FEED AY.- JANUARY 28, 1876.
NOTICE.
To i he Executive Committee of the Oregon
S'ate Woman Suffrage Association:
Tlie time approaches when you must
perfect aud execute the plans you have
laid to assist in conducting the fourth
annual meeting of the Oregon State
Woman Suffrage Association. It la
with assurance that you are urged to
woik fast and work bard. Much de
pends upon the promptitude and effi
ciency of your efforts. In the short
time now allotted you, gather together
every possible material for the meeting.
Procure good and novel plans for carry
ing on the meeting. Prevail upon
speakers, writers, etc, to address us,
and see that tbey are Invited if they
Lave uot been before asked. Provide
miscellaneous entertainments, any
thing suitable. Insist upon the attend
ance of friends. Create enthusiasm.
Finally, endeavor to be promptly on the
ground. A meeting of the Executive
Committee is called at 12 o'clock Mon
day, February 7, 1876, at the Opera
House. Be there.
J. DeVoee Johnson,
President O. S. W. S. A.
HAY WOMEN PB AOTICE LAW IN THE
8UPBEME 00UET0F WISCONSIN ?
Hiss Lavina Goodeli, of Janesville,
"Wisconsin, was admitted to the "Wis
consin bar by His Honor Judge Conger,
at Janesville, more than a year ago, af
ter the usual examination, and has
since that time been engaged in" the
practice of her profession. One morn
Jng in December she appeared before
the Supreme Court at Madison with an
application for admission to its bar, and
a written argument to enforce the same.
Having a case in the Supreme Court,
she found it necessary to make applica
tion for admission, and learning that
there was a difference of opinion among
the learned judges as to her right to be
admitted, she came prepared to argue
the case, should necessity require,
Hon. I. C. Sloan, the Assistant At
torney-General, appeared with Miss
Goodeli, and in her behalf motioned
her admittance, read her petition and
argument, and enforced the same with
eloquence, vigor, and sound logic. The
petition of Miss Goodeli abounds in
arguments that are unanswerable, and
opens in this wise:
How comes your petitioner. Miss U. Lavina
Goodeli, a resident of Janesville, Wisconsin,
ovc r twenty-one years of age, and presents to
your honors tbe certificate of A. W. Baldwin,
Clerk of the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Jn
dic'al Circuit of the State of Wisconsin, stating
tht t at a term of said Court, begun and held at
the Court-house, In tbe city of Janesville
aforesaid, on the 17th day of June, A. D. 1ST!,
your petitioner was examined in open Court;
and that, it appearing that she was a resident
of the State of Wisconsin, more than twenty-
one years of age, of good, moral character, and
possessed of sufficient legal knowledge and
ability, she was duly admitted by said Court as
an attorney and counselor-at-law; and moves
your honors that an order of this honorable
Court may be entered, granting a license to
your petitioner to practice as an attorney In
salt) Court.
Tour petitioner respectfully suggests that
the only question Involved in her case if in
deed there be any question at all Is, whether
tbe fact of her being a woman disqualifies her,
tinder the laws of Wisconsin, or the rules of
this honorable Court, tor receiving a license to
practice as attorney in said Court; and claims
that she is not so disqualified.
After reading the statute providing
for the admission of attorneys, she con
tinues:
T.iere is nothing contained in these provis
ion which can be so construed as to debar
a It oman lrom tbe privilege of obtaining a 11
cense under them, unless it be the use of tbe
masculine pronoun. But by statute, relating
to the rules of interpretation, it is provided
thi "every word Importing the masculine
gender only may extend and be applied tofe
males as well as to males." Tay, Stats., L, p.
1SL This rule of interpretation is followed in
the construction of all the statutes, and there
appears no reason why it should not be applied
to the particular statute under consideration
as well as to the statutes generally. It has
been so applied to the statute providing for
aoLiries public, and defining their duties, un
der which your petitioner has been appointed
and now holds the office of notary.
The cases of Mrs. Myra Bradwell, who
had been refused admission to the barof
tbe Supreme Court of Illiuols, in Sep
tember, 1869, and of Mrs. Belva Lock
wood, who was refused admission to the
Court of Claims, "Washington, D. C, in
1874, solely on the ground of their disa
bilities as married women, were cited
and were shown to be wholly inapplica-
ble to tbe case of tbe petitioner. One of
tbe limitations to tbe discretion left by
legislation to tbe Court as specified by
the Supreme Court-of Illinois was that
"the Court shall establish such terms of
admission as will promote tbe proper
administration of justice." No argu
ment was made against tbe admission
of women under this head, and Miss
Goodeli submitted that the "proper ad
ministration of justice" would be better
promoted by the admission of women
to the practice of law than by their ex
elusion, for the following reasons,
among others:
J. That a class wholly unrepresented in
courts of Justice can never obtain full Justice
In such courts; and that when that class is so
numerous as to include one-half the human
race, the promotion of'the proper administra
tion of Justice" requires that they be repre
sented.
