TITE MORXIXG OREGOXIAX, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12. 1912.
6
Enter at Portland. Oni. PoatorTlea
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Eoropeaa OffUre No. S Recent etreet. S.
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PORTLAND. JIOXDAT, 1XB. 1. Ml.
WHICH FABTT IS DMLXTBf.BATrSOf
Division in both great political par
ties has given rise to the usual specu
laUon as to the probability of a split in
tha ranka of either or both at the corn-In.-
National conventions. Denunciation
of leaders by some of the mora inde
pendent of their followers naturally
arouse expectation that it will be fol
lowed by open opposition in the cam
paign. But that result rarely comes
unles there U a sharp division on a
question of vital principle, on which
the revolting- faction Is assured of a
considerable following.
We need go back no further than
one generation for precedents. There
has been no more bitter feud In the
Republican party than that between
Blaine and Conkling. but It did not
affect the integrity of the party,
though It may have caused a few thou
sand men to vote for Cleveland in 1884
or to stay at home. The Civil Service
reform movement was one of principle
and did carry many Republican votes
over to Cleveland In that campaign,
but the principle involved was gen
erally accepted after Cleveland's first
election and any excuse for making
It the basis of a new political party
soon disappeared.
When free silver became the burn
ing issue. It caused a boK from both
parties on a question of vital principle.
But, considering the heat of the con
flict, the bolt In neither direction
reached the dimensions which might
have been expected.
In every campaign there is a certain
p oportion of voters on whom party
ties hang loosely and who change their
party allegiance because of some ques
tion which is uppermost at the time.
The issue of imperialism In 1900 doubt
less carried a number of Republicans
Into the Democratic ranks, but It prob
ably carried at least as many Demo
crats over to the Republican standard,
making the result practically nil. The
most decided change of this character
In recent times was probably In 1904.
when the nomination of Parker and
the popularity of Roosevelt sent hun
dreds of thousands of Democrats into
th- Republican camp. But there was
no organized bolt and no new party.
The vote in 10S showed that a large
proportion of these roters quietly re
turned to the Democratic ranks.
We have now among the Republic
ans two extreme factions the conserv
ative, reactionary, or stand pat. and the
Insurgent. Neither has given evidence
of ability to carry any large following
into revolt, and we have the great
' mass of the party which Is content
with the leadership of President Ta-fL
It Is not la the nature of conservatives
to bolt, for their chief boast is their
regularity. If the Insurgents should
wish to bolt, what reason could they
give? Their differences with Taft are
not on matters of principle, but are
personal or on the details of carrying
cut the same principles. Taft Is for
tariff revision downward; so are they,
but they would go faster and be less
careful to do the work so well that It
would not need soon to be done again.
Both are for revision on protective
lines, but the insurgents have been led
by animosity against Taft Into support
ing hybrid measures, made in com
promise with the Democrats, which
accord neither with the protective nor
with the revenue-only theory. Taft's
method la that of the platform on
w hlrh he was elected and Is that which
the insurgents themselves urged until
he began acting upon It. The Insur
gents are In a poor position to make
thai tariff the basis of a bolt.
There is even less excuse for a bolt
In the position of Taft and the In
surgents on other live Issues. Both
would handle the trusts In much the
me way. La Follette would have the
Government own and operate all rail
roads In Alaska; Taft would have it
own one railroad, but not operate It
directly. As La Follette's plan would
probably begin with the construction
of only one road, the difference re
mains whether the Government should
operate or lease that road. Lai Fol
lette could not organize a very serious
bolt on such an l.wue. On conservation
Taft and La Follette are agreed, both
'being committed to leasing of coal
land. The National reserve plan of the
monetary commission has won as
hearty commendation from such In
surgents as Senator Cummins as from
Taft. and Taft has evinced readiness
to approve any changes which will
alm insurgent dread of "the money
power."
Tat has shown himself progressive
enough to satisfy the great mass of
his party, and the pace at which he
would progress will carry the reluctant
conservatives along- with the main
body. Since he is willing to lead in the
direction which the party wishes to
travel. It Is hardly Ukely that the Im
patient Hotspurs will be able to draw
off any large following in their hasty
advance.
Although public attention has been
focused more on the dissensions of the
Republicans, those of the Democrats
are even more serious and foreshadow
a far more equal division of the party
on vital Issues. The leaders of the parly
In Congres have set their minds to
dealing with the tariff in preference to
ail other Issues, while Bryan, who en
joys the prestige of having led the
Iemocracy in three National cam
paigns and who has an immense per
sonal following, openly accuses those
leaders of being false to their prin
ciples and attacks the National com
mittee as being In league with "the In
trrests." The party Is nearer an agree
ment on the tariff than on any other
Uue. but even on this Bryan accuses
Underwood of being untrue to De
mocracy and of being swayed by per- I
so rial Interest. Most House leaders are
as vague and non-committal in their
dellverancVs on anti-trust legislation as
the most atandpat Republican, but the
radicals, led by Henry, of Texas, put
forward a drastic bill and demand a
special committee to Investigate the
money trust. Bryan backs Henry in
this demand, but Underwood Induces
the Democratic caucus to vote for in
quiry by five regular committees,
which can lead to nothing.
