The Sunday Oregonian., November 23, 1902, Page 4, Image 4

THE SUNDAY 0REG02SIAN, PORTLAND, NOYEMBER 23, 1902.
tte vzg&vtiaxx.
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TESTEHD AT' S WEATHER Maximum tem
perature, 52 deg.; minimum temperature, 30
deg.; no precipitation.
TODAY'S WEATHER Increasing cloudiness,
probably followed by showers during the latter
part of the day. Winds mostly southerly.
POR.TL.AXD, SUNDAY, NOV. 23, 1802.
Ta his other achievements. Homer
Davenport now promises to add the dis
tinction of a lecturer of the first order.
Major Pond's encomiums are not, it is
to be feared, wholly disinterested, but
here, where -Homer has been known and
loved, boy and man, these forty years,
ills press agent' Is certain to be met by
a. confiding public more than half way.
It takes a peculiar sort of quality to
succeed in the declining realm of the lec
ture platform. learning and even ora
tory cannot insure against failure. Per
haps the open sesame Is only afforded in
an engaging personality, and if so there
la room at the top for our Oregon celeb
rity. No man can so thoroughly Invest
the commonplace with charm. Nothing
dry or tedious or uninteresting ever es
capes from his Hps, because there is
something in that great big way of his
that imparts to whatever he says an indefinable-
piquancy and charm. When
Homer remarks that two and two are
four, the utterance crashes through the
consciousness of all hearers with the
weight and momentum of a Copernlcan
or Newtonian discovery. - When Homer
observes that it is a lovely day all na
ture seems to strike up her symphonies
and flood the soul with melody. Surely
so happy a personality as that should
find opportunity for edifying as well as
entertaining his fellow creatures from
the rostrum; and if his talks are to be
accompanied with pictures from his
clever pencil and enriched with true
Homeric anecdote, their charm would
be unique and compelling. It is the-peculiar
lot of our Oregon Homer that
good stories seem to grow up about him
by spontaneous magic. Poor old quiet
Silverton bestirred- Itself in some mys
terious way to furnish a veritable Iliad
of quaint humor and fascinating ro
mance, which In Homer's captivating
phrase deserves immortality. New York
is a great and wonderful city, but it
contains nothing more to be desired than
an hour of Davenport's entrancing sto
ries of his boyhood days.
It would be absurd. for anyone not
thoroughly. Informed as to the condi
tions in the anthracite mines to declare
positively that a uniform scale of hours,
wages and basis of measurement is
practicable, yet we shall hazard the
opinion that the indisposition of the
operatorst to consider this uniformity
proceeds, not so much from physical ob
stacles in the way ae from a perception
that to resist uniformity is a most pros
perous way to defeat the miners in their
plans of organization. It is perfectly
certain that a. serious impediment to a
successful anthracite union, or to a suc
cessful combined anthracite and bitu
minous union is the present Infinite va
riety of labor arrangements throughout
the anthracite region; and it must be
equally cleaV that most if not all of
these variations are puly artificial and
could be reduced to a minimum if the
' operators were so disposed. The unify
ing and harmonizing capabilities- of the
trust process are sufficiently potent to
achieve this unformlty if it were sought
with half the zeal devoted to perpetua
tion of the present inequalities. What
the operators are apparently determined
to bend all their energies 'toward Is the
destruction of the miners' union. If they
are wrong about this, or about their
ability to destroy the union, it is evident
that they are indulging a course of
action whose cost to them will be great
la many ways, not excluding the los3
of much sympathy they might other
wise have. It is not to be supposed that
conditions in the comparatively limited
area of the anthracite region are more
prohibitive of union organization than
they are in the case of the railroad
"brotherhoods, for example, whereVgen
eral increases of wages are now being
made. Few will believe that a uniform
wage or piece system in the coal mines
would make- profitable mining impossi
ble. It would simply call for a read
justment of the other factors in the
problem of cost, or possibly a slight ad
vance in the selling price.
On another page of today's paper ap
pears another chapter in the series of
letters from a staff correspondent on
the public men of Washington. The se
ries has now Included Governor Mc
JBride, Senator Turner, Devi Ankeny,
Harold Preston and. Representative
Jones, and will be extended to include
John L. Wilson, Representative Cush
man, Representative-elect Humphrey,
and probably others. The close attention
given these men and their methods by a
trained and fair-minded observer has
tended to bring them into relief as men
of .great native force and high charac
ter. They are all self-made men, who
have come to their present influence
and eminence by dint of their own. ex
ertions. This morning's letter puts
i Representative Jones in the list of dis
tinct Senatorial possibilities, and his
strength Is evidently not of a sort to be
trifled with. He would make an ac
ceptable Senator and, equally with Mr.
Ankeny, would be alert to the meaning
of Columbia River improvement for
Eastern Washington. Mr. Wright's let
ters have also set a high estimate upon
Mr. Harold Preston, the Seattle candi
date, in whose behalf the King County
delegation is at work with Its usual
shrewdness and vigor, and it is be
lieved that Mr. Preston's fine qualities
would absolve him, from any sectional
-narrowness In the Senate. It Is The
Oregonian's desire to treat all these
candidates with respect, fairness and
even generosity. Its utterances relative
to Mr. Ankeny were solely aimed at re
buke of unfair attacks upon him and
only by perversion could they be made
to appear as -championing his electionas
against any other deserving candidate.
