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About The Oregon statesman. (Salem, Or.) 1884-1892 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 14, 1887)
TBLd OltEGON tn.ATT.-3M AH FKIDA.Y. JANUARY 14. 1887. WlillKhY STATESHAH Pmt2&h4 TW7 Friday y On GTATT31IAir PUB. CP. mxirrccs xxixss 4NTtxr.fa advase.......................?! I hair payer ehaar Biaat atsta the tseeOce to wttca Utsy wlaa fee paper All NlMerf ptlou eatcida of Virion tad Folk CBtic trtil b (topped prtrupdT when tba tiJM pt4 for rrptr, ooicsa tb abJbibvr ku wcu-kBowa BoaneUU auaditig. Yoa stay al Wara to wbi data year aabacriptloa paid by looking at U ta eo jroor papr. T0 K IW SCBSCBlrTIOXa WILL BX TAX Lv iUm pi4 for la draaoa. THE IMMIGRATION BOAJU.' As io this Immigration Board feat are of oar state, the members of the legisla tive assembly cannot afford to close or niggardly in the matter. As legislators, elected to make the beat possible pro vision for the state, they cannot afford to give ear or attention to the petty objec tions raised against the continnance of this department. Objections are always in order against public affairs by a cer tain class of people ; bat it is no evidence that public affairs should not exist. There can be batons objection against the State Board of Immigration which should have weight with the members of the legisla ture, and that is that it is not a benefit to the state as a whole. As the Statesman has said, supported by the printed re port of the commissioners, this objection cannot be raised. 'The labor of the Board, backed by the expenditure of $5,000 for each' of the two years of its existence, has paid a thousand fold or more. Every in telligent man who examines the matter will be convinced that it is the troth. - The great state of Oregon cannot afford to bo close-fisted in this matter of an im migration board. We cannot afford to play the dog in the manger method of doing business. Here we have a domain of almost 100,000 square miles in extent ; an area of npwards of 60,000,000 acres, and ss an agricultural region, unmatched any where in the common country, and bat about 260,000 people as permanent inhabitants. We have vast resources as yet untouched, and it will be simply im' possible for us to develop them, and add the wealth of that development to our money values,' without the help of a population half a dozen times as great as that now claimed for the state. Even in this dollar and cent view of the case we need this influx of thrifty, wide-awake, enterprising citizens. We can only get it by a steady dissemination of trustworthy information about this state : bv a con stant, persuasive exhibition of the in ducements offered the farmer, the manu facturer and the capitalist, "by a cordial, hearty, disinterested greeting of these people when they come to our slate." This can only be done by a thoroughly organised and well equipped immigra tion board, soch as is now supported by the state at Portland. Soch facts as these ought to over-ride all such things as local jealousies and prejudices. Legisla tors ought to consider only the best in terests of the state as a whole. THE MESSAGES. The message of Hon. Z. F. Moody, the retiring governor. Is an able document, and makes a most splendid showing for the state's condition and the conduct of its affairs of late years. The message of Governor Pennoyer is, to say the least, unique. The new gov ernor is at least consistent, in whst, on some-points, might be termed inconsist ency. Bat he makes some good sugges tions; and as it not obligatory on the pert of the legislature to adopt his suit gestions, the ordinary coarse of legislation will probably not be sertoosly interfered with. The message contains some very pertinent points, and, if worked over, would make an excellent editorial in an anti-monopoly or anti-Chinese paper. The language is good, superb. The governor is to be congratulated, among other things, upon his rhetoric and grammar. FREIGHTS AMD FARES. There is a disposition on the part of a great majority of the legislators to pass a law reducing and regulating the freight rates on railroads. It is beta matter of justice and fairness that this should be done. If the legislators do not attend diligently to this matter they will be dis regarding the known wishes of a great majority of t&e people of Oregon, and es pecially of those whose interests are east of the Cascades. If the legislators think the rate of passenger fares, also, is too high, they can reduce it to three cents per mile. If this legislature does not take this latter action, some succeeding one wiH. The only question is whether or sot the times are ripe for this latter action. Oca members ahould posh the ques tion of a road over the Cascades through the Minto pass. It is a natural highway. A road can be easily and cheaply opened through this pass, and it will be of in calculable benefit to the people on both sides of this range of moan tains, that now separates them and their various in terests. It nnM It TfialK 2a , wv w UfVHV Mima IIM I cost to the state. Let the road be built. ' gxAxm boaju or exxxssactox. The present legislative assembly will either appropriate money and coctinue the existence and work of the State Board of Immigration, or refuse to make an ap propriation, and discontinue that depart