VOL. XVI.
SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1884.
NO. 10
orrcjmilcut.
Deady's Decision and the Rural Districts.
Spbingfield, Or., March 18, 1884.
Editor Home Circle:
I havo taken your paper some eight
or ten years, and I have never wiitten a
line to it ; but as you have invited com
munications, I will send you a few
thoughts.
The tax question is agitating the
minds of the people, and as Judge
Deady has decidod the mortgago tax
law unconstitutional, by a far-fetched
construction, and made some statements
which the facts will not bear him out
in, he sneeringly says tho people in the.
rural districts elect assossors especially
to make law assessments, and cites a
case in Linn county to prove assess
ment) on land are made at One-third
value, or less. I cannot speak for Linn
county, but in my precinct it is not so.
Farm land hero is assessed at from $20
to $25 dollars per aero, which is more
than capitalists will value it at when
they loan money on it and take it as se
curity, and they are sharp in judging
values. I thought it a judge's duty to
decide upon the law, and not step aside
to lecture the people and their represen
tatives as to what the law should be.
Probably he thinks people in the rural
districts need a little of his august wis
dom, but they will hardly take kindly
to it. The Oregonian, in commenting
on tho decision, criticisos the State court
and assessors for having soino respect
for the will of the people and not hav
ing independence to do right. He
thinks office-holders ought to bo above
and beyond the reach of the people, or
anything except solid arguments. There
is a great deal said about land being un
dervalued, and money being assessed at
full value. Of courso, there is no stand
ard value on land. You must use your
judgment as to its value. Its value
fluctuates ; when times arc hard, it comes
down. Not so with money; in hard
times its purchasing power becomes
greater ; it is always worth its face, and
in cold or heat, in rain or sunshine, it
brings its interest, while you may work
your land a year and make nothing;
also, if you rent land and make it bring
money interest, you will have to value it
low.
I like your paper in most respects,
but am not altogether with you on the
tax question. Farmers ought to have
ono good paper, and all take and read it;
then they could communicate with ono
another, make tiieir wants known, and
have an influence. I will write again
about farm and hop interests hern.
SmiSGFlELD.
Note. In some unaccountable way
this letter got mislaid, and we publish
now, even if a month old, and trust our
correspondent will not take offense, but
write us those promised letters he men
tions in a private note to us. Editor.
Interesting Correspondence from an
J i neer A Laay,
old Pio-
A
Editor Wilhmette Farmer :
Such a long time has elapsed since
Mr. Hines' answer to me came out, that
I hesitate about replying; but if you
will permit me a li.t o space, I would
like to notice some of his arguments. I
failed to receive tho Advocate contain
ing his answer until quite recently;
hence my silence,
Bro. Hines says "Oregon would have
been saved had, Dr. Whitman never
lived." Now, let us follow out this modo
of reasoning and seo where it will end.
America would have been discovered,
had Columbus never lived. Tho war of
the rebellion would hate been gained,
had Gen. Grant never lived. The Meth
odist mission would have been estab
lished in Oregon had Jason Lee never
lived; and I think that the Advocate
would have an editor, had Bro. H. never
lived ; and so on, ad finitum. But does
this change the fact that these events
havo been accomplished by certain
men, whose dostiny it was to fulfill
thorn? God rules tho destinies of na
tions as well as of men ; and while
Jason Leo was chosen to lead in the van
of missionary enterprise, Dr. Whitman
was the ono chosen to lead in American
ism. They wore both necessary in car
rying out the great designs of tho "Ruler
of tho Universe. Then, again, Oregon
was saved when tho question was ad
journed. This argument is as weak as
the other. Time was only strengthening
the English claim, and gave time for
Oregon soil to bo watered with tho blood
of her sons and daughters.
