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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 1907)
THE MORNING OREGOXIAN, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1907. 1. IRK Tl! E Humorist Opens Batteries of Wit on Church Founded by Mrs. Eddy. BELIEVER MAKES REPLY David B. Ogden Says New Book Is Rehash of Mr. Clemens' Former Articles and Accuses Him of a Luck of Consistency; Vhen Murk Twain takes up the ques tion of Christian Science he deals with it in his characteristic manner. His new bonk on the subject, whirh will be put out by the Harpers this week, is a com bination of smiles and tears, of satire in the form of humorous dialogue and of tribute to what lie regards as worthy in the cult which he assails. "My purpose," writes Mark Twain, in his preface, "has been to present a character-portrait of Mrs. Kddy. drawn from her own acts and words solely, not from hearsay and rumor; and to explain the nature and scope of her monarchy, as re vealed in the laws by which she governs it. and which she wrote herself." The book opens with the presentation of . one of his basic arguments in the form cf a droll narrative. Somewhere in Austria he has fallen over a cliff, and. no - physician being within finding: distance, a Boston Chris tian Science doctor, summering not far away, is sent for. "It was nisht by this time, and she could not conveniently come, but sent word that it was no matter, there was no hurry, she would pive me 'absent treat ment' now, and come in the morning; meantime she begged mo to make my self tranquil and comfortable and re member that there was nothing the mat ter with me. 1 thought there must be Eom mistake. " 'Did you tell her I walked off a cliff 75 feet high?' " 'Yes.' "And struck a boulder at the bottom and bounced?' " 'Yes.' " 'And struck another one and bounced again?" " 'Yes.' " 'And broke the boulders?" " 'Yes." " 'That accounts for it; she is think ing of the boulders. Why didn't you tell her I got hurt, too?' " 'I did. 1 told her what you told me to tell her; that you were now but an incoherent scries of compound fractures extending from ' your scalp-lock to your heels, and that the comminuted projec tions caused you to look like a hatrnck." " 'And was it after this that she wished me to remember that there was nothing the matter with me?" " 'Those were her words.' " imaginary Ills Uncomfortable. But the next morning the Christian Scientist arrives, and at length Mark Twain says: " 'I am full of imaginary tortures, but 1 do not think I could be any more un comfortable if they were real ones.- What must I do to get rid of them?' " "There Is no occasion to get rid of them, since they do not exist. They are illusions propagated by matter, and mat tor has no existence; there is no such Uiing as matter." " 'It sounds right and clear, but yet it eems in a degree elusive; it seems to slip through just when you think you are getting a grip on it " 'Explain.' " 'Well, for instance; if there is no such thing as matter, how can matter propagate, things?" "In her compassion she almost smiled. She would have smiled if there were any such thing as" a smile. "''It is quite simple,' she said; 'the fundamental propositions of Christian Science explain it, and they are sum marized in the four following self-evident propositions: 1, God is All in all. 2. God is good. Good Is mind. 3. God, Spirit, being all. nothing is manor. 4. Life, God omnipotent good, deny death, evil, sin, disease. There now you see.' " "It seemed nebulous; it did not seem to say anything about the difficulty in hand how non-existent matter can propagate illusions." Mark Twain asks: " -What Is the origin of Christian Science? Is it a gift of God, or did it Just happen?' '" "In a sense, it is a gift of God. That is to say, Its powers are from him, but the credit of the discovery of the pow ers and what they are for is due to an American lady." Last of Disease and Death. 'Indeed! When did this occur?" "'In 1861). That is the immortal date when pain and disease and death dis appeared from the earth to return ro more forever. That is. the fancies for which those terms stand disappeared. The things themselves had never exist ed; therefore, as soon as it was per ceived that there were no such things, they were easily banished. The history and nature of the great discovery are set down in the book here, and " "Did the lady write the book?" "Yes. she wrote it all herself. The title is "Science and Health. With Key to the Scriptures"" for she explains the Scriptures; they were not under stood before, not even by the twelve Diciples. She begins thus I will read it to you:' " "But she had forgotten to bring her glasses." Mark Twain recognizes in Christian Science more unusual and greater pos sibilities than any new religion the history of the world has hitherto of fered. Remember Its principal great offer; to rid the race of pain and disease. Can it do so? In a large measure, yes. How much of the pain and disease in the world is created by tile imagina tion' of the sufferers, and then kept alive by thoRe same imaginations? Kour-fifths? Not anything short of that. I should think. Can Christian Science banish that four-fifths? I think so. Can any other (organized) force do it? None that I know of. Would this be a new world when that was accomplished? And a pleasanter one for us well people, as well as for those fussy and fretting sick ones? Would it eem as If there were not as much gloomy weather as there used to be? I think so. "A little far-Western girl of !, equipped with an adult vocabulary! states her age and says. I thought I would write a demonstration to you.' She had a 'claim, derived from getting flung