THE SUNDAY OREGONIAX, PORTLAND, OCTOBER f, 1914.
I : , ,
LETTERS ON BALLOT MEASURES OFFER VARIED ARGUMENTS
Correspondents Lean to Discussion of Prohibition, For and Against Tax Exemption Also Has Turn With Writers and Proportional Representation Is Considered
States' Repeal of Prohibition
Cited as Lesson.
Elinor Sears Seeks Explanation of
Caxtlnic Out of So-callrd Moral
Liw After Trials by Variooa Dis
trict. PORTLAND, Oct. 2. (To the Editor.)
Any question before the people
of Oregon for decision this Fall, if dis
cussed in the public press, should be
handled without bitterness or eat.
In discussing prohibition it would
seem that we might eliminate from
consideration altogether two classes of
men: first, the manufacturer or dealer
In liquor; and second, the fanatic; that
is. any man or woman who really be
lieves it a sin to taste liquor of any
kind. Let us say that the man directly
Interested in the" liquor business is not
open to argument for financial reasons,
and the other element is equally fixed
In its ideas from religious conviction.
These two elements probably represent
20 per cent of the voters of Oregon,
leaving at least !0 per cent who are
open to argument and who will vote
as they believe best for the interests
of Oregon, considered from every stand
points It must be conceded by any
fair-minded man or woman that the
arreat majority of either prohibitionists
or anti-prohibitionists are truly in
favor of temperance; the question that
divides is simply one of method.
The prohibitionists believe that force
or pursuing the method that some
parents use to keep the small boy out
of the jam, that is, either not having
any Jam or locking it up, is the proper
method. The anti-prohibitionist be
lieves that moral suasion, education,
the building of character and the teach
ings of Christianity are the best meth
ods for combating the sin of intem
perance. It would seem that on this
occasion the best "light by which we
can be guided is the lamp of experi
ence." Prohibition has always been advo
cated and adopted on the ground that
it is a moral uplift law arid it is being
urged today in Oregon on thosej same
grounds. Without going into a history
of prohibition I want to call the read
er's attention to the fact that New
England was the original home of pro
hibition, there the doctrine was first
incubated.
All six of the New England states
adopted it as a moral law, five of the
six have repealed it and in the sixth,
after over 60 years, it is. a football in
politics and Joke on the statute books.
Is it reasonable to suppose that a state
like Vermont would have repealed its
prohibition law after 53 years trial if
it has been a good law, or that New
Hampshire would, have done the same
after 48 years or that the prohibition
majority in Maine would have fallen
from 44.632 in 1884 to only 758 in 1911,
and that Massachusetts, Connecticut
and Rhode Island would all have re
pealed this law after long trials lor any
reason except that it had proved itself
a bad law morally, a breeder of drunk
ards and a filler of jails and asylums?
Jt is all very well to say that this
law can be enforced as well as laws
against murder, theft, burglary or ar
son. To the man or woman who may
feel inclined to advance this argument
let me ask him or her how many votes
a bill that sought to repeal the laws
against murder, theft, burglary or ar
son would get in Oregon, yet everyone
knows that state-wide prohibition, if
carried, would have majorities against
it in many sections of the state. Men
of good standing who would not think
of breaking any other law will help
break this one by the formation of
clubs and by patronizing blind pigs,
and the men who vote dry will connive
at the breaking of this law Just as
readily as the men who vote for li
cense. This has been true in every state that
has tried prohibition and we cannot ex
pect different results iu Oregon. ' It
would seem that the failures of prohi
bition and its repeal by so many states
where it has been tried were sufficient
to prove to anyone that it is impossible
to make a law effective that runs coun
ter to established custom.
I would like to see some explanation
of why this so-called moral law has
been so often repealed. This would
seem the iirst duty of the Oregon pro
hibition advocate. Will some of them
please explain. ELINOR SEARS.
Colorado's Martial Law Is
Made "Dry" Argument.
Correspondent Qnotea Article From
Trade Paper Which Says Saloon
Cloning Increased Coal Production.
rORTLAKD, Oct. 2. (To the Editor.)
Under date of September 17, the
I following statement appeared in the
I Iron Trade Review, a leading trade
journal published in Cleveland. O.. as
I part or a report of trade conditions in
the State of Colorado, under the head
'Vr.rrect or Closing Saloons":
President Wilborn. of the Colorado u-n.
llron Company, says in reirard to the elos'n
of saloons in the Colorado mining districts:
a Vvi:n the advent of the Federal troops ail
saloons In the coal-mlnlnir districts were
I closed, and as a result the efficiency of the
workmen has srreatly improved, the average
nroductlon of coal per man increasing about
Iltl ntr cent
The production at this company's mines
fin the southern district of Colorado for the
! first S days of April averag-ed s.sri tons
per day for each miner at work. That was
beforo the Federal troops closed the saloons.
JFor the first IS days of June (with all sa
loons closed) each man produced 6.5 tons.
which mean an averaae increase in vages of
over 11 per cent per man.
This has confirmed the view Ions- he'd by
us. that if saloons and drinkinc could be
nltinlnated from the coal districts, not oniy
the miners but the companies would be
Lzreatlv benefited.