This division among the Democrats
Justifies the prediction that any loss
of votes the Republicans may suffer
In November will be more than
matched by a greater Democratic loss.
An organized bolt Trom either party
does not appear probable at this date,
but the Democrats are in far greater
danger of it through the implacable
Bryan than are the Republicans
through' the Impassioned La Follette,
whose oratorical attacks have made no
visible Impression on Taft's strength.
M-PPOBT rOB THE (vEST BI1.IJ.
BUI Bristol comes roaring forth
from the reserves to the battle line for
the West bills. Roaring Blr ac
cuses The Oregonlan. la a volcanic
Interview, in a contemporary, of mis
representation and falsification as to
the measures. It is not really worth
while to pay serious attention to any
thing Roaring Bill says, since he Is
known, where he Is known at all, to be
much given to extravagant and reck
less speech. We merely Invite Roaring
Bill to read what The Oregonlan has
said, and all It has said, and he will
know, as all readers of The Oregonlan
and chance readers of the Bristol in
terview know, that in no single partic
ular has Roaring Bill correctly repre
sented, or Interpreted, The Oregonlan.
Roaring Bill Is most amusing when he
Is farthest from the facta. Evidently
ho appreciates his gifts, and seeks
always to be humorous.
We notice the Bristol matter mainly
as the basis of a single suggestion
which we desire to make. Mr. Bristol
says that no county need build roads,
unless it shall desire, tinder the state
aid bonding acts. Others have made
this declaration with the evident pur
pose of showing that the counties have
the complete and exclusive option of
doing as they please.
Very well. The Oregonlan herewith
offers. If It shall be provided that,
when any county elects not to solicit
state aid. It hall be relieved of Its
proportionate share of the 110.900. 000
bond obligation, to support the West
bills.
A POLITICAL VXTR.ST.
If anything were seeded to inspire
Republicans with confidence In vic
tory under Taft's leadership. It la to
be found in two events of one day. On
the one- hand is Taft looking forward
to "a four-months period In which to
get rid of lies and misrepresentations,"
while the opposition In his own party
is crumbling away. On the other hand
is Bryan, denounced In Congress as a
sower of discord by a Democratic ora
tor whose desire to see him "knocked
into a cocked hat" is applauded to the
echo by the very party which Bryan
ha thrice led.
While Republicans " In Increasing
numbers are forgetting their differ
ences snd gathering round their leader.
Democrats are aggravating their di
visions and heaping Invective on the
man who still commands the adoration
of a large section of their party. The
whole tendency of Republicans is to
wards unity, of Democrats to widen
the breach beyond possibility of heal
ing. Republicans realize more every
day that their differences are neg
ligible; Democrats that theirs are the,
result of directly opposite alms.
Taft's work of middle-of-the-road
progress has been well begun. It re
mains to place him In a position to
complete this work. . A united party
can give him this power by re-electing
him and by electing a Republican ma
jority In both Senate and House to
work hand In hand with him. With
out such a majority he would have one
hand tied behind him. robbed of power
to carry through the legislation be rec
ommended and of means to effect
many of the Administrative reforms to
which he Is committed.
If MOTOR TAX VAIXDT
Before anybody counts up how many
rrl ee of road can be built with the
motor vehicle license taxes covered In
to the proposed highway fund by the
West high finance road bills It might
be well to consider a point or two.
At the election in 110 the people
adopted a constitutional amendment
providing, among other things, that
"r.o bill regulating taxation or exemp
tion throughout the state shall become
a law until approved by the people of
th state at a regular general election.
Tl Oregonlan does not profess to
have a profound legal knowledge, but
it Is Its understanding . that a li
cense becomes a tax when It ex
ceeds the cost of its own collection.
The law regulating the licensing of
motor vehicles and the. license far
exceeds the cost of collecting- It was
adopted by the Legislature subsequent
to the adoption of the constitutional
amendment referred to. The law has
never been referred to the people.
The Oregonlan Is not now definitely
asserting that the motor vehicle tax is
unconstitutional. Auto owners so far
axe paying it without question. But
somebody may elect to teat It, and he
may succeed in destroying that portion
of the automobile law. It therefore
might be wise for the Governor to get
out law No. t validating the motor li
cense tax before he lets any road con
tracts under his one-man-power bills
In anticipation of road money from
automobile owners.
TEXAS OX HER WGVTTT.
To the proposal of Mexico to move
a detachment of troops over her terri
tory, the United States was at first
willing to give neighborly acquiescence.
Not so the government , of Texas.