over a pony's head and landing on a rockpile. She saved herself ' from disaster by remembering to say 'God Is AH' while she was in the air. I couldn't have done it. I shouldn't even have thought of it. I should have been too excited. Nothing hut Christian Science could have enabled that child to do that calm CHRlSTlAiJ SCiFii IJ and thoughtful and judicious thing in those circumstances." Looks for Marvelous Growth. He takes up the swift and remark able growth of the sect, and believes it likely that "Christian Scientism" is des tined to make the most formidable show that any new religion has made in the world since the birth and spread of Mohammedanism, and within a cen tury from now It may stand second to Home only in numbers and power in Christendom." . He comments on the personal honors paid to Mrs. Bddy, and exclaims: "How long do you think it will be be ! fore it is claimed that Mrs. Eddy is a redeemer, a Christ and Christ's equal? Already her army of disciples speak of her reverently as 'Our Mother.' How long will it be before they place her on the steps of the throne beside the Virgin and later a Vtep higher? First, Mary the Virgin and Mary the Matron; later, with a change of precedence, Mary the Matron and Mary the Virgin." Mark Twain next turns his attention to the finances of Christian Science, and enumerates some of the many sources of income of what he ' terms the "trust" ) that is, the ruling clique centering about Mrs. kddy. He estimates that within a few years the annual income will be reck oned in millions of dollars, and that in time it will be well above an annual bil lion. Then he makes the grave charge that the "trust" has no charities to. support, or even to contribute to. "I have hunted, hunted and hunted, by correspondence and otherwise, and have not yet got upon the track of a farthing that the trust has spent upon any worthy object." Admiration for Mrs. Kddy. He does not stint words in expressing Is admiration for Mrs. Krtdv's remark hi able qualities, and says: "It is quite within the probabilities that a century hence she will be the most Imposing figure that has cast its shadow across the globe since the inauguration of our era." But he turns for a few moments to Mrs. Kddy's human weakness, and quotes sam ples of what she publishes under "the holy name of 'poetry'." Mark Twain examines the basis of Mrs. Eddy's absolute and autocratic rule. There is a board of directors but Mrs. Eddy must personally approve every can didate. The president is chosen, subject to her approval. No by-law can be al tered unless she personally approves. The officers are elected for short terms only, so that, should they become dangerous, she may promptly put in satisfactory suc cessors. And, moved out of all patience by what he deems human credulity, he exclaims that he sometimes thinks it "a pity that Noah did not miss the boat"! He gives a charming picture of Mrs. Eddy as she appears to her followers: "Patient, gentle, loving, compassionate, noble-hearted, unselfish, sinless, widely cultured, splendidly equipped mentally, a profound thinker, an able writer, a divine personage, an Inspired messenger whose acts are directed from the throne, and whose every utterance is the voice of God. "She has delivered to them a religion which has revolutionized their lives., ban ished the gloom that shadowed theiri and tilled them and flooded them with sun shine and gladness and peace; a religion which has no heli; a religion whose heaven Is not put off to another time, with a break and a gulf between, but begins here and now. and melts into eter nity as fancies of the waking day melt into the dreams of sleep." MAKK TWAIN NOT CONSISTENT Admits Powerful Agency for Good, Yet Derides, Says D. B. Ogden. David .B. Ogden. chairman of the C hnstian Science committee on publica tion for Oregon was asked to give a statement of the Christian Science view of Mark Twain's book and after ex amination of the advance sheets said: "Mark Twain's attempt to offer the public as new matter humorous remarks on Christian Science written by him about four years ago, and at that time answered in the magazine in which they appeared would not seem now worthy of special comment but for the fact that Mr. Clemens has taken advantage of a time when other efforts to misrepresent Christian Science are calling the atten tion of the public to this subject In a marked degree. However, his witticisms will hardly be taken seriously. 'Those who may read his scoff at absent treatment, will inevitably be re minded that the founder of Christianity gave several examples of healing spirit ually, although absent from the patient, notably the case of the centurion's ser vant. Anyone at all acquainted with Christian Science practice would know that his absurd version of an absent treatment has no counterpart in actual practice. The attempt to make fun of the trusting faith of a little child in the power of God it Is believed will not commend itself even to the most ardent admirers of this well-known humorist. "The reference to Mrs. Eddy as 'our mother' and the other personal' insinua tions relative to the "Virgin" were suf ficiently answered by Mrs. Eddy herself some four years ago, in a letter to the New Y'ork Herald, a portion of which I will quote: "' "It is a fact well understood, that I hegged my students who first gave me the endearing appellative "mother" not to name me thus. But without my con sent that word spread like wildfire. I still must think the name is not appli cable to me: I stand in relation to this century as a Christian discoverer, founder and leader. I regard self-deification as blasphemous: I may be loved more, but I am less lauded, pampered, provided for, and cheered, than others before me and wherefore? Because christian Science is not yet popular, and I refuse adulation. 