ment. The Bttxsxax is fully aware that there is in many portions of the state, a strong opposition to any farther appropri ation of money by the legislature for this department, and we are as folly satisfied that much of this opposition is with out tenable reasons for the attitude. When yoa come come to discuss the mat ter with opponents of the Board, their objections to it narrow down to two or three points; opposition to and jealousy of Portland lor one ; charge of a discrimi native policy on the part of the Board as another; charge of railway influence in the settlement of new-comers as still an other; charge that the secretary of the Board has been partial to certain portions of the state as against other localities. Let it be distinctly understood that the Btate&kax Is not pleading the cause of the personality of the State Board of Im migration, or the secretary, Mr. Carlisle. The gentlemen comprising the Board, Messrs. Dodd, Corbett, Ladue, Miller and Bothchild, are among Oregon's best citi sens ; all of them occupying exalted places of trust and responsibility, and the idea that these gentlemen, in their individual or collective capacitv, as commissioners of immigration, have done anything but that which was in all respects for the best interests of the state as a whole, will not be entertained for a moment, by the peo ple generally. These gentlemen have taken time and attention from business and for two years given it to this gra tuitous work, and we have authority for saying that while they are deeply inter ested in having this good work for the state go on, they would decline to serve another term. So far as the secretary is concerned, it is a sufficient reply to all these unsupported statements, and in sinuations, that the gentlemen forming the commission, have been wholly satis fied with his work and management of the detail work of the Board. But it is not a question of management. It is not a matter of personality. If the Board is continued, the incoming gover nor will appoint a new commission, and that commission will choose its secretary It is a question of advantage or disadvan tage to the state. Does it : has it paid to insert $10,000 daring the last two years in an Immigration Board? That is the ques tion to meet. That is all there is to it. . The Statesman has' published a sum mary of the work of the Board for the twenty months ending October 31, 1886. Every member of the legislature has had, or will have the printed report of the Board, for that period. The Statesman has seen fit to make a close examination of this report, and the records behind it which are its verification, and is satisfied that it represents the work of the Im migration commissioners. We are ef the opinion that the statistics of that report understate rather than exaggerate the labor performed. If that is true, then the investment of money in the Immigra tion Board hss paid a good many hund red per cent. We are persuaded, that every intelligent man, whose identifies tion with the best interests of this state, rises superior to his prejudices against locality or personality, will, upon a care ful examination of this report, realize that a vast amount of thoroughly efficient, trustworthy, beneficial and paying labor for this state, has been crowded into the past twenty-one or two months, by the personnel of the Immigration Board, We most find the evidence of this in al most every portion of the report; which Is utterly devoid of what we call "fine writing" but filled with facts and figures. convincing and incontrovertible. Taking this view of the matter, and identified with the best interests of this state, we are heartily in favor of a con tinuance of the State Board of Immigra tion. The investment is made for the whole peopfe of the state, and as benefit ting the whole people of the state has paid, largely, as a paying investment, it ought to be continued. That is the principle upon which men do business for private gain. If it pars they re-invest. If it don't they drop it. In our opinion the best work of the Board will be realized during the coming year or two. We should have a State Board, as now, where the new-comer can obtain information, and needed aid in the matter of location. DYING TOING. Gladstone closes a year of work with his seventy-seventh birthday, and in the promise of his future activity refrains from saying an unkind word in answer to his senior, John Bright. In France, Grevy enters upon a second seven-years' terra at eighty a record which already passes that of a Thiers or a Palmerston. As for Germany, the nooogenarian emperor is only two years ahead of his warrior chum, Von Moltke, while Bismarck is a mere boy of seventy-seven. How different the record here ! Of the distinguished Americans who died last year not one had reached the age of seventy. In political life the veteran Simon Cameron stands alone. The states men of to-day belong, to a younger gener ation. All of our presidents, since Buch anan, went into office young, and not one of them Is living except Haves : not one of our vice-presidents except Wheeler. Not tmry those who gained the presi dency, but those who were nominated and defeated have failed, to teach old age. Tilden lasted until seventy and Fremont i seventy-three. But Grant, Johnson, Arthur, : Hancock, McCIellan, Colfax, Brown, Blair, Wilson, all