Governor Colquitt, of that state. Is
properly apprehensive that such move
ment would be taken in an unfriendly
spirit by Mexican rebels to an extent
that would place In Jeopardy the live
and property of Americans. Discre
tion is by common consent assessed as
the better part of valor. The troubles
of the Mexicans are not our troubles
unless we make them so. "He that
meddleth with strife that belongeth not
to him." said the Wise Man. "is like a
man that taketh a dog by the ears."
Mexico Is In the throes of a revolu
tion the extent of which la as yet in
determinate. Revolution Is indeed
her chronic condition of late, and
American interference, even by lmpli
cat'on, ran mean. but one thing the
thing that It meant when Texas was
acquired after several sharp and
bloody battles. Unless we want to ac
quire some more Mexican territory
1 and with it a mongrel people for whom
we have no possible use a few thou
sand more of the class described by
Kipling as "half devil and half child"
It will be the part of diplomacy to
refuse favors to the Mexican govern
ment In the movement of Its troops
that may readily be construed by the
rebellious citizens of that pseudo re
public Into an act of war. Justifying
reprisal upon American citizens and
property.
Just what It is all about this tur
moil In Mexico the grand body of the
American people neither know nor
care. What we do know, however, is
that we have had enough of Interfer
ence In behalf of half-caste rebels
against duly constituted authority in
our experience in Cubs
Mexico la a rich, grand and re
sourceful country. But its people are
a .drawback to its acquirement that
should give us pause in any act that
may be construed or made to lead o the
necessity of taking that pountry over
and becoming responsible for its fu
ture development and destiny. The
voice of Texas Is tha voice of prudence.
It Is a good deal easier to keep out of
trouble with a passionate, revengeful,
unreasoning people than to get out of
trouble when once we are In it.
MBS. CRA3TD ALL'S RESOLVE.
Mrs. Frederick Crandall's Intended
utc of the millions she is expected to
re.elve from the Hawley fortune goes
far to prove her fitness to have wealth,
although she has Just been released
from prison, A woman whose first
desire Is to give her children knowl
edge and training and who purposes)
to teach them to make their own way
In the world la so well balanced that
her Incarceration can only be at
tributed to her marriage with a
drunkard.
The possession of wealth la the
greatest test of character. Those who
hajl It as the means of enabling them
to live in idleness prove that it is a
curse to them. Children who are
brought up in the expectation of a life
of pleasure are deprived of the great
est and most lasting pleasure, which is
the development and useful exercise of
their mental and physical powers.
With those powers developed and with
the habit of useful work formed, they
are equipped to find an enduring Joy
In the product of hand and brain and
In the esteem of their fellow men. All
other pleasures pall, when there la no
work to stimulate an appetite for
them, and weariness of them leads to
vice In a aetvrch for new ones.
The fact that poor men form the
habit of work through necessity causes
men to value wealth mainly because
It relieves them of this necessity. If
the rich would but see that their
wealth should not give them Immunity
from labor, but should merely be used
In performing a higher type of labor
in a broader field, they would, gain
respect Instead of the contempt too
often earned by them. As the French
nobleman was guided by the motto,
"Noblesse oblige." they should know
that "richeeae oblige."
THS TALCS OF ARBITRATION.
There is a pronounced difference of
opinion about the real importance of
the arbitration treaties now before the
Senate. One newspaper which speaks
for a very Intelligent class of readers
believes that they are "of transcendent
tr.portance because they enlarge so
enormously the sphere of arbitrable
questions. They make a breach in the
classic argument" that questions con
cerning the National honor must never
be arbitrated. This Is one view. A
writer In the New York Sun expresses
the opposite. In his opinion the treat
ies ought to be ratified because they
can do no harm and may possibly do
s.. te good, but he thinks that "both
the friends and enemies of arbitration
greatly exaggerate their Importance as
breeders of either peace or war." This
writer pertinently points out that ami
cable sentiment has ' been steadily
s uigthenlng between this country
s 1 Great Britain ever since the War
of 1812. The fact that these two pow
ers were the only ones largely inter
ested In maintaining the peace of the
American Hemisphere naturally drew
them together and disposed them to
co-operate In friendly relations.'
At the time of the Civil War Eng
land was confronted with the question
whether It would be more for her In
terest to see the United States cut up
Into several hostile sections . or pre
served as a united country. At first
British opinion inclined to the former
view, but it finally settled into the firm
conviction that the peace of the world
would be guarded more safely if the
United States retained Its Integrity.
From that day to this England has
been our steadfast friend and has
shared with us the dominating influ
ence In the Western Hemisphere. This
Impregnable friendship has not been
csused by the negotiation of arbitra
tion treaties. On the contrary, the
disposition to arbitrate has grown out
of the friendship and that has arisen
from a community of Interest. "The
fair conclusion would be that nations
will be disposed to arbitrate their dif
ferences when the friendly ties between
them, developed by mutual interest,
have become so numerous that war
must necessarily be ruinous, which
ever wins the victory. When, as In the
case of Italy and Turkey, there are few
such ties or none at all, the thought
of arbitration will not be entertained.