It is true that all great movements
are made by tho people; but they all
have a leader. I know that it takes
more than one man or ton men to ac
complish these epochs in history. It
wus the train of emigrant wagons wLh
tho families that opened tho highway
across the continent ; but they were led
by Dr. Whitman, just as Grant led his
armed forces against Richmond and
saved the Union. No one says that
Grant did this alone and unaided, but
he was the successful general who led
the war to a successful close The (same
is true of Dr. Whitman. When he left
his home in 1835, no thought of saving
Oregon was in his mind ; he whs going
to spy out the land for missionary work.
In his six months' intercourse with
mountain men and trappers, he could
hardly avoid learning the views of tho
English in referenco to the ownership
of Oregon, and hoar tho oft-repeated as
sertion that wagons, women, and chil
dren could never cross the Rocky Moun
tains. With the characteristic stubborn
ncss of his nature, ho made up his mind
to demonstrate the fact that they could
by bringing his waiting brido and tho
historical wagon over tho next season,
which he did, and thus won tho fuit
ditch. Then, in '43, ho led his conquer
ing hosts in to possess tho land. The
opposition to him, on tho 29th day of
November, 1847, wrote in letters of
blood the name of tho man that they
looked upon as doing them the greatest
damage, and whom they had the most
cause to fear, and that name was "Mar
cus Whitman." No one denies the in
fluence of tho Methodist mission," and
all histories that I have read give them
honorable mention. They have dono a
noble work, and havo a porpotual nionu
ment in the Willamette University. But
had the road across the continent never
been opened, where would that high
school have been? They came here as
missionaries and builded tho school first
for the Indians, and, when this failed,
for the children of 'the mission and such
settlers as would come in, they did
not know from where, any more than
others. Mr. Beers, in conversing upon
this subject in 1850, said: "We never
expected to see an American settlement
here."
The first white school was taught in
the old institute in 1811, tho year Mr.
Gay turned it over to the board of trus
tees. What idea did they have? The
rise, spread, grow th, glory and triumph
of Methodism, not Americanism. I see
no disgrace attached to them in attend
ing to their legitimato business, or any
honor to accrue to them in imputing to
them motives which they had not at the
time. "We all know that in after years
thoy worked faithfully for tho govern
ment. T loved those dear old mission
aries ; some of the most pleasant mem
ories of my life cluster around them. I
have sat around their tables and fire
sides, and have gathered from their own
lips the story of their live in Oregon.
I was also intimately acquainted with
Dr. Whitman, and heard from him his
trials and conflicts, and I know that his
great heart beat for his countrymen in
their struggle against the common foe.
One word more, and I am done : I am
a Methodist and liavo been for thirty-five
years and my heart throbs at the triumph
of Methodism ; but I do not agree with
Bro. Hines about the Willamette valley
being the heart of the Wostern empire.
It is true that there is no city upon the
site of Dr. Whitman's stntion ; but there
is a large city right whero I havo heard
him say there would be Borne day; that
is Walla Walla. When Bishop Baker
organized the Columbia River Confer
once, he said : "Oregon will bo east of
the Cascado Mountains." I think that
coming events are proving that the
great centerof tho Western empire is tho
portion of tho country that Dr. Whit
man was so anxious to save to the gov
ernment. An Old Pioxeek.
Macleay Items.
Macleay, April 8, 1SS4.
Edi'or Willamette Former :
To-morrow Mr. Herman goes to Port
land to lay in a new stock of goods, ond
if you want to get something cheap and
good, just givo Mr. Herman a call, and
he will satisfy you all. He is always
ready and willing to wait upon his cus
tomers. He also tnlks of starting a
fish market.
Yesterday the funeral sermon of Da
vid Kie8ter was preached at Liberty
School House, by Elder David Brower,
from Salem, formerly of Macleay. The
text was Job I, first claus, "If a man
die, shall ho livo again?" There was a
largo crowd and good order, showing
tho position ho held in life. He was
born in Union Co., Dec. 4, 1821 united
with the Dunkard Church in 1864 ; emi
grated to Oregon in 1S81 ; died Feb. 9,
1881, aged 02 years, 2 months, and 5
days. i .