1 have not the inspiration or aspiration to be a first or second Virgin-mother her duplicate, antecendent. or subsequent. What I am remains to be proved by the good I do.' "Mark Twain seems to think that Christian Scientists are not charitable. Modern scientific philanthropy 'recognizes that the best charity is that which en ables the recipient to dispense with charity. Christian Science aims to lift its adherents above- the abject plane where they are dependent upon others, either because of physical incapacity or mental inability. At the time this criti cism of Mark Twain first appeared, in it was answered as follows in a New York Magazine: 'In helping others to escape from the bondage of poverty. Christian Scientists are dally preform ing a great number of acts of charity which are for the knowledge of giver and recipient alone. It does not occur to them to tabulate these acts and furnish reports of them to the public, nor does the Christian Science denomination issue any bulletin of these acts.' "Mark Twain has something to say about the finances of Christian Science. His comments were answered at the time they were first made, and I will quota .from the reply made at that time: " 'That the business affairs of the Christian Science denomination are on a sound financial footing is conceded. Is there any fault to find with that? Is it not rather a welcome mark of stability and good faith that this denomination can meet all Its liabilities as they grow, can ' erect its own churches, and at its own cost maintain free reading-rooms and free lectures to which the public have access without charge? Is It not a virtue that it needs no fairs, bazaars, etc., and that none of its churches are dedicated until paid for?.... " 'There is no doubt that executive and business skill are needed to manage the affairs of so great and active an or ganization, but because success attends this management, is It necessary to call the denomination a trust? All Teligious denominations supervise the instruction of their teachers and license their clergy men. They owe this to the public as well as to themselves. Such restraints are justified by general opinion in the case of all denominations. "VVhy should any one consider them as marks of a trust when applied by Christian Scientists?" "Notwithstanding his ridicule and humorous references. however. Mark Twain pays to Christian Science the highest tribute it has yet received from an outsider in that he declares it to be the most powerful force for good in the world today, and that it is destined to deliver the human race from sickness, suffering and disease. Mark Twain un doubtedly believes such an estimate to toe true, or he would not have written as he has, and yet he places himself in the incongruous position of ridiculing a sys tem of religion which he himself declares heals pain and disease, and is able to dlstroy human suffering to a greater ex tent than 'any other organized force" in the world." GAMBLING BILL IS SLAIN SENATE CONSIDERS NEWELL'S MEASURE UNNECESSARY. Pool Selling Particularly Was Aimed at by Author, but AH Other Games Were Mentioned. SALEM, Or.. Feb. 22. -Special.) Rep resentative Newell's bill prohibiting gambling 'With cards and games of chance of all kinds, including specifically pool selling, was "defeated in the Senate today, receiving but 15 votes on final passage. Those opposing the bill ex plained that the offenses sought to be covered by the bill are already prohibited by state law and they did not see the need of further encumbering the statute books of the state. Those supporting the bill were Bailey, Booth, Coshow. Hart, Hodson, Johnson, Kay, Miller of Linn, Miller of I, inn and Marion, Nottingham, Sichel. Smith of Marion, Whealdon, Wright, Haines 15. . Noes Beach, Bingham, Bowerman, Caldwell, Coke, Cole, Hedges, Loughary, Laycock, Maiarkey, McDonald, Mulit, Scholtleld, Smith of Umatilla 14. Salaries of the superintendent of the asylum and the assistant physicians at the insane asylum are advanced by the conditions of Representative Reynolds' bill, which was passed by the Senate tonight. This bill repeals that section of the code which appropriates annually $2400 for the services of two consulting physicians at the asylum and distributes that amount among the staff of physi cians at the asylum-. Vawters bill creating the office of Deputy Fish Warden for Southern Ore gon had a close call in the Senate to night, being passed by only 17 votes. The deputyshlp carries a salary of J1000 per annum. The shortest bill of the session was passed by the Senate tonight. It is Free man's measure declaring dogs to be per sonal property. SENATE KILLS JACKSON'S "STRAIGHT TICKET" BILL. Majority Report! Recommending Passage Is Rejected Principle Triumphs Over Party. SALEM, Or., Feb. 22. (Special.) The form of the official ballot will not be changed for at least another two years, Jackson's bill (House bill 31). being indefi nitely postponed in the Senate this morn ing. This bill provided for changing the form of the ballot so that an elector de siring to vote the straight party ticket could do so by marking a cross in a circle at the top of the ballot over the list of his party's candidates. If the voter wished to vote a mixed ticket, he could do so by failing to mark the circle at the top of the column and then mark a cross in a small square at the right of the name of each candidate on the ballot that he wished to vote for. The minority report of Senator Miller of Linn, of committee on elections and privileges, being against the