The position of Representative Jones
acquires interest from the probability
of his forming the. most available suc
cessor to the Ankeny strength. In case
the latter should fall of election. Mr.
Preston's manifest difficulty lies in the
directlon'of satisfying at once the rail
road sentiment of Seattle and the anti
railroad demands of Governor McBride
a problem not greatly simplified, ap
parently, by the struggleover the pres
idency of the State Senate.
Are the children of the poor healthier
than the children of the rich? On the
one hand- it Is observed that they run
about bareheaded and barefooted in all
kinds of weather and grow fat on expo
sure that would kill the more tenderly
reared. Poor children are often dirty.
They are frequently housed in close
quarters, sparingly clothed and insuffi
ciently nourished. Hence we have the
ideal picture of the rugged, robust,
never-sick children of the poor, con
trasted with the tender, anemic off
spring of the rich. Unfortunately, how
ever, this fancy picture is not realized
in actual life, for poverty any more
than anything else, Is not the royal road
to health. It is a mistaken Idea that
children of the poor escape with a low
rate of sickness and death. A multi
tude of helpless little ones are carried
off each Winter by the ailments that are
bred by insufficient air and food and
unsanitary habit and surroundlnga The
ravages of disease among the poor of
great cities In Summer are appalling.
Riches and poverty have peculiar possi
bilities of good-of their own, but they
will not achieve their benefits unless
discriminatingly applied. Plain food and
open air exercise are better for the child
than sweetmeats and close confinement,
and these are of tener found In humble
homes. But the blessings 'Of cleanliness
in habit and dress, medicine "and nurs
ing, are more apt to be with the rich.
Fortunately, In the West, the best con
ditions of each lot are within" reach of
the overwhelming majority. Pure water,
especially, is an ever-increasing agency
of health and vigor. Poverty is to be
prized for the strength that comes
through struggle, wealth for Its wider
opportunities. But each has Its temp
tations to be guarded against. The poet
has wisely taught us to beware at once
the squalid tenement and the cares of
the envious palace. From neither place
do we derive the forceful figures of our
National life; but from those homes that
are poor enough to teach habits of in
dustry and self-denial and yet comfort
able enough to be clean- and healthful.
The poverty from which greatness
springs keeps its face clean and pays Its
humble way.
THE SITUATION IN SPAIN.
The violent attack upon Premier Sa
gasta in the Spanish Chamber of Depu
ties on Thursday by the opposition
speakers goes far to indicate that the
Liberal Ministry, of which Sagasta is
the head, cannot long hope to remain In
power. Sagasta's Ministry began in
March, 1901. He has been confronted
during his term of office with the settle
ment of the religious question in Spain.
The religious congregations have in
creased and multiplied so rapidly that
the people desired to restrict their ex
tension and power, but Sagasta, al
though anti-clerical in sentlirient, has
found the problem beset with so many
difficulties that he has not been able to
solve it. He has not dared to attempt
the drastic measures that have been en
forced by France, because public opin
ion in Spain would not support him,
and in Spain at present it would be
Impossible to find a substitute for the
educational work performed by the re
ligious congregations, for the few secu
lar schools are greatly Inferior to those
conducted by the religious orders, and
the government is justly hostile 'to the
abolishment of the best educational
establishments in Spain." These religious
orders do a benevolent public service in
the matter of mitigating the suffering
of convicts and lessening the growth of
crime.
Under the circumstances, Sagasta has
not attempted to adopt in Spain the
radical methods of dealing with religious
associations that have been enacted and
enforced in France. After holding
office 19 months, Sagasta confessed his
inability to solve the religious problem
which confronts Spain and tendered his
resignation. He was requested to retain
his post and reconstruct the Cabinet.
The present disorder In the Chamber of
Deputies will probably be followed by a
second tender of his resignation by Sa
gasta, and in that event he will be suc
ceeded by a Conservative Premier. The
Conservatives, it is expected, will be
able to deal more succesfully with the
question of restricting the religious as-'
sociations than has the Liberal Anti
Clerical Cabinet. The Spanish people
favor the imposition of certain limita
tions upon the growth of the religious
orders, but they are in entire sympathy
with the educational and charitable
work done by these congregations.
Another question which the new Cab
inet will have to settle & that of Spain's
future foreign relations. The Sagasta
government officially denied that, a de
fensive alliance with France is contem
plated, but it is certain that the subject
has been officially discussed in the Cab
inet. If Spain succeeds in negotiating
a military convention with France pro
viding for reciprocal aid in time of war,
she would execute the first really states
manlike act that her government has
performed- since the fall of Napoleon.
Spain Is without a decent navy, while
France Is the second naval' power In
the world. With her ports secure from
bombardment through the aid of a
Frenchfleet, Spain would be entirely
able to organize and put on its feet a
formidable army.