"What I have said applies specifically to
khe Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, but I
Think, in a ireneral way. is true of the coal.
iminz industry in the state.
The foregoing, which is from abso
lutely unimpeachable source, ought to
appeal not only to every employer of
labor but to every wage-earner, for
Increase of tonnage means increase of
ages for the wage-earner.
I. H. AMOS.
Measure Restricting Voting
Privilege Advocated.
F. M. Gill Wrltea That I'rritnt Law
Ioea -Not Prohibit Chinese and
Japanese From neclarins Inten
tion to Become Citlzena and I'rgea
(banter.
I'FUR, Or.. Oct 1. (To the Editor.)
In response to your invitation
or public discussion of the measures
jo be voted on November 3, I desire to
ay a few words in favor of the first
f theBe. It would restrict votinar to
ull-fledged citizens of the United
tates. At present any person who has
ided in the United States' one year
fter declaring his intention to become
citizen, and in Oregon six months
liay register and vote.
The County Clerk of Clatsop County
Id me the other day that there is no
w forbidding Chinese and Jananeae
from declaring their intention to be
me citizens of our country. One year
rom the, time they bo declare their in
tention they may register and vote.
One Chinaman at Astoria has already
done this. Yet these aliens can never
become citizens of the United States.
lo we desire to continue this state of
aff stirs?
This amendment was fathered by the
foreign-born members of . the last Leg
islature. They argued that it takes five
years for people of other nations to
become sufficiently familiar with our
laws and customs to be intrusted with
the right to vote. They spoke of, their
own experience in our country. They
are to be complimented for the fine
spirit of patriotism they showed by this
action. The adoption of the amendment
will work a hardship on no one, as
there will be two years after the adop
tion of the amendment before another
general election, and most of those af
fected would be able to become citizens
in the meantime.
This amendment is certainly in the
interest of good government and should
be adopted. Vote 300 x ves.
F. M. GILL.
Tideland Amendment Draws
Fire of Opponent.
J. W. Dennett Says Measure Coreri
Wider Field Than Wai Intended
and Would Injure Logsinc; Cou
paniea of State.
MARSHFIELD Or., Oct. 1 (To the
Editor.) The proposed Constitu
tional Amendment of Article 11 of the
Constitution of Oregon, which was in
tended to apply to tide lands, is far
more reaching in its scope than was
intended by its framers, and this should
seem easy to understand when it pro
vides that "the beds of the navigable
waters of the state of Oregon at bank
full stage are hereby declared subject
to public use for water commerce,"
etc.
Tide lands lie between ordinary high
and ordinary low water mark and the
beds of the navigable waters in the
bays and rivers would ordinarily apply
to the beds of the bays, harbors and
rivers below ordinary high water mark,
whether covered or uncovered by the
ebb or flow of the tide, but when the
amendment includes the beds of all
"navigable waters' at "bank full
stage" it certainly embraces beds of
navigable waters which undoubtedly
would be above ordinary high water
mark. Itecause if the amendment in
tended to confine it to the hays and
rivers at ordinary high water mark it
would have said so, and not use the
words "at bank full stage."
Intention la Questioned.
If it was intended only for the bays.
harbors and rivers of the State it
would not have used the word "navi
gable waters," and while it is probable
that the courts will not permit it to
affect anything above ordinary high
water mark in the bays, harbors, rivers
ana lakes or the State, what is the in
tention of taking in such a broad area
above high water mark, which bank-f u-11
stage means in rivers like the Coquille.
Umpqua, Coos and Columbia Rivers and
many others, which at bank full stage
covers valuable low lands. In this
County alone, bank full stage would
embrace all such low lands as the Bea
ver Slough bottom, where steamers
carry passengers to Coaledo in the
Winter, during freshets, a distance of
about four miles from ordinary high-
water mark, in tne main river.
If the amendment was not intended
to cover this kind of lands, then why
not say so ana confine it to ordinary
high water mark and not at bank-full
stage. - -
There is no provision anywhere in
the amendment to protect the booms
for catching logs in a freshet and for
holding logs at sawmills, which are in
dispensable for lumbering manufactor
ies, and which have been used in con
nection therewith and constructed and
maintained at an enormous expense
ever since lumber has been manufac
tured in the state. Whv make the
amendment so sweeping as to gather
in mis net, or even disturb the use
of these booms for logging purposes, if
it was intended to accomplish no more
than its framers assert, when they say
through the Journal as follows: "This
language from the amendment declares
nothing that does not already exist,"
tiut let us see if it does or not.
Existing; Law Cited.
Ports Affected The Session Iowa nf
1909, authorize the formatibn of norts
for the improvement of the bays, rivers
ana naroors in tne State, and nrovidn
that "such corporation shall hn
power to improve all bays, rivers and
harbors within its limits and between
its limits and the sea, for such width
and length and to such depth as it may
be deemed necessary or convenient for
me use or shipping," etc.
And Section 6 thereof, provides "for
the construction, maintenance and op
eration upon any of the water fronts
so claimed by it, wharves, warehouses
and dry docks and to collect from ves
sels the same, wharfage and dry dock
age" etc.
If the proposed amendment is enacted,
will it not also take within its meshes
the power already granted to the ports
which have organized under its provis
ions, as well as take from the tide
rland owner the right to wharf out in
front of his land to deep water, which
was given him as an inducement to
purchase the mud flats by sections
5201 and 5202 Lord's Oregon Laws?