bill, was sub stituted for the majority report, signed by Beach and Whealdon. and. on mo tion of Miller, the further consideration of the measure was indefinitely post poned. Whealdon supported the majority report for the favorable consideration of the bill, contending that the proposed change in the form of the ballot was necessary to the perpetuity of party and party prin ciples, which . he considered indispensable to good and responsible government. Miller of Linn, in an able speech, at tacked the bill and urged the substitution of the minority for the majority report. He said this was the third time that an attempt had been made to Interfere with the form of the official ballot. "I do not desire to discus's this meas ure at length," he said, "but I do wish to warn the members of this Senate that whenever they attempt to trifle with the sacred rights of the ballot, they are trifling with something they would bet ter let alone."' He declared that there was no demand for the proposed change and explained that men now placed prin ciple above party. Beach said Miller was in error, in that the bill did not contemplate any change In the direct primary. ' On the1 contrary, it provided only for an amendment to the general election law. He said the meas ure involved a question of party and prin ciples, not of men and individuals. He said the change that was asked in the law would in no way Interfere with a man voting for the candidates of different parties but It would greatly simplify the matter of marking the ballot for such as desired to vote for their party candidates and the principles for which they stood. Nottingham supported the minority re port as did also Maiarkey, who said he placed patriotism above partisanship. "I am one of those Republicans," he declared, "who would rather see an hon est Democrat in office than a dishonest Republican." Kay inquired as to the use of devoting so much time to such a bill when it was certain to receive the veto of the Gov ernor, as did a similar measure four years ago. lAiley spoke briefly for the majority re port and a vote' being taken, the minority report was substituted for the majority report by a vote of 18 to 11, as follows: Ayes Bingham, Caldwell. Coke. Cole, Coshow, Hart. Hedges,' Kay, Laylock, McDonald. Miller (Linn), Miller (Linn and Marion). Hulit, Nottingham, Smith (Umatilla), Wright. Haines 18. Noes Baley. Beach, Booth, Bowerman, Hodson, Johnson, Laughary, Schofleld, Sichel, Smith (Marion), Whealdon 11. Absent Mays 1. On motion of Miller (Linn), the bill was then indefinitely postponed. European Grain Markets. , LIVERPOOL. Feb. 22. In the grain mar ket today prices closed follows: Wheat Spot, steady: No. 2 red Western Winter, 6s. Futures March, 6 6d; May, 6s 5d: July, es 21. In the I,ondon market Pacific carg-oes, prompt shipment, 30s 3d q 30s 6d. Market, steadier. J Weather In England today, cold. WITH WEEPING EYE Bailey Completes His Tirade Against Enemies. HEARST IS WORST OF ALL Accused Senator Says He Always Paid What He Borrowed and Never Took Fees for Officjal Aid. AUSTIN, Tex., Feb. 22. Senator Bai ley was upon tne stand before the leg islative investigating committee all this morning under a cross-examination. The principal statements brought out were assertions by Mr. Bailey that, while his critns had repeatedly tried to show that he only performed pub lic service for private gain, the facts showed that they were presenting falsehoods to further their ends; that, while they had placed many men upon the witness stand to prove that he had borrowed money from them, they had selected only his special friends as wit nesses, and had been very careful not to summon as witnesses hundreds of men from Texas, for whom he had done great service in Washington in many ways, and from whom, he said, he never asked nor received the slightest compensation; that all the insinuations and sugges tions that he had done service for pe cuniary remuneration not only were unjust, untrue and most contemptible, but evidenced to what ends his enemies were being driven to besmirch his name and attempt to wreck him. The House committee voted to close the investigation Friday afternoon, but there was a deadlock in the Senate committee. The House committee ad journed until Saturday morning. Mrv Bailey made his closing state ment during the afternoon, in which he said the investigation was the result of political conspirators, for which he charged William R. Hearst was re sponsible. Mr. Bailey characterized the charges brought by Representative Cooke as calumny. He wept as he told of the alleged persecutions by his political enemies. He said that Pres ident Sam Houston had been persecut ed and that Stephen F. Austin had been driven into retirement by the per secutions of their political enemies in Texas. . The present indications are that the investigation will be transferred to the floor of the Legislature. COFFEY BILL MUTILATED (Concluded on Pane 3.) perceived until after passage in the Senate. The Hodson amendment was sprung so suddenly and so little study was devoted to it, that its true signifi cance was not realized tonight on pas sage. Friends Give Vp Fight. Tonight Nottingham and Maiarkey al lowed the bill to pass without fighting it. Nottingham said the bill as amended was not a bill he wanted, and believed that the amendment reported by the minority the better of the two. Maiarkey sup ported the bill for the moral effect that might follow by which the gas company and the City Council might adjust the matter satisfactorily. Hedges said ho voted against the bill satisfied that the conditions imposed .by the majorlty amendment would not be complied with by the City of