mm
eia
5
saturday.... january 28, 1899
j issued every saturday
:...'" - by
V " A- DOUTHIT, Publlchar.
T CBSCKIPTIOIT KATES.
r DAILY
i, - ea sy stall 6.00
Months 8.00
y Msonths 1.60
V ' WEEKLY
duyr,brBiQ.. 1.S0
Sisnumths................. ...... - 7S
COMING TO ITS SENSES.
Careful readers of the Oregonian
-have no doubt been surprised of late
. to note that that paper has been going
after the trusts with a hot stick and
advocating the abolishing of tariff
duties on all articles controlled by
trusts, ater having for thirty years or
-more preached loud and long for the
policy which has enabled trusts to be
formed and exist.
' And now to see the Oregonian advo
cate an income tax will , be even a
. greater surprise. The only explan
ation that can be offered is that the
Oregonian is coming to its senses, and
: is beginning to see the fallacies of the
' theories it has supported in the past
and the truthfulness of those it has
' opposed. Only a shot time ago it was
denouncing the income-tax, proposed
by the democrats, as being unjust and
a tax on thrift -and enterprise, now it
says:
Controller Roberts, of New York
state in hlsiannual report, points out
- that not. 3 per cent of the personal
property domiciled in the state is on
the tax lists; that while the state pre
tends to tax all personal property
equally with reality, it only succeeds
in taxing 3 per cent of it a great
wrong to taxpayers whose personalty
is visible and incapable of concealment
' compared with rich men who own vast
amounts of personalty that is practi--.
cally invisible, non-discoverable,
. . evasive and portable property. Mr.
Roberts . thinks - the only practical
remedy for this intolerable situation is
to abolish the personal property tax
and - substitute in , its place a tax on
legacies and inheritances. Such a
tax bill, imposing graduated taxes on
successions, which on large fortunes
rose above 10 per cent, passed both
branches of the legislature by an al
most unanimous vote. But Governor
Black vetoed it in the interest of the
opulent, tax-dodging class.
Mr. Roberts points out that the
burden of publiciexpenditures in New
. York 1b rapidly increasing, It amount
ed for the state government In 1850 to
11.30 per . capita; in 1880, to tl.89per
capita; in 1890, to $2.15 per capita: and
in 1867, population being estimated, to
$4.49 the per capita increase within
seven years past being about four times
what it was in the 'thirty years from
1850 to 1880. This Increase corresponds
almost exactly with the increase in
the number of commissions and de
partments thirty-six having been
: created since 1880. The unequal and
utterly impracticable system of tax
ation in New York distributes this
; burden of outrageous public extrava'
gance unfairly among the people. The
farming class, and the industrious,
saving mechanics and otner wage
workers bitterly complain that upon
them falls an undue share of the bur
. den of taxation. Their personalty in
shape of farm animals is as visible as
our real estate, while the vast amount
of personalty, invisable and not easily
discoverable, owned by multi-million-
aires, escapes taxation. . . .
Nor is there any way to avoid It
under -the present tax system. De
claim as we may against the absurdity
or injustice that the farmer should be
compelled to pay on his land, and that
the lot-holder in the city should be
equally exposed to taxation, while the
capitalist, by putting his wealth into
bonds, can escape taxation altogether.
It is a fact nevertheless, an evil that
' cannot be cured or met by any of the
present methods we employ. It is as
. necessary to understand conditions as
theories. Of what avail is it to tax
highly a thing which can be so easily
hidden as to be virtually beyond the
reach of the assessor? Attempts to
tax these Invisable and 'intangible
properties in a direct way will always
fail. It is well enough to say that all
property should be assessed exactly
alike, but experience teaches that this
cannot be done under the present
system. The system then must be
changed. ' '' "
Ways, then, must be devised to 1m
pose taxes on business, on incomes, on
inheritances. . The attempt to tax
credits only aggravates the evil. The
problem is to reach the vast accumu
lations of invisible and intangible
wealth. The present syBtem is crush
ing real estate, whether in the hands
of rich or poor. The beginning of the
right system is in the bill proposed by
Senator Porter, of Clackamas.' It
should be extended gradually, yet as
rapidly as possible, so as to compel ac
cumulated wealth,-' which is hidden
away, to bear some just share of the
burden. But this can only be reached
through a tax on volume of business,
tax on income, tax on inheritances,
WANT STATE AID...
It is nothing new for people who
-. 'have engaged in unprofitable enter-
- prises to sees: to nnioaotnem upon tne
state, hence no wonder was expressed
when the Oregon Women's Flax fiber
Association went before , tbe legis
lature with a proposition - that the
state buy their equipments and stock
on hand, consisting of netting tacks.
- scutch mills, etc., together with 50
tons of flax straw, valued at $15,000.
These women allege they have ex
hausted the means at their disposal,
consequently are unable to further con'
tinue the experiments being made in
flax culture unless the state comes
to their rescue. .
Their scheme is a very plausible
one and looks well on paper, but will
hardly strike a majority of the legis
lators as the proper thing to accept.
They propose to turn over their entire
plant to the state for 115,000, -and thai
an appropriation of $35,000 be made
' for conducting the business of manu
facturing flax fiber in the penitentiary
by the employment of convict labor. ,
The efforts of these ladies in demon
strating that an excellent quality of
flax straw can be grown In Oregon and
that it can be converted into good
fiber. They certainly . deserve much
rnwHt. bnt it is not desirable that
their business, which has proven un
successful financially, be saddled upon
ataA ftfc th6 expense of the tax
payers. If they have been unable to
conduct the business successfully
under the management oi tauies wno
charged no salary for their services,
it cannot be expected tbe state could
make It profiteble. Tbe legUUtan
will use good judgement by- declining
this offer.
There is another institution that is
seeking state aid because its business
is proving unsuccessful, and would
throw itself upon the tender charities
of the people.