Uncle Johnny ICayes is no better.
We must say that tho horse show of
the 28th of March was grand with old
Marquis in tho front, and lust aid least
was T.J. Edmundson's celebrated Ken
tucky Jack. He seemed to draw more
attention than anything else, especially
from the ladies, which caused Mr. T. to
feel a littlo jealous ; but as it is only a
question of time when the women will
take tho reins in their hands, my im
pression is then that Jacks will bo in de
mand. Mr. Walter Hartley has sold his
Clydesdale stallion, Leonard, to Dan.
Durbin, of Howell Prairie, for four hun
dred dollars. Ho goes east of tho moun
tains. Mr. Hartley is ono of our most
successful farmers and stock-raisers,
and one who seems to prosper and al
ways has plenty, and if you ever set
down to his table, I think you will agree
with me. O. B. Skuvek.
Letter from Wcltman County, W. T.
Pj.ni: City, April 5, 1881.
Editor Willamette Farmer.
I have been a subscriber of your paper
for a long time, and I realizo its value.
Our spring weather is coming beautiful
and pleasant, a littlo moro backward
than common ; not much Tain rather
dry to insure good crops. But wo hope
for rains later in tho spring. The grass
is growing beautifully ; the hills are get
ting green ; stock is doing well; and peo
ple are busy plowing, fixing for spring
sowing. Thero was but littlo fall wheat
sown here in this vicinity, but what was
put in looks well. Immigration is pour
ing in to this country now from the
East. That is what wo want hero
workers to improve the country. Wo
havo tho soil, and all it wants is proper
cultivation, and Washington Torritory
will produce equal to any part of the
United States; for health its equal is
hard to find, and there is no doubt
a vast amount of minerals and ores that
a yet aro not unearthed that will, at no
distant day, make this country loom up.
If you havo a vacancy in your paper
for this, put it in. A. J. Smith.
Silk Culture.
Ojjeoo.n City, April 14, 1884.
Editor Willamette Farmer:
There is one industry that wo pay but
little or no attention to, and that is silk
culture. I am satisfied that we might
cause, in three or four years, hundreds
of thousands of dollars to come to this
State, if wo would take up silk culture.
It does not require but littlo capital,
neither is it hard labor. It would tako
about two years before the leaves could
bo raised in sufficient quantity that, silk
culture could bo made a remunerative
business. When children are learned to
manage the silk worm, they can. in
three or four months, earn from $30 to
$60 per month. Some ono may say no,
but I undertako to say that children
six years to ten years old can do cvon
better than tho tho figures given above.
Some timo in the future I shall try and
give some particulars about silk culture.
I hopo others will do tho same.
I.ORA1NK.
The Big Bend Country.
Ali-owa.W.T., April 10, 18S4.
Editor Willamette Farmer:
Will boiuo of your readers living in
tho Big Bond country writo to me, and
tell us (sovoral families want to come
out here next Septomber) where we can
get some good vacant government land,
giving quality of soil, convenience to
timber, water, etc. Respectfully,
W. F. NEWI.AND.
Note. Wo will gladly publish a col
umn article on this subjoct. Who will
write it? Eunoit.'
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATIONS.
The following nominations havo boon
made :
Multnomah County. Delegates to
convention only.
Linn County. Senator, J. K. Wcath
erford ; Representatives, L. H. Montanic,
F. A. Watts, T. J. Black, H. Cyrus, II.
Shelton, James Ferry; Judgo, J. J. Whit
ney; Clerk, J. H. Garbraith ; SherifT, J.
K. Sharlton ; Commissioner, Andrew
Condro; School Supcrintondont, D. V.
S. Reid; Treasurer, II. Farwoll; Sur
veyor, H. J. Covorill ; Assessor, E. E.
Hammock.