If Ffance and Spain had been allies
in 1S98, Spain would have felt no fear- of
our American squadron, and would not
have parted with Cuba, The alliance of
Spain would be valuable to France, as
It would secure her, In event of war,
the freedom ot her ports on the Atlantic
and- the Mediterranean, and France's
Spanish frontier would be secure. Spain
as an ally could rapidly march a stal
1 wart army to the aid of France through
the Pyrenees. Such an alliance would
be but natural, and would be advan
tageous to both the contracting parties.
RUDIMENTS OF THE LAND QUES
TION. There are two kinds of public land In
Oregon, Government land and state
land. After-all the rush that has taken
place in the, last two years for cheap
public land, plenty remains -for those
who are seeking homes or investments.
Of course the best and most easily ac
cessible has been taken first, but much
of that which remains will in the next
few years be as desirable, .relatively, as
that which has been taken in the last
few years. All the recent agitation over
public "land matters serves to remind us
that in the disposal of these lands many
problems have arisen and will arise,
which are of importance not only to the
people -ho wish to secure cheap land
but also to the people of this state who
are interested in the development of our
natural resources.
Generally speaking, the Government
lands are classed as agricultural, tim
ber, desert and mineral lands, accord
ing to the manner in which they may
be obtained. ' The state laitds include all
these different classes, but are obtained
by purchase regardless of the character
of the land. Government land is ob
tained through the local land offices at
Oregon City, Roseburg, The Dalles, La
Grande, Lakeview or Burns, while state
land Is secured from the State Land
Board at Salem. The settler or" pur
chaser must be a citizen of the United
States or must have declared his inten
tion tf become such. In order to secure
Government land he must be 21 years
of age and to secure state land, 18 years
of age.
Agricultural lands may be sacured
from the Government under the home
stead act alone, arid, in the intent of
the law, only this class of lands can be
obtained under this act. Briefly stated,
the homestead act gives to every settler
160 acres of land, requiring no payment
therefor except certain fees amounting
to about $22. Actual residence upon the
land for a period of five years is re
quired, during which time improve
ments such as buildings must be made
and cultivation must be continued. No
certain amount of Improvements is re
quired nor must a certain proportion of
the land be put under cultivation. The
requirements vftry, according to cir
cumstances, the purpose being to require
the homesteader to make such im
provements as will indicate that he Is a
settler in good faith. Within two years
after the expiration of his five years'
residence, the settler may "prove upv
on his homestead and secure a patent
from the Government. If he wishes to
do so he may make his final proofs after
.fourteen months' residence and culti
vation, provided that he also pay $1 25
per acre if his land be outside the limits'
of a railroad grant and 52 SO per acre
if It be Inside. This i9 called commuting
the homestead.
Timber lands may be secured from
the Government under the timber laws,
each purchaser being allowed not to ex
ceed 160 acres. The land must be ohiefly
valuable for the timber upon it; must
have no valuable mineral deposits and
must not be susceptible to cultivation.
The applicant must make an affidavit
setting forth these facts and publish a
notice of his application for a period of
sixty days, when. If no adverse claim
be made, he will be given a patent upon
his paying the required $2 50 per acre.
Land chiefly valuable for the stone
found upon it may be secured upon the
same terms and in the same manner as
timber land.
Desert land may be secured by per
sons who wish to reclaim It, not more
than 320 acres being allowed to each
person. . The applicant must Tnake an
affidavit to the effect that the land is
arid, that It will not, without artificial
Irrigation, produce remunerative agri
cultural crops, and tlTat the applicant
has provided a source of water supply
sufficient to water the land and make it
productive. The affidavit of the appli
cant must be accompanied by that of a
witness, setting forth the same state of
facts. Upon the application being ap
proved, the first fee of 25 cents per acre
must be -paid and -the purchaser is at
liberty to proceed with his reclamation.
He must make reports at the end of
each year for three years, showing that
he has made improvements to the cost
of $1 per acre per year, and when the $3
per acre has been expended and one
eighth of the land Is reclaimed and un
der cultivation, he may secure a patent
by "paying an additional $1 per acre for
the -land, making the amount paid to
the Government $1 25 per acre. If the
land be located within the limits of a
railroad grant the price is $2 50 per
acre, in accordance with a general re
quirement. Mineral lands may be secured under
the general mining laws, by locating a
claim, having the claim recorded, and
making, a certain amount of improve
ments each year. When improvements
to the amount of $500 have been made, a
patent may be secured.
State land consists of the sixteenth
and thirty-sixth sections in each town
ship, cbmmonly called school sections.
These are sold by the state at the uni
form price of $1 25 per acre. No resi
dence or cultivation is required and the
purchase price may be paid in five an
nual installments or sooner if. desired.
The deferred payments draw interest at
the rate of 8, 7 and 6 per cent respec
tively. The-purchaser receives aier
tlficate of sale at the time of making
his first payment and this certificate is
assignable by writing the transfer, duly
acknowledged, upon the back of the in
strument. Any assignee of the certifi
cate may secure a deed by returning the
certificate and paying the balance due.