Tbe Ashland college, a concern
little if any better than the ordinary
public high school, seeks to be known
as the Southeran Oregon State Nor
mal school. It is modest in its re
quests and only asks an appropriation
of 815,000 for its -support. Legislators
will do well to stear clear of
this seductive proposition. If th
Ashland college cannot survive by
its own efforts, better let it die than
fasten it as another burden upon the
people. We' haye already too many
normal schools, and it would be an
extravagance to load up with an1
other.
: WILL ALGER GO?
That the Eagan court-martial will
result in disclosures and produce con
ditlons under which Secretary Alger
will find it impossible to remain in the
war office, every penetrating observer
considers- highly probable, indeed
quite certain. It is known that Alger
did not want the court-martial, but tbe
president was resolved on it. It was
Alger's desire that Eagan be let off
with a reprimand, but the president
would , not listen to it. Washington
correspondents say that nearly all tbe
prominent republicans in congress
called at the White House and assured
the president that, in their opinion it
would be suicidal for the adminlstra-
tion to use its influence to shield Egan
from the punishment which his offense
deserves. Cregonian.
Public sentiment may yet force the
president to ask for Alger's resigns'
tion, but circumstances do not at thii
time warrant the assertions above,
While president AicKinley seems
prone to ride on the wave of public
sentiment, although its course should
lead direct to the infernal regions, be
is not yet ready to throw Alger over
board The ties that bind them are
too firmly set to be broken off abruptly,
McKinley has carried this old fossil
and bundle of corruption and incom
petency through a storm of indigna
tion; has turned a deaf ear to the com1
plaints heaped up against him, and
has been instrumental in shielding him
against the charges that through his
mismanagement of the war -depart
ment the lives of thousands' of brave
men have been sacrificed. - All these
charges have not cooled the president's
love for Alger or broken the hypnotic
spell which the secretary ef war holds
over tbe chief executive. But events
may occur that will appeal stronger to
McKinley's heart than the skeletons
of the dead soldiers. If he is made to
know that tbe retention of Alger in
omce will lessen bis cbaoces for re-
nomination he may let his old friend
go, but this seems to be tbe only cause
that will moye him to discbarge Alger,
THE TEXT-BOOK QUESTION.
Senator Daily, of Polk county, has
devoted much time to preparing the
voluminous bill which he introduced
in the senate, the prime object ot
which was to prevent the abuse tha'
has been practiced In the past of
awarding the contract for supplying
text-books for use in public schools
at an exorbitant price, but he loaded
nis Dill down witn a lot or riders re
lating to diplomas, certificates, etc., so
that it was viewed with suspicion, as
being a "job." In consequence he has
determined to revise his bill and make
a separate one for nis text-book
scheme. - ' '
Whether his proposition to place in
tne nanos oi a commission to be ap
pointed by the governor tbe selection
of books will be more advantageous
than the old plan of leaving it to the
different superintendents is a question
which time alone will tell.
That there has been an abuse in the
past, and that the American Book
Company has been paid too much for
its books, there is no denying; 'but will
a commission do better by the people
than have the superintendents? lathe
question. Should the governor ap
point oc the commission men scrnpu-
lousiy nonest and above bribery, no
doubt the abuse would be remedied;
but it is hardly to be denied that the
American Book Company was instru
mental in tne election of tbe present
goversor; and may not that concern
expect favors at his hands? However,
Governor Geer has demonstrated
qualities that would indicate that he
could not be corrupted,' and until he
has betrayed the trusts consigned to
him, the people may have confidence
in his honesty. At all events, any
commission he may appoint cannot
make matters much worse than they
are now. bence there can be little
cause to regret if the Daley bill should
become a law. It promises to be tbe
breaking down of the influence of the
American Book Company in the pub
lic schools, and to give the people
text-books at a more reasonable price,
and that is the end desired. ' ' 5 -
YOU ABE SIGHT.
There should be no "open door" for
commission in Oregon- . A republican
legislature in this state should kill all
tbe commission bills, and if the people
have to bear burdens for want of com
missions to regulate railroad rates and
public affairs, they will ask for the old
system- Baker City Republican.
Yes, the republican legislature
should kill the commission bills and
nearly all tbe commissions, for it was
republican legislature that , saddled
these useless appendages : upon the
state. - But Is the present legislature
composed of such stuff as will stand up
before the hungry army of office seek
ers, "republicans tried and true who
fought through the campaign last June
for tbe party" and say there shall be
no more new offices and commissions
created? It takes a pretty firm man to
deny his party bed-fellows the privilege
of feeding at the public crib. .
A good many bills have been Intro
duced in the legislature that savor of
jobs and an attempt to provide employ
ment for favorites at tbe expense of
the public, but the most wholesale of
fice creating measure that has yet
come to light, Is tbe one introduced by
J. T. Whalley, of Multnomah county.
to provide for the office of state grain
Inspector. It arranges for an inspector
at $2,500 a year, two commissioners at
B'K), a secretary at 81,000 and an army
of deputies at $1,800 a year, while a lot
of others are to draw $85 a month:
Under its peovisions grain that leaves
the state or is brought in must be in
spected, and the chief inspector shall
have a fee of f 5 for each inspection,
and the fees are expected to pay the
salaries of all ;he inspectors and depu
ties, except that of the chief. It would.
if enacted Into law, give a dozen or so
politicians a fat job, and would tax tbe j
Of
wheat farmers for their support. i
tion,
PROTXC1ION AND ' TRUSTS:
Under the workings of a protective
tariff trusts have been fostered and
petted until it is now a deplorable fact
that nearly all the large manufactur
ing industries have combined for tbe
purpose of keeping up prices, and tbe
purchaser, when he goes into the mar
kets for the purpose of placing large
orders for manufactured goods, finds
there is no competition, that the prices
are tbe same at all factories, and it is
as if dealing with only one firm. So
perfect has been the combination of
the trusts that tbe consumer can either
pay the prices they demand or let their
goods alone. This would probably not
be objectionable if manufacturers in
the combine were only demanding a
reasonable profit, but they are demand
ing more. They are, as it were, de
manding "all the tariff will stand."