Kffect Klaewhere Described.
I am satisfied in my own mind that
the gentlemen who proposed the amend
ment and the bill accompaying it had
in mind the situation which confronts
them in the Willamette River in front
of Portland and devoted as little of
their valuable time to consider the pos
sibilities of the amendment as possible,
believing it to be a good motherless
measure to father, not realizing the ef
fect it would have upon the remainder
of the state. This is the only mother
less baby they have ever acknowledged
as theirs, and it may be the best they
can do, and while there is no disposi
tion on my part to mix up in any diffi
culties between the law-abiding citi
zens of Portland or Multnomah County,
as it is their privilege to fight like "Kil
kepny cats" if they want to. and I hope
they will, still I do feel that at least
those who in early days were lured into
purchasing some mud flats should not
be drawn into the meshes of the Mult
nomah net, and the promoters should
not undertake to distort its meaning to
escape responsibility.
It may be possible and fairly probable
that in this era of Democratic dlstub
ance the "has-nots" are more numerous
than the "sots" and the amendment may
be adopted, but that does not argue
that it is a legitimate or wise measure
for the worklngman or the business in
terests of the state. J. w. BENNETT.
BOY RAISES 200 CHICKENS
Lad Studies Poultry Business After
' Swapping for Hen.
COLD WATER, Mich, Sept. 29. Lynn
Roby, the 12-year-old poultry breeder,
has been in the business two years, be
ginning with a Brown Leghorn hen
that he swapped for. He now has 200
descendants of that tribe, is hard at
work building a poultry-house 16x24,
doing the work himself and building it
according to plans and specifications
sent him by the Government.
Lynn, although not yet in his teens,
has written and issued a pamphlet on
chicken raising and can give pointers
to grown-up chicken farmers.
'Painless Parker's" Own
Word Used Against Him.
Arsrument Advanced That Mor- Den
tists of Hlsrber Standard Are
. deeded in Oregon.
PORTLAND. Oct. 2. (To the Editor.)
The opening of your paper for a
frank discussion of the measures to be
voted upon at the next election certain
ly will result in much good. The par
ticular measure which I wish to refer
to at this time is known as the "den
tistry bin," which was apparently
originated by a man who calls himself
"Painless Parker."
I am not a dentist, but a business
man, and therefore cannot be accused
of prejudice. I am, however, inter
ested in seeing justice triumph. First
of all, let me Bay that I believe if
"Painless Parker", can pass the state
examination he is entitled to a license,
whether his manner of doing business
is in accordance with the dental associ
ation or not. The question of the meas
ure, however, is apart from this and
must be Judged entirely on its merits.
It provides in part that "A graduate- of
any reputable dental college in good
standing which requires a course of
study of at least two school years, hav
ing a yearly course of study of not less
than six months," shall be entitled to
practice dentistry in Oregon.
To my mind this bill is manifestly
unjust and if passed will be a grave
injustice to our state and to our initia
tive law. Any thinking person knows
that twelve months in college cannot
prepare a man to practice dentistry in
a competent manner. The fact of the
matter is, we have too many incom
petents even now, and "Painless Par
ker" himself says that, "half of the
men who get diplomas after a three
years' course do not know what to do
with them." Knowing this to b3 true,
will it not be better to raise the stand
ard . than lower it? We know and
have been told by "Painless Parker" as
well that there are more germs in the
mouth than in any other part of the
body. In fact the greatest strides in
the future in preventive treatment is
expected to be accomplished through
dentistry. Despite this fact, this meas
ure asks us to throw down the barriers
and open our state to the incompetent.
"Painless Parker" admits that he
would not have introduced this meas
ure had he been granted a license.
Therefore because he did not get a
license is he justified in making use of
our Initiative as a weapon of revenge?
Furthermore, the part of this bill re
ferring to the recommendation of two
citizens is a farce. There is not a
crook in the country who cannot get
two citizens to recommend him.
I am firmly convinced that this bill
should be so overwhelmingly defeated
that it will help to put an end to the
abuse of our initiative law.
J. SLOAN BRENNAN.
Alcohol as Economic Evil
Branded by Writer.
John Itlfrby Says Real Question Is
Whether Oregon Shall Continue to
Permit Manufacture of Polaon to
Be Uaed as Beverage.
VALE, Or., Oct. 2. (To the Editor.)
Let us call things by their real
names and endeavor to place the sub
ject - matter connected therewith in
plain unvarnished terms devoid of
specious logic, false premises, and il
logical conclusions.
The word liquor, as used by the oro-
his and anti-prohis, means any liquid
containing a perceptible proportion of
alcohol. The intoxicating effect of
"liquor' comes from the alcohol con
tent, and therefore, the more alcohol
the quicker and more severe the en
suing drunk.
Alcohol has had a negative value to
the human race since the dawn of his
tory. No historian, no philosopher, no
great physician, no poet, no great
writer of any time or nationhas ever
produced one word in favor of alcohol
as a human beverage or beneficial
stimulant.
No history of any nation but records
untold woe, crime, poverty, war. ranlne.
disease. Infidelity and misery, from the
use of this baneful stimulant.
