fflllll C0RVAU1S GAZETTE.
OFFICIAL PAPER OF THE STATE
OFFICIAL PAPER FOR BENTON COUNTY
Corvallis, April 25, 1879.
W. B. CARTER,
HOME DUTIES.
Tlie recent admirable lecture of
Jiide Deady, upon "Towns and
Cities," while well calculated to
aronse the attention of property hold
ing citizens of cities to their duties,
is equally applicable to the property
interests of the Willamette valley.
The central idea of the lecture is "A
town or city is a mere business cor
poration, in which none but those
interested ouht to vote." After
quoting largely from English history
as to municipal corporations, and
showing how citizenship was obtain
ed, &c, he compares these corpora
tions under English and republican
usage; these comparisons, as given,
are not very creditable to ourselves
so far as honor and economy are con
cerned.
But if municipal organization is
not as effective for good under our
system, all loss in the transplanting
and growth of these institutions is
not with the cities, but the country
also has lost in the change ; especial
ly is this true of this valley, where,
through its peculiar formation and
the indifference of the owners of the
soil, it has permitted an irresponsible
body in Portland to take its interests
in charge, and hold it, much as a sub
ject, rather than an independent,
equal, and necessary adjunct to the
growth and prosperity of the city.
If it is well to study the growth of
municipal organizations in England
and to compare our own work with
what it has taken ages there to per
fect, we shall lose nothing by learn
ing the position of the landed inter
ests in the government of that
country.
From time, reaching into the dis
tant past, the English gentry or land
owners have held the foremost posi
tion in the management of govern
ment, and this in ail its bearings. If
this right was qnestioned, it was stub
bornly resisted, as the Pyms, Ilamp
dens and Cromvvells have shown us;
and, down to the present time, if
Beaconsfield, Salisbury, or any of the
cabinet wish to consult with the
country, or, divulge some plan they
desire to follow, they do not rush to
t he " Boards of Trade " of any of the
large cities, but go quietly to some
agiicultural meeting in ti e country,
where the gentry, and land owners of
the vicinity are present, and there
talk matters over, finishing with a
speed), outlining what they desire to
be promulgated by the press of the
l ealm. The leaders of the opposition,
like Gladstone and Ilartington, if
they desire to criticise the policy of
the government, follow precisely the
same method.
The picture which Judge Deady
paints of the difference between the
1 wo systems of municipal organiza
tions is pitiable enough, but' let us
give it in his own language:
" How the times have changed ! So far
from putting any price upon the freedom of
oty corporation, we thrust it unasked upon
any and every one, he he pauper, vagahond,
mountebank or convict, who chances to coine
and remain within the corporate limits thirty
days.."
This, true as it no doubt" is, is
scarcely worse than the landed inter
est of this valley have permitted
their interests to drift. For instance,
while we have bothered oar brains
about everything of national import
ance, the further from us the better,
we-have permitted a couple of dozen
gentlemen in Portland to organize
nnder state laws to look after and
promote the interests of Oregon
(Portland?)
It rs not supposed the eminent lee
turer we have quoted would suggest
that all those he mentions as having
tbe franchise " thrust upon them
after thirty days," always vote the
wrong ticket; by no means. Nor do
we desire to insinuate that every res
olution the Portland Board of Trade
passes is detrimental to the interest
of Portland people or the people of
the state ; what we do- wish to say,
is, .if that board is to continue and is
to-be further reaching than state or
municipal government, it ought to
have a new element, from the interior,
inserted into it.
That the Board of Trade makes
blunderSj is not questioned ; but when
blunders are made, which, to the rest
of tbe state seem so outrageous, and
show us that this board, as managed,
seems little better than organized
piracy, we begin to think other or
ganizations besides municipal, require
a little repair. If our readers desire
in example of these blunders, we
Miggest. at random, tbe resolution of
the board and its efforts before the
legislature to compel commercial
agents from other states to pay exor
bitant license fees before soliciting
orders for the country trade.