We find them selling abroad at prices,
greatly below those asked at home,
and entering into competition with
manufacturers whom tbey seek pro
tection from by the workings of a pro
tective tariff.
The abuse has grown to such an ex
tent that even strong advocates of the
protective theory in the past, now that
the interests which support them are
being affected, are demanding the re
peal of the system which makes trusts
possiole. Many staunch republican
journals are even raising their voices
against the trusts and acknowledging
the contention of the democrats, that
protection should be removed from
such industries as have gone into
trusts for the purpose of limiting the
product and retaining high prices.
Amang theae is the Oregonian, which
in a recent article showed up the work
ings of the tariff in fostering tbe steel
wire trust anr demands the repeal of
the 'tariff on wire. Here is what it
said:
Recent advances of $2 per ton in price
of wire and wire nails calls attention
to the steel wire trust, which, under
the name of the American Steel &
Wire Company, has acquired a prac
tical monopoly of the wire business of
the country. This trust, like many
others, is protected by the tariff, as
follows:
Equal to
ad
Per lb., valorem.
Wire Ro cents, per cent.
Voluedat4corle3sperlb 0.40 23.00
Valued at over 4c per lb 0.75 8.97
Wire. Hound Iron or Steel '
Not smaller than N o. 13 1-2S 36.19
Nos. 14tol6 1.50 4.t
Smaller than No. 16 .2.00 56 29
Valued at over 5c per lb 40.00
All otber iron or steel wire or
manufactures thereof 45.00
Wire Nails
Not less than 1 inch nor lighter
than No. 16 wire gaugj 0.50 30.00
Less than 1 inch and lighter
than No. 16 1.00 60.21
This tariff enables the trust to ad
vance its price to consumers beyond a
fair and just price, to tbe amountof the
duty; for it is well known that iron and
steel are now produced as cheaply in
this country as in Europe. The trust
is capitalized at $94,000,000, an amount
sufficient to carry the twenty-six plants.
it has acquired, or is negotiating for.
On this large capitalization -dividends
must be paid, idle plants must receive
bonuses, and outdated machinery must
have its .earnings instead of being dis
placed by the latest inventions.
For all these unnatural and oppres
sive exactions, the people have to pay.
They will not forever endure the in
justice, and the proper place to begin
is with the tariff. There is no time to
lose, and there is no reason to lose
time. Congress,: in fact, is in session
BOW. - " ;' "-
IN BIS TRUE LIGHT.
!' Where does Prof. Ackerman stand
with reference to tbe American. Book
Company?" was a question asked the
voters of Oregon last June. : The
answer was presumed to be that be
was not a tool of that concern, for
they elected him superintendent of
public instruction, but had they be
lieved he was influenced by or tinder
the control-of the gigantic book
trust, they would have voted other
wise, because there are few con
scientious voters in tbe state who are
willing f put a servant of the Amerl-
caa Book Company at the bead of our
educational system.
But now Mr.' Ackerman comes up
in his true light. He has shown his
hand. There can no longer be any
doubt that his interests are more close
ly allied with tbe book trust than with
the children of Oregon -and their
parents, whom the trust seeks to
fleece. .. - '-
He showed up in bis true light in
his opposition to the Daly bill, senate
bill No. 3, the intent of which is to
break down influence of the American
Book Company'and to systemize the
school laws of Oregon.
His opposition was not open and
above board, but was carefully en
gineered so as to cover up the tracks
of tbe chief conspirators. Ha under
took to poison tbe minds of county
school superintendents, and interest
them to work through their representa
tives in tbe legislature against the
Daly biiL His scheme was having its
effect, for legislators were receiving
letters from superintendents all over
the state requesting them to oppose
tbe bill. This caused some wonder,
but light was thrown upon the dark
ness when the cause of the opposition
from superintendents was discovered
It was a letter addressed to each cf
the several county snpersntendents by
Ackerman; here is the letter:
"State of Oregon, Superintendent of
Pablio Instruction Office, . Salem.
Jan. 18. 1899. To County School
Superintendents: . Tbe educational
committee, to whom the Daly bill was
referred, will in all probability report
it back, with the following amend
ment:' That the salaries of the sev
eral county superintendents be fixed
by the legislature, and that the fees
be abolished. "Your salaries will be
fixed in the bill, andin all probability
the amount of your respective sal
aries will be left to your respective
delegations. I thought it my duty to
inform you of the committee's actions,
in order that you might communicate
with your respective delegations,
should you desire to do so.
"J. H. Ackerman, .
"Supji. Public Instruction.
"Circular letter No. 3." V ;
- When confronted with a copy of the
letter Ackerman explained that it was
only a friendly letter to the superin
tendents warning them of tbe interest
they bad in legislation; in short, that
their salaries were about to be reduced.
His explanation brands itcelf with
the lie. The bill was introduced on
January, 10, his letter bears date of
January 18, eight days later, and he
had had ample time in which to care
fully examine every clause in it, and
discover there was nothing1 therein
pertaining to salaries of county super
intendents. And more, he knows, if
he knows anything at all, that the
constitution provides that there shall
w i . . - T
oa no increase or reduction oi aa
officer's salary during his incumbency
office. -. Therefore the only construc
ttutftn be put upon bisactipnJe1
that he desired to defeat the bill in
order that he could better serve his
master, ths American Book Company.
The bill takes the selection of text
books entirely out of the hands of the
superintendent of public instruction,
since it provides that the governor
shall appoint the commission whose
duty shall be to select tbe books.
Had this provision been different; had
the appointing power been vested in
the state superintendent, probably
Ackerman would have shown no
hostility to the bill, for then he could
have served his master. But it did
not, and in order to give the book
trust another lease of life in Oregon,
he must kill senate bill No. 3 by mis
representation, even though he must
resort to a lie to do it. Ackerman has
now been stripped of his sheep's cloth
ing and the wolf that he is is disrobed.
' BUT WILL THEY?