We are entertained by the shallow
and insincere argument of the prohis
tnat Oregon hops are sold outside of the
state and therefore that the passage
of the act will not hurt the hop-grower.
wniie at tne same time the whisky
man contends that it will ruin that in
dustry. What moots the fact that a
trifle of harm may or may not come
through an act that prevents the ruin
of countless thousands of our citizens?
Listen to the liquor man's logical ?1
language: "Therefore if money spent
ror liquor is an economic waste, then
money spent for every other luxury is
an economic waste." They then enum
erate tea, coffee. tobacco. Jewelry.
dress, fine churches, winding up with
this: "That nation is the most pros
perous wherein the people have the
greatest range of luxuries." And again
laws are nunc on the customs of so
ciety and the use of alcohol has been
a custom of all countries for ages."
bhall we not conclude as -follows?
Tea being a luxury men are entitled to
place an acknowledged poison before
their fellows as a luxury? Jewelry
being a luxury, it is proper that men
should imbibe a liquid that causes
them to go home and beat up the fam
ily, or the woman to drink a liquid that
causes her to forget her virtue? Fine
clothes being a luxury, the man is cor.
rect in his tastes when he drinks that
which will cause him to tear the
clothes from his wife or buy clothes for
some woman not his wife? Fine houses
of worship being a luxury, men should
buy a beverage made from an ounce
of hops, a pound of barley and two
barrels of water at an enormous cost
in order that a few men may build
palaces while 1,000,000 dwell in sorrow
and poverty?
Tobacco being a. luxury that does not
kill quite, as quickly as alcohol nor
cause such a vast amount of suffering,
we must permit the sale of a liquid that
steals away our brains?" Therefore.
to have the greatest range of luxuries.
a nation must become a nation of
drunkards?
Custom forsooth! It was formerly
the custom for all men to have as large
a harem as possible. That custom is
not law at present in civilized nations,
though the use of alcohol usually re
vivifies that lost custom, in many.
That the law may throw a few thou
sand men out of their present avocation
is no sound argument, if their occupa
tion is evil or results in evil. Let them
find some other business. Our govern
ment finds no difficulty in passing
laws that throw hundreds of thousands
out of work, for, as they state it, "the
greatest good to the greatest number."
A change in the administration has
thrown 100,000 men out of office and
the Government pays no heed to what
they may be compelled to do, though
they arbitrarily change the occupation
of the 100.000 they have given the of
fices to.
- About two pages are used to demon
strate the greater amount of bank de
posits in "wet" as against "dry" states.
Just what the monetary affairs of any
state have to do with the subject we fail
to see. Kansas may be prosperous for
some reason other than prohibition,
probably because of her greater suc
cess in farming. Does this demonstrate
that they would he better off drunk?
Who knows but that if Oregon quits
drinking and puts the intelligence re
leased from the binding steel of alco
holism at work farming, or producing
something beneficial, the high cost of
living might come down without a de
pleting effect on the bank-account of
either consumer or producer? .
If alcohol is such a splendid thing
for the human family, why is it that
every business man in the world ob
jects to the employment of drinking
men in responsible positions? Would
the wealthy whisky man (and they
are usually wealthy unless they con
sume too much of their own product)
desire to ride on a fast train with a
drunken engineer at the throttle? Does
the whisky man employ drinking men
in his office handling his money? "A
business man cannot afford to drink,"
well, now, we wonder why not?
For hundreds of years the Prohibi
tionists of all nations have been fight
ing alcohol and vainly. Vainly because
of misdirected efforts. Today alcohol
must go. Must go in spite of pulpit
propagandas and religious intoleration.
Must go because education has shown
men of all degrees and classes that it
does not pay. Education has shown
through science, that alcohol imbibed
as a stimulant is a deadly poison. Ed
ucation through science has shown it
to be a false stimulant in all cases and
sure ruin in most. Education and crim
inal records demonstrate that more
than 90 per cent of all crime may be
traced to alcohol. Analysis slrbws that
human passions cease to be held in re
straint when alcohol is in power. Evil
has not been bred out of the human
organization. While dormant, evil is
still within the germ-cell of all hu
manity. Deep down we are still leav
ened with the beast. Alcohol, which
brings these evil passions into active
command, not only should be, but will
be, suppressed.
The- negative argument is specious,
misleading, illogical and makes no at
tempt to answer the one sole question
which the voter should ask. That ques
tion is: Shall Oregon continue to per
mit the manufacture and use of a dead
ly poison as a beverage?
JOHN RIGBT.
Son's Life Is Worth More
Than All Saloons.
Father of 10-Year-Old Boy Advances
Argument for Prohibition.
OETLAND, Or., Oct. 2. (To the Ed
mr itor.) Much has been said for and
against prohibition in The Oregonian.
Financial argument has been put up
against opposing financial argument.
The moral side of the question has
been well presented. Let a mere fath
er, a common everyday citizen give his
view.
Like thousands of others. I, myself,
can take a drink then leave liquor
alone. The habit never gets to me, its
evil I never feel. But I nave a son, a
growing boy of ten years. How can 1
tell that he too can take a drink, then
leave it alone? Perhaps he will be the
direct opposite of his father, an habit
ual drunkard.