The action of the board in refer
ence to a Port of Refuge was equally
selfish and offitrious ; it was officious
in taking upon itself to suggest a
point to men who are well capable of
doing the work government has en
trusted to them. It was selfish when
it supposed the commissioners, after
reading Assistant Engineer Haber
sham's report, might locale the Har
bor of Refuge at Cape Foulweather.
This would be too1 near Poilland, in
the opinion of this board. So, to get
the Port located where it might do
the least harm to Portland and the
least good to the state, the board, in
undignified haste, suggests a point in
the southern extremity of the state.
The effort of Judge Deady, in his
lecture, was to point out the sort
troubling the body politic, and in a
manner suggest its cure. In like
manner we trust our readers may see
the drift of our desire, and, like the
land owners of England and Europe,
without the airs of an aristocracy,
yet with equal spirit and prompt i
tude upon every occasion, remember
always home interests. J
WESTERN LITERARY CURIOSITIES.
The following pathetic little article,
from the Oregon Statesman of 1874,
illustrates the best style of Calvin B.
MacDonald. It is in wonderful con
trast with some of hi political sav
ageries in "a day of battle and war,"
and has been republished over and
over by the leading journals of the
South. It touched and electrified the
Southern Democratic heart when rc
turning in despondency and defeat
from the national battle fields, and
spoke peace and reconciliation from
the still hoarse and discordant trum
pet of war. In 1864, in the heat of
the Irrepressible Conflict, and while
heading the Union press of Califor
nia, Mac. wrote and published an ar
ticle entitled "Give us back our
Dead." which went the rounds of the
English speaking world, and which a
London paper declared the most sav
age and terrible passage that, had
ever come from the American press.
In contrast with the following heart
melting dirge, and- in these times of
outshining and beneficent Peace, that
fierce and implacable article sounds
like Moloch's Oration in Hell respok
en amid the grrves of Paradise.
We have sometimes thought that
Mac's "Angel of Reconciliation" was
larger and older than- represented.
Be that as it may, a writer with such
marvelous resources of light and
shadow, and so capable of inspiring
the emotions of mankind, is a most
formidable power, whether for good
or evil, in peace or war. Here, then,
still surviving in the hearts and mem
ories of thousands, all over the land,
is Mac's sweet-faced
"A3SGEL OF KECOKCILIATIOX."
Since leaving Salem, we have beeu among
the Southern people, have rested in their
desolate households, have beheld the long,
rank grass waving over their multitudinous
dead, and listened to their dismal miseries
in that once haughty and beautiful, then
heart-broken and ghostly land of graves.
While staying at a watering place in Mis
souri, we saw the rebel widows drooping
about in their weeds, accompanied by their
forlorn little ones with their childish sem
blance of woe ; and it was very pitiful. One
little thing, some four or five years old and
as beautiful as the spirit of day, was con
spicuous. With her we contrived to make
friends under the spreading walnut trees of
Missouri, and at last she came and laid her
snow-white little hands on the stranger's
knees, and looked up into his face with her
great, wide, desolate eyes, with an inarticu
late reproachfulness, as though he had slain
her father at Pea Uidge and buried him in
the bloody trenches.
We are not ashamed to confess that this
was more than human sympathy could en
dure ; and for the time unmindful that there
were many such melancholy scenes in our
own Northern land, and seeing only Ameri
can beauty and sinless childhood in bereave
ment and desolation, we turned away from
that stern and pathetic judgment bar with
swelling heart and clouded eyes. It may
have been only a sentimental fancv, a fever
dream under those brazen, sultry midsum
mer skies, but the sad impression still
lingers, and the sweet, accusatory face of
that little one stands out in relief upon, the
walls of memory, prophesying against cruel,
corseful, inhuman war.