There is apparently a dead-lock in
Washington on the senatorial election,
similar to those we used to have in
Oregon, tnd in consequence tbe people
of that state are suffering the evil ef
fects that always attend a- bitter sena
torial fight in the legislature; every
thing else is made secondary to the as
pirations of a few men who have a
desire - to represent the state in the
upper house of congress; legislation of
a necessary nature is neglected, and
trades of all kinds become possible.
Tbe Walla Walla Union, a 6taunch re
publican paper, U tired of the trifling
that is going on at Olympta, and says:
"When the voters of Washington
elected their representatives to the
state legislature, knowing that a
United States senator was to be elected,
they expected that they should fulfill
this part of their duties without delay.
The republican members have the
power to name a senator, and it is ex
pected they shall exercise tbat power
within the party, without the help of
the fusion party members. The re
publicans of the state have desired and
expect that their representatives shall
proceed to name a senator in the usual
manner, by a caucus, and there settle
the differences as to personal choice."
It is very true that it rests with the
republican members to chose a senator,
and they could do it if tbey would dis
play a little independence by breaking
away from their favorites and asserting
the privileges belonging to them.
But will they do it? Hardly. They
are tied so closely to certain senatorial
candidates that they cannot readily
sever their connection. ' This is the
fault of tbe system of electing U. S.
senators, and will never be done away
with until they are elected by direct
vote. Men who aspire to be United
States senators work the conventions
to get men favorable to them nomi
nated for legislative offices, and by the
time they are elected are so much un
der obligations to the wouid-be sena
tors tnat toey dare not exercise any
independence. Tbey become slaves of
bosses instead of free men.
EDITORIAL NOTES.
That Paris peace treaty still sleeps
in tbe bands of the senate. Its friends
seem slow to force a vote oa the propo
sition. to ratify or reject it. -
A sensible act of the legislature
would be to place all district attorneys
on a salary. The old fee system is
worn out and is productive of no. good.
Eagan, the tool, the boon companion
in incompetency, and the bosom friend
of Alger, must go; but it is unfair to
brow him out and so long as the chief
ncompetnet is retained at . the head cf
the war department. However it may
improve the service some to get one
blackguard out.
It would be as just to give tbe
Grande Ronde sugar beet farmers a
bounty on their beets as it would be
to give the Ashland college $15,000 for
its support as a normal school.
Neither, however, has a just claim up
on the people of Oregon to be made
burdens to the taxpayers.
The Salem Journal is after the legis
lature with a sharp stick for not per
forming its duties in regard to the
state treasury. It charges that hun
dreds of thousands of public money
have laid idly in the treasury, at least
reports so showed, while the state has
paid large sums for interest on unpaid
warrants.
Any member of the legislature who
carries state property away from tbe
capitol building at the closa.of this
session should be branded as aTS""
and made amendable to the law. '- They
should be made to realize that a public
office is not a private snap, and that it
is as much of a crime to carry away
waste-baskets, ink-stands, etc., from
the state bouse as it would be to enter
a store and carry off merchandise.
In the . next congress there will be
only 26 democrats, all but six of whom
come from the Southern states. Hav
ing a majority in the house, and all
but 26 members in the senate, the re
publican administration will be backed
up by a purely reyublican congress,
and must beheld responsible for any
and all legislation that may be enact
ed. What is Al. Holman going to do
with his charges of corruption in the
secretary of state's office, under, the
ad ministration" Of" Kihcaid, now that
the senate committee appointed to in
vestigate the office baa reported that
it was "found all right?" He will
probably insist that tbe committee
was "whitewashed.'' -'."
There is little likelihood that any
of the new counties that are proposed
to be carved out of Wasco, Gilliam,
Crook and Grant counties will
materialize at this session of the legis
lature. There are too many candidates
for county seats, and each will defeat
the new county scheme ' rather than
boo jib woiwuwr succeed. y
The senate committee to investigate
the Loewenberg contract at the state
penitentiary reported there is due the
state $39,669, and . recommended the
acceptance ot 832,500 In settlement
thereof, which recommendation was
adopted by the senate. If the state
gets $32,500 put of Loewenberg it is
more than anybody ever expected.
One day last week G. T. Myera, one
of the Multnomah county representa
tives, and a good republican by the
way, got . a resolution through- - the
house donating the supreme court re
ports, session laws and history of the
Oregon Indian vara, to each member
of the legislature, but there was snch
a commotion raised that the house was
forced to rescind the order. This set
of books would have cost $2,500 each,
and to have supplied the 90 members
would have been an expense of $22,500
upon the state. - This is only a sample
of some of the "economical" legisla
tion attempted by our reform legisla
ture. There will be a day of reckoning
oa (be first Monday in Jane, 1900, .
SET DP SHOP
FOR HIMSELF
Aguinaldo Publicly Pro
claims the Philipine
Republic
Chicago, Jan. 24 A special to the
Tribune from Washington says: The
government has been notified tbat
Aguinaldo took a decisive step and
publiclv proclaimed the republic of the
Philippines. The ceremony toolc place
at Malolos, and was Witnessed by the
members of his -cabinet This news
comes from Manila, where the tidings
of Agulnaldo's procedure was received
with public demonstrations of a mild
sort.
All is . not plain sailing for the in
surgents' as it is said tbe rival author
ities at Cebu are fighting. The trouble
has not reached an acute state, but tbe
safety of the town and surrounding
country is in danger.
The northern provinces have recent
ly given indications that they are not
in accord with Aguinaldo, and should
his proclamation lead to hostilities
with the American?, he may have a
revolution as well as a war of conquest
on his hands.
Another serious feature, according
to the dispatches, is that the interior
of Luzon is in a ferment. Native of
ficers have been murdered, and no ef
fort made to punish the criminals.
THE OREGON LEGISLATURE.
The Curtis Fish Hatcheries BUI Passes the
House.
Salem, Jan. 24. The feature of the
forenoon session in the house today
was a fight over the Curtis bill appro
priating $25,000 for construction and
equipment of fish hatcheries. Curtis
and Younsr pleading eloquently for
the appropriation, while Whitney,
representing the interest of the far
mers as opposed to the interests of the
fishorman, led the opposition. So
much feeling was aroused oyer the
discussion that a call of the bouse was
demanded, and a quarter of an hour
was lost gathering in absentees. The
bill finally passed by a vote of 34 to 22,
four members being absent.