Portland. Hodson said his opposition to the original bill was based on the fact that it undertook to annul a franchise that was granted SO years ago without presum ing to compensate the holders thereof. Beach, Bailey, Sichel and Hodson submitted the majority report, propos ing the following amendment: That section' 3 be amended as follows: This act shall take effect and be In full force from and after December 31, 1007, provided that before this act shall take ef fect the City of Portland shall cause the value of both and each of said franchises mentioned in sections 1 and 2 of this act to be ascertained ' by a court of competent jurisdiction and shall pay to the successors in Interest or assigns of said Henry D. Green, and to the successors in interest or assigns of said Al Zleber- the value so as certained. In a minority report Maiarkey and Nottingham proposed the following amendment: Add to section 3 the following language: 'Provided, however, that this act shall not become operative unless before said date sid City of Portland shall grant or tender to the holder or holders of the right con ferred by the legislative act described in sections 1 and 2 of this act a franchise which shall, in accordance with the provi sions of the present charter of said city, confer upon said holder or holders for a term of not less than 15 nor more than "J."i years the risht and use to lay and extend gas pipes and apparatus for the convey ance of gas in and through and throughout those portions of said city in and over and throughout which said holder or holders may be rightfully and lawfully exercising such right and use under and by virtue of such legislative acts." Debate on Compensation. Beach moved the adoption of the ma jority report, but Nottingham amended the motion to substitute the minority for the majority report. Beach, in sup port of his motion, said that four of the six Multnomah Oounty Senators had signed the majority report. Hod son, who 'followed, said the considera tion of the two reports and the pro posed amendments to the bill were of vital importance. He said the amend ment reported by the majority provid ed that the franchise of the gas com pany could be terminated December 31, 1907, provided the o?ly of Portland through Its Council should ascertain the value of the franchise revoked and pay the owners thereof for the same. The minority amendment, he contin ued, proposed to terminate the fran chise at the expiration of that time without compensating the gas company in any way, leaving to the Council the right to grant a franchise for a term of not less than 15 or more than 25 years. With this latitude allowed, the action of the Council might amount to confiscation, he said. Hodson held that the question resolved Itself Into that of compensating the company whose franchise it was proposed to terminate. He ventured the opinion that to incor porate the amendment submitted by the minority would render the proposed law unconstitutional. Maiarkey said that the bill as It passed the House was purely an act revocative of the ga franchises. These franchises, he said, are the only fran chises in the city of Portland, existing by right of legislative enactment, rle said it was a question of revoking per petual franchises, the granting of which, he averred, was questionable as to the authority of any power to give. He charged that the gas company claimed rights and extended the same entirely beyond the control of the peo ple. There were still further objections ito this franchise, he continued, for the reason that it is both perpetual and ex clusive. For this ' reason the Council was unable to grant any other "such franchises. Impossible Says Maiarkey. Desiring to be fair not only with the holders of the franchise, but with the people of Portland. Maiarkey then charged that the amendment suggested by the majority imposed a condition that would be a physical impossibility to perform because it would be impos sible within the time specified to as certain the reasonable worth of the franchise, and even if its value could be determined, no provision was made by which the city could raise the money with which to compensate tho gas company and the result would be that the situation would continue In its present shape for another two years. He charged the Senators who signed the majority report with not acting in good faith, otherwise, he said, they would have provided for this necessary condition. In concluding, he asked that the amendment suggested by the mi nority be adopted so that the control of this company could be placed with the people. As to the constitutionality of the proposed proceeding, he held that the sooner the people are given an opportunity to test their rights in the premises the better it will be for the city of Portland. Bailey criticised the minority report because it made no provision for com pensating the gas company in event its franchise was revoked. "It is the result of a quarrel between some of the officers of the gas com pany and The Oregonian," began Bailey. "Does that have anything to bear on the consideration of these committee reports?" interrupted President Haines. Bailey declared that it did and then turned his attention to criticising the amendment of the minority members of the delegation, which he considered un fair. Hodson Speaks for Monopoly. Hodson further pleaded for the gas company, contending that it would be unfair to terminate its franchise and leave the company at the mercy of the Portland City Courvil. The speaker ad mitted that it was? advisable that all franchises be limited, but insisted that notwithstanding the franchise sought to be repealed was granted the gas com pany