ve HOME INTELLI8ENCE. U U O IO V I BEB VICES I I DALLAS r T h e L yceum . We have paid a couple 01 visits to the meet­ Proceedings of Circuit Court. adril term . ings of this body, but must acknowledge that we have not been much edified by the proceed­ ings. We think the system adopted in most of our local debating clubs radically wrong and injurious. No truths can be elicited or new ideas eliminated from a person who argues against his convictions, and we are supported in this opinion by many able men. The New York Evening Pott advocates general discussion, not set debates, in literary and other organiza tions, and insists that it neither “ makes phil­ osophers nor candid men out of young persons, to place them on one side of a question and require them to argue that side strictly without regard to their own convictions or to the facts of history or experience.” Let the name“ de­ bating society” be dropped; let the idea of debate be discarded, aud discussion take its place. Debate sometimes develops partizansbip, falsehood, subterfuge and personality. Dis­ cussion develops argument, analysis, love for truth and balauceof judgment. Let therefore the question or the subject be proposed, and let each man speak bis own convictions upon it. There will be sufficient difference of opinion, •ays the Pittsburg Pott, on any subject in any club, and tho speakers who differ should alter­ nate, to give spirit to the discussion ; but it should be the object of each, not to get the ad­ vantage of his opponent, but to find out the truth. The world is sufficiently divided about questions of religion, and questions of public policy, or if thise are excluded—as it is very proper that they should be in .purely social gatherings—about questions of science, of art, of metaphysics and history; to give enough variety of sentiment and opportunity for do bate. One who believes what he says speaks earnestly, and is not apt to iudulge in mere words devoid of thought. Many of our debat­ ing societies, as now conducted, give simply an education in false speaking, bigotry, aud unscrupulous partizansbip. D angerous . —A portion of the mill race lies uncovered on Main street, between the store of Mr. Lee and the Union Market, endangering tbe limbs if not the life of persons walking along that side of the street after dark. A gen­ tleman, a few nights ago, on returning from a meeting at the Academy, stepped off the side­ walk into the man-trap referred to, and had he not been accompanied by a friend to whom he clung in his fall, the result might have been serious. We do not know who owns the prop ert v fronting <>n the place in question, but the defect ought to be remedied forthwith. B uena V ista . —This little burg in our county is rapidiy thrusting itself into prominence by the enterprise of its citizens and is destined at no very distant day to be one of tbe manufac­ turing centers of Oregon. Large quantities of carthottiware of a superior quality have been manufactured there for somethin past, and we see by the Portland Herald that a consignment of fine brick had been received at tbe Iron Works in that city from our Buena Vista neighbors. This looks like business. Keep at it, neighbor, and success is sure to crown your efforts. W riting S ceool . —The second term of tbe writing «lass established by Prof. W. S. James, closed on Thursday last, for the season, on which occasion prizes were distributed to the most meritorious pupils. Numerous lady visi­ tors graced the occasion with their presence, and quite a number of gentlemen. This school has been quite a success, the proficiency dis­ played by rnallj pupils who before attending the class could hardly scrawl their names reflecting much credit on cue accomplished teacher, and giving general satisfaction. H orse S how . —On Monday last many of the horse men of this county brought their stallions to town and paraded them arouud Court House Block for an hour or two. Among them there were one or two fine looking ani­ mals, but it strikes us that our breeders wil* have to raise larger stock if they want to share tbe large profits of the California market, most of the horses exhibited were too light to satisfy the demands of stock men. P icture «.—Mr. W. S. James has purchased the photographing apparatus and mateiialof Capt. Lafollctt, and will conduct the business hereafter at the old gallery, on Main street, where he will always be found ready and wil ling to furnish mirrored eounterparts of them­ selves, in any style of the art, to all who may favor him with their patronage. Mr. James is an amiable and courteous gentleman and will no doubt give his patrons satisfaction. T he C rop s . —The prospects for an abundant harvest of cereals never was more favorable in this ccunty than the present season, and the rep irted drouth throughout the southern por­ tion of California gives our producers some encouragement to hope that their enormous yield will find a ready market at fair prices. Fruit—all the varieties—throughout this county are reported as promising an abundant crop. P ersonal . —Among the numerous visitors in town during the past week, in attendance on Court and otherwise, many of whom have called on us, we notice Messrs. Curl, Bonham and Lawson, attorneys, Mr. J. C. Bell and the inimitable “ Bascom,” of Salem ; Hon Bpnj. llaydea, and Dr. Jeffries, of Eola; there were also several commercial gentlemen present from Portland. S elling O ut .