By direction of the ways and means
committee a bill was introduced ap
propriating $750 to J. C. Moreland for
legal services, $732.23 to Sanborn,
Vail &Co. for . painting ex-Goveonor
Lord s picture, $400 to 5. A. Dawson
and J. W. Maxwell for revising the
senate journal for the session of 1895,
$394.12 to The Dalles, Portland St
Astoria Navigation Company for goods
lost off tbe portage railway operated
by tbe state, $6,696.89 to John H. Hall
for legal services in collecting tbe
taxes of Multnomah county under
contract, $10,540.86 to iCaptaln John
Mullen for collecting money for the
state from the United States direct
war tax. .
In tbe senate tbe judiciary 'com
mittee's report adverse to a bill to add
two judges to the supreme court bench
was the special order for this morning
but a direct vote on the proposition
was avoided. Fulton presented as a
substitute for an adverse recommend
ation a bill authorizing tbe supreme
court judges to . appoint clerical as
sistance not, to exceed in cost $.3600
per year. ' . ;
Mulkey opposed it on the ground
that clerical assistance for the sup
reme court is already costing the state
and litigants nearly $18,000 and be
cause be understoood the court was
put behind by litigation of boom times
and might work out now without
further measures of relief.
Fulton argued that the court had
nothing to do with the compensation
or emoluments of clerks, which had
nothing to do with this case. His sub
stitute was adopted and passed under
suspension of the rules, the final vote
being 25 to 3.
Tbe bouse resolution for an amend
ment to the constitution to permit the
governor to veto items in tbe appro
priation bills and approve the remain
der was adopted after slight verbal
amendment. ,,
THE BALABAC MASSACRE. .
Spanish Officers War Murdered and
Stores and Houses Looted.
Lauban, Island of Lebanon, British
Borneo, Jan. 24.--The steamer Lauban
has ariived here 'from the Island of
Balabac, 30 miles south of the island
of Palawan, Philippine islands, not
from Palawan as previously cabled.
The murder of Spanish officers,
which was reported, occurred at Bala
bac. The Labuan brought 65 women
and children here.--They bad been
robbed of everything, but otherwise
not ill-treated. The Zulu assisted
the-Balabacs in killing Spanish offi
cers. . The Spaniards left. Palawan,
where the natives were fearful of the
Zulus. Stores had been looted, busi
ness was at '' a standstill, and all the
natives were armed and ready for mis
chief. . . - '. ., .
TROUBLE- IS FBOABLE.
Filipinos .May Force y a Filth
Washington. Jam - 24. Senor Lo
pez, secretary to Agonoillo, tbe Wash
ington representative of Aguinaldo,
called ' at the state department this
afternoon and lodged with the chief
clerk a communication which, accord
ing to common expectation, marked a
critical stage in the Philippine ques
tion. This is the third attempt made
by the Filipino representatives to se
cure . official recognition - from the
United States governmant.
Advices from: Manila which have
reached tbe war department are far
from reassuring. It is understood
Otis reports an expectation on bis part
that the insurgents are about to force
the issue, and if this should be so, the
result cannot be foreseen.
GBIAOIirG OUT LAWS.
Oteffoa LegUlature Makln g Additions to
the Statutes.
Salem, Jan. 25. In the senate this
morning bills were passed as follows:
By Reed, to authorize tbe construc
tion and maintenance of floodgates on
Douglas and other' slougbs, Douglas
county; by Haines, to require justices
of tbe peace to submit, complaints to
the district attorney, except for mur
der, arson, robbery, grand larceny, be
fore fees may be collected; by Selling
to provide a trust fund in Multnomah
county; by Kuykendall, to authorize
the Eugene divinity school to confer
theological and biblical degrees; by
Smith, to amend the act passed last
fall so as to make all quartz and placer
claims real estate; to remove from
principal defendants In prosecution
for abortion the shield afforded by sec
tion 2011 of the statutes, which ab
solves them from testifying on the
ground that it might incriminate tbe
witness; by Harmon, to provide for
county clerks to transmit to the secre
tary or state a summary instead of a
complete transcript of assessment
rolls: amendments to Grant's Pass
charter: by Fulton, ,to permit suit for
possession of real estate to be main
tained by plaintiff not in actual pos
session; by Brownell, to provide for
election of a district road supervisor.
Nearly an hour was wasted in the
house this morning on the bill of
Blackaby providing for a special elec
tion in Malheur county for relocation
of the county seat. The bill' passed
the first and second reading under
suspension of tbe rules, but when an
attempt was made to place it on final
pissage, determined opposition was
encountered. The bill was .finally
made a special order for next Wednes
day evening at 7:30.
Upon motion of Curtis, each Wed
nesday night hereafter will be devoted
to local measures.
Dr; Josephl's insane asylum bill,
which passed the senate yesterday, was
rushed through the first and second
readings and referred to the committee
on penal, reformatory and charitable
institutions.
Sherwin's bill, to amend the charter
of Gold Hill, so as to enable the town
to issue $2,00 water bonds, was passed.
REBELS WEBB BEATEN.
Ecuador Army Defeats the Revolutionists
at San Ancanna.
New York, Jan. 25. The latest
dispatches from -the Herald's corres
pondent at Guayaquil reports that a
sanguinary battle took place yester
day between the revolutionists and
the government forces at San Ancanna.
The fighting was desperate all day, the
advantage remaining finally with the
government's army.
The losses on both sides were heavy.
More than 400 men were killed, and
300 were wounded. Four hundred
insurgents were taken prisoners.
The rest of the rebels fled towards
the province of Bolivar, hotly pursued
by the victorious troops of President
Alfaro. .