2. That a union or the peculiar delicacy, re
finement, and conscientiousness attributed to
women, with the decision, firmness, and vigor
of man, are not only desirable, but necessary
In promoting "the proper administration of
Justice" In our courts.
8. That in excluding women from the prac
tice oi law, an injustice is cone thecoinmunity
In preventing free and wholesome competition
or me best existing talent.
4. That a great Injustice is done to one-half
the community, by shutting them out arbitra
rily from an honorable and remunerative field
ol industry, for which many of them have
both taste and ability.
The Court, after bearing the argu
ment, reserved its decision. Its action
and if the motion is denied, its reajon
for such denial, will be looked for with
more than ordinary Interest, not only
by the legal profession generally, but
by the public, as involving principles
interest to the whole community.
GO-EDTTOATIONOF THE SEXES. J
We find, amongst other rather singu
lar statements made by a lady corre
spondent of the Bee, whose communi
cation is referred to elsewhere, the fol
lowing:
We are convinced that few persons, except
ing parents, ever consider, much less are aware
of the many evil effects arising from tbe edu
cation of both sexes in tbe same room.
Now, we are convinced that the
method here condemned is the only cor
rect and satisfactory way of educating
children. The very act of separating
the sexes in tbe schools establishes a
sort of antagonism between them,
which is not only contrary to nature,
but is detrimental to the best interests
of both. The idea that girls should be
taught that boys are enemies whom
tbey must shun Is not calculated to In
spire them with very charitable feelings
toward them, while the sham protec
tion that such a system would afford
would teach boys to regard girls as
their legitimate prey, whom they were
expected to torment, because of their
physical inability to resent harsh treat
ment, at every opportunity. This, of
course, refers to small boys and girls,
who are found in tbe middle aud lower
departments of our grammar schools.
As they grow older ana "tbe new
warmth of life's ascending sun is felt by
either," the advantages derived from
their co-education Is witnessed in every
school where boys and girls work side
by side in tbe same pursuits. It Is true,
as we presume this correspondent will
admit, that women are more polite and
refined in tbe company of gentlemen
than when in a gathering composed en
tirely of their own sex; and we all
know unless our brethren are wofully
belled that men, when unrestrained
by the presence of women as, for in
stance, at the polls on election days-
use language which tbey would not
think of doing were women within
hearing. So, also, boys and girls are
more courteous and refined in their de
meanor when associated together than
when separated.
This idea of treating boys as though
they are expected to be unrestrained
barbarians, merely because they are
boys, has a most pernicious effect upon
them. It is as if we said to tbera, you
are boys, hence rude and'ungovernable;
hence your playgrounds at school must
be divided from those of your more re
fined sisters by high walls, which you
can neither climb nor see over. We are
compelled to dismiss these respectable
children five minutes before you are al
lowed to go, so that they may get a safe
start and stand a chance to get home
before you' can overtake and, persecute
them.
Now, is that not absurd ? And in the
name of common sense answer and tell
us if this sort of treatment would not in
a short time increase in ten-fold ratio
the present stock of juvenile hoodlums?
We cannot believe that the Creator
made a mistake when He allowed boys
and girls to be born of tbe same par
ents, share the same home, and possess
tbe same knowledge of right and wrong.
If this was not a mistake, then surely it
can be none to follow up tbe same
course in associating the sexes in the
studies and pursuits that shall fit them
for life, which tbey expect to spend to
gether, and require of each tbe same
personal accountability, and subject
each to the same restraints.
We cannot believe tbe antagonism
which this correspondent depicts can
exist between the boys and girls at
tending our public schools, and if itdoes,
an establishment of separate rooms,
high walls between the playgrounds,
separate dismissals, and any other rules
and regulations having a tendency to
convince boys that they are young
reprobates, who are never courteous,
kind, and pleasant but by compulsion,
would certainly increase, rather than
remedy the evil.
We are reminded, in this connection,
of a friend who taught her children to
let things alone by putting them out of
their reach. If the two-year-old evinced
a desire to play with tbe spittoon, he
was prevented by his judicious (?)
mother, who placed tbe article on the
mantel-piece. Should he become seized
with a desire to ride the shovel or tongs,
these were hidden under the bed, and so
on; and bis good mother imagined she
was, by this process, teaching the child
to let things alone. Not a bouse-wife
in all the village but dreaded tbe ad
vent of one of these children into her
sitting-room, for being trained to be
lieve that everything within their reach
was their legitimate prey, they iuaugu
rated a reign of terror wherever they
went. We remember now with a smile
tbe helpless, distressed look -of tha
mother when on a certain occasion she
had placed the spittoon in a neighbor's
parlor on the highest shelf of tbe what
not, tbe books, albums, and other art!
cles from the center-table on tbe farthest
verge of a bed, tbe fire-shovel behind
tbe same, the brass andirons out in the
yard, and had poured out every drop of
water which was up from the spring, to
see the young hopeful bestride the me-
Iodeon and begin a vigorous bombard
ment on tbe polished sides of the same
with his copper-toed shoes. Her dis-
tressed look was met by one of triumph
from tbe boy, as he understood as plain
ly as she that she could not dispossess
him of that article by placing it out of
his reach. We leave our readers to
make the application.