Since then, we have done with denouncing
the unfortunate and mistaken people with
whom we have been in bloody and extermi
nating conflict. We are cured of our
patriotic inhumanity and vindictive unchar
ity. Henceforth, when provoked t bitter
ness of recollection we shall recall to mind
the dead rebel's child, with her great, wide
wondering eyes and air of unspeakable deso
lation. May God keep the sweet little
preacher of peace and forgiveness, and crown
her in her young womanhood with that im
perial beauty, that spotless innocence, which
almost hallowed her childish face, as she
wandered about in melancholy solitude amid
the groves of Arcadia, beside the lordly
Father of Waters. And if she shall ever
be found drooping upon the blood-stained
slopes of Pea llidge, searching in affection
among the nameless graves for one of the
unrecorded dead, may she look up from her
weeping to behold the friendly and benig
nant standard of her. country unfolding its
splendor in the sun and flinging its protect
ing shadow all around her, and say to her
self: "It was bnt an event of heroic war;
it was long, long ago - the horrid storm-birds
have flown far away, and no longer the
charging trumpets blow !"
A few days ago an old man named Wm.
Cook, well known on Coos bay, left the
wharf at-Gardiner in a small boat and has
not been seen since. The boat has beeu
found, and ' it is - the general supposition
that he has been drowned, He was nnder
the influence of liquor when he left Gardiner..
ANTI-CHINESE MOVEMENT.
Some of the citizens of Portland,
led by R. E. Shannon, Jno. Charles,
and others, have inaugurated a move
ment similar to Kearney's " Sand
lot" meetings, in San Francisco,
which is attracting some public at
tention. While we do not favor law
lessness or force, as expressed in the
sentiment, the "Chinese must go,''
yet we are convinced that something
must be done, and some decisive
steps taken, by the proper authori
ties, tO'arrest the threatened inunda
tion of our country by the pagan
hordes who are now crowding our
shores, not as voluntary immigrants,
like those from other foreign coun
tries, but who, like the plagues of
Egypt, come upon us to spread ruin
ami dire disease, and destroy our no
ble heritage. In meeting this terri
ble calamity, and wide-spread evil,
we need careful deliberation and the
wisest statesmanship. This is no
time for "sand lot" excitements, and
" bloodshed" is not the proper- anti
dote for the evil. This Chinese ques
tion is now one of the most grave
and important questions before the
American people. Tbe Chinese were
here by treaty stipulations, original
ly. If those stipulations have been
violated by the Chinese government
there is a proper remedy,- and that
remedy should be applied before re
sorting to the questionable policy of
"brute force."
Congress, at its last session took a
step in the right direction, and pass
ed a law that would, at least, have
given temporary relief, which was
vetoed by the President. The reasons
therefor, although satisfatory to him
self and his immediate advisers, were
not satisfactory to the people of this
coast, who are the immediate suffer
ers from unrestricted Chinese immi
gration. The next Congress1' will
doubtless give tlie desired" relief.
The following report of a special
committee, adopted by the Portland
Board of Trade, on the 16th inst.,
has the right ring, and will, doubt
less, do more good than a hundred
" sand lot" meetings:
To the Portland Board of Trade : The
special committee to whom was referred the
resolutions presented at the last meeting by
the president for modification of tlie Chinese
treaty, beg leave to report tlie following,
and ask its approval by the Board :
To the President of the United States ':
Your memoralists, the Portland Board of
Trade, would respectfully represent that the
people of this state have, for a number of
years greatly suffered by the unlimited and
unrestricted immigration of Chinese; that
the Chinese who have thus come into our
state cannot be classed as immigrants, in
the meaning of the term generally accepted
by the people of the United States, as the
great majority do not come of their own
free will and accord, but are brought in
hordes, and in a condition of at least semi
slavesy, being obliged to perform a term of
servitude to the companies or masters who
bring them ; that they seriously interfere
with all free labor, as they are able to exist
upon a pittance that doe's not suffice for the
rnerest support of a white laborer and his
family ; that their crimes and pauperism
are a continual source of expense to the
state ; that they do not in any manner add
to the wealth or prosperity of this state by
the acquisition of real property, the pay
ment of taxes or the development of any of
its resources ; that every dollar they earn
that is not absolutely necessar' for their
support, is sent out of the country ; and
that they have introduced diseases and
crimes in our midst entirely unknown prior
to their advent.