News of a decisive engagement be
tween the forces of the revolutionists
and the government troops has been
expected for some days. Recent dis
patches from Panama stated that the
rebels, representing the clerical party
determined to overthrow the Alfaro
administration, had invaded Ecuador
from Colombia, and that an engage
ment was looked for at Tulcan, on tbe
frontier. -
BEAFK-ORTIOMMENT BILL. .
The Bouse Refuses to Create the New
County of Wheeler.
Salem, Or. Jan. 26. The features of
the proceedings in tbe honse this fore
noon were the passage of Williamson's
reapportionment bill by tbe narrow
margin of one vote, and the defeat of
Donnelly's bill to create tbe county of
Wheeler out of portions of Grant,
Crook and Gilliam counties by the
samo narrow margin.
Both bills bad been made a special
order of business, the apportionment
bill at 11 and the Wbeeler county bill
at 11:30. . When it came to cousidera
tion of the apportionment bill, William
son declared tbat while the bill might
not be satisfactory to all, it was tbe
best that could be framed at this time.
Grace stated he had paired with Thomp
son of Washington, and asked to be
considered absent. Tbe vote upon tbe
bill was: Ayes, 31; noes, 23; absent
6.
The bill to create Wbeeler county
precipitated a heated discussion, in
which Hawson, Williamson, Roberts,
Reeder. Donnelly, Curtis and other
participated, Hawson opposed the bill
because the new county took away the
best part of Gilliam. Williamson and
Roberts were its strongest supporters,
and bad not a call of the bouse been
demanded, entailing considerable de
lay after tbe hour of adjournment had
arrived, the bill might have carried.
The vote was: Ayes, 30; noes 22; ab
sent, 8, ,.- - .
The only other bill passed was
Young's, for protection of razor claims.
Curtis' bill for the protection of trout
and Young's bill for the protection of
crawfish were killed. -The Curtis bill
was opposed by reason of the excessive
penalty provided and the fact that its
passage would work a hardship in
Eastern Oregon, where the trout are
small. '
The only bills passed by tbe senate
were: By Cameron, to amend the law
relating to certain male animals run
ning at large, applicable to Eastern
Oregon ranges; by Morrow, to cure
defects in deeds heretofore made that
are faulty in execution, witnessing or
acknowledgment; by Porter, to amend
the law relating to the maklngof deeds
by tbe sheriff.
Bicycle Saddle Combine.
New York. Jan. 25. The Herald
says: A scheme is on . foot to combine
the principle bicycle saddle manufac
turers of the country and that a meet
ing to effect the union will be held at
Cleveland this week.
The combine is to be capitalized at
$1,500,000 preferred .and ' $750,000 com
mon stock. Those already In line are
said to produce 90 per cent of all the
saddles used in North America and a
fair percentage of those .'used abroad.
The intention is to transact all busi
ness from one central office, probably
in New York, to reduce expenses to a
minimum and to advance and regulate
prices.
Thirty Ballon
San Diego, CaL. Jan. 24. A some
what serious state of affaire prevails on
board the Philadelphia, now in the
harbor here. ' Since the arrival of the
vessel, nearly or quite 30 members of
tbe crew have deserted, and of these
18 have been captured.
The men are in a very bitter frame
of mind. They say they were denied
shore leave at Central American and
Mexican ports,' but promised it when
they should reach an American port,
but since arriving here very few have
been permitted to come ashore.
Took to the Bills.
New York, Jan. 25. A dispatch to
the Herald from Havana says: A re
port reached General Menocal that
General Rabl with 1,500 insurgents has
taken to the hills in Santa Clara in de
fiance of American authorities. Rabl
is a full-blooded Guatanamo Indian
and a hard fighter... Menocal hopes tbe
report may prove untrue.
' Appropriation to Pay Spain. .
Washington, Jan. 25. Senator
Dayis from the committee on foreign
relations, has offered an amendment
to the sundry civil bill, appropriating
$20,000,000 to pay Spain according to
tbe terms of the treaty. The amend
ment baa the endorsmsnt of the com
mittee on foreign relations.
nimmnimninininimmnimmiitnimmmmmmmmmnimmimnmmmmnTmmfrti!
5
..Tie Days
ARB FAST DRAWING TO
And you should make hay while the sun shines. These rare bargains that we have
been presenting you are not to be sneezed at. Don't think because we are having a few
pleasant days that we are going to have spring at once. One bright day does not make
spring-time any more than one swallow makes a summer time. We have offered you a
full line of seasonable and serviceable goods. You have shown your appreciation as our
fixtures will testify. .......
We will add a
p Infants' Long Coats
AU$3.00 Coats.
" 3.25 " .
" 3.50 " .
" 3.75 " .
" 4.00 " .
" 4.60 " .
" 5.00 " .
" 5.50 " .
Misses' Jackets
Beaver Jackets, $5 00, to close .13 75
Heavy Armure Jackets, f 6.00, to close 4 25
Brown and Black Boucle Jackets, $7.00,to close 4 85
Blue and Black Boucle Jackets, $7.50, to close.. 5 25
Cloth Jacket, braided, $10.00, to close 6 25
Tan Cloth Jacket, braided, $10.50, to close 7 25
""j" "?P
ALL QOODS MARKED IN
PLAIN FIGURES
miuuuiuuuuuuiuuuiuiumiuuiuiuuuiuwmiuuiuiiuutuiiuuiuiuiuiaiiuiuuuuiUF:
A CRISIS IS
An Outbreak in The
Philippines Expected.
Chicago, Jan. 25. A special to tbe
Tribune from Washington says: It
can no longer be deuied that consider
able alarm is felt in administration
circles over tbe situation at Manila
and Ho Ilo, and the latest advices are
not of a reassuring: character. General
Otis is of the belief that tbe insurgents
are about to force the issue, and if
this should occur the result cannot be
predicted further than that the Ameri
cans will be victorious in the end.
1 There are two serious contingencies
confronting- the troop near' Ilo Ilo,
one being; a conflict with the natives
and the other a fear that small pox may
break out among .the troops. -
Besides this, the situation at Manila
is considered much more grave than
that at Ilo Ilo, and it is feared the in
surgents may commit an overt act
which will bring on a conflict.