The state sometimes has for sale what
Id known as lieu land, which is Gov
ernment land taken in the place of
school sections lost to the state through
the creation of a forest reserve, or be
cause of its mineral character, orfor
some other reason. Lieu land ia partic
ularly desirable because the purchaser
may select it anywhere he can find va
cant public land in the state, and like
school land, no residence is required.
The price of lieu land, except that se
lected upon mineral base, has been fixed
at . $5 per acre. Land selected upon
mineral base will be sold at $2 50
per acre. As. the state does not
now own lieu land, the only way to ob
tain it is first to secure the base. This
may be done by finding a mineral school
section that was known to be mineral
prior to survey, or that has been since
ascertained ,to be mineral, and after ad
judicating the character of the land,
have lieu land selected in its place. As.
this proceeding is not practicable to
any but those who are experienced in
the work, lieu land Is generally secured
through private individuals who make a
business of procuring base. Should a
forest reserve be created in the Powder
River Mountains, as now contemplated,
the state will have some 20,000 acres of
base with which to procure lieu lands,
and this will be sold at ?5 per acre.
One of the requirements which applies
alike to Government and state lands Is
that the settler or purchaser wants the
land for his own use and not for the
benefit of some other person. The appli
cants are required to make an affidavit
to the effect that they have- made- no
agreement to sell or transfer the land
to any person. This and other provi
sions of 'the laws are often violated, but
always at the risk of a loss of the land
as well as punishment for perjury.
The forests of Douglas County are
soon to pay tribute to industry and
commerce. Vast timber areas in this
section of the state are as yet practi
cally untouched. Eastern capital will
be brought to the development of these
forest resources, and Western labor will
find in this Investment of money oppor
tunity to win Its share in profits. Capital
and labor go hand in hand in 'such de
velopment, and if wisely managed a
basis of harmony will be established be
tween them, without which the one is
liable at any time to be held up by the
other. The construction next Spring of
two or three sawmills and the employ
ment of 1000 men to operate them In
the various capacities of the lumbering
industry will mean an era of substantial
prosperity for the section of the state
Invaded by this industrial enterprise.
There is timber enough on the Umpqua
and its tributaries, say the experts, to
last a generation at the rate at which
it ia now proposed to convert it into
lumber. This estimate follows the state
ment that each of the three mills soon
to be built will have a dally capacity
of 75,000 feet, with arrangements that
will permit this capacity to be doubled
whenever it is deemed advisable to do
so. This means an onslaught upon the
"forest primeval" that would be pro
tested against but for the fact that It
represents a commercial proposition
which is strictly legitimate and has
nothing to do with sentiment. So long
as our forest supply is intelligently used,
not wantonly wasted. Its commercial
development will.be looked upon with
favor.
The Stratton estate Is regarded as
legitimate prey by people who base their
claim to a slice in it upon the fact that
the millionaire had money more than
he seemed to know what to do with
and had not been successful as a family
man In securing harmony, in his home.
One of the late claimants is Mrs. Clara
E. White, of Denver, high priestess of
a communistic order of "Emetha
Chavah," who says that Stratton prom
ised to give her $2000 with which to
publish a book explaining the new reli
gion which she has founded. Of this
sum she says there is a substantial bal
ance of $1950 yet unpaid. Mr. Stratton,
according to this claimant, was very
much Interested in her religion and her
book. This may be, since it is generally
believed that he was a man of unan
chored mind, but the truth probably is
that he gave her $50, the sum she has
magnanimously credited upon her claim
of two thousand, as an easy, and as he
probably thought,- a cheap way to get
rid of her, she having, as she says, vis
ited him fdur times to press her need
of money to carry out her project. Of
men of wealth only those who lead re
putable family lives and have reared
children to inherit their accumulations
can afford to die. Thwarted wishes,
broken wills and1 perhaps damaged rep
utations follow the demise of all men of
this class, whose lives do not follow in
the line of domestic rectitude.
The United States Government very
sensibly declines to give asylum In this
country to a colony of Doukhpbors.
The elements that go to make good cit
izenship are conspicuously lacking In
these people. A republic wants citi
zens. It has no use for fanatics who
refuse to obey human laws and set
themselves up as favorite children of
God. Divine right, whether applied to
rulers or people is not an accepted doc
trine of republican faith. Monarchies
can deal with these people much better
than can a republic. Freedom to wor
ship God according to the dictates of
their own conscience Is guaranteed to
all American citizens, hence the wisdom
of shutting out a sect that makes reli
gion a plea for such antics as these
Doukhobors have been playing up in
Manitoba within the past month.
Three years ago the Wisconsin Legis
lature passed a stringent law prohibit
ing transportation companies from giv
ing, and public officers or candidates
for office from receiving, free passes. It
is said that the law has been thoroughly
enforced, and the railroad companies
have been eager to observe it. Fear
that it might be repealed led the sup
porters of the law in the last Legislature
to submit to the people a constitutional
amendment embodying its provisions in
the fundamental law of the state, be
yond legislative repeal. The voters of
Wisconsin passed upon the amendment
at the recent election, and it appears to
have been carried.