If prohibition prevails in Oregon, the
chance for him to become a drunkard
is decreased a thousand times. If that
boy Wean live clean, he may become
most anything, millionaire, great states
man, . even President. So may every
lather s son.
If conditions are such that a weak
ness may crop out, in other words, if
the saloon is open to him and he falls
for it, he will not become a millionaire,
a great statesman, or President.
I am told 4000 men will be put out of
employment. Suppose not one of them
ever again finds a job (which is ab
surd), even that calamity, to me, would
not be as bad as my boy becoming a
drunkard.
You will say I am selfish. I am not-
In speaking for myself, I only express
the thoughts of thousands of. fathers
who remain silent.
If all the breweries close, if all the
saloons become idle, non-income earning-
rooms, if all the hopyards turn
sour and non-productive all that is
very small compared to the loss of my
son if he becomes a drunkard.
And you, Mr. Father, and you, and
you it is very, very small. If your
sons become drunkards, things to be
shunned, spenders not savers, reac
tionaries not progressives, dense, shift
less men, not clean, upright citizens.
Our business in life, every one of us,
is to make the very best of our lives,
and of the lives of our sons, and of our
neighbors' sons. Always we should be
striving to raise the standard of citi
zenship, to lend a helping hand to all
who falter.
The saloon will never do that. It
cannot. Its profits depend upon the
downfall of . our young men. The soon
er he becomes a drunkard, the longer
will he spend money for liquor, and the
richer will be the harvest for the sa
loon and the brewery.
SPENCER THASK.
"Vote Dry," Says Hop grow
er, Angry at Short Seller.
Writer Argues That Brewers Play
Waiting Game and That Specula
tors Make Industry- Hazardous in
"Wet" Ileglme.
PORTLAND, Oct. 2. (To the Editor.)
For the past two or three months
I, as a hopgrower, have been receiving
letters from the hopdealers and grow
ers' associations of Oregon urging me
most seriously to vote number 333
against state-wide prohibition to save
the hop industry of this state. I as a
grower have personal interest, as pro
hibition would put me out of the hop
business and I would be compelled to
plow up my hop-yards and turn my
hop-houses into barns and sheds for
dairy cows, etc., or let them go to ruin.
Well, I am somewhat puzzled to know
where I am, whether I am not already
out of the hop business by actions of
these self-styled patriots, the hop
dealers of Oregon, who have already
sold my hops. Other growers of this
state, some six months ago, sold to
Eastern and European dealers at 15
cents and less, delivered, without ask
ing my consent whatever.
Now that I have my hops baled, Mr.
Shortseller is around offering me 14
cents for my hops and if I don't accept
this week the profit will be 10 cents
next week. That is their argument.
The crop of 1914 was a short one as
everyone knows and with high prices
of labor and general expenses, hops
cost around 10 cents to 12 cents to pro.
duce them. So we are asked to grow
the hops and deliver in the bale to our
benefactors, Mr. Shortseller, as an ac
commodation to him. But it is an old
game, they played it last year and got
stung hard and now they are trying to
get even.
The brewers are not to blame. As
one of them writes, they are willing to
pay 18 cents to 20 cents for good Ore
gon hops, but if they can buy them for
less they will certainly do so. They
are- playing a waiting game, keeping
out of the market so the weak-kneed
grower will sell. Well, why not make
a clean job of it? "Vote dry," vote for
a state-wide prohibition and put Mr.
Shortseller and the whole hop indus
try out of business. We can put our
land to other use and Mr. Shortseller
can hunt for a new job.
If the state goes "dry" lay it to the
hopdealers themselves.
A DISGUSTED HOPGROWER.
Single-Tax Negro Lurks in
Bill, Letter Says.
W. J. Peddlcord Thinks He Sees
Clever tVork of Propaarandlata lt
Exemption Meaanre and One for
Proportional Kepreaentation.
HOOD RIVER, Or.. Oct- 1. (To the
Editor.) It has long been known
to some of the voters of Oregon that
there is a wild locomotive on the leg
islative track and that every crossing
ought to have, up the usual warning
in large "scare-head" letters: "Legis
lative Railroad Crossing; Look Out for
the Single Tax 'Jim Crow' Train!" For
It is always necessary to safeguard as
far as possible the irresponsible and
the many thoughtless.
At other times, on the other hand,
the most cautious need to be on their
guard against the noiseless approach
of these cunning and sleepless cham
al proportional representation is cun
pions of a failing cause. Remember
that, "soft-footed as a wolf," they stole
upon us napping "on duty" once before.
This time, they come in another guise,
for, while the hand extended to the
people for the blessing of constitution
al proportional representation is cun
ningly made to appear as. the hand of
Esau, the low sweet voice is the voice
of the young man Jacob the single-tax-er,
who came to Oregon a few years
ago from the far country of one Fels
the soap man.
Now let us see whether we cannot
discover a "colored gentleman of Afri
can descent" in this proportional repre
sentation "woodpile." But, first, by
way of preface, let me state that "The
People's Power League of Oregon,"
whose secretary is cne of the great
triumvirate of Government, prosperity
and happiness by single tax, in our
state, subscribes to the following state
ment in its argument against a cer
tain measure to be voted cn Novem
ber 3:
This amendment repudiates the American
principle of law-making and government by
a majority. It gives to one more than one-
third or those who vote, the power tor all
time to reject and veto any Important
change in the present tax and assessment
laws of Oregon.