That while we deprecate and censure any
and all forms of violence towards the Chi
nese or any other class of people brought or
immigrating to this country, your memori
alists would assure you that the feeling
against, and opposition to, the Chinese are
not entertained, as seems to be the prevail
ing opinion in the eastern states, by the so
called hoodlum element only, but is held by
all classes of our population.
For these and various other reasons your
memorialists would respectfully urge upon
your excellency and the senate of the United
States, that the interests of this state, as
well as all the other states and territories on
this coast, imperatively demand that the
now existing treaties with China be so mod
ified and revised as to restrict and decrease
the landing upon our shores of these people,
and would earnestly ask that steps be at
once inaugurated to accomplish that end.
We would also respectfully call your at
tention to and ask your favorable considera
tion of the memorial upon this subject
adopted by the legislature of this state at its
last session.
And your memorialists will ever pray;
Respectfully submitted by
H. W. Corbett,
William Reid,
William Kapus,
Special Committee.
PORTLAXD BoARO OF TllADK.
This body, at a regular meeting on
the 16th inst., in lieu of taking any
further decided action in the matter
of a breakwater, or without rescind
ing its former action relative to in
dorsing Port Orford, as the proper
place for such improvement, adopted
a resolution, ''inviting those who
were desirous of recommending par
ticular localities for the location of
the proposed harbor of refuge, to
send such recommendations to the
the board, and agreeing to forward
the same to the authorities at Wash
ington." If this action had been ta
ken, in the first plaee, fl would have
shown more fairness and candor. Yet
we cannot see what particular weight
will be given to " recommendations "
by simply passing through the hands
of tlreir Secretary Wm. Reid, of
Dundee, who is here without a single
sentiment in common" with the tax
payers of this State, and whose most
careful study is to invest "Scottish
loans," so as to avoid taxes.
THE FUTURE 0FBENT0N COUNTY,
Editor Gazette : In consequence
of the high rate at which land is
held in the Eastern, and many of the
Western States, places it beyond the
reach of poor men,, and even men of
moderate means'; the severity of win
ters in many localities, the proverbial
return of epidemics, in others, and
the high rates of leasing, and a de
sire for a healthier and more temper
ate climate, thousands, and tens of
thousands, are daily seeking homes
on the shores of the Pacific, where
tlie songs of the-birds are heard from
January until December, and where
man can live in his tent of cloth the
year round. But, while some por
tions of our western shore are sub
ject to drouths of from one, two, and
even three, years in eveiy five, Ore
yon never fails. The eastern portion
of our State, at the present time, is
mostly devoted to stock raising ; but
many portions have every advantage
for agricultural pursuits, with some
of the finest land in the world, where
they can raise from twenty to fifty
bushels of wheat to the acre. But
the "garden of the Pacific" is the
Willamette Valley, and its tributa
ries. Here the husbandman is sure
of reward, and when grain is prop
erly put in he never fails to get a good
return for his labor. Our climate is
mild and healthy; our lands are
cheap, and within the reach of rich
or poor. The man of moderate
means can secure small, well improv
ed farms. The poor man can find
land to preempt or homestead, if he
is willing to work. The rich can
find good investments for his capital.
The means of transportation are
good, and growing better every year.
The Oregon and California railroad
Compan-' have one line now complet
ed and in operation from Portland to
near the southern boundary of the
State, running through the Willam
ette Vally, on the east side of -the
Willamette river; passing through
or near all the principal towns of that
portion of the valley, and has en
hanced the value of land from one to
two hundred per cent. The same
company have built another line on
the west side of the Willamette river
up as far as Si. Joe, and have now
commenced work, and will build it
as far as Corvallis, by next Septem
ber. Corvallis is located in the cen
ter of the great Willamette Valley.
It is in the healthiest locality of any
city in the State, and its future is
brighter than any of her sister cities.
Situated at the junction of the Ore
gon and California and W. V. & C.