Facts are always tue best argu
menu, ana any one wno will com
pare the simpering, self-conscious
manners of the misses who file out of an
exclusive school and ogle at the young
gentlemen, who, in anticipation of their
coming, stand upon the street-corners.
with the independent, vivacious, and
sensible deportment of the young ladles
of the High School, as they walk be
side their fellow-students, chatting
without prudery or affectation of lessons
recited together, will, we think, ac
knowledge the wisdom of the co-educa
tion of the sexes.
KOBE LECTURES ON "'WOMAN."
This time It is Dr. Lambert, President
of the Popular Life Insurance Company
of New York, who comes forward with
lecture upon tbe woman question.
What would our erudite brethren, who
annually inflict th'ese chronic disserta
tions about women upon a long-suffer
ing public, think of the impudence of
the mothers of men, if those same
mothers should continually make them
selves ridiculous in tbe eyes of every
wise person by lecturing upon the man
question? But will they tell us why It
is not just as seemly and sensible for
woman, as man's sister, and indeed far
more seemly and sensible for her, as
man's mother, to lay down rules, occu
pations, regulations, and duties for her
sons, whom she has nursed aud swad
dled in babyhood, kissed and spanked
boyhood, aud educated and sup
ported in incipient manhood, than tor
her sons to do tbe same by her as soon
as the cigar gives place to the pinafore,
and knee breeches yield to pantaloons?
Scarcely a stripling of twenty In all tbe
land but foolishly imagines that he
knows more about woman than she
knows about herself, and more about the
'sphere" that she was destined to Mil,
and which he, forsooth, must assist the
Almighty to keep her in (lest she defy
Him, and forsake her natural state and
become self-sustaining in spite of Deity),
than God or woman could imagine.
And yet Dr. Lambert says some very
good things. He says that the consti
tution of woman Is substantially equal
to the constitution of man; that what
one lacks in force is made up by endur
ance, and vice versa; and, as a general
rule, the duration of their earthly ex
istence is about tbe same. Then comes
the nousense. "Every mau has a
woman beside him, and should work for
her, instead of having her earn her own
living outside of the household."
Surely, when be got rid of that skim
ble-scambie, the learned Doctor wasn't
thinking of the half-million bachelors
in the country; still less did he consider
the equal number of widows and single
women who have no "man" to work for
them, although they must live, in spite
ot ms buncombe. He forgets, as
theorists usually do, that this is a world
ot facts, instead of fancies, aud that the
true humanitarian is dealing with what
in order that he may more thor
oughly build up his theory of what
ought to be.
Ignoring the fact that women, as a
class, are not, and under the reign of
selfishness which an aristocracy of sex
engenders, cannot be supported by men;
ignoring tbe fact that labor, whether
performed in the kitchen, laundry, or
sewing room, or in the field, office, or
blacksmith shop is, and of right ought
to be considered self-sustaining, the
sapient expounder of "woman's sphere"
talks as though roast chickeus and
plum-pudding, and clothing and luxu
ries always come ready-made to women,
without an effort upon their part, and
that every light occupation tbey engage
in, to relieve theraselvesof the drudgery
of servitude without wattes in the
money-holders' kitchens, is a downright
Imposition upon the men, who always
do the work of the world. Dr. Lambert
says that he "would like to see women
withdrawn from the post offices, count
ing rooms, and other positions of labor,
where they are half-paid, and the young
men put in and paid double the amount
paid women. Then the men could sup
port the women." But he fails to give
woman any security by which she may
be able to know that her half of this
support would surely come under this
regime. Were woman an idiot, or an
automaton, instead of a creature of
mind and will and preferences of her
own, she might thus be moulded into a
creature of man's selfishness, without a
thought of the injustice' of tbe condi
tion ever arising to disturb tbe equa
nimity of an inane animalism; but
when man imagines that the mother of
the race is not a responsible being, and
essays to treat her as though she were a
mere appendage to his often-failing
philanthropy, he need not wonder that
the free-thinking institution fails to ap
preciate his patronizing selfishness, and
plants herself upon the pedestal of her
own womanhood, in spite of his platl
tudinarianisms.
SELP-BELIANOE.
Only one of the one hundred and tbree
women on board was saved.
Se says the record of a recent ship
wreck, aud items of like significance ac
company the recital of almost every dis
aster that consigns to an ocean grave
a number of human beings.