While tbe warlike attitude of Agui
naldo excites alarm at tbe war depart
ment, that is not considered the most
serious feature of the situation. Those
in a position to know the facts say the
diplomatic situation is even more
grave. Either Germany or Spain or
both may recognize Agutnaldo's little
republic for interested motives, Ger
many to secure a foothold and Spain
to accomplish the release of its prison
ers of war. This action is imminent,
and government officials say tbey
would not be surprised if it took place
within 24 hours.
Prompt ratification of tbe treaty
would have avoided this entanglement,
but it is conceded now that both Spain
and Germany have some grounds for
action to protect their own interests.
CVBAtiS RECEIVE LEE.
Tbey Gin tbe Governor-General a Hearty
Welcome.
New York, Jan. 26. A dispatch to
the Tribune from Havana says: Gen
eral Lee returned to camp tonight
from a trip to the southeastern part of
the province, ending at Guines, which
is tbe next largest town after Havana.
The journey was made with a team of
mules along the highway and tbe re
turn by rail. A battalion of the Fourth
Illinois preceded General Lee, and was
encamped there upon bis arrival. ' A
battalion of the Second Lousiana
reached Guines before his departure.
The American troops were welcomed
everywhere, and their presence was
made the occasion of demonstrations.
General Leo received an enthusiastic
welcome at Cuines. Insurgent troops
escorted him, and the town was deco
rated with American p-nd Cuban flags.
It Wae Not Popalar.
Salem, Jan. 25. McCourk who yes
terday introduced a bill in tbe house
to increase the salaries of the officers
of Marion county, today with drew the
bill. What his reason was for such.
action is not known, Out it Is believed.
that pressure was brought to bear up
on him by his constituents.
All - of tbe county officials were
elected under pledges of economy, aod
the reduction in salaries made at the
lato special session was agreed upon
during the campaign. While tbe
McCourt bill did not propose to re
store tbe salaries to their original
fiures, it did propose to restore them
to almost the original amounts. . ..
Beqnested to
New York, Jan. 26. A dispatch to
the Herald from , Washington says:
Through the French embassy here
Spain bas again urged the Uuited
States to procure the release of Spanish
prisoners held by the Philippine in
surgents. ' Information officially re
ceived by tbe Madrid government
from the Philippine shows that the
lives of Spanish, women and children,
as well as men are in danger and that
the prisoners are not receiving proper
treatment.
The Spanish government called at
tention to that provision of the treaty
requiring this government to use its
good officers to procure tbe release of
the prisoners and urged the United1 .state jieeila teaclaers, and at the same J-
3
of tie Clearance jfole.J
couple of Lines to make
.$1 97
. 2 13
. 2 37
. 2 50
. 2 59
. 2 97
. 3 50
. 3 97
7r-
States to do everything possible.
Secretary Hay replied that General
Otis had been instructed to give im
mediate attention to the matter, but
this goyernment has made no promises
to obtain the release of the prisoners.
It is the growing belief that they will
be able to obtain tbe release of the
prisoners only by force.
Kun WU1 Investigate.
New York, Jan. 26. A dispatch to
the Herald from Washington says:
Bear-Admiral Kurtz has been in
structed, upon his arrival with tbe
Philadelphia at Apia, to Investigate
the entire Samoan situation and re
port the facts to the dapartment. .
Reinforced by this report the de
partment will be abla to follow up its
demands to , the German government
through Ambassador White, provided
the report confirms the dispatches sent
by Consul-Generai Osborne.
To Tot oa February 6.
Washington, Jan. 25.t The senate,
at 12:50, went into executive session.
An agreement was reached to take
a vote on the peace treaty February 6
at 3 p. m., and at 1:40 p. m. the senate
resumed open session.
Golbenom (or Senator. ;
Austin, Tex., Jan. 24. Governor
G. A. Culberson was today elected by
acclamation in the legislature to be
United States Senator, to succeed
Roger Q. Mills.
The Salem Journal complains tbat
there is no organized opposition to re
publican extravagance ia the legUla
ture. If our memory serves us right
there has been little opposition to ex
travagance in tbe. legislature for a
good many sessions, but it is time the
representatives and senators elected
on the nnion ticket were organizing
a consorted movement against the
waste of public funds.
The $43,000 which the special session
appropriated to pay the expenses of
tbe hold-up session of 1897 was the
"boot" tbe state paid between United
States senators. Had the '97 session
organized Mitchell would have been
elected;, but it did not organize, and
the $43,000 was what the state paid as
difference between him and Simon.
It rests to be seen whether it was a
profitable Investment.
All the people of the American
nation are anxiously waiting for the
administration to define its policy to
wards the Cubans and Filipinos. So
far it has been nothing but a vascilat
Ing plan calculated more to agitate
those people than to gain their confi
dence and friendship. It seems to be
the policy to force them into insurrec
tion in order to form an excuse for
taking forcible control of tbeir affairs.
' Betw een Senator Fulton and Repre
sentative Young, both of Clatsop
county, a law may be passed prohibit
ing the catching of salmon with
wheels, traps, set nets, etc., but there
will be an 'awful kick raised by the
Wasco county senators and representa
tives before tbe bill passes both houses.
The people here are not ready to sur
render the fish business on the Col
umbia' to the fishermen of Clatsop
ounty. ,
1 The 'senate judiciary committee has
decided tbat the legislature connot
stretch the constitution so as to admit
of the addition of two justices to the
svpreme court. This, however, is no
relief to the court,, and tbat it may
catch up with the work before it and
keep caught no until such a time as
the people, shall- have amended the
constitution so as to admit of as in
crease in the number of justices, a law
should be passed denying the appeal
of frivolous cases to tbe supreme
court.
Senators and representatives, who
were elected on tbe union ticket,
should not forget that they have a duty
to perform. . Although they are in tbe
minority, yet they can wield their in
fluence for economical legislation and
against extravagance and "grafts."