many years ago. the conditions of that contract should not be violated with out giving to that company proper com pensation. Nottingham said he represented the peo ple of Portland and the very best inter ests of that city as he saw them. He took the position that the franchise of the gas company should be terminated and that company made to pay into the public treasury in the same manner as are other public service corporations re quired, to contribute. He said that while the gas franchise was granted 50 years ago and the holders at that time perhaps made nothing out of it, yet for the' last 35 years the company holding the fran chise had been reaping a rich profit from the people of Portland. "The real reason of this fight against the repeal of this franchise at this time." concluded Nottingham, "is that another gas company is seeking to enter Port land and the holders of the present per petual and exclusive franchise are natur ally resisting any invasion of-their terri tory." In answer to a cjuestion from Iaycock as to the right of Portland to grant any further franchises as to a gas service, Maiarkey replied that the city would have the right under its charter, but for the fact that the Legislature years ago undertook to grant to the present gas company a perpetual and exclusive fran chise, and applicants for further fran chises of the same character are unable to do business in the city for that reason. He concluded by saying that" the act of the Legislature was paramount to any thing the city could do In either regu lating the franchise already granted or in granting further franchises. Beach Is Independent. 'I notice by The Oregonian this morn ing that there are four bad Senators, who are owned by the Portland Gas Com pany," said Beach. "Now I am not a patron of the gas, company. Neither do they patronize me. I furnish my own gas, and while it may be of a poor qual ity, it does not cost me .very much. We want to get rid of perpetual franchises all right and we should get rid of them. But no just rights should be taken from any company or person withdlit properly compensating them therefor." "If the majority report is adopted and the bill becomes a law." inquired John son, is the City of Portland required to pay the gas company for the worth of Its property?" "Not unless the city sees fit to abrogate the franchise,' replied Hodson. The vote on substituting the minority for the majority report was then taken and declared to be defeated on a tie vole of 14 to 14. An aye and no vote was de manded on the adoption of the majority report and it was adopted by a vote of 15 to 14. y During the voting. Hedges, who in the first place voted against substituting the minority for the majority report, ex plained his vote against the adoption of the majority report by saying that he did not think it was possible to determine the value of the gas company's franchise before December 31 next, and for that reason could not support the majority report. Hedges Explains Vote. Hedges' reason for not supporting the minority report was that he did not think franchises should be taken away without compensation being made according to the investment of money and the worth of the franchise under its operation. The vote by which the majority report was adopted follows: Ayes Bailey, Beach, Booth, Coke, Cos how, Hodson, Johnson, Laughary, Lay cock. McDonald, Mulit. Scholtleld, Sichel, Smith Marion. Whealdon 15. Noes Bingham, Bowerman, Caldwell, Cole. Hart, Hedges. Kay, Miller (Linn), Miller (Unn and Marion). Nottingham. Smith (Umatilla), Wright, Haines, Malar-key-14. Absent Mays 1. SENATE PASSES BURXS BILL Truc-Welghfc Clause Is Cut Out of Measure. SALEM. Or., Feb. 22. (Special.) The Senate tonight passed two bills by Rep resentative Burns for pure food laws. One relates to and prevents adulteration, but the true weight provision of this measure was amended to meet the objec tions that had been urged by the whole salers. The compulsory marking of packages as to the true net weight of the contents Is abolished. The measure was further amended to comply strictly with the National pure food law and it Is only required that such packages as are marked by weights be correctly so marked. The other bill relates to the manufac ture and sale of foods and drinks, and amends the present law by increasing the penalty, and excuses from prosecution for violation of the act the dealer who can exhibit a guaranty from the jobber or wholesaler of whom the goods were pur chased, certifying to the fact that the goods ase not adulterated. Indorsement of the pure food bill, including the true weight package clause, has been given by the Oregon Federation of Women's Clubs. Through the president, Mrs. Sarah A. Evans, the following telegram has been sent to Senator Mulit: "Oregon State Federation of Wom en's 01ub8 1500 women indorse net weights clause." . . The United States National Bank OF PORTLAND, OREGON J. C. Ainsworth, President, R? W. Schmeer, Cashier. R. Lea Barnes. Vice-President. A. M. Wright. Assistant Cashier. W. A. Holt. Assistant Cashier A SAFEGUARD A National Bank is required by law to keep n certain amount of all deposits on reserve. Tnis is a safeguard to its depositors, and assures greater safety to them. The United States National Bank is therefore the place to deposit your money with ABSOLUTE SAFKTY. CAPITAL, $500,000 SURPLUS and PROFITS, $340,000 RESOURCES OVER $8,000,000 Third and Oak Streets LAST CLIP IS SOLD Valley Wools Are Entirely Cleaned Out. LITTLE EAST OF MOUNTAINS Contracting Practically Stops In the West, as Buyers and Sellers Are "Widely Apart in Their A'icws. With tho purchase of two carloads of sta ple wool by a Portland