In view of these facts, no one can dis
pute the far greater dangers which
women encounter in travel man men
do. We see also that the fine-spun the
ories which men delight to dwell upon
concerning the protection that women
naturally receive from all men, will not
bear the stress imposed by an awful ca
lamity that threatens human life, but
that here, self-preservation, which is
nature's first law, asserts it&self, and
that strongly. The disposition of the
strong to crowd down Instead of to shield
the weak, is clearly made manifest in
panic that ensues when a building con
taining a mixed audience is found to be
on fire. It is well known that bv far
the greater number of persons who per
ish in these calamities are women and
children. This being tbe case, girl
should be educated to self-reliance, and
taught that nerve, coolness, physical
endurance, agility, and ability to swim
etc., would tend to save their lives,
which might be thrown away by a reli
ance upon the delusive theory of mascu
line protection.
Tne evening journal appeared on
Tuesday evening under tbe editorial
control of Hon Geo. L. Curry, a gentl
man of literary ability and a politician
of much experience. We congratulati
the proprietors of the Journal on having
secured an editor who is able to com
mand respect.
TEOUBLE IN PUBLIC BOHOOLS.
Considerable indignation has been
created In school circles during the past
week by a letter published in the Bee,
over the signature of "Mrs. L.," in
which the boys are accused of shame
fully mistreating the girls. Who this
'Mrs. L." is, or may be, Is no concern
of ours, but we are always safe in affirm
ing that tbe daughters of a mother who
Is so ready at accusing othe'r folks' boys
of impertinence, are themselves excess
ively rude, forward, and vulgar.
The New Northwest has been pat
ronizing tbe public schools with both
girls and boys for a number of
years, and this woman's letter is the
first complaint of tbe kind which has
ever reached this office. That boys and
girls, in the beat of fun and frolic, may,
and sometimes do, tease each other with
more roystering rudeness than strictest
tiquette would excuse in older people,
s not to be disputed nor wondered at.
But we all very well know that girls are
ever ready to hold their own in such
contests, and we further know, that
school-girls who are wall trained by ju
dicious mothers, and are, in conse
quence, modest and genteel in their de
portment, stand in no more danger of
being teased by school-boys, than the
well-bred lady encounters when duty or
pleasure takes her among men. Tbe
mother who Is always listening to these
tales from her children, unconsciously
teaches them to gossip; and by fostering
the habit, encourages them in repre
henslve wantonness that invites rude
treatment from their associates.
We do not say that the grievances set
forth by "Mrs. L." are totally without
foundation, but we do say that it is very
strange that her daughters should be
tbe only ones in the city who are
troubled as she alleges; and that the
best way to prevent a recurrence of tbe
evils set forth Is to keep their troubles
out of the newspapers, and teach them
to so conduct themselves that even
'hoodlums" will instinctively respect
them.
PRECEDENT.
The following precedents are in favor
of admitting women to tbe practice of
law In the various courts:
In 1869, Mrs. B. A. Mansfield was ad
mitted to the bar of Iowa under i
statute providing that "any white
male person" with the requisite qualifi
cations should be licensed to practice,
by virtue of a statute providing that
'words importing the masculine gender
only, may be extended .to females," and
the court held that "the affirmative
declaration that male persons may be
admitted is not an implied denial to tbe
right of females." (See Legal News,
February 9, 1870).
Missouri, under a statute providing
that "any person" possessing certain
qualifications may be licensed and ad
mitted to the courts, including the Su
premeCourtof that St:ite, in April, 1870,
admitted Miss Barkaluu. (See Legal
News, April 9, 1870).
Michigan, under a statute using tbe
word "citizen," admits women to prac
tice.
Maine, under a similar statute, ad
mitted, in 1872, Mrs. C. H. Nash to the
Supreme Court. (See Legal News
October 20, 1872).
In tbe District of Columbia, Miss
Charlotte E. Bay was admitted in 1872,
on graduating from Harvard University.
The Federal District Court of Illinois
has admitted women. (See Legal News,
May 23, 1874).
Illinois and Iowa have each recently
made legislative proviso for tbe ad mis
sion of women.
THE M'GIBENY FAMILY.
This wonderful family of Oregon song
sters would create a greater sensation at
the Centennial than any or all else of
tbe productions of this State which the
people of Oregon can send to Philadel
phia for exhibition. We bear talk of
series of benefits for the different mem
bers of this singing band, to be given
for tbe purpose of assisting tbem to th
Centennial, which we are sure our pub
lic-spirited citizens will respond to with
liberality. Tbe little ones, eight in
number, are musical prodigies, while
Master Hugh and little Allle are abso
lutely wonderful.