Late advices from Guatemala City In
dicates that one son of his father was
out of place in official life. Godfrey
vHunter, Jr., son of United States Min
ister Hunter, figures irt a murder case
there to the scandal of the service and
possibly to its great embarrassment.
The dismissal of Dr. Hunter from his
post is foreshadowed by the. details of
the affair, in which his son was con
spicuous. If this Is all the way out of
the difficulty will be easy.
The long suspense and cruel anxiety
of the wife and friends of Mr. J. W.
Fuller have been ended by finding the
body of the unfortunate man. Such
consolation as a case so distressing ad
mits is found In the fact that his suffer
ings were not protracted by exposure
and want, but were evidently ended
within a very short time after his dis
appearance. An estimable man, 'a
worthy citizen his sad fate Is sincerely
deplored.
Seven years ago David Rothschild, of
New York City, who failed in the panic
of 1893-94, was penniless and owed near
ly $700,000. Although legally freed of
his debts by the bankruptcy act he
has paid them all and Is today president
of the Federal Bank of New York City,
which organized about a month ago.
It' is too much to expect that the an
thracite controversy can be settled just
yet. The lawyers have conducted their
"brilliant" cross-examinations, but have
not"yet offered their eloquent, convinc
ing, etc., summing .up of the evidence.
SPIRIT OF THE NORTHWEST PRESS
First Half Eliminated.
Cottage Grove Leader.
Governor Geer does not propose to have
but one game or Senatorial football this
time. No preliminary contest for him.
One down" is all fie asks.
Jastlce In Timber Matters.
Albany Herald.
A good motto for the Government offi
cials who are to Investigate the. alleged
timber frauds in Oregon would be to let
no guilty man escape, and also let no
Innocent claimant suffer.
Roosevelt Did It.
Heppner Times.
After all has been said as to the reason
for the Republican landslide, the fact re
mains that it was due in a great measure
to Roosevelt. His splendid character and
the course of his Administration appeal
to all. Americans.
Give Him Time, Brother.
Colfax Commoner.
If President Roosevelt would go after
the trusts with half the strenuosity he
displays while hunting bear, the coun
try might look for speedy relief from the
extortions of these competition-destroying
combinations.
Broad ns They Make 'Em.
Waltsburg Times.
The spectacle of a Republican Presi
dent going down to Memphis to join in
the welcome to a Democrat, Vlce-Gov-ernor
Luke Wright, of the Philippine Isl
ands, is an illustration of the breadth of
the present occupant of the White House.
The Transparent Game.
Aurora Borealls.
An Inquisitive exchange would like to
know "who would be to blame should the
Legislature tie up on the Senatorial ques
tion and delay the Lewis and Clark ap
propriation and other needed legislation."
Assuredly, the Multnomah delegation. Let
the members of this body go to Salem
and ask for nothing but the appropriation
until they get-lt. We hear a smile.
More Hotels Needed.
The Dalles Times-Mountaineer.
What is Portland going to do with the
big crowd that Is expected to be there
during the 1S05 fair? At present it has
not hotel accommodations for a llttlo
crowd like that which attended the irriga
tion congress this week. It is about time
Portland were casting aside its infant's
robes and putting on the clothes of a full
grown city, at least In regard to its ho
tels. If it proposes to entertain' on an
average of 10,000 visitors a day In 1903 it
must get a move on Itself and provide
some place for them to sleep.
They Protest a. Great Deal.
Boise News.
It will impress itself upon the mind of
the average reader of the statements sub
mitted to the arbitration commission by
the coal-road presidents that they de
vote more space to affirming . their unal
terable determination not to recognizo the
union, nor permit the commission to use
it, than is quite consistent with a deter
mination not to recognize it In point of
fact they are giving the most formal
kind of recognition, though perhaps in
the way best calculated to prolong th
trouble which led -to the strike and kept
it alive for five months.
No War Among: the Members.
Eugene Register.
While the work done by the irrigation
convention was not of official character,
much light was thrown on the necessity
for irrigation throughout the state, which
will have quite a bearing In making intel
ligent use of the Government funds to be
expended for that purpose. The greater
benefits will naturally accrue to Eastern
Oregon, but the western half of the state
realizes that what benefits Eastern Ore
gon adds to the growth and development
of Western Oregon. We want a strong
right arm to assist an equally strong left
to give us a well-balanced state.
Cause for Thanksgiving:.
Chehalis Bee-Nugget.
Next Thursday will be the annual
Thanksgiving day. The people of the
United Stiites have more reason than ever
before to be thankful, and our own citi
zens of Lewis County are no exception
in this regard. In fact, wo have much
more reason to be thankful vthan many
others. Wo are living in the best climate
that Is; our people are prosperous and
every mother's son who wants a Job has
all the work he can do; the farmer has
money in the bank or corded up in his
woodshed; we have health, happiness and
prosperity on every hand. Why not be
thankful?
