASA!S"TRIES OF PARAGRAPHERS
An Honored Name. "Remember," said tha
Impressive person, "that your ancestors hava
left you an honorable name." "Well," an
swered the titled youth, ruefully, "It Is all
right on a visiting card; but It Isn't much ac
a bank." Washington Star.
Teacher (taking tlje class In English history)
Now. William Johnston, what happened on
the 5th of November? William (readily)
Please, sir. our Henry got his finger blowed
oft and dad singed off all his whiskers. Tlt
Blts. Mother But, Jacky, I don't think a clock-'
work engine would be a good toy to give baby.
He's such a little thins, he'd only break It.
-Jacky Oh. but mother, I'd promise you I'd
never let him even touch It I Punch.
Some Consolation. "Ah 1" sighed the young
widow, "no other man can ever fill poor John'3
place. I loved him from the bottom of my
heart." "Of course," rejoined the 4ympathetla
friend, "but you know there Is always room at
the top." Chicago Dally News.
Too Much for Him. Civil Service Examiner
(very sternly, to Era-tus Smith, colored, who
aspires to the office of mall-carrier) How far
Is It from the earth to the moon? Erastus (In
terror) Golly, boss! cf you's gwlne to put ma
on dat route I don't want de Job. Judge.
Rigidly Exact. "A cood man has gone."
wrote the editor of the Hickory Ridge 211s
sourlan. In winding up his obituary of Colonel
Woppajaw. "He was honored and respected
by all. and a large concourse of sympathlzlng
friends and neighbors follqwed to the tomb all
that was mortal of our distinguished citizen,
except a leg. which he had the misfortune to
lose while fighting bravely at Chlckamauaa. 33
years aso." Chicago Tribune.
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