As Chairman of the Woman's Execu
tive committee lor Oregon, we are
deeply interested in showing tbe world
what one woman of our State can
furnish in tbe Young American line,
and we know of none more worthy to be
selected as the champion of this 1m
portant department than Mrs. McGib
eny. We look for a grand rally of our
citizens in response to tha benefits men
tioned. Let a substantial sum be real
Ized by the family, that they may visit
the exposition, where a suitable ball
will be erected for their accommoda
tion, wherein they may reap a harvest
that will enable the parents to glv
their little ones tbe advantages their
extraordinary talents merit.
TAKE NOTICE.
All persons attending the fourth an
nual meeting of tbe Oregon State
Woman Suffrage Association, to con
vene at Salem on the 8th of February
1876, may procure half-fare tickets at
any station upon the Oregon & Call
fornia Railroad. Such tickets will be
good from February 7 to February 12.
F. F. Victor,
Cor. Sec'y O. S. W..S. A.
It may be interesting to tbe people of
Salem who levied a kindly tax upon
themselves and procured therewith
steerage passage from that city to San
Francisco for Calvin B. McDonald, to
learn that be intends shortly to return
to Oregon to deliver a new and interest
ing lecture.
Those of our agents and friends who
hold subscriptions due tbe New North
west, will please forward the same at
once, as we are in urgent need of money,
cobbespondenee;
To the Editor or the New Nobthwest:
Two weeks ago, I took leave of your
readers at the leap-year party given by
the lady members of LaCreole Encamp
ment, C. R. C, at Dallas.
On returning to the Lovelady Hotel,
we found a number of ladies and gentle
men seated around a blazing hearth,
eugaged in earnest discussion of the
temperance question.
Having beeu engaged in that work for
number of years, your correspondent
was greatly interested, although she bad
felt convinced that the field bad been so
thoroughly explored years ago, that
there was left no opportunity for even a
Livingstone oraStanley to immortalize
himself by making any new discovery
that would remedy the evil.
One of the most garrulous of the dis
putants, whose somewhat prominent
forehead would lead a student of phre-
ology to expect more brilliant things
of bim, took tbe position that the agita
tion of the question was detrimental to
temperance principles, ana tuat if we
wished our nation to attain the front
rank in the world's temperance army,
we must disband all our temperance or
ganizations, and adopt tbe plan be al
leged tbey followed in France and Ger
many rear our children amongst a wil
derness of wine-presses and breweries !
This phrenological mistake and prod
igy of loquacity even contended that the
Wise Man was mistaken when he as
serted that a child trained up in the way
he should go would not depart from it
when lie was old, as those most carefully
trained were more liable to become
moral wrecks than were those who had
no training at all. I could scarcely re
train myself from participation in the
discussion; but seeing that the side of
the question I would have taken was in
safe hands, I obeyed the injunction to
keep silence."
During the following day I had an in
teresting interview with a Miss Lewis,
who is totally blind, and is a student at
the institute for that uufortunate class
at Salem. She is remarkably cheerful
and intelligent, aud seemed to be
standing reproof to those of us who are
blessed with all our senses, and yet go
complaining through life. Tbis youug
lady lost her sight at the age of ten
years, but treasures in her memory
those beautiful images that were photo
graphed there in early childhood, as the
most sacred of all others. Said she,
"Could these sightless orbs but open
again upon the dazzling beauties of cre
ation, I could never tire of gazing with
admiration and awe upon tbem I
would not I could not complain at
anything nothing could make me un
happy."
In the evening, in company with
friends, I attended service at one of the
village churches, where I witnessed
something that recalled memories of my
girlhood days in the old Buckeye State
the minister "Hue" the hymn for the
congregation. Tbe minister manifested
commendable zeal .In bis calling, and
though he took special pains to assure
us that It was no part of his mission to
preach politics, I could but notice that
the ultima of the name of the church to
which be warned sinners to flee, was
borrowed from that part of tbe compass
opposite the polar star 1
On Monday, my traveling companion
and I made a number of calls among
our friends of tbe Social Circle, and at
Mrs. Lyle's comfortable and tasteful
suburban home, we joined that happy
and refined family in a splendid country
dinner. Talk about city life ! Cora
pared with those who know how to en
joy the country, we don't live at all 1
the city; we only stay. By-the-way,
we promised to visit Dallas again next
summer, aud join our friends in an ex
cursion up tbe clear, pebbly LaCreole,
in quest of glorious, speckled trout.
At night we - attended the regular
meeting of the Encampment, on which
occasiou tbe Grand Commander,
through some mysterious psychological
means, delivered the very speech we
had been studying up for days, but we
were happy, nevertheless, for who
could be otherwise in tbe society of
such people as compose the membership
of that Encampment ?
At a late hour we gave the parting
hand to our companions in the Order,
with a full heart full of fraternal love
for each of them, full of thankfulness
that we had been permitted to visit
them and cheer them on in their noble
work, and full of love for tbe glorious
Order, in which and through which we
had found friends not only there, but
elsewhere, whom we can trust In the
storm, as well as In the sunshine.
Wailec,
Portland, January 23, 1876.