When the trouble between Italy and
Turkey became serious It was suggest
ed that the Issue be left to The Hague
tribunal to , decide. Italy refused.
But later on. when she became in
volved in controversy with France
over the seizure of ships and passen
gers, she was quite ready to arbitrate.
The reason was clear enough. The
controversy with France did not touch
upon Italy's imperial ambitions, while
It did Imperil financial and social in
terests so weighty that it seemed worth
while to make sacrifices rather than
pu- them at stake. A superficial ob
server commenting upon these circum
stances might ask of what use The
Hague tribunal is, inasmuch as only
controversies are turned over to it
whlcii nations do not deem fundament
ally Important. This remark would
apply to our French and British rela
tions even if the arbitration treaties
should be adopted, because it must be
left to the Senate to determine, direct
ly or Indirectly, what questions are
"Justiciable." We should not trust
The Hague tribunal to decide questions
which Involved the National honor or
existence, no matter how the arbitra
tion treaties might read. All this is
true, but there Is a ready answer to It
which greatly diminishes its force.
We may grant that no questions
which nations regard as fundamentally
or vitally important will ever be turned
over to The Hague tribunal. In other
words, they will permit the tribunal to
decide only those issue -which, they do
not wish to fight over. But It does not
follow that the tribunal is not of great
importance now, or that it will not be
come more Important with time. The
questions which nations want to fight
over do not remain always the same.
They have in the past fought over tri
fles which they would be ashamed to
go to war about today. The growth of
humane sentiment and the multiplica
tion of the ties of International finance
constantly diminish the number of sub
jects which nations want to fight over.
Without The Hague tribunal these
minor issues, which are yearly Increas
ing in number and weight, must either
be left at loose ends or disposed of by
separate negotiation, with all its para
phernalia and expense. But with the
international tribunal sitting at The
Hague such matters go before it as a
matter of course, and the habit of set
tling troubles amicably strengthens on
account of the ease with which It can
be done.
The Hague tribunal, as we perceive,
nourishes the sources of its own vital
ity. No doubt a time will come when
many questions which now seem to be
of fundamental importance will look
less serious. Centuries ago differences
of religion were Important enough to
lead to war. Opinion has altered on
that subject. It may alter on others.
We may see the safety of international
credit regarded within & few years as
the most momentous matter in the
world of practical life. If that ever
happens there will be no more
wars between civilized nations because
war and credit are incompatible terms.
The only effect of a victory, apart from
romantic exultation or grief, would be
to annihilate credit, and by that who
gains anything? It follows, therefore,
that much may be won for peace by
the ratification of the arbitration treat
ies, even If they do not bring war to
an instant end. ' Treaties, like statutes,
not only gauge the level of public
opinion when they are concluded, but
they tend to raise the level to a higher
mark.
AX IXXKRKSTrNG KtPEBIStEXT.
The large proportion of young men
scarcely beyond boyhood who are
among the inmates of penal lnstltu
tlons Is a fact that calls for explana
tion, examination and careful study.
looking to possible remedy. But that
they are recruited from the ranka of
youth the number of convicts would
soon drop to the minimum in every
penal Institution In the land. Ignor
ance begets in these young people a
lack of self-respect, and this In turn
leads to orlme of the predatory type
by which many young men land in the
penitentiary, and for the most part
leave hope behind.
To correct this condition, to a certain
extent and open the door of the pos
sible r enlevement of lost opportunity.
the warden of the Washington State
Prison at Walla Walla has inaugurated
a night school in connection with that
Institution whereby convicts under 25
years of age may pursue the studies
that were neglected in childhood and
leave prison when their terms expire
wltt a promise of usefulness that was
before denied them. The story of the
need of Instruction in the ordinary
subjects taught in the public schools
up to and Including the eighth grade
Is shown In the fact that the classes
enrolled under this system in the
Washington Penitentiary will contain
between seventy-five and one hundred
young men under 15 years of age.
This In a country of free schools and
compulsory education laws is astound
ing. It comes mainly from one cause.
Parental irresponsibility, rendered
more pernicious by the greed of sordid
parents, is at the bottom of it. The
tares sown by parental neglect bud in
ignorance, bloom in waywardness and
bear fruit In crime.
High finance m England sometimes
has the same climax as in the United
States. As Morse, broken in health,
reputation and spirit, travels to Paden
Nauhelm, he may read of the sentence
passed on Ernest Terah Hooley, once
a king of finance in London. As
brothers in distress, they might ex
change greetings.
Members of the I. W. W. who are
moving in force upon San Diego are
to be met at the gates, it Is said, by
citizens armed with horsewhips and
driven back. The weapons of warfare
used In this case are most fitting.
They represent the "rod for the fool's
back" as specified by Solomon.
Secret Imprisonment, as proposed
by the Spokane . police, smacks too
much of Russia to be acceptable to
this country. Such power Is open to
serious abuse and Its unrestrained ex
ercise has been one of the many causes
of revolution in the last century and
a half.