dealer yesterday, the last sack of lfMH Willamette Valley wol pa.ssed out of first hands. A few small si-altered lots remain in Eastern Oregon, whh'h will doubtless soon he absorbed. Willamette Valley sheep have done vry well this Win ter, but the total clip will be lighter than last year, owing to the large number of sheep sold for mutton. There is some talk of contracting in East ern OreRon and buyers are said to be nib bling here and there, but so far as can be learned no business of consequence has been written. Throughout the West generally, contracting is not as brisk as it was. Small clips in t'tah at 20c to l!2c and in Western Idaho at ISc are reported to have been sold In the past week. The growers, however, are very firm in their ideas and th Eastern merchants are too cautious for some of the large operations that have been under way to go through. It is evident that Boston dealers are not as anxious as a few weeks ago to enter into contracts thus early, while flock masters In many localities ar of the opinion that they will be able to secure better prices at shearing time than at pres ent. The prevailing conditions in parts or Montana and Wyoming lead to the belief here that much of the wool in those sec tions is going to be poor. There is thought to be danger in acquiring it now. The sea son in Arizona is progressing siowly. the wools selling at 20c to 21c or slightly less than a year ago. Stories of sheep losses in Montana and other places are believed to be exaggerated. Lack of food and shelter are given as the causes of severe losses in Eastern Montana. According to Billings ad vices the late storm w as the severest . since IKSti. Oregon wools are very quiet in the East ern" markets, according to the latest advices. The only transactions reported were in a few small lots of Eastern staple at 23c to 24c. The Eastern market generally is rul ing quiet but steady. ECWiS jET DOWN TO 30 CENTS. Demand for live Chicken Improves as Eastern Stock In Exhausted. The egg market yesterday touched 20c after an almost uninterrupted decline from 40c. In the forenoon the asking prices were 21c and 214c and a few sales were reported at the former figure, but after the noon hour, plenty of eggs could be bought at 20c. A few houses reported shipments to out side points. There were good orders in from the North, but prices bid were considered too low, There was a good inquiry for chickens all day and the small receipts were quickly taken up. The demand was occasioned largely by the fact that the local suppiV of Eastern dressed chickens is exhausted. There are still plenty of Eastern turkeys, ducks and geese, which accounts for the small buying of these varieties on Front street. A straight car of dressed chickens, which will include all sizes from broilera to large hens will arrive from Omaha in the coming week. Butter is cleaning up readily at steady prices. CEREAL, MARKETS VERY FIRM. Supplies of Grain Shortened by the Railroad Blockade. The railroad blockades have caused a shortage of oats and barley in the local market and prices are ruling very firm. Higher prices lor oats arc quoted at some of the Eastern Washington points. The Cal ifornia demand continues strong and steady shipments are made southward from Valley points. The wheat market is very firm, but under the existing railroad conditions, dealers can not offer more in the country with no pros pect of getting the grain In hand wrthin a reasonable time. Spot stocks are exhausted. If any wheat were available here, it would easily command a premium of several cents over the prices quoted for country ship ment. In addition to the strong milling de mand, there are good orders in from Cali fornia which unfortunately cannot be filled. Trade Light in Green Produce. The holiday was only partly observed on Front street yesterday. As the retail gro cers kept open, the produce houses were also open for business until a late hour in the afternoon. Business was of small volume as no shipping was done. A car of mixed veg etables arrived last night and will be on sale this morning. Prices of fruits and veg etables showed no marked change. PORTLAND QUOTATIONS. Grain. Flour. Feed. Etc. WHEAT Club. 60c; bluestem, 71c; Val ley. 00c; red, 67c. OATS No. 1 white, (520; gray, $28.50. FLOUR Patents, $4.03; Straights, $3.50; clears, $3 50; Valley. $3.55. BARLEY Feed. OO per ton; brewing, 3; rolled. $23.50-324.50. $23 K i rJ si.4ng j..du per cwi. MILLSTUFFS Bran, city, $17; country, $18 ;r ton; middlings. $25226; shorts, city. $2u; oer conn ntry. $-1 per ton; U. S. Mills dairy chop. $15 &.50 per ton; acuic grain, i.au per ton. CORN Whole, S-4.SO; cracked. $22.50 per ton 'ERE AL FOODS Rolled oats, cream. 00. Abound acka, $7; lower grades, $5.6OQS.&0 Portland, Oregon oatmeal, steel cut, 45-pound sacKs. $S per barrel; 9-pound sack. $4.25 per bale; oatmeal Eround), 45-pound sacks, $7.50 per barrel; 9-pound sacks. $4 per bale; split peas, per 100-pounds. $4.254.80; pearl barley, $tft4.50 per loo pounds; pastry flour, 10-pound tack e. $2.30 per bale. HAT Valley timothy. No. 1, $1415 per Ion; Eastern Oregon timothy, $17 18; clo ser. $0; caeat, $t; grain hay, $910; alfalfa. Butter, Eggs. Poultry. Etc BUTTER City crameries: Extra cream ery. :5c per pound. State creameries: Fancy creamery, 32 4 6 35c; store butter, 1 4f 'Mv. BUTTER FAT First grade cream. 334 per pound; second grade cream. 2c less pr pound. E'JOS Orepon ranch. 2oft2Ie per dozen. CHEESE Oregon full cream twtni. 14 4 15c; Yourifr America. 15 4 4e lc per pound. POULTRY Average old hens, 134ftl4(.; mixed chickens, 12 13c; Spring, 139 14 4c; old roosters, loc; dressed chickens, 14r.