DECISION OF GBAND COMMANDER
Office or the Grand Commander orrail
gox, Washington akd Idaho. J
Question : Can a member of the Order of
C. R. C be expelled for non-payment of dues
His name may be stricken from the
roll he may cease membership, but,
properly speaking, hecanno beexpelled
The laws of the Order make a distinc
tion between dropping from the roil and
expulsion. A person who has ceased
membership, or been dropped from the
roll for non-payment of dues only, may
after tbe lapse of one year, be admitted
to tlie Order as an Ancient Champion
subject, of course, to the usual restric
tions whereas, a person who lias bee
expelled can be readmitted only by be
ing reinstated by the Encampment ex
pelling him (see Sec. 4 of Art. 3 of Con
stitution.) The law, however, requires
Becording Secretaries to make the
same disposition of the names in both
cases (Sec. 5 of Art. 9.)
A. F. Johnson, G. C.
James O'Meara, so long a disgrace to
Oregon journalism, has again been su
perseded by a gentleman, and is once
more out in the cold. He must
pretty well inured to outdoor atmos
phere by this time, however.
Travel Between Northern Ports 'and San
Francisco.
The panic, apprehension, and grief, to
ay nothing of the inconvenience, de
lay, and positive discomfort that has re
sulted from the inefficient and insuffi
cient service rendered during tbe pres
ent winter by the steamers plying be
tween San Francisco and northern ports,
has become so wide-spread as to be the
theme of universal comment. It is a
common remark that a journey
from San Francisco is fraught with
more danger, discomfort aud delay un
der the present managemaut than is a
trip from that point to Europe, and we
hope tbe matter may be agitated until
much-needed reform in tbis regard
is effected. With this view we submit
the following letter from San Francisco,
which appeared in a recent issue of the
Oregonian, confident that an outraged
traveling public will appreciate its just
severity :
Doubtless your readers have learned
through telegraphic or other reports,
that a committee of investigation, ap
pointed by tbe Legislature of California
to inquire into ana report on ui conui-
tion aud seaworthiness of passenger
steamships running from this port, is
now in session uere. me committee
has taken a mass of testimony, and the
investigation is still going on. Of
course, the object is not specially to as
certain the condition of the steamers
plying north, including those of the
Oregon line; but it happens that, inci
dentally, as tbe testimony is delivered
to tbe committee, a great deal is said
about tbe Oregon steamers. Tne testi
mony Is of such a nature as canuot be
reassuring to tbe Oregon public.
Hitherto, as you know, there has been
no little besitatiou and timidity about
these ships; people who have been
compelled to travel on tbem to and from
uregon nave not ieit comtortaoie, ana
tbis sense or fear of danger lias for a
long time made the voyage anything
but an agreeable one. By tbe publica
tion ot tbe testimony caned out in tins
Investigation', tbe feeling is sure to be
intensified. It is useless to try to dis
guise the fact that profound distrust of
many coastwise, steamers, including
some or all of the Oregon line, has beeu
created here, it is just as well to look
the fact in the face. Uregon is isolated,
Having uo railway connections, this
steamship line is of the first importance
to ber business, her growth, and her
prosperity. If people are afraid of the
steamers and unquestionably they are
Uregon sutlers in consequence. Cali
fornia, interested in retaining the popu
lation that seeks tbe Pacific Coast for
settlement, has an irresistible appeal to
present to tbe emigrant to prevent him
from going to Oregon. Many people.
indeed most, have a natural reluctance
to go to sea. It requires in those who
have been brought up inland, aud who
nave as most such nave an instinct of
tbe formidable nature of ocean travel, a
great deal of fortitude to undertake
trip by sea to Uregon alter the long jour
ney hither by rail. If we add to tbis
natural hesitation on their part a feel
ing of insecurity, arising from a well
founded belief that the steamers are un
sound and unsafe, and likely as not at
any time to go to the bottom, we have
a state of facts extremely unfavorable to
travel to Oregon.
Tbis state of facts is very manifest
here. There is a general feeling that
tbe vessels of tbe Oregon line, as well as
many others, are rotten carcasses of
boats, which the very rats would in
stluctively quit; and since the newspa
pers nere are publishing sworn state
ments by old shipmasters, caulkers, anu
others wbo claim to be ramillar with
the coast steamers, to the effect that
they deem many of these vessels ex
tremely frail and unsound so much so
that tbey would not themselves, under
any circumstances, venture to sea in
them It is by no means wonaenui that
the eflect Is to deter people from taking
what they ueem an extravagant risk
especially since the terrible disaster to
the "Pacinc" is so recent in tne puDiic
mind.
I will not trouble you with a detailed
reoital of the testimony and opinions
delivered before tbe committee. You
will be able to collate this as it is pub
Iisbed from day to day in the san b ran
cisco papers. It may be, iudeed, that
tbe opinions given as to some of the
vessels aro ill-founded and erroneous
but the effect is the same as if, instead
of being tbe language of exaggeration
it did not disclose unit the truth.