It. R ; at the head of vavigation on
the Willamette river for nine months
of the year, and within forty five
miles of tide water at Yaquina Bay.
The W. V. & C. R. R. Co. have ten
miles of their road graded ; the ties
contracted for, and the iron and roll
ing stock has been shipped from the
East, and work will be commenced
as soon as-the weather will permit.
There are 150,000 acres of land on
the line of this road, that can be had
at from two to ten dollars per acre ;
and thousands of acres subject to
preemption or homestead; such land,
by .labor, can be made worth from
twenty to fifty dollars per acre. The
terminus of the W. V. & C. R. R.
will open many opportunities for
speculation and profitable investment,
and great inducements to any who
may wish to secure cheap and pleas
ant homes.
Improved farms, near Corvallis,
can be had at the present time at
very reasonable rates. City property
is held firm; but, as yet, at very mod
erate rates. Our city has a popula
tion of some 1500 inhabitants, and
situated on a fine level prairie. We
have four church buildings. The
State Agricultural college has been
permanently located by the Legisla
ture here. We have also two fine
district schools, making opportunities
for education unsurpassed in the
State. One flowing mill and one
steam saw mill. W.
Corvallis, April 23, 1879;
RAILROAD CONNECTION.
It is said that "straws indicate the
direction of the wind,"" and" the fol
lowing brief notice from the Orego
nian of the 23d inst., may have more
force and weight than many persons
would suppose, at first glance. The
editor of the Omaha Herald is in a
position to speak knowingly on IT. P.
R. R. affairs. The Oregonian says :
The editor of the Omaha Herald, who is
supposed to have close connections with the
managers of the Union Pacific railroad,
writes from New York that he is informed
by Gen. Dodge that the Union Pacific power
has decided upon extending the Utah Nor
thern from its present terminus to the Col
umbia river and Portland, Oregon. One
hundred miles, he is informed, will be built
this year. We regret that we hear- nothing
in confirmation of this report, though it has
been in circulation for several weeks, in one
form or another.
Dr. Watts easily secured the heavy bond
necessary before assuming the duties of the
land office at Oregon City. He has removed
with his family to that place from Yamhill
county.
FROM THECAPITAL.
Salem, April 21, 1879.
Editor Gazette : The week under
review has been no exception to the
general rule, taken from a business
point of view, or speaking socially,
even, for that matter. The season of
Lent being over for the period of an
other twelve month, has, perhaps,
caused a slight revival in amusement
circles and balls, parties, picnics and
festivals are already talked of for the
coming season, A wedding 19 also
hinted at in which one of the young
ladies of the capital and a gentleman
from San Francisco are more espe
cially interested. There are also ex
cursions by rail, and excursions by
steamer, talked of, and the prospect
of life in amusement circles is flatter
ing in the extreme. Nor is this all,
for what is better still there are glow
ing prospects for increased activity in
business circles, several enterprises
being under way which are calculat
ed to set money afloat and prove of
permanent benefit to the city. Ef
forts arc being made, with prospects
of success, to utilize to its fullest ca
pacity, the stove foundry now almost
entirely suffering under a suspension
of operations. The Pacific Thresh
ing Machine Company contemplate
commencing operations, at an early
day. The scheme of the erection of
a new pavilion on the Stale Fafr
grounds is fast assuming shape under
the efficient management of E. M.
Waite, Esq., and last, but not least,
by any means, is the organization of
the Marion and Wasco Stock and
Wagon Road Company, whose object
is the construction of a clay road, or
trail, for the passage of livestock and
wagons, beginning at this point;
thence to Mehama by the most prac
ticable route; thence up the North
Santiam, following the general course
of the route for a county road sur
veyed by J. W. Davenport, in 1874,
to near the piint where said route
crosses the Santiam below Moses
Lake; thence easterly crossing the
summit of the Cascade mountains by
the side of Black Butte and thence
to Camp Polk and Prineville in Was
co county. The stockholders inter
ested in the enterprise met on Friday
evening last and elected the following
directors: John B. Trask, R. M.