Polk County. Senator, W. M. Wal
ker; Representatives, Holt Fulkerson,
Joseph Cravens, W. II. Kuykendall ;
County Judge, I. I. Dempsey ; Sheriff,
John F. Groves; Ulerk, 1). W. Hears;
Treasurer, E. T. Miller : Assessor. Noah
Gregg ; Delegates to tho State Conven
tion, G. W. Bell, IN. L. Butlor, W. A.
Basket, IraS. Townscnd.B. F. Smith.
Clackamas County. Sonatoi1, W. H.
Vaughn ; Representatives, D. F. May,
P. S. Noyer, R. Roth, Win. Evans ; Styei1
iff. A. P. Schens (present incumbent) :
Clerk, 11. L. fcelley; Treasurer, II. J.
Harding; Commissioners, JohnLuelling
and 11. E. Hayes ; Assessor, W. Curran;
Coroner, J. Cooke.
Marion County. Representatives, J.
W. Taylor, T. L. Davidson, Lowis Sav
age, Henry Warren, Androw Millor;
Sheriir, Blair Forward; Clerk, W. R.
Privott; Assessor, John Konnedy; Treas
urer, Joseph A. Sellwood ; Coroner, J. A.
Rotan; Commissioners, F. X. Mathiou
and Uriah Whitney; Surveyor, D. K.
Murphy ; County School Superintendent,
W. M. Kaiser.
Wasco County. County Judgo, Geo.
A. Loibe; County Clerk, Geo. Knaggs;
SherifT, J. B. Crosson ; Commissioners,
D. A. Turner and A. Weatherford ; As
sessor, S. W. Emerson; School Super
intendent, E. C. Herron; Coroner, Dr.
Robins. Resolutions were adoptod strong
ly in favor of restricting freight tarill",
and against monoplies.
Umatilla County. Representatives,
J. L. Morrow and L. B. Cox ; County
Judge, T. J. Tracy ; Commissioners, J. L.
FullorandF. M. Crockett; Sheriir, J.
P. Hosier; Clerk, J. W. Rowland; Treas
urer, G. W. Webb ; Assessor, C. P. Davis ;
Surveyor, W. T. Chalk ; School Super
intendent, John Eddington; Coroner,
J. B. Lindsey. The convention adopt
ed resolutions favoring tho repeal of
the usury law, and favoring taxation
of mortgages ; also for divisiiou of Uma
tilla county.
Baker County. Representatives, Geo.
Chandler und It. A. Locket; Sheriir, J.
T. Delay ; Clerk, M. D. Wisdom ; Treas
urer, Pat. Campbell; County Commis
sioners; A.J. Weatherby una E. P. Per
kins; Assessor, T. Devins; School Su
perintendent, John A. Payton; Htirvoy
or, C. L. Means; Coroner, J. W. Cleaver.
Lane County. For Stato Senator, E.
P. Coleman; for Representatives, It.
Veach. L. Bilycu. It. B. Hayes, and D.
Burton. Tho choic for county officers
was: Judge, J. J.Walton; Commission
en, Hill and Mitchell ; Clerk, C, K. Hale;
Sheriff, J. R. Campbell; School Super
intendent, II. W. Pattorson ; Treasurer,
B. 11. James ; Coroner, F. W. Osborn.
Columbia County. For Representa
tive, John R. Watts; County Clerk,
Frank Merrell ; Sheriff, Thomas Cooper;
Treasurer. Joseph Copeland ; Surveyor,
S. G. Caudle; Assessor, Peter Louisig
nant; School Superintendent, W. II.
Wntkins.
Clatsop, Douglas and Yamhill only
elocted delegates to tho Stato Conven
tion. Bonton Co. Representees, W. G.