— Mr. J. H. Lewis, popularly known ss “ Uncle Jack Lewis,” is anxious to close out his present stock of goods to make room for a new stock that will shortly arrive from Portland, and to this end offers greater bargains than this community is used to. All who wish to procure such bad better call on him The Circuit Court for Polk county—R. P. Boise, Judge—convened in the Court House, Dallas, on Monday, April 26th, and adjourned yesterday. The following is a list of the cases disposed of during the term : State of Oregon vs. Win. Shepherd—contin­ ued on motion of prosecuting attorney. \ State of Oregon vs. J. L. Williams—case resubmitted. State of Oregon vs. II. P. Rankin—settled. State of Oregon vs. Fred. Miller—no arrest; cont nued. State of Oregon vs. Jno. Way—bonds for­ feited. Norman Scott vs. David Rohrer—motion to strike out the answer; demurrer sustained as to that part of answer setting up a disclaimer; reply to be filed by May 10th; H. Y. Thomp­ son, referee. L. J. Knifong vs. J. R. Sites—action at law; verdict for plaintiff in the sum of $78 75. James Brusie vs. J. II. Robbins—action at law; settled. S. Tillotson vs. Robt. Ford—actim at law ; dismissed, each party paying his own costs. N. L. Butler vs. Win. Jones—continued. A. M. Miller vs. Win. Cecil—continued. A. M. Miller v*. Y u . Cecil—judgment by default. M. C. Rawlins and E. A. Rawlins vs S. B . Waite—dismissed at cost of plaintiff. A. II. Whitley vs. E. W. Carlisle—settled. A. II. Whitley vs. A. J. Wise—continued on order of publication. A. II. Whitley vs. Wo. Cecil—continued. E. W. Carlisle vs. A. II. Whitley—settled. Harry Burbank vs. A. Williams et al.—F. Remain, S. T. Burch and II. Ilii.' appointed referees; continued. Anson Kimsey vs. J. F. Kimsey—judgment as prayed for in complaint. R. W. Hill vs. A. A. Miller—jury trial; ver­ dict for plaintiff. Tbos. Munteith vs. II. J. Bevins—settled. Robbins A Weaver vs. D. G. Pumpelly— appeal from County Court; verdict for plaintiff. J. S. Harris vs. E. F. Lange—judgment for plaintiff in sum of $64. , L. A S. Baum vs. John Waymire—judgment fur plaintiff. A. L. Stipp vs. D. McDonald—continued. G. E. Ueehell vs. G. B. Ashby—action at law; settled. J. M. Son vs. E. J. Son—suit in equity; di­ vorce grunted. Cathrine Berry vj. John Berry—suit in equity application refused. Melissa Miller vs. Fred Miller —suit in eqnity divorce granted. Wm. Howe et al, vs. Wm. F. Clingan—case dismissed. S. Rosenblatt ct al. vs. II. Linville—contin­ ued. II. Failing et al. vs. II. Linville et al.—contin­ ued ; Mr. Mycr, referee. State of Oregon vs. J. 0. Shelton— Msmissed. W. n. Beckett ct al. vs. II. F. Smith—ordered that notice be served on tho defendant; con­ tinued. State of Oregon vs. W. F. Clingan—fined $50 State of Oregou vs. W. F. Clingan—fined $10 Lnd costs. J. _______________ L ively . —A coupleol young men about town on Thursday last agreed to disagree, both of them stripping off their coats and “going into” each other in rough -and-tumble style. It was rather one sided, however, .one of them receiv­ ing a severe bruising about the frontispiece while the other received “nary a scratch.” We commend to the young gents in question the old school hymn: “Let dogs delight to bark and bite,” etc., hoping they will refresh their mem ories for the balanccof it, and profit thereby. N ew F irm . —J. C. Bell, Esq., of Salem, has closed out bis business at the capital, aud Das entered into copartnership with Mr. W. C Brown of this place, in the general merchan­ dise business. A 1 irge stock of goods of every variety adapted to the country trade has been laid in by the new firm, at their brick store on Main street, which they offer lor sale as low as tbe lowest. Call and examine their stock. Seo advertisement elsewhere. M a t -D ay P arty . —We were informed that a May-day pic»nic was in contemplation by the young folks of Dallas; but whether they suc­ ceeded in their arrangements or not we have thus far been unable to learn. his saddle and harness shop to the store adjoin­ ing the Bank Exchange, on Main street, where be will be found at all times ready and willing to attend to the wants of his old patrons, and all others who may favor him with a call. C onvention .— We understand there will be a convention of Good Templars held in this place on Thursday next. All third degree members are urged to attend. who will continue the business at the old stand If you want to make rapid sales, advertise in the F olk C ount * T ikes . an til further notioe. which, if it be not good, is, at least, cool: “The poor man’a purse may be empty, but he has as much gold in the sunset and silver in the moon ns any­ body." ffgfA cofemporary thinks the rain a strange powor. It ke