Wade, Lewis Pettyjohn, John W.
Crawford and George Downing. Of
the 400 shares of stock, held at 10
per share, 272 shares were reported
as disposed of and but little difficulty
is anticipated in disposing of the re
mainder, as deep interest is manifest
ed in the success of the undertaking.
The directors met on the following
day and organized by electing R. M.
Wade as president ; Mart L. Cham
berlin secretary, and John Minlo
general superintendent. Work will
be commenced at an early day, and
when once completed the result will
prove very beneficial to this city.
The state board of education met on
Wednesday last, to consider the feas
ibility of a change in the text books
now in use in the common schools of
this State. The question is one of
great importance as it touches the
pockets of the people and hence the
board felt no little hesitency in order
ing or sanctioning a change, to be
governed by the votes of the county
superintendents, as provided by law.
The series now in use are imperfect in
many respects, and have, for months,
been a source of controversy in edu
cational circles ; the leading educa
tors not only favoring, but literally
demanding a change. Acting on what
mi:ht well be called public opinion,
the board, after careful consideration
of the question and consultation with
influential representatives of educa
tional institutions, it war resolved to
permit the people to choose for them
selves and by tbe votes of their
count)' superintendents decide wheth
er or not a change was necessary ;
the series now in use to enter into the
contest, so far as their merits will per
mit, on an even footing with the bal
ance. A number of representatives
were present as agents of the various
publishing houses and samples were
exhibited, without number. Ap,de
ton's, Barnes', McGuffey's, and other
series, excel in every respect the series
now in use; which, by the way,-are
greatly inferior to'a series published
by the same house, A. L. Bancroft &
Co., and in use in the public schools
of San Francisco. Of the many who
have examined the specimens sent
out for examination we hear a decid
ed preference expressed for the- Ap
pleton series, which are standard
works and in quality and prices are
far preferable to any series heretofore
used in the common schools of this
State, ami to which the present series
are no comparison. The universal
sentiment appears to be if we are to
have a change, by all means give us
the Appleton series. The books
speak for themselves and relying on
the intelligence of those who have a
voice in the matter of selection we
feel confident of the result.
The canvass of the vote for Gov
ernor, as made by the Legislative As
sembly of 1878, does not correspond
with the certified returns made by
the various county clerks and filed in
the office of the Secretary of State,
in that the returns from Marion and
Umatilla counties are incorrectly re
ported, Mr. Beekman having received
ten more vvtes in each county than
he is credited with in tbe legislative
canvass, reducing Gov. Thayer's ma
jority twenty votes, leaving him but
49 majority instead of 69 as hereto
fore reported. A miss, however, is
as good as a mile, and his Excellency
can now smile over any majority with
perfect impunity.
The following gentlemen have been
elected as vestrymen of St. Paul's
parish in this city: D. F. Wagner, A.
F. Wheeler, A. S. Ramsey ; William
Dancey, F. EL Hodgkin -T the latter
being selected as clerk, and A. F.
Wheeler treasurer. Messrs'. Dancy
and Wagner, respectively, senior and
junior wardens.
The Odd Fellows' exenrsion from
this place to Portland promises to be
well attended, as tbe ''three linkers"
are not only plentiful about here, but
they are jovial as well, and never
permit a good thing to pass by nn
heeded. Your correspondent con
templates accompanying them, and
will inform you as to how the mem
bers behave themselves when away
from home.
W. B. Crane, Esq., son-in-law of
Hon. A. A. McCully, died in this city
on Sunday morning last. He had
but recently arrived from San Fran
cisco, having been ail vised to try a
change of climate; but Death had
already marked him for bis own. He
was a gentleman highly esteemed by
all who knew him, and his death will
be sincerely regretted by a large cii
cle of friends and acquaintances, who
knew him but to honor and respect
his numerous excellent qualities. He
leaves a wife and three children to
mourn his loss.