Oregon Destined to Be Great
Harrisburg Bulletin.
That Oregon is destined to greatness
and is now talcing rapid and direct steps
on that road needs no philosopher to
foretell. The country has the resources.
Capital and labor are finding out their
opportunities here. Home people are
displaying an interest not heretofore
kpown. The promoters of transportation
have taken up the work of disseminating
throughout the Eastern States what we
are, what we have, and what they can
do out here, and when all these forces are
well organized and thoroughly at work
the whole state will hum with the activi
ties of regeneration. -
Prosperity in Willamette Valley.
Oregon City Enterprise.
The most encouraging reports are com
ing from all up and down the Valley In
regard to the growth of towns and the
settlement and development of the coun
try surrounding them. Woodburn Is grow
ing and prospering. Tho town of Ger
vals, badly damaged by a fire that swept
away Its main business district, is be
ginning to build up, and will be a more
substantial placo than ever. Silverton
and Dallas and all the towns of the coun
try surrounding Salem are going ahead.
We are entering upon a period of expan
sion, and the whole Valley and the whole
state are beneficially affected.
The Iilen Land Complication.
McMinnville Reporter.
The Oregon forest reserve is now larger
that a good many Eastern States of the
Union, and desire for more continues In
the minds of some of the land officials.
There is a strong suspicion that ulterior
agencies are at work and that the pro
posed conversion of these extensive and
valuable timber lands Into a forest re
serve has been Inspired for the purpose
of selfish gain by someone. A thorough
Investigation of the situation should be
made before the Government acts on the
suggestion of tho Land Commissioner. If
frauds are being committed through ir
regular timber land locations they can
be "defeated by other means than forest
reserving and without putting other vital
interests in jeopardy.
Cnrlons View of Loud.
Hlllsboro Argus.
That Eugene Loud, of San Jose, Cal..
has been defeated for Congress Is a mat
ter of much pleasure to those country
newspaper men who haVe watched that
Congressman's policies in the lower house.
Loud has always worked against the coun
try newspaper riot because he despised
them, but because he was working for the
big news agencies. Everything he could
do against the country publisher was his
forte. Petition after petition at each ses
sion of Congress has found Its way to
Washington asking members of Congress
to look -out for Loud and his various bllls
against the country .newspaper. Loud
lived in a district where the country news
paper was overshadowed by the bigger
papers, and he was not fearing the week
ly .paper. His defeat is sufficient balm to
many a country publisher who Is dissatis
fied with the way the elections went In
North Carolina arid Pennsylvania.
FIV&MINUTE BOOK TALKS.
NO. O COWPER'S "TASK."
"The Task" Is Cowper at his best. While j
its title suggests restraint, the work itself
is delightful, among other reasons for
the freedom and breadth of its range.
Here Is opportunity for the expression of
wide classical scholarship and judgment,
for minuteness of observation and sub
limity of thought and diction, for graceful
narration and characteristic excursive
moralizing, for philanthropy without nax
rowness and morbidity, and for cheerful
piety. And the love of nature and rural
retirement animates v the whole produc
tion. Whatever the subject, it is looked
at from a restful point of view, and en
joyed by the reader-without risk of irri
tation and annoyance, that is, if he has
the good sense to be content that the poet
speak his own thought, never mind how
harsh tho expression at odd times. And
I, for one, love this easy-going discursive
essay in correot and musical blank verse,
written with art consummately cultivated
and therefore without affectation, none the
less that occasionally it gives an incidental
glimpse of a man, spite of his greater
self, whom, If his sad life did not depre
cate even a just degree of severity, one
might describe as at times narrow, wasp
ishly satirical and too rudely in earnest.
But the "poetic pains," as he called them,
engaged in' "The Task," have, as a rule,
the glad spontaneity of one speaking out
his wholo mind with love unhindered,
excepting here and there, by the Influence
of meddlers with his religious and social
life. Alas, for an unmanly absence of
self-assertion when this was needed the
most! But to be just to the friends who
conscientiously did their best to make
Cowper's life miserable, while they in
tended only loving service, we do well to
remember that while they and he (some
times) saw the truth In false perspective,
as we think, both their religious vision
and his comprehended the most exalted
doctrines and ethics of tho Christian faith.
These are presented by Cowper with great
er distinctness and beauty than by any
other writer of the school to which he
was supposed to belong. He was Immeas
urably greater than a mere sectarian. Hi3
genius enabled him to shrine imperishably
in the verse of his masteppiece, a con
vincing expression of the harmony be
tween Nature and Biblical revelation, and
of tho hope and anticipation of a glorious
millennium. In the composition of this
great poem the eagle was master of his
powers of easy and graceful and strong
and soaring flight and we see him drop
now and then with tho assurance that he
will again rise with undiminished powers.
The smile of a lovely and gracious wo
man Inspired "The Task" she set him to
perform. Thus it was begun under an in
fluence of which he knew sadly too little.