A former postmaster of Idaho, under
sentence of embezzlement, lays the
blame to "lavish expenditures" by his
wife. Therein he is mistaken. He used
poor Judgment In affairs matrimonial.
These Democrats are slurring the
memory of Stuart and Forrest when
they propose to cut down the cavalry
arm of the service. But many of them
know nothing of the old days.
Carter Harrison wants the Stars and
Stripes displayed on large buildings at
least twelve days In the year. Chl
cagoans should come to the Coast to
imbibe patriotism.
A shortage of Green Mountain boys
induces Bennington women to write to
the Pacific Coast for husbands. Male
orders are filled promptly out this way.
Oregon can spare no farmers of the
type Australia Invites, and Australia
wants none of the. type- we can well
spare.
The girl who could let the dice make
her choice between two suitors would
probably have been happy with either.
Bryan flings apples of discord Into
Congress by the bushel, but he Is the
peacemaker In Missouri.
If all candidates were as sensible as
Folk, what a lovely affair there would
be at Baltimore.
Edison says he never dreams. He
need not- His daytime visions bring
results. i
Seattle would be a dull place with
out some kind of an election on hand.
Lawyers see some good pickings In
the fight for the Hawley millions.
Knox is going South with the Mon
roe doctrine in his kit bag.
Arizona dona new duds Wednesday.
I LABOR COUNCIL CHARGES ISTRIK
Union Mil la Central Orcajom Refntea
Circular Letter.
REDMOND.- Feb. 10. (To the Ed
itorsThe unwarranted indictment of
the public spirit of' the commercial or
ganizations of Oregon contained In an
official letter sent out by the Central
Labor Council of Portland, warning
homeseekers not to come to Oregon,
will have a far different effect on the
Portland labor market from that In
tonilMi hv its makers. For the sake of
charity let us suppose that, while the
I committee delegated to draw up this
letter knew the number of square
miles in Oregon, outside of Portland
and vicinity it had no reliable infor
i matlon on the resources or conditions
existing throughout the state.
The writer, up to six years ago. was
a resident of New York City and busi
ness agent of the Brotherhood of
Painters and Decorators of America for
some time previous to moving to Ore
gon, "Central Oregon. If you please."
where labor conditions are not so de
plorable as this letter would have out
siders believe.
In Central Oregon alone there are
more than 2,600.000 acres of vacant
farming lands, both Irrigated and dry
lands: no better irrigated lands for
diversified farming can be found in
the United States than those In Crook
County around Redmond. Lands that
can be purchased on long time at 840
per acre, including a perpetual water
right, do not seem unreasonably high.
The deplorable labor conditions now
said to be existing in Portland have
never existed In Central Oregon, nor in
any thinly settled district, except in
some cases where there had been a
crop failure.
No type of real estate men are to
blame for the destitution and suffering
said to exist in Portland this Winter, as
set forth in this letter. This lack of
employment among the laboring classes
and artisans Is generally prevalent In
all large cities that are having a rapid
gTOWth, If there Is any decline In build
ing operations, which generally hap
pens during the Winter months.
No state has ever found It necessary
to advertise outside the state for labor,
no matter how great the demand. The
labor unions are always posted on de
mand and generally oversupply the
market in rapidly growing centers.
The Southern California orange lands
and Coxey's army argument reads like
the emanation of a disordered brain.
People who are able to buy land at
$1000 per acre are seldom "the objects
of public charity, and those who sell
these high-priced lands. In order to re
invest their money, are large employers
of labor.
No one will take issue with the Cen
tral Labor Council in denouncing In the
strongest terms the practice of certain
employers of advertising In Eastern
papers for help and setting forth
erroneous conditions as to wages and
demand, having in view the oversup
plying of labor in this market and
thereby tending to reduce wages. But
the commercial Interests of both Port
land and the state at large should take
Issue with the Central Labor Council
In the following misstatements and in
sinuations, namely: That open country
suitable -for farming has long ago been
all taken up; that the State of Oregon
Is, in the main, a great wilderness of
forests and mountains, etc.
Secretary Lawrence states that the
object aimed at in the wide distribu
tion of this letter was to correct a
wrong impression prevalent in the
East through unreliable advertisements.
Would It not have been the part of
wisdom if the Central Labor Council
had confined Its letter to labor condl
tlons and known facts If it wished to
publish to the world its deplorable
condition in Portland?
The cause of the present condition
of labor In Portland and other large
cities lies In the fact that the towns
are growing more rapidly than the
country. The solution lies along the
lines laid out by the Portland Commer
cial Club and the Oregon Development
.League, which are spending thousands
of dollars annually to attract people to
Oregon's Idle farm lands, and whose
motto Is. "People the country and the
cities will take care of themselves."
The motto of labor unions, "In union
there Is strength," does not apply when
work Is scarce and the rent due. A
good motto would be. Spread out!
Don't crowd!" which, if heeded, would
soon result In a better and healthier
condition in our large cities.