And at the same time it also sub
scribes to the following in its support
of proportional representation:
It insures the election of every candidate
who is supported by so many (had they
been frank, it 'would be "so few") as one
sixtieth of the "voters of the whole state.
Is the Jewel of consistency apparent?
To my mind, even the gem of sincerity
is wanting. Any way, " think of the
advocates of an odious and rejected
propaganda who solemnly declare for
"law-making and government by a ma
jority," yet willing to "worm" their
way right into a law-makinsr body it
self with 59-60ths of the voters of the
commonwealth of Oregon trying to
keep them out! And this is just what
this amendment is intended to do
framed for i,t!'
Again, this same advocate of law
making and government by a majority,
"The People's Power League," also
subscribes to this remarkable state
ment: It Is not possible under this amendment
for any political party or organization to
elect more or less than its fair proportion
of the representatives according to the pro
portion of the whole number of voters in
the state who vote for the candidates of the
party or organization.
Plausible indeed! ,
But the truth is the very intent of
this amendment is to smash all party
majorities and even so break up plur
alities that the cunning advocates of
some menacing propaganda may
stealthily worm their way right into
legislative halls with 59-60ths of
the voters of Oregon against them.
This is admitted above, monstrous
as it is, and a direct blow at
majority rule. Why. it is the hope of an
assorted lot of little "organizations,"
cliques and factions ' that champion
otherwise hopeless causes. Any other
position is an absurdity on its face:
for these advocates of proportional
representation, fearing 'steam roller'
organizations," as they express it (for
getting that wind-rollers axe. often
more destructive), expressly declare
the design of the amendment is to have
representatives of "all opinions, inter
ests and parties" in our legislative
body. And that Includes us! That is
to say, by one-sixtieth of the votes,
and not a "majority rule," the re
sourceful single taxer will be there to
thresh over for the thousandth time
his old straw of single land tax prop
aganda to the detriment and delay of
wholesome legislation. Do you see the
snare for your tripping, Mr. Voter?
Then keep your foot out of it.
Again, I am opposed to any measure
that weakens or, with great probabil
ity, destroys the strength of my ballot;
and- that, too. is Just what this amend
ment is intended -to do for it; for my
vote counts for less when caBt for only
one of 60 candidates in the state than
when cast for one or usually more can
didates in a single county or district.
under proportional (it ought to be
called disproportional) representation,
I can vote for but one candidate in the
state, missing whom I have missed all,
as tens of thousands will do and even
whole counties may under this amend
men t.
No. voters of Oregon, while propor
tional representation fairly rings with
its sense of fairness, possessing a
charm that may deceive some of the
very elect, it is the wooden horse of
tne creeks which many innocently
enough are with honest motives help
Ins a cunning few to draw Into the
halls of legislation and into the con
stitution of Oregon.
Let me warn you by a striking com
parison, for it is high time here in
Oregon that we were looking after "th
American principle of law-making and
government by a majority." Th -non.
dulum has already swung dangerously
iar in tne cnerisneo opposite direction.
Quite all the intelligent, progressive
and Influential nations of Europe are
eusageo in oeaoiy conflict and the
ever-vigilant and cunning Turk de
clares it is his opportunity! Now, with
parties rent asunuer here In Oregon,
with all organized voting strength
smashed into three-score fragments.
wnn tne legislative body dismantled of
its very bulwark (notwithstanding its
imputed fairness), against hasty and
ill-advised legislation, you will behold j
MOTHER! GIVE SICK CHILD
ONLY "CALIFORNIA SYRUP OF FIGS"
If Peevish, Feverish, Tongue Coat
ed, Give Fruit Laxative
at Once.
No matter what ails your child a
laxative should be the first treatment
given.
Look at the tongue, mother! If
coated, it is a sure sign your "little
one's" stomach, liver and bowels need
a gentle, thorough cleansing at once.
W hen cross, peevish, listless. pale,
doesn't sleep, eat or act naturally; if
breath is bad, stomach sour, system
full of cold, throat sore, or if feverish,
give a teapoonful of "California Syrnip
of Figs." and in Just a few hours all
the clogged-up, constipated waste, sour
ere long a legislative body of men and
women each with a grip full of vaga
ries. The single tax propagandist will
be there, laboring to destroy all land
values. The ultra . Socialist will be
there, laboring to destroy all profit
systems. The anarchist will be there,
derisively vociferating that self-government
is a demonstrated failure, and
urging that we now finish "the job"
so well on the way.
Such a condition. I submit, is not
creditable to the intelligence and up
rightness of the great body of the citi
zens of Oregon with her boundless re
sources calling to the capital such a
condition would intimidate Oregon
with its unsurpassed climate and
matchless scenery. But it is a condl
tion more than possible; and you need
no longer put your ear to the ground
in order to hear the sound of the on
coming motley host, the witting and
the unwitting allied enemies of prog
ress, prosperity and good government
an government.
W. J. PEDDICORD.
Sincerity of Drys in Hop
yards Questioned.