Lady Austen was not Mrs. Unwin, but
this Puritanical widow survived the in
fluence of her brilliant competitor in the
simple poet's regards, and as a writer
tells us: "Before 'The Ta3k was finished,
its .fair lnsplrer had left Olney (where
Cowper lived at the residence of Mrs. Un
win) without any Intention of returning
to It." The publication of the poem In
1785 set the reading world agog. It sig
nified virtually the beginning of the natu
ral school of poetry, as distinguished from
the often far-fetched affectations "which
disfigure the otherwise conspicuous merits
of several generations of poets preceding
the date given.
Such a passage as this was delightfulls
new to the reader of 17S5:
Nor rural sights alone, but rural Bounds,
Exhilarate the spirit, and restore
Tho tone of languid nature. Mighty winds
That sweep tho skirt of some far-spreading
wood
Of ancient growth, make music not unlike
Tho dash of ocean on his sounding shore.
And lull tho spirit while they All the mind.
Unnumbered branches waving In the blast.
And all their leaves fast fluttering all at once.
Nor less composure waits upon the roar
Of distant floods, or on tho softer voice
Of neighboring fountain, or of rills that slip
Through tho cleft rock, and chiming as they
fall
Upon loose nebbles. loso themselves at length
In matted grass, that with a livelier green
Betrays the secret of their silent course.
Nature Inanimate employs sweet sounds.
But animated jiature sweeter still.
To soothe and animate the human ear.
Ten thousand warblers cheer tho day, and one
The livelong night; nor these alone whose notes
Nlce-flngered art must emulate In vain.
But cawing rooks, and kites that swim sublime
In still-repeatecT circles, screaming- loud,
Tho Jay, the pie, and even tho boding owl
That halls the rising moon, havo charms for
me.
Sounds Inharmonious In themselves and harsh,
Tet heard In scenes where peace forever reigns.
And only there, pleaso nightly for their sake.
In their way no less pleasing are pic
tures of Winter's withln-door, quiet en
joyments: Now stir tho Are and close the shutters fast.
Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round.
And whllo tho bubbling and loud-hissing urn
Throws up a steamy column, and the cups
That cheer but not Inebriate, wait on each,
So let us welcome peaceful evening In.
I am tempted to quote the after-going
description of a newspaper:
What Is It but a map of busy life.
Its fluctuations, and its vast concerns?
But I forbear, forbidden by want of
space.
He speaks of evening as
Not sumptuously adorned, nor needing aid.
Like homely-featured Night, of clustering
gems;
A star or two. Just twinkling on thy brow.
Suffices thee; save that the moon is thino
No less than hers; not worn indeed on high
"With ostentatious pageantry, but iet
"With 'modest grandeur in thy purple zone,
Resplendent less, but of an ampler round.
This is, to my mind, a choice bit culled
at random from many of the same general
quality of thoughtful reflection:
How various his employments whom the world
Calls idle; and who Justly in return
Esteems that busy world an Idler, too!
Friends, book3, a garden, and perhaps his pen,
Delightful Industry enjoyed at home.
And Nature. In her cultivated trim
Drcss'd to his taste. Inviting him abroad
Can ho want occupation- who has these?
Cowper of "The Task" was an optim
ist. It were vain to regret that his pow
ers, which were but Intermittently relieved
In their operation of mental trouble and
insanity, accomplished but little, In pro
portion to their very real and exceptional
greatness, of tho quality which gives "The
Task" a leading place in English litera
ture. Dwelling on the good time coming,
the poet surpasses -himself. He sees that
"What, remains
Of this tempestuous state of human things.
Is merely as the working of a sea
Beforo a calm, that rocks Itself to rest.
O scenes surpassing fable, and yet true!
Scenes of accomollsh'd bliss I which who can
see,
Though but In distant prospect and not feel
His soul rerresh'd with foretaste of the Joy?
Rivers of gladness water all the earth,
And clothe all climes with beauty; the re
proach Of barrenness Is past. Tho fruitful field
Laughs with abundance; and the land, once
lean,
Or fertile only In Its own disgrace.
Exults to see Its thistly curse repeal'd.
The various seasons woven Into one.
And that one season an eternal Spring.
And in glowing language he proceeds
to see the triumph of the church when
Error ha3 no place:
That creeping pestilence Is driven away;
The breath of heaven has chased it. In the
heart f
No passion touches a discordant string,
But all is harmony and love.
Thus heavenward all things tend. For all
were once
Perfect, and all must be at length restored.
The sonorous sweep and swell of th!?
grand verse, surely suggests a return to
the good, old habit, in homes of cultiva
tion and refinement, of reading "The
Task," by William Cowper, Esq.
( HENRY G. TAYLOR.
NOTE AND COMMENT.
A rushing business football.
A street crossing is whero the street
crosses the walk. v
The cook Is now modiste to the turkey
by special appointment
Tho San Francisco Examiner is now
hotly discussing the question whether
Carnegie's life is a "success. Thus quickly
does political preferment "lead Mr. Hearst
into jealousies and bickerings.
An editor who runs a notes and query
column received the following: "What all3
my hens? Every morning I find two or
three lying on their backs, toes curled
up, never to rise again." The editor re
plied as follows: "Your hens are dead."