died at an age when European statesmen look forward to twenty years'of active work. Ia the army two generals are old enough to be retired at the early age of sixty-three. In local politics there are no old men. , What is the explanation of it? The ex ceptional cases of longevity in this coun try prove that Americans can live long. The death-roll proves they do not. It is not the climste that kills; it is the pace. We live too much, we live too fast, The machine is overworked; it carries too much strain; it is not allowed time for repairs. We know how to work, but we do not know bow to rest and begin the new day's work before the old day's work is over. The strain is perpetual, the wear and tear unceasing. We keep our nerves always at their full tension, and the mind wears out the body. Then after success is achieved, after the powers of the mind are ripened and the experience of years has given wisdom, just when all the gains of the lifetime are ready for use and o value to the man and the nation, the body breaks down, and the nation is call ed on to mourn a real loss, where it might otherwise have hoped to enjoy the har vest of the life's fruition. What a lesson to ambition ! FOKTXAXD BRIDGE QUESTION. A gentleman just from the metropolis informs us that there is considerable op position to bridges across Portland's har bor room, unless a wide draw is placed in thera. A few nights since, during a fog, a steamboat was half an hour get ting through the Morrison street bridge, as it could not hit it right till after sever al attempts, as the piers could not be seen until the boat was so close to them that it had to back up a number of times in order to get the right position to "shoot through." The fate of the Bentley at Al bany must, demonstrate to "land lub bers" a fact which steamboat-men al ready knew, to-wit : that it is hazardous for steamboats to be "fooling around" bridge piers in a swift current. It is practicalble for a steamboat to go through a hundred-foot draw in clear daylight ; but when there is fog, which is generally the case during the freshets of winter, when heavy drifts are running, a steamboat which was to back up against a strong current on finding it is not in the right position to go through the draw, as in the case' referred to, takes the hazard ons chance of getting its wheel or rudder fouled by drift logs, in which event the fatality of the accident would be as sure and sudden as in the case of the Bentley. The O. It. & N. company wants a fran chise for a bridge across the Willamette river near the lower part of the city of Portland. They are willing to make the openings therein 150 feet in the clear; but that is not sufficient. Every bridge across the harbor of Portland should have a draw of at least 200 feet, or be made high enough for navigation under them. Sorely no draw should be less than 180, and a law should be passed to make all bridges conform to the same re quirement. We understand that Gov-elect Pennoy er is well posted on this subject, and will oppose any bridge across Portland's harbor, which does not have due regard to the vast riparian interests which are above (upstream from) the proposed rail road, or any other, bridge. It is the duty of legislators to protect the rights of individuals, while encourag ing the improvement of railroad facilities. KEEP IT AT HOME. There has been considerable complaint, and there has been cause for it, about the supreme court reports snd other printing that of right belongs to the state printer, and should be done within the state, being sent away to San Francisco, and the money that should remain with our own people and furnish employment to our own laborers, going for the benefit of those who have no interest common to ours, and who care for oar prosperity or advancement only as it helps to fill their purses. This is all wrong. The work can be done as well here as in San Fran cisco. There is no part of the work that cannot be done in Salem, and at a re daction on the price paid to the San Fran cisco parties for the same work. The work can be as well done here as in San Francisco. This would not only cheapen the work to the state, but it would also cheapen the supreme court reports to the legal fraternity, and it would keep the money at home and help to build up our own country, and benefit the people who are taxed to pay for this printing. It is also unconstitutional to send the work oat of the state. Thx last colored man has been elimi nated from congress by the solid south in the recent ceremony called an election in South Carolina. The next congress wilf be the first unmixed Caucasian assembly that has convened in the house since toe close of the rebellion. And so we are re constructed once more, after all these years. . It was a great effort of democrat ic genius, the counting out of Smalls in the Beaufort district, after he had receiv ed fifteen or twenty thousand majority, but it had to be done for an example to the rest of the country. THE RXTTJUM OFFICES. This is the last day of the official terms of Got. Z. F.Moody, Hon. B. P. Earhart, secretary of state, and Hon. Edw. Hirach, state treasurer, Governor Moody has served the state ably and efficiently for . out years and has been the governor in every sense of the word. His