Writer Believes Pickers Who Op
poae Industry Should Stay Out of
Klelda and Explains Effect Pro
hibition Would Have Upon Labor
ing Man.
r,ORTLAND. Oct. 2. (To the Editor.')
I was talking with a friend of
mine a few' days before hoppicking be
gan, and he mentioned the fact that
witn nis wire and child he was going
hoppicking. Now T knnnr that tt,t.
man's wife is greatly opposed to liquor
and so is he to a certain extent. Now
can you imagine a mother who would
siaaiy Bee a large industry put out of
business taking a child into a hop
field where they grow ore of the main
articles that goes into the manufac
ture of bAer
Looks like narrow-mindedness, and
goes to show that they do not prac
tice what they preach. I was In a hop
..cu .ni jear just looking around
ana i met a woman whom I knew. , I
told her that T nnnrc v, A
some Prohis picking hops. She gave
uio winn, meaning that the woman
On the OthAr filda rf th. I .
Prohi. I hold that these - people are
i-uHoiateiu in wnat tney say.
Coming down Williams avenue one
morning I counted 14 empty stores
me norm sioe ot Temont street,
a drV diStrffr Snnth f i.
street there are not a half dozen empty
stores, a wet district. Yet they tell us
that the saloon gets the money that
the rrocfir And hntph.. . . . i ,i i
Prohibition can bring only one result
'" "ieii, more vacant stores,
mnrA vacant V. . i
. "igucr taxes,
more bootleggers, and more drug
I like a good glass of beer, and once
in a WhilA T tnlrA a 1 .-. . I. ; ,
to "..".J .J L wuiS&y,
and it gets my goat to think that some
wi.ici 'tiiun kzall ten me whether 1
can have it, or not, especially if he
comes from the East.
We never miss the -water till the
well goes dry, and a lot of hard work-ins-
men whn liv. ,ni . ,
-' " -. w . fc, " " i. ft J 1 ."3 & JL coot
beer after a hard day's work who
uun i uae ine trouDie to vote had
better think n hn,,t tha .....i i i
will be eating ice cream at 10 cents a
.in uw. una iney ao say tnat ice cream
is bad for the stomach, while doctors
recommend good whisky in case of
biukiicss. xours ror a wet state.
A SUBSCRIBER.
Success of Plan in Europe
Advanced as Argument.
Writer Contends Proportional Rep.
reaentatlOB Would Succeed Here.
JJORTLAND, Oct. 2. (To the Editor.)
- vuo muvu concerned in keep
ing the government up to the require
ments of the day, I would like to give
my opinion of the proposed "proportion
al representation" measure. I see the
argument in our state pamphlet against
it is very vehement in denouncing the
measure because it is "U'Renism." If
we reflect back about 10 or 12 years to
see where U'Renism started and count
up tne steps or plutocracy transformed
into democracy,, from Statement No 1
to the now realized direct election of
senators, the direct primary and th
rest, you know, every step of which the
same element lougnt that is now fight
ing this and all the rest which U'Ren
favors. I have no apology to offer for
his name being connected with this and
some other measures. The oDDonenta
claim this "scheme" would make it pos-
oiuie ior Aiuitnoman county and her
political bosses to become predominant
In the Legislature and that the facts
are misrepresented in the affirmative
arguments, all of which is the same old
cry against a true democracy and the
illustrations or "had results' are mere
assumptions, not possibilities, let alone
probabilities.
There is no substantial misrepresen
tation of facts in the assertion that
some of the European countries (those
which are now at peace, by the way)
nave similar systems in vogue. I have
at least been in Switzerland, and what
the "People's Power League" Indorses
conforms to my ideas, which, of course.
are ideal. c. A. REICHEN.
SIX BROTHERS WITH KAISER
Pottstown Baker Worried" About Re
lations Fighting for Germany.
POTTSTOWN. Pa.. Sept. 20. Frits
Seigel, a local baker, is proud of his
family's representation in the- German
army during the present war. All his
six brothers are with the Kaiser's
forces in France, and the fact that he
has not heard from any of them for
over a month makes him solicitous as
to their fate.
A transparent paint for glass can be
made by tinting white' shellac varnish
with an aniline dye of the desired
color.
bile and undigested food will gently
move out of the bowels and you have
a well- playful child again.
Sick children needn't be coaxed to
take this harmless fruit laxative. Mil
lions of mothers keep it handy be
cause they know its action on the
stomach, liver and bowels is prompt
and sure. They also know a little
given today saves a sick child tomor
row. Ask your druggist for a 50-cent bot
tle of "California Syrup of Figs,"
which contains directions for babies,
children of all ages and for grown-ups
plainly on the bottle. Beware of coun
terfeits sold here. Get the genuine,
made by "California Fig Syrup Com
pany." ' Refuse any other kind with
contempt. Adv.
Exemptions of Any Kind
Thought Odious in State.