( 15c; turkeys, live. lflfr 17 4c; turkey., drcsyed. choice. lSft20e; geese, live, per pound. !flt)c: ducks, IT'S' 18c; pigeons, $lfc 1.50; squabs, $2 a 3. Vegetables. Fruits. Etc. DOMESTIC FRUITS Apples, common. 75cft $1.15 per box; choice, $1.50 '4 2.50; cran berries. $10 per barrel. TROPICAL FRUITS Lemons, fan-y. $.1.25 4 box; oranget. navels, $1.751j 2.25; grapefruit. $:i3.50; bananas. 46t&5c per pound ; taniierint-s. $ l.TtOty 1.75. ROOT VSCIETAP.LES Turnlpo. $1S'1 25 per sack; carrots. $lfe3.26 per sack; beets. 5 1.25ft 1.50 per sack ; garlic. 7 3 10c per pound, horseradish. per pound; sweet potatoes. :u.c per pound ; chicory. 30c. FRESH VEGETABLES Cabbaee. Cali fornia, 2jc per pound; cauliflower, $2.2rt per dozen, celery, $;;.7."'?i i crate: lettuce, head. 45c per dozen ;onions, lo-Jj 12c p-r dozen; tomatoes". $i 25 crate; parsley, "j." fa ::c ; arti choke. $1.50 per dozen; hothouse lettuce. $1.73 per box; sprouts, c; peas. 15c ; radishes. 25"fi 30c; Bell peppers. ."WVfSSc per pound ; rhubarb, $1.75 per box; cucumbers. $2i2.50 per dozen; asparagus. per pound. ONIONS Orep.m. $1 ft 1.25 per hundred. DRIED FRUITS Apples, rSo pound; apricots, 16(0IOc: peache. :i0Kic; pears. llS4P14c; Italian prunes. 2H0c: Califor nia figs, white, in sacks, 56c per pound: black. ft 5c; oricks. 75c$2 25 per dox; Symma. lS20c pound; dates, Persian. UVj9 7c pound. POTATOES Buying prices: Oregon Xu--banks. fancy. $1.3.Vi 1.50; common, 90c RAISINS Layers and clusters. 2-crown, $2.15; 8-crown, $2.25: B-crown. $3.10; crown. $3.50; loose muscatels. 2-crown. 8c; 3-crown. 8 He; 4-crown. 9c; seedless, Thompsons. lOttc: Sultanas. 812ttc Dressed Meats. VEAL Dressed, 75125 pounds. 849c 125 to 150 pounds. 7c; 150 to 200 pounda, 6c; 200 pounds and up. 6(g6c. BEEF Dressed bulls, 2 V i3e per pound; cows, 4H5Vic; country steers, 5Va MUTTON Dressed, fancy, 80o per pound : ordinary. 6S 7e. PORK Dressed. 100 to 130 pounds, 8409': 150 to 2O0 pounds, 77Hc; 20O pounds and up, C&GVfcc. PORTLAND LIVESTOCK MARKET. Prices Current Locally on Cattle, Sheep and Hogs. The following prices were quoted in the local livestock market yesterday: , CATTLE Best steers. $4.5047 4.75; me dium. $4-4.25; cows. $:!.50'S 3. 75; fair to medium cows. $33.25; bulls, $1.50 '2; calves. $L5ot( Zt. SHEEP Best. $ft9ft.2o. HOOvM Pest, $77.25: lightweights. $7 Q 7 25; Blockers and feeders, $0.7587.25. Eastern Liventork Market. CHICAGO. Feb. 22. Cattle Receipts. 24IOO; strong. Beeves, $4. lO'g' .0O; stockers and feeder? $2. 75 ft-4. K0; cows and heifer. 5.30; Western steers. $3.75j,5. 10. Hogf Receipts today, 17.0OO; 5 cents high er. Mixed and butchers. $0.90-7.174; good to chr.ice heavy, $.K5i 7.15; rough heavy, $0.S5ffi7; light. $0.85117.10; pigs. $6 lOgf .75. Sheep Receipts. 50oo; steady. Sheep, $3.205.05; lambs, $5.25& 7.00. SOUTH OMAHA. Feb. 22. Cattle Re ceipts, 1000; market, steady. Native steers, $44.75; cows and heifers, $2.50'$ 4. 5o; Western steers, $3.406 5.25; cows and heif ers, $2. 25 ft 4.35; canners, $2ft 3; stockers and feeders, $:t.ft5; calvep. $3(.6.50. Hogs Receipts, 7500; market. steady. Heay, $0,8246.874; mixed, $6.800 6.82 4; light, $0,774 S 6.82 4 : pigs, $5.75 0.5lt. Sheep Receipts, 2000; market, weak. Yearlings. $5.7. ft. 0.25; wethers. $."i.25ft. 5.00; ewes, $4.1 ji& 5.25; lambs, $6.50&7.25. KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 22. Cattle Re ceipts, 2"0o; market, steady. Native steers, $4. 25ft 0.54); native cows and heifers, $2.50 15; stockers and feeders, $3.50-55; Western cows, $2.75'?? 4.50; Western steers, $45.25; calves. $3.50ft7.50. Hogs Receipts, 8000; market, strong to 5a h 1? her. Heavy, $7ft7.05; packers, $6.Uu 7.024; pigs and lights, $5.5oft6 95. Sheep Receipts. 6ooo; market, steady. Muttons, $ 1.75 ft' 6; lambs, $0.75 ft 7.40; range wethers, $5.25ft6.50; fed ewes. $4.505.25. HALF BILLION FROM COTTON. Export s Are Less but Val ue Greater Than in Frecedina; Year. WASHINGTON, Feb. 22. America's pocketbook was enriched by practically $,iO0,000.00 through Its exportation last year of cotton and the products of that staple, according to a statement issued to day by the Bureau of Statistics of the De partment of Commerce and Labor. The ex ports of this product amounted to one fourth of 28 per cent of the $1,773,000,000 worth o fthe domestic exports. Of the $413,000,000 worth of raw cotton exports, $1 l.OoO.OOO went to Japan, a re duction compared with J90.". In quantity the record shows a falling off as compared with 1105, the, total number of pounds shipped during that year being 4.i:-i7,1M.0rt."i, while for 190H they were only 3.S50.229.or:o. The fallinjc off In the quan tity, however, was more than offset by the increase in value in l!ioo exceeding the previous year by $21,000,000. The value of cotton cloths exported last year was 12. 500.000. of which a little over $.'00,000 went to Europe, $10,750,000 to China and $5,000, 000 to other Asiatic countries. Hopgrowers Indifferent Sellers. The indifference shor. y most hepgrow er.s to the present market makes buying more difficult. A number of orders are on "hand, but dealers find It requires a good deal of arguing to effect a purchase. The impression has got abroad among the hold ers that considerable deliveries have to be made in March and April for which the deal ers have as yet made no provision, hoping to secure better terms later. This has caused many of the holders of better grades to decline the offers made them at this time. There are a few others, "however, who have become discouraged or are pressed for funds and these growers are compelled to accept low prices if they sell. Several deals under 10c have been closed in the last few days. One lot of 200 bales was reported to have been sold yesterday at 8c X k &