The Pacific Mail Company is now
selling tickets to Portland, via Puget
Sound, for $20. Their steamer on that
route, the "Panama," is considered
sound. Certainly she is far superior in
comfort, speed, aud appointments to
any vessel on tbe Uregon route, it is
stated that many passengers destined
for Oregon went on her upon ber last
trip, in preference to taking tbe steamer
direct for portiauu. ine -rauama," j
learn, was crowded, while the "On
flamine" had only thirty or forty pas
sengers. Yet 1 believe the latter to oe a
safe vessel. In the public mind, how
ever, she Is in she proscribed list, it i
certain that she is filthy and uncomfort
able, and has no speed. If sb were
cleaned, renovated, and provided with
better power, she would answer lor tb
trade.
It may as well be plainly said, for it
is true, that the steamers ot tue uregon
line, apart from' any question or sea
worthiness or safety, are a disgraca to
tbe State and a reproach to those wh
own or control them. Passenger steam
era tbey ought not to be called; tbey
mlgbt answer tolerably lor the transpor
tation of cattle, but are too dirty and
uncomfortable for human beings to
travel upon. Many years ago, when
they were new and clean, and betore tbe
demands of traffic bad become so con
siderable, tbey were well enough. But
tbey are now out of date, are too slow
and too small, are filthy beyond descrip
tion, and better fitted for the coolie
trade than the reasonable and legiti
mate wants of the traveling public.
Probably the fact that for years past
tbey have not been reuovated and bad
no new furnishings is due to the embar
rassments of the person wno nas con
trolled tbem. It is known that by his
unbusiness-Iike course and habits
prodigality he made it impossible for
himself to serve tbe public on whom he
depended for patronage; aud yet he
stood in tbe way and prevented the pub
lie from getting tbe better service from
others to which it was entitled.
Tbis state of things, let us hope, will
soon end. It was announced in tbe
newspapers here about a week since
that Mr. Holladay's connection with
business interests of Oregon would soon
cease bv transferor railways and steam
ers to the German bond-holders. The
latter, to hold the trade, will find it in
dispensable to put new steamers on the
Oregon coast route. That routo cer
tainly deserves better service. It, is the
best coast route in connection with San
Francisco. Fares upon It have always
been high, but have been freely paid.
The line has made immense sums of
money, no part of which, it is needless
to say, has been expended in maintain
ing and improving tbe service for the
public benefit. Every possible dollar
baa been extorted, and either recklessly
qhandered or thrown in to support
other enterprises, which, without mis
management, wouiu nave supporteu
themselves.
I have written plainly, because the
subject Is one that Oregon i3 deeply In
terested in, ana tne investigation in
progress here makes it proper that the
situation, as viewed in San Francisco
and by people who arrive here witn tne
thought of going to Oregon, should be
set forth through the Oregon press. The
subject has reached such a stage that
there Is no excuse for mincing matters.
The discussion should go on until it
rises into a demand aud an imperative
demand that Oregon shall be served
witn a better line or steamers. sau
Francisco, as the commercial center of
the Pacific Coast, is really interested In
it also, and ought to desire that the
demand shall meet with success.
Pioneer Association.
The board of managers of the Oregon
Pioneer Association met at Salem, on
the the 20th of January, in the Secretary
f State's office, and was called to order
by Hon. J. W. Grim.
The following geutlemen were pres
ent: J. W. Grim, President; E. N.
Cooke, Vice President: W. J. Herren;
J. Henry Brown, Secretary; W. H.
Bees, Corresponding Secretary; Hon.
F. X. Mathieu, ex-President.
Hon. S. F. Chadwick moved that the
next reunion be held at the grounds of
the Oregon-State Agricultural Society,
near Salem, as that was the only proffer
made to the board of managers; carried.
On motion of W. J. Herren, the fol
lowing gentlemen were appointed a
committee on printing: Hon. E. N.
Cooke, Hon. S. F. Chadwick, Hon. John
Minto, and William H. Rees, Esq.
On motion, JKev. J. H. Wilbur was
elected chaplaiu, and Bev. W. H. Rob
erts as alternate.
Hon. Jesse Applegate was chosen to
deliver tbe aunual address at tbe re
union, and Judge R. P. Boise as alter
nate.
On motion, a committee of five ladies
was appointed to select a lady to deliver
or read an address at the next reunion,
and report to the secretary by the 22d
of February, next. Mrs. J. F. Miller,
Mrs. B. A. Clarke, Mrs. waruer.isrey-
man, Mrs. I. N. Gilbert and Mrs. J. H.
Moores were selected as said committee.
Mr. Thomas Shaw was chosen Chief
Marshal, and Colonel T. B. Cornelius
and B. C. Geer, Aids.