Crawford, Allon Parker and E. Skipton ;
clerk, E. Holgato ; sheriff; William Mac
key ; treasurer, Zob Davis ; commissioners,
John Harris and A. Harning; school
superintendent, E. A. Milner; surveyor,
A. J. Loeko ; assessor; J. P. Alford.
Coos Co. J. M. Siglin for scnatoi
1). J. Low" ; reprcntativo ; T. J. Lam)
clerk ; A. G. Aiken, sheriff; A. Arringtoi
assessor; A. P. Owen, trcasuror; J. 1
Hall, surveyor ; R. Mast, school super
intendent. Union County -StateSenator.J.B.Rine-hart;
Representatives, F. I. Dick and E.
E. Taylor; Sheriff, A. L. Sandors; Clerk,
Frank Wilson; Treasure, Frank Benson;
Assessor, J. 11. McCnbbin; Survoyor
Simonis ; School Superintendent, Jcsso
Ilindman ; Commissioners, Georgo Acklcs
and John Standloy; Coroner, E.G. Lewis;
Tillamook County For Commission
ers, Win. Bhoades ; II. F. Holdon ; Clerk,
Jos. Whiting ; Shcrifl', John J. Turner ;
Treasurer, JT L. Story ; Assessor, J. F.
Stookers; Surveyor, W. T. Newcomb;
School Superintendent, Claud Thayers;
Coroner, Dr. Patchen.
American Newspapers In 1881
From tho edition of Messrs. Geo. P.
Rowoll & Co's. American Newspaper
Diicctory, now in press, it uppoars that
tho newspapers and periodicals of all
kinds at present issued in tho United
States and Cuuada reach a grand total of
1:), 102. This is a net gain of precisely
1,(500 during tho last twolvo mouths, and
exhibits uu incrooso of 5,018 over tho
total number published just ten years
since. Tho increase in 1801 over tho
total for 1873 was 493. During tho past
year tho dailies have increased from 1,138
to 1,251 ; tho weeklies from 9,002 to 10,
028; and tho monthlies from 1,091 to
1,499. Tho greatest increaxo is in tho
Westorn States. Illinois, for instance,
now shows 1,009 papors in plaeo of last
year's total of 001, whilo Missouri issuos
001 instead of tho 523 reported in 1883.
Other leading Western States also exhibit
a great porcontago of increaso. Tho
totil numbor of papers in Now York
State is 1,523, against 1,399 in 1883.
Canada has shared in tho general increase.
Beunlon or Old Students.
Wo havo boforo us a copy of n circu
lar issued by a committco having in
chargo tho arranging of a reunion of
tho old students of Willamette Univer
sity, who itttouded prior to 1800. Tho
rounion will occur on Wedncsday,Juno
11th, on tho University campus. Tho
following programme has bcon arrunged:
Commencing at 11 a. m., reception
speech by Hon. R. Williams ; response
by Rov.F. S. Hoyt, D. I)., with appropri
ate music under the leadership of Dr. f"
II. Hall, after which a basket diriiv
will bo served, to bo followed with
social reunion, intcrspeiued with sho
specchos, music, etc. A cordial inviti
tion is extended to all old students, many
of whom the committee cannot reach,
from tho fuet that their location is not
known. Geo. Williams, Salem, can givo
all desired information.
The Tjiokouujjiiiii.'ii House is tho title
of a pamphlet handed to us by tho
author and compiled by D. R. Wells,
owner of tho horeo Woodbury. It con
tains a treatise on tho turf, cavalry, road,
and farm horses in America, collated
from U. H. reports and such other relia
ble statistics as procurable. Mr. Wells
desorves great credit for tho enterprise
ho lias taken to show up the merits of
tho thoroughbred horse. Woodbury iH
without u doubt one of the best bred
horhes in Oregon at this timo, ami wo
aro glad to my is being patronized by a
number of good mnre. His progeny
will showtoadvantago another year.
In tho advertisement of Sir Stafford,
wo fail to mention the owners' names.
Savugo & Fletcher nro tho owners. Tho
horse are so well known hereabout that
it is not necessary to mention the propri
etors. But persons from a distance will
find lh9 projwr names of the owner
hereafter by consulting tho ad.