Now comes the horrible story of tha
shipwrecked sailors who, after days In an
open boat, drank each other's blood. This
is pitiful. Had these thirsty creatures
lived ashore they might have gorged
themselves on human hearts and founded
universities on the strength thereof to tho
edification of the world.
Senator Prltchard, of North Carolina,
telling how healthy his section of tha
state Is, remarked: "A mountaineer, aged
92, and his wife, aged 90, were returning
from the funeral of their oldest child,
who had died at the age of 71. They were
both deeply grieved. As they were dis
cussing their loss the wife said:
" 'I always told you, John, that we
would never raise that child.' "
There Is oa. old story which was revived
the other day apropos of Water street. It
runs that a man was trudging along up
to his knees In mud, when he saw a head
bobbing just above the surface of tho
road. When he got within hailing dis
tance he discerned the face of a man, and
In genuine chivalry cried, "Hello, can't I
help you out? You seem to be in a bad
way."
"Don't worry about me," camo tha
cheerful answer. "I'm riding in an ex
press wagon."
Some befogged scientist is now discuss
ing what to do with old men. For somo
centuries the question has been: What to
do with young men? Now it is supposed
that the young man can take excellent
care of himself,' and Nthe man with whito
hair has outlived hi3 usefulness. Thl3
conscientious scientist Is very young, and
in time will discover that old men aro
thoso who keep the world in the channels
of righteousness. Age does not imply de
bility any more than youth implies lack
of thoughtfulness. There are no possible
"statistics comparable in value to the ma
ture wisdom of the man who has lived
and accomplished. Let youth figure with
the pencil of hope, but the balance will be
struck by experience.
Two little girls "came to tho Marquam
late ""yesterday afternoon and wandered
around as if they had lost something.
After some delay and peering about at
various signs they tackled a. man and
asked him: "Is it a children's matinee
today?"
"I don't know," was the response; "but
I suppose you can get in If you pay."
After some further hesitation the two
mites went to the doorkeeper and proposed
to him that he let them in to "look a llttlo
while for 6 cents." Inquiry showed that
these two matinee fiends possessed but
a nickel between them. The manager's
attention was called to this, and he de
cided that five pins was the admission for
standing room in this case, and the two
maids pf tender years were permitted to
see the last of "The Belle of New York-."
Although a reporter tried to get an au
thorized Interview after the performance
they refused to talk, alleging that they
had extensive shopping to do on the
abundant nickel.
All his life the elder Dumas, author of
"Monte Crlsto," "The Musketeers," and
many other famous works, was taunted
with his negro descent; the caricaturists
and lampooners, with execrable taste,
made the crisp hair and lean calves of tha
quadroon the subject of innumerable
gibes. A person more remarkable for in
qulsltlveness than for correct breeding
onco took the liberty to question the ro
mancer reather closely concerning hl3
genealogical tree. "You are a quadroon
M. Dumas?" he began. "I am sir," re
plied the author. "And your father?"
"Was a mulatto." "And your grand
father?" "A negro," hastily answered Du
mas, whose patience was waning fast
too fast for him to trouble about accu
racy. "And may I inquire what your
greatgrandfather was?" "An ape, slrl'
thundered the great man "an ape, slrl"
My pedigree commences where yours ter
minates.!" The young man with the poetic looks
and tho newsboy volco took the trumpet
from tho hook and yelled "Central I" With
out waiting for a reply he roared a num
ber and turned disgustedly to the men in
the office and denounced profanely tho
Idiocy of expecting a woman to under
stand that a business man wished things
in a hurry. When his harangue was ap
propriately concluded by some more bad
language, -ho shrieked again, "Hello, Cen
tral!" "What? If this isn't Central, hang upt
you fool."
"Is this tho Pandemonium office! Cer
tainly, it Is. What do you want?"
The young fellow wiped perspiration
from his brow and for 10 minutes ex
plained to her that he had not been talk
ing to her, but to a dog In the next room.
Central had given him tho right number
and was avenged.
In a book published lately- Is exemplified
the distinction between the author and
his work. Richard Harding Davis is
probably the best-hated man In America
among those who brook his acquaintance.
As a consequence the critics have been
blending admiration for his undoubtedly
good work with rancorous criticism of the
man. Those who say a man and his work
are identical err, as far as the cold,
passionless people who assert that the
author and his book have no connection.
'.The truth lies between. No man is so
consistently an idealist, so thoroughly
alive to the high impulses of life as the
man who sits him down to paint into
vitality the vision. of his heart. But the
plain fact that It Is his heart forbids
careless exposure to all. Snobbishness,
conceit, even ribald license are the refuge
of those who feel that the tenderness of
a soul cannot live in the glare of common
life. Mr. Davis stands for manfulness
and courageous deed. That Is his true
nature. If Is his misfortune and his de
fense that in ordinarv life his words and
acts breed hatred. Genius will always be
lonely. He who presses on to a high call
ing must too frequently trample under
foot what he loves only less than his art
3 .tAx ;