The following committee of arrange
ments was appointed: John F. Miller,
Joseph Holman, John W. Minto, Mrs.
B. H. Bowman, Mrs. Mary Minto, Mrs
J. F. Miller, Mrs. S. A. Clarke, Miss
Clara Watt and Miss Marie Smith.
CommiUee of arrangements was in
structed to attend to invited guests.
Hon. John Minto was invited to de
liver an address, and call tbe roll of 1S44.
Mrs. F. F. victor was Invited to write
a biography of Colonel Joseph L. Meek,
ana publish it in the transactions ot the
Association.
Moved that the committee of arrange
ments examine the banners aud have
them retouched, if found necessary.
Un motion, board adjonrned until May
4, 187G.
A Profnpt Denial.
The following communication, clipped
from the Salem Mercury, explains Itself,
and we submit it without comment:
Editor Mercury: In the last issue of
your paper, your Portlaud correspond
ent, "casterne," reiernug to the recent
bankrupt proceedings in tbe matter of
the Bulletin newspaper, In the United
States District Court, makes the follow
ing utterly false statement, to-wit:
"During the examination of witnesses,
the other day, T. B. Odeneal testified
that he had been paid $6,000 to stop the
Bulletin and throw it into bankruptcy,
aud that ot tbis sum, !?3,000 came from
Harvey W. Scott, and $3,000 from H. L.
Pittock, or tlie Oregonian." That there
is not tbe least shadow or semblance of
truth iu the above statement of your
correspondent, is a fact provable by the
Judge of tbe Court, tbe jurors, and by
the attorneys on both sides of tbe case.
Nothing of tbe sort was testified to by
me. I could not so testily, for the
reason that I never received from H.
W. Scott, H. L. Pittock, or from any
other person, $0,000, or any other sum
whatever, to stop the Bulletin and throw
it iuto bankruptcy. I never received
from H. W. Scott any sum of money for
any purpose connected with the suspen
sion of tlie Bulletin. I never received
from Henry L. Pittock any sum of
mouey whatever for auy purpose. Iu
fact, I bad not seen the last-named gen
tleman lor several weeks prior to tbe
suspension. T. B. Odeneal.
Portland, Januuary 18, 1876".
New Tear's Receptions.
The Washington Republican, of the
3d Inst., comments thus on tiie recep
tions given by the wives of our Senators
on New Year's day:
Among the many receptions on New
Year's day, that of Mrs. Senator J. H.
Mitchell, of Oregon, deserves special no
tice. Mrs. Mitchell was assisted by the
beautiful and highly accomplished Mr.
Foot, widow of the late Major Foot, TJ.
S. A., in receiving her many friends at
her elegant residence, No. 1607 I street.
Mrs. Mitchell entertained in her usual
hospitable manner, and was dressed in
black velvet, trimmed with point lace,
and she wore splendid diamond ortia
ments. Mrs. Foot wore blue silk,
trimmed with point applique lace, fes
tooned with pink flowers aud coral jew
elry. The spacious parlors were densely
packed from noon until late in the
evening with Senators and Bepresenta-
tlves, army and navy officers, and pri
vate citizens. The table, for beauty of
arrangement, good taste and profusion
of choice delicacies, was not excelled by
any in the city.
Mrs. Senator Kelly received at her
pleasaut home on K street, aided by her
sister. Mrs. Kelly is acknowledged to
be one of the most delightful and accom
plished ladies in society, and ber sister
proved a valuable auxiliary. The du
ties of receiving were rendered doubly
pleasant. The toilettes of both ladles
were models of richness and taste.
0. 0.
The following officers have been In
stalled for the term ending June 20th,
1876:
Lewiston Encampment No. 1, I. T.
H. O. Adams, C. ; Mrs. S. A. Bowley,
J. C; E.. A. Rowley, R. S.; Sophia
Whitman, F. S.; Geo. Glass, Treas.; S.
A. Newell, C. of H.; Hattie Newell, I.
G. ; E. Pearcy, O. G.
Washington No. 3., W. T. J. H.
Munson, C; Nina E. Treen, J. C.;. W.
H. Roberts, R. S.; Eliza B. Henry, F.
S.; Amelia Abbott, Treas.; M. E. Hart
soek, C. of H.; Melviua Hartsock, I. G.:
G. F. Smith, O. G.
Lee No. 7, Oregon. J. M. Starr, C;
Mary Starr, J. C; J. M. Latterly, R. 8.;
J.M. Wells, F.S.; Henry Moore, Treas.;
J. E. Houston, C. of H.; W. A. Kirk, I.
G.; John Calvert, O. G..
Dayton No. 10., W. T. J. H. Lister, C. ;
S.K. Smith, J. C; J. H. Kennedy, R. S.:
W. W. Day, F. S.; J. L. Smith, Treas.:
W. O.Matzger, C. of H.; H. S.Wheeler,
I. G.; W. S. Newland, O. G.
1