H. F. JONES, Mayor.
OXE VIEW OF CHRISTIAN SCIEXCB
Writer Finds Better Philosophy la "Ex
" art Troth."
PORTLAND, Feb. 3. (To the Editor.)
The able criticism in The Oregonlan of
the efficacy of sacred books in matters
relating to exact knowledge strikes
one as being an impartial Judgment of
the respective positions of Dr. Boyd and
Mr. Van Meter In regard to Christian
Science. Their statements apparently
were unfortunately clouded by tradl
tlonal beliefs, medieval without doubt.
ana also somewhat hastily cast to
gether.
The Bible, though a wonderful store
of archalclsms and legend and religion,
Is now unscientific and mythical to In
telligent students of progressive his
tory. And Science and Health, with its
pseudomystlclsm and ambiguities. Its
symbolic imagery that closely follows
other apocalyptical figures as in Rev
elation and the Sybillene Books, its
futile efforts to express evidently bor
rowed science Intelligently, air con
tribute to place It in a category neither
high nor useful.
What then Is the value of Christian
Science? It has a slight ethical value,
for certain minds find It a consolation
The Scientist, were he a perfect one,
would stand forth as Spinoza's ideal
ethical and non-cosmic man. But, the
limitations of mundane affairs closely
restrict him to obviously beaten paths
of credulity and untutored appreciation
of definite knowledge. Such a course
cannot be taken by those versed In
the higher phases of life's poetry: some
how discordancy and Its concomitant
resultants Immediately crystallize Into
confusion.
Science and Christian Science have
done much toward combating the de
monology of orthodoxy. By a mere de
nial this terrible doctrine has lost much
of its significance. Similarly the In
ferno is proportionately narrowed and
retribution ignored. It seems that In
this. Christian Science has done a great
work, but It should be purged of Its
cant and stock denials of much that
makes life worth living. By a refusal
to recognise evil, no one can alleviate
It, and there is assuredly a vast
amount of remediable misery among
us. "Dost thou love life and eternity?"
spake Zaraathusa, "then go forth
among men upon earth and teach them
and thou shalt tnen be taugnt by them.
To acquire exact truth seems to me to
be a better philosophy than either Ed
dylstn or Calvinism.
C. A. OLSON. 528 Northrup at.
Children of Sheridan.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho, Feb. 9. (To
the Editor.) Please tell me the age of
the poet. Aloyslus Coll, where he lives
and all facts concerning birthplace that
are generally known. Also the ages,
residence and names of the children of
General Sheridan and maiden name of
his wife, ROT Y. BOGARD.
Aloyslus Coil's biography is not In
Who's Who or ths Portland Public Li
brary. Most of his poems were pub
lished in the Pacific Monthly, from
which office inquiries might be made.
Write to Sunset-Pacific Monthly, San
Francisco, Cal.
No mention is made, in several biog
raphies consulted, of any children be
ing born to General Sheridan. He mar
ried. In 1878, a Miss Rucker.
I NEED OP REX-TIGARDTILLB ROAD
i Writer Deems Hlsbway aSaaentlal to
Advancement of City and Country.
PORTLAND, Feb. 8. (To the Editor.)
It Is a strange statement to make that
the largest and most fertile valley of
the world once extensively farmed or
used for grazing purposes Is now being
overgrown by forests and fast becom
ing a wilderness. To say extensively
used for agricultural and grazing pur
poses is not exactly correct because
the population has been comparatively
small, yet it is a fact beyond refutation
that the heavy growth of brush and
timber covering one-half or possibly
two-thirds the area of the Willamette
Valley and equally fertile foothills is
not to exceed 40 or 50 years old. The
oak and flr brush have taken posses
sion of the pasture land and climbed
the fences Into the fields and In many
Instances covered the fields, leaving
only the potato patch on some of the
finest donation land claims.
There are a few square or rectangu
lar fields In some parts, but it is a
fact that the oak grub is getting the
best of the Willamette Valley farmer.
For many years past the boys and girls
have left the farm for city life at an
earlv tia and the old man with his
broad acres who has contented himself
by raising a few rat-tall calves and
scratching up a few acres has proven
himself a poor factor to contend with
the exuberant forces of Nature.
Cordwood, piling and lumber are be
ing cut from land once plowed by the
early pioneers. The Jackrabbit and
coyote have crossed the mountain from
Eastern Oregon to find protection in
this great wilderness. It has become a
disgrace and a serious and alarming
situation. Something must be done.
Small brush may be cleared from 5 to
$10 per acre, but a few years' growth'
makes it impossible to clear the land
for less than 100 per acre with avail
able labor.
Face the situation squarely; the Wil
lamette Valley if not entirely a wilder
ness now soon will be. Note the growth
of shrubbery In one's yard and think
'of the rapid growth and spread of the
natural forest unchecked by human in
dustry and one may form a fair idea
of the outlook for the commercial and
Industrial development of Portland so
far as support from Western Oregon Is
concerned.