- . J"-kon Sa,, A II Property
Should Be Taxed i:,na y . i k.t
k r,"'.?r"1"'" of - Mature
Should He Countenanced
CCGEXE. Or., Oct. 1. iTo the Ed-
itor.) The letter recently appear
ing on the exemption question amend
ment or proposed law) was sound as
far as It goes. All taxation should be
?3rafl er?rly' witnout exception. That
t,nr. PrPe"y should pay i propor
tion. Exceptions or discrimination are
odious and hateful and breed only
Jealousy, ill will and a spirit of Injury
favoritism and resulting revenge'
weakeCathrly ?"
rfhJ general spirit of content
and happiness or settled course of weal
of any country.
r,fItT,Jf-the fJrst bas,s or desideratum
tLf X and ProsPerity in any land
J i., ? Sen8e of j"stice and fair play
.hnUhCl8Sei Previlil and be firmly es
tablished. The irregularities or de
fects in the taxation system in Ore
fLY" mlZ- " 8eem" to the under
laws -?r!the assessi"ent system or
"s- The,se a sadly lacking, as
,S,M k many states' oPerty
should be bo assessed, while reaching
or ascertaining the true or real value,
as to encourage the owner to make use
of or develop it. Either that or per
mit someone else to do so.
By this time, with the' various de
velopments in the line of trade, both
land, water and possible development
of new inventions and increase of set
tlement and population (prospective)
U can be fairly said or estimated the
value of all properties in land, powers,
mineral etc. and all. including per
Inlll . HDC a system of valuation
ought to be readily obtainable or could
be established without much diffi
culty. I would have all vacant land valued
on what it would be worth when put In
cultivation or use. in reasonably sized
tracts, suitable to the community or
population where located, thus doing
away with the idle speculator or forc
ing him to let loose of his useless or
vacant acres and make them available
for the community for which it was
intended by nature on general prin
ciples. However, there should bet no
discrimination in rates of tax. since
such would defeat the purpose for
which they are intended. All should
have an equal show and fair play as
far as possible, and the best man or
people win in any calling or situation.
W. L. JACKSON.
'Oregon Dry" Opposed Until
States Near Bar Rum.
Arthur Hartmnn Seea ed of Guards
to Prevent Importation of Jaga If
Prohibition Wins.
WINBERRT, or.. Oct. 1. (To the
Editor.) I think little Oregon
better wait to vote dry untjl the states
around are all dry. Just so the laws
can be at least partly enforced. Think
of the guards that will have to be
placed on those thousands of miles
of boundaries to prevent Jags being
imported: Think of the contempt for
law which makes a crime in Oregon
of what is perfectly legal in our sister
states!
Can such but cause not only resent
ment, but actual hate in enforcing a
law where one citizen's private life is
under constant espionage by another
and when the most disgraceful traps
are set so as to punish a man for help
ing another to obtain a necessity which
until now has been free to every man?
Because one man uses liquor to a
disadvantage, why should another who
uses it ought to be punished? Let tem
perance win by teaching, training and
the greater opportunities for the sober
man rather than by laws which must
resort to tactics similar to the inquisi
tion of the Middle Ages, and then fail
for prohibition in Oregon is impossible
and impossible laws are vicious.
ARTHUR HARTMAN.
COURAGE IN WAR.
What war teaches as well as busi
ness life
Courage in war or business is born
of good pure blood. Pure blood is the
greatest blessing mankind can have.
Millions o'f people need this power
ful vegetable remedy that puts tho
stomach, liver and bowels in fine con
dition; that clears the skin of pimples,
rash, blemishes and eczema; that dis
solves boils and carbuncles; that makes
nerves stronger and steadier and gives
to pale, weak, rundown people the full
est measure of health and happiness.
Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discov
ery, free from alcohol or narcotics,
does Just what is stated above, simply
because it banishes from the blood all
poison and Impure matter. It is the
world's great Blood Purifier; bo enters
joints, dissolves the impure deposits
and carries them out. as it does all
impurities, through the Liver, Bowels.
KJdneys and Skin.
If you have indigestion, sluggish
liver, backache over the kidneys, nasal
or other Catarrh, unsteady nerves or
unsightly skin, get Dr. Pierce's Golden
Medical Discovery today and start at
once to replace your Impure blood with
the kind that puts energy and ambi
tion into you and brings back youth
and vigorous action.
A GREAT BOOK EVERT
WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
If you will pay the mailing charges.
Doctor Pierce will send you his cloth
bound book of over 1000 pages newly
revised with color plates and illustra
tions. Everyone should read and have it in
case of accident or sickness in the home.
Treats of so many subjects In such
an interesting manner that knowledge
of the human body is quickly and easily
attained by all who read the book.
Send 20 cents in stamps for mailing
charges to Dr. Pierce. Invalids' Hotel
Buffalo, N. V., and enclose this notice.
Adv.
f A SKIN OF BEAUTY IS A JOT FOREVER
Dr. T. FELIX GOURAUD'S
ORIENTAL CREAM
OR MAGICAL BEAUT1FIER
pies. Freckles,
Moth Patches, Rash
and Skin Diseases,
and every blemish
on beauty, and de
fies detection. It'
has stood the test of
66 years, and is so
harmless we taste
it to be sure it is
properly made. Ac
cept no counterfeit
of 8i in liar name.
Xr. X. A. Sayre said to m lady of the hautton
a patient): "As you ladies will use them, I re
commend 'Goaraus'sCrsaa'as the least harmful
of all the skin preparations." At druggists
and Department Stores.
FitC T. Hipklfls & Sttt, Praps., 3 7 Creit Jnu SUK.TX.