Calvin B. McDonald, a gentleman
whose eloquence and fame has pre
ceded him, arrived in this city on Fri
day last, and he will at once lay out
a campaign against King Alcohol, con
tempi ati ng an extened tour through
out the State before his return to Cal
ifornia. You may expect a visit from
him and all who miss hearing him
lecture will lose a rare intellectual
treat.
Hugh Owens, Esq., an old resident
of this city died on Thursday last
and was buried according to the rites
of the Good Templars Order, Capi
tal Lodge taking charge of the re
mains.
The masquerade ball given on Fri
day evening last, by the Capital
Guards of this city, proved, as was
anticipated, a grand success. Tin-
Opera House was well filled with the
youth and beauty of the capital city
Roos' orchestra of Portland furnished
the music, which was pronounced
splendid and the maskers were kept
moving around right lively. The
costumes were varied, the grotesqm
predominating. Miss Ella Wright,
Miss Dora Lance, Mrs. T. B. Jackson,
Charles Reiley, and Sol. Ripinsky
were awarded prizes. The receipts
were quite liberal.
Tlie State Board of Military audit
ors have about concluded their labors
in the matter of auditing the claims
arising out of the late Indian war
The Work has been necessarily ;low,
but it has been thorough; and in
their findings they have endeavored
to deal justly with claimants and, at
the same time, protect the interests of
the State. The aggregate amount ot
claims is about $42,000, which,, in the
aggregate, will be reduced twenty
five per cent , making the actual cost
of the war about $30,000.
The base ball fever has broken out
again, and the attack is severe. Sev
eral clubs have been organized", and
broken fingers, dislocated wrists and?
sprained ankles are a rule, rather than
an exception. The Eagles defeated
a flicked nine yesterday, to the tune m
24 to 22" which was glory enough for
one dav.
His Excellency Gov. Thayer, has
appelated P. II. Springer of Perry-
dale, and J. m Patterson ot this city
Notaries Public.
Mirror Loifge No. &7 E O. O. F.
has filed articles- of incorporation in
the office of the Secretary of State.
Ned.
The bill passed by the United
States Senate appropriating $200,000
for construction of a steel refrigerat
ing ship to disinfeet the holds and
cargoes of vessels containing or sup
posed to contain the germs of yellow
Khim n a Ritrn of t.hfi lirOfflTSS of SCI
entific knowTedge in dealing with 3
class of deadly diseases, rrosi
ho the best destroyer ot
yellow fever germs. This refrigerat
ing steamer will run up beside a ves-
i - anA nan a hose into one
re i ai auvii f"" - -
of the lower parts of the vessel ; and
in a few boors everything within is
frozen.
LOSS OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC.
We give much space, this week, to
the account of the loss of this steam
er, lst. Friday night, or Saturday
morning,- while attempting to crof
tbe Columbia river bar. Thirteen
es were sacrificed to the fool-har-
ness (no softer term would exnress
) of those in charge of that great
p, and the attempt to shift the re
sponsibility npon Pilot Doig, is very
eak, to say the least. The ?reat
onder is that all on board was not
si It is not sufficient to say that
e officers exhibited great coolness
and bravery in saving the lives of the
passengers, after they had, in the
darkness oi the night, recklessly ex
posed them to danger of shipwreck,
upon a bar that is none too safe, in
broad day light. Let tbe blame rest
where it properly Belongs, which
should be discovered by careful im
veigation. "Let no guiltv man es
cape." The latest intelligence says t " No
special change in ihe condition of the
vessel." She continues to slowly
break up, and liht baggage and
freight is constantly earning "ashore.
Land pirates flocked to Sand Island
and made starch wanton desfrnclion by
their vandalism, that a military guard
became necessary, and no - person is
now permitted "to visit the island
without a pass.
Fares and Freights were immedi
ately advanced, by the old line, to
former ra-tes, we understand. It i
stated, npon what is said to be good
authority, that another steamer" wilf
take the place ot the Republic. Mr.