Do the great department stores of
Portland, of such magnitude as to make
one wonder where they find buyers for
their goods, care anything about the
development and settlement of the
state? Upwards of Jl, 000,000 Is being
expended annually by the railroads and
commercial bodies in advertising this
wonderful land of opportunity, and yet
a very small number are settling in the
Willamette Valley; an insufficient num
ber at any rate to keep bacU the oak
grub.
The owners of railroads and electric
lines must hit upon a better plan. No
one knows the best way of settling this
great valley, but I believe If the com
mercial bodies, railroads and business
men would Join hands and help raise
the measly $7000 to complete the fund
to build the Rex-Tlgardville road, giv
ing a magnificent highway connection
between Portland and the Willamette
Valley, it would do more good than
a whole year's expenditure for colored
literature. Good roads are surely the
only salvation.
The Willamette Valley must be set
tled by an industrious people and If I
was running the publicity department
of a railroad company I would take a
small amount of the annual appropria
tion and go to Europe and bring over
a hundred thousand soli workers and
place them on small tracts.
If the retail and wholesale mer
chants of Portland have any Interest
in helping, to get a million and a half
people In the Willamette Valley they
might subscribe a tew aoiiars 10 wo
Rex-Tlgardville road tuna.
The country must be settled for the
best Interests of Portland, that her
growth may be natural and not arti
ficial. Nohlnsf can be of such wonder
ful importance as one decent highway
to the Willamette Valley.
GEORGE E. WAGGONER.
Without discounting the value of an
improved Rex-Tlgardvllle road. The
Oregonlan deems It proper to ODserve
that Mr. waggoner s tears mat ini
Willamette Valley Is returning to s
wilderness state are not well grounded.
A census bulletin from which The Ore
gonlan published copious extracts re
cently reDorts an Increase of approxi
mately 100.000 acres in Improved farm
area in the valley in the last census
decade.
SUPERVISOR OF CORPORATIONS
Good Companies Need Protection by
Exposure of the Bad Ones.
LA GRANDE. Or., Feb: 9. (To the
Editor.) The articles in The Orego
nian lately concerning the "get-rich
quick" orchard scheme, doing business
on air. and possibly some options on
sand dunes and water rights near the
Columbia River in Eastern Washington,
have been widely copied ana win no
rinnht serve to warn the investing pub-
He ae-ainst such Investments. We should
have a law in Oregon like that In force
In some other states, giving the Bank
Commissioner of the state Jurisdiction
over these corporations, and tneir as
sets should pass the Commission the
same as a bank before they are allowed
to start their operations,
This would protect the public and
would stimulate legitimate develop
ment of the orchard business or any
other line. There are orchard builders
In Oreeon now who court Investigation
not only by expert accountants, but by
the best horticulturists and soil experts
In the country, and they are entitled to
protection.
GEOBBE Li. ULJSA VfiK, .Banner.
Self-Supporting States.
NORTH PORTLAND, Feb. 9. (To the
Editor.) To decide a bet, would you
kindly answer the following question?
A bets B that the State of Missouri is
the most self-supporting state in the
United States. B bets that it la not
Who wins? THOMAS c. whiik.
The coint at Issue is one of those
glittering generalities often boasted of
by communities that cannot be proved
or disproved. We know of no compila
tion of figures that would settle the
dispute.
Divorces la Ca.ifor-'-t.
PORTLAND. Feb. 8. t'o the Edi
tor.) A person got a divorce in Cali
fornia In 1907 but failed to get the
final decree In 1908 on account of not
having ready cash on hand. If said
person married again would it be legal
or not? A SUBSCRIBER.
Under California's law a person is
not legally divorced until final decree
is Issued.
Carneale Hero Fond.
fFnrr,pn nr.. FVh. 7. f To the Edi
tor.) Will you kindly give the proper
procedure to bring a name before the
Carnegie hero commission?
MrJUf OnDITE.
-nr; t. V W WIlmnL KAf.rAtn.rv
Carnegie hero fund commission, Pitts
burg, Pa,
Monnt Washington!
RAINIER, Or., Feb. 9. (To the Edi
tor.) I see in The Oregonlan a sug
gestion in the Interest of harmony that
the name of Mount Rafnler-Tacoma be
changed to Mount Jim Hill. Don't you
think Mount Washington would meet
all purposes and have a better ring to
ltt JOHN SMITH.
A TRIBUTE
By Dean Collins,
Over the land we unite today
To cast the wreaths of honor and
fame ' .
Reverently In the deathless fires
That on the altar of mem'ry flame;
For It is fitting that we should pay
Tribute to Lincoln's natal day.
Many the wreaths of honor are cast
To Lincoln, the statesman, to Lincoln,
the man;
Who held the bonds of our Union sound.
Who lifted the shadow of slavery's
ban
Who, through the stress of the four
red years.
Smiled, though his eyes were full of
tears.