They Save pit dges to the people to
j ' . . , ,.
redeem, and tbey must not be negll-
gent of them. The only way to gain
confidence of' the' people is to merit
their confidence by acts. Let honesty
prevail amonar the: representatives of
the DeODla." V
Why should-all the people of the
state be taxed, to educate teachers?
Why should two or more normal
schools be maintained at state expense
for the education of people In any par
ticular branch ' of work? True the
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
A CLOSE
the List Complete. 1
3
3
Children's Jackets 1
All $ 4.50 Jackets .' $2 60
" 6.00 " 2 76
" 7.00 " 4 25
. " 12.00 " 8 26
Ladies' Jackets
Kersey Jackets, $5.00. to close 3 75
Astrachan Jackets, $7.50. to close 5 60
12.50, to close 7 66
Boucle . " 14.00, to close 8 85
Beaver " 15.00, to close 9 60
Broaddoth ". ( elegantly trimmed, $15.00, to
close '. 9 60
Broadcloth Jacket, handsomely braided. $20, to
close 13 25
3
3
3
3
3
Ladies' Shirt Waists 3
3
3
3
3
3
Ladies' colored silk shirt waists, former price
was $6.60, to close $3 66
Ladies' black silk and satin shirt waists, former
price $7.50 to close $4 00
PEHSE 8t TCHYS. a
time it needs farmers, blacksmiths,
wagon makers, lawyers, doctors, mer
chants, bankers, in short it needs
competent men in every branch.
Then wby.lt it should educate teachers,
should it not have a school for farmers,
blacKsmitbs, lawyers, dotors, etc., in
every hamlet, where youths desiring
to follow those vocations may be edu
cated? Why favor one calling more
than another?
Improved Train Ban lea. .
Elegant new Pullman palace sleep
ers between Portland and Chicago
have been placed in service via the.O.
U. & JN., uregoa snort Line, Union
Pacific and Chicago St Northwestern
Railways daily every day in the year.
Cars are of the very latest pattern, in
fact being tbe most improved up-to-date
sleeping cars turned out by tbe
Pullman Company.
These new palaces will leave Port
land on the evening fast train of the
O. R. & N. arriving at Chicago the
morning of the fourth day and run
ning through . without change . via
Granger and Omaha ' 19 tf
- Millions Given Away.
It is certainly gratifying to the pub
lic to know of one concern in tbe land
who are not afraid to be generous . to
the needy and suffering. The proprie
tors of Dr. King's New Discovery for
consumption, Coughs and Colds, have
criven awav over ten million trial doi-
ties of this great medicine; and have
tbe satisfaction of knowing it has ab-.
solutely cured thousands of boneless
cases. . Asthma, brooehitis, hoarse
ness and all diseases of tbe throat,
chest and lungs are surely cured by it.
Call en Blakeley & Houghton, drug
gists, and get a free trial bottle. Regu
lar size 50 cents and $1.00. Every bot
tle guaranteed, or price refund d.
- Bed Bot rrom the Gna
Was the ball that hit G. B, Steadman,
of Newark,' Mich., in the Civil war.
It caused horrible ulsers tbat no treat
ment helped for 20 years. Then
Bucklen'i Arnica Salve cured bim.
Cures cuts, . bruises, burnes, bolls,
felons corns, sain eruptions. Best pile
cure on earth. 25 cents a box. Cure
guaranteed. ' Sold by Blakeley &
Hjughton, druggists.
To cut cord wood. Inquire of The
Dalles Lumbering Co, tf.
Depart
HON. TUB DALLES
ABJUVK
Fiftt
ISalt Lake. Denver. Ft.
Fast
Mall
1:14 p. a
Malt
Worth. Omana. Kan
11:60 p-m
sas City, St. Louis,
Colcayo and East.
Bpokon
Flyer
Walla Walla. Spokane,
Spokane
Flyer
l:O0a. m.
Minneapolis, fct rati I,
Dulutn, Mllwauke,
1:40 p. m,
Chicago and East,
8 P.
riOM rOKTLlIlD
Oceas SUasuhlps
4 p. m.
All SoMIng Diites sub
ject to cnange.
For Sao FrBDolseo
Steamers leave Port
land every Ave days.
:x.Iu
m.
Colnnbls River
Steaaers
41
i. m.
unda?
Ez.Sunday
Rx.1
savunuy
iv p. m
To Astoria and Way.
Lnnings.
6 a.
Vlllaswtt River
4:80 O. m.
Ex.Suaday
Ez.Sunday
(Oregon City, Newberg,
em way-Lno
7 a. m
Willamette as Taatslll
1:80 1
p. m.
Tue.Thur,
Rivers.
Mon, Wed,,
aodm.
and Bat
lOregon City, Daytoa,and
way-UMMungs.
6 a. m.!r
WlllasMttt River
4:80 p. m. -
Toes, Thurl
Tues.Thur.
dSat-
Portland to Corvallla
and Sat
and Way-Landings.
LV Rlparla
Saake River. 'Lv. Lew's
I dsilv cx-
uaiiy ex
cept San-
RlparU to Lewlston. I cept Sat-
nay.
j luuay
Parties desiring to ro to Heppner should UU
train No. 4, leaving The Dalles a 6:80 P. M . to
make direct connections, returaliur. suklni di
rect connections si neppner junction witn no.
i, arriving at Tne uaues at :i p.
No. B. taroujrh freight, east-bound, does not
earjy passengers; arrives 2:60 a. m., departs
i:wa so.
No. 84. local freight, eaniet passengers, east
bound; arrlves4:t0p- m., departs 8:16 p. ra.
No. N, west-bound through freight, does not
earr passengers; arrives 0:16 p. n., departs
0:80 p. m.
No. tS, west-boand local freight, carries pas
sengers; arrives 6:16 p. m, departs 8:80 a. m.
For full particulars eaU on O. R. A N. Co.'i
agent The Dalles, or address
. W. H. HtTBLBTJBT, GB, Pass. A rent
Portland, Oregva
laaLAa-D, Agent,.Tbe Dalles.