Cornwall will not give wj the Oregon
trade. The latest accounts give the loss of
life at thirteen, including the 1st and
2d officrrs. The scene at Astoria, af
ter the ai rival of tbe mfort rmate pas
sengers, was one never to lie forgot
ten, and beggars all description:.
Churches, lodge rooms, and every va
cant room, in the city were laid un-dt-r
contribution to provide shelter tor
the hundreds who were so suddenly
thrust into the city utterly destitute,
with naught save the clothes npon
their backs. The only excuse that
could be offered for attempting the
crossing of that dangerous bar, in
the night, was a desire to make the
trip as close to the Oregon as possible.
THE SCHOOL BOCK QUESTION,
The " school book fraud " that was
perpetrated upon the people of this
State, a few years ago, is fresh in the
minds of many of our readers. The
Gazette sounded a note of warning,
at that time, but it was miheeded, anil
the people have been robbed of thou
sands of dollars, while a worthless se
ries of school hooks, th rough interest
ed parties, was palmed upon our
schools. The question is to come be
fore the people of this State again,
and our comity superintendents- wilt
have a voice in the selection. We
have no fears as to how Bento will
stand in the next conflict. Noffrmsy,
ephemeral series, will receive Prof,
McElroy's sanction. A correspond
ent of the Oregonian, under date of
April 18th, writes from Salem as fol
lows on this subject:
The State Boanl of Education held an im
portant meting Wednesday evening to take
into consideration the practicability of a
change in the series of school books now m
use in the common schools of this Stata
The question is one which is exciting no littl
interest in educational circles, and a change
is strongly urged by all parties interested.
Letters and telegrams are daily received
urging the boanl to issue circulars authoriz
ing a vote as prescribed by law, until it lit
terully became a demand, and the present
indications are that such an, order will be
male to satisfy tbe public mind and allow
the people to express their preference
through their county superintendents, tho
majonty vote of which, it is naturally pre
sumed, "will represent the wishes of the peo
ple in that respect. The series now in use
will, of course, stand an equal show with
the rest, and the seiection will naturally rest
on the merits of the hooks themselves. A
number of representatives are present from"
the various publishing houses ot the east
and west, and full linear of- samples are oil'
exhibition here, whioh spoak foe themselves.
The change can be effected, it is supposed,
without any materi d outlay on the part of
the patrons, as new books will be exchanged?
for old and prices are tixed at astonishing'
low figures. .Some of the sample series are
very fine ami i& agents for Appleton, Ban
croft, McGuffey anil others vieing with each
other as to excellence, durability of finish
and price, until tlie contrast has become de--cidedly
interesting. There appears to be
an almost universal demand for a change and'
the bo ird of education having tlie best in
terests of the people at heart cannot reas--onahly
deny them the privilege of choosing,
for themselves what text books shall- be us
ed in the education- of the y oung. The mat
ter has not yet come to a final vote, but, as
before stated, indications are decidedly fa
vorable for a change. Should the3e circulars
be issued they wiil contain full particulars
relative to the books themselves, the basis
of exchange and the prices at which they
will liereafter be furnished; WH1 endeavor
to keep you posted as teHhe situation here
after, A special dispatch received last evening,
says that the "State Board of Education
ordered the issuance of circulars with a view
of making a change in the text books."
DIED.
In South Salem,- on Wednesday, April
lfith, Hugh Owens, in the sixty -second year
of his age.
Mr. Owens was horn in Wales, in the
year 1817, and came to the United State
when q,ite young, emigrating to Oregon in
lOS H lived in South Salem about sev
enteen years, first following his trade as a
blacksmith, but later engaged in merchan
Hiximr. and wa at his place of business in
usual health, when prostrated with an at
tack of epilepsy, remaining unconscious un
til bi death, twelve hours after.
Deceased was a man of unquestioned hon
esty and integrity of character, and was es
teemed as a good citizen, excellent neigh
bor, and a kind husband and father. He
was Justice of the Peace for the precinct
where he lived. He leaves a wife and one
daughter to mourn his irreparable loss. He
was a consistent member of the Methodist
church.