Let this be the wreath that I cast
among
The wreaths of those that are wiser
than I:
I bow to the man who could keep his
smile
Though sorrow and death o'er
gloomed the sky;
My tribute to him who knew the art
Of a smile In spite of a heavy heart.
Portland. Feb. - 11.
Half a Century Ago
From The Oregonl&n of February 12, 1S62.-
The whole tenor of the late Eastern
news is cheering to the Union men.
The great expedition which has been
collecting at the mouth of the Ohio has
left. But for where? The commanders
have kept their own counsel, and we do
not known the point they are aiming
at. It may be Columbus; it may be
Nashville; may be New Orleans.
General Burnslde's expedition has left
for some point on the Atlantic Coast,
probably tho country on Pamlico Sound,
to operate with the Union men of
North Carolina,
General Butler's forces are moving
on the coast of Mississippi, taking all
the towns in their way.
The vast force of the rebels is still
kept upon the Potomac by the presence
of General McClellan's forces, while the
troops and naval forces are operating
in their rear. It is a great object to
keep these rebel forces idle and to
demoralize them.
Missouri is clear of any large rebel
force, and small squads are being
picked up by our troops.
The rebels have been driven out of
Western Virginia.
We are glad that the President has
declined to accept General Stgel's resig
nation. The country should not lose
his services, and justice should be done
him,
Messrs. Chase. Taylor, Reese. Gray
and Trewell arrived in this city yes
terday overland from Walla Walla and
The Dalles. They left Walla Walla on
the 8th of January, and arrived at The
Dalles on last Wednesday, the 6th Inst..
and left that place on the 7th for this
city. Messrs. Tracy & Co. have fur
nished us with a copy of the following
letter written to them by their agent
at The Dalles:
"Dalles, Feb. 6. 1882.
''Mr. Jones arrived yesterday with the
express all right- Seven men arrived
last evening from Walla Walla, part of
them with feet badly frozen. They left
Mr. Brown, of Walla Walla, on the road
between John Day's and the Deschutes,
exhausted. They burled him alive in
the snow, but with both feet frozen.
Messrs. Palmer and Hatchet went from
Deschutes to his assistance, but re
turned last evening without finding
him. Brown had about 30 pounds of
gold dust with him. Tho party left
William Albright at John Day's with
450 express letters and 70 pounds of
dust.
"Mr. Jones left here this evening
with two men to bring the express
through and, if possible, to find and
brlrig In Mr. Brown. This man is of the
firm of Brown & Stanifore.
"A party arrived this evening from
Grand Ronde. One of them found
Brown on the road and slept with
him all night (4th), left him at 10 A. M.
(Eth) buried in the snow and alive, but
unable to use his feet at alL There are
reports of others frozen on the road,
but none definite. No snow in Grand
Ronde Valley. Frozen men all doing
well. Moody will have all the toes of
his right foot taken off tomorrow by
Dr. H. L. Roberts."
We visited the singing school last
night In the Presbyterian Church on
the corner of Third and Morrison
streets, under the direction of Mr. H.
Law. The singing was highly enter
taining. About 30 ladles and gentle
men attend as scholars.
The steamer Cowlitz left here yes
terday morning and, not having re
turned at a late hour last night, is sup
posed to have worked her way through
the ice in the Columbia River and suc
ceeded In reaching her destination.
A motion has been made In th!
Court of Claims at Washington to
strike from the docket claims of citi
zens from seceded states. If this in
done it will throw upon such citizens
the onus of proof to satisfy the court
of their loyalty. The question seems
to be In a fair way for being deter
mined whether disloyal citizens can
hold and enjoy property In the loyaL
states.
Country Town Sayings by Ed Howe
Don't neglect your business unless
your opponent will agree to neglect his
at the same time.
Every time you repeat a bad story
you know littla about, it's a pity you
cannot be cross-examined for the de
fense. The real test of housekeeping Is to
keep a cow successfully.
Every man Is probably shocked be
cause his opinions are not more gener
ally accepted; and that there, are so
many contrary to nis.
I received a long letter today, appar
ently written for no other reason than
to use the word "concept, which the
writer had probably only lately discov
ered. Another word I very much dis
like Is "cosmic."
Union and non-union men hats each
other as cordially as Infidels and Chris
tians; but infidels and Christians get
along better.
A revolution will, not raise corn to
feed the hungry, but It will take many
workers out of the corn fields and give
them opportunity to shoot other corn
raisers. Practically all managers of big insti
tutions in this country have grown up
from the ranks. Show me a business
managed by a man appointed solely be
cause he inherited wealth and I'll show
you a business steadily losing to its
rivals.
Mexico is really of great use to the
United States; it Is trying a lot of ex
periments, and we may adopt or reject
them, as they succeed -or fall.
When you read a continued story in
which a Lord marries a poor girl, and
a good deal is made of an old silver tea
pot in the girl's family, that's a sign of
a happy ending In which the bride will
turn, out to be a Countes
h