official acts have ever merited the approbation of the public, and as a public officer he has been courteous and affable with all with whom he has come in contact. His handsome residence on Piety Hill has frequently been the scene of brilliant and most pleasant social gatherings, white himself and his estimable wife have extended their hospitalities with a liberal and home like cordiality. Hon. B. P. Earhart is a gentleman whom every one knows and whom every one likes. In his official capacity there are none more accommodating and prompt. His office during his administration has been conducted on purely business princi ples, and he turns it over to his success or a model of systematic neatness. Mr. and Mrs. Earhart and daughters have add ed materially to the social enjoyment of especially the young people of our city, while hospitality to all is characteristic of the family. Hon. Edw. Hirsch is too well known in our midst to need any introduction at our hands. As sn officer he is the peer of the most efficient and obliging, and as a pri vate citizen is honored and respected by all. His family, too, have added life to social circles and are general favorites in our midst. Collectively speaking, the adminstra tion just closed has been one of which the republican party of this state may well feel proud. I's record has been one worthy of the utmost commendation and the officers have in every instance shown their friendship snd good will toward the business men of Salem. Thousands of dollars have been distributed in financial circles by their just discrimination in favor of Salem. They found the state eight years ago nearly one million dollars in debt, and in addition to the unusual expenditure of money in the public build ings tbey step down and out leaving the state literally free from debt and its credit A. 1, in business circles. The state buildings commenced, erected and com pleted under their united supervision are models of elegance, convenience and du rability combined, and are monuments to the honor of the administration now clos ing. Individually and collectively they bear with them the gratitude and the best wishes of our citizens generally, re gardless of politics or party preferences, and we bat re-echo the sentiments of the entire community and the state at large when we wish them one and all health, wealth, prosperity and happiness in what ever stations they msy hereafter fill in either private or public life. THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE HILL It has taken a long time to bring a bill on the subject of interstate commerce be fore congress in a condition for a direct vote by both houses. If the present measure is defeated there must be a pro longed season of delay before the much needed measure can become a law. The long and short hsul provision, one of the two points on which the main ob jection is made, is not a cast-iron regula tion, but subject to modification through appeal to the commission. The other point, which relates to pooling, should not be permitted to stand in the way. As it is, the pools are being constantly broken by their own imperfections and the absence of any legal power to make them binding. If it is demonstrated that they provide something which is neces sary to a wise management of the rail road system, the wsnt can be met by future arrangement. There must be a beginning, and the present opportunity to ' make one is the result of too much time snd labor to be lOKt. The bill, coming from a conference committee, mast be pawed as it is or re jected. Hie proposition to improve it means delay that would prevent the adoption of any measure for another year. A start should be msde in asserting for the people control of their own sen-ants. FREIGHTS AND PARES. The legislature, now in session, owes a duty to the people, and that duty is to regulate and reduce the rates of railroad freights and fares. If not the latter, then at least the former. But 4 cents per mile is too much for passenger fires. It is more than is charged for the same service in other states. In the first place the people gave the railroad corporations nearly enough in subsidies and lands to build their respective roads, and they should now be content to carry passengers and haul freights at least within the bounds of reason. Let the freight rates be ma terially reduced, and let passenger fares be fixed at 3 cents per mile. Ubcls Wrxuaa Moaaxsov having threatened to shake the dust of his recal citrant Illinois district off his sandals and migrate to Dakota, to grow up with the country, the Chicago Tribune expostulates with him and says that if he ever leaves Waterloo to seek a new residence, there is a town up in Nebraska that will jifet suit him. It is St. Helena. Good morning. Governor Pennoyer. ' IXTKX-STATX IMPROVEMENTS. There is a very heavy surplus in the state treasury, that is available for use in making various improvements through out the state. It is likely tha$he first appropriation to be made from this fund will be for the com pletion of the state capitoI building, and for providing increased accommodations for our insane. Both of these improve ments are quite necessary. But they will not exhaust or materially affect the fund. The state of Oregon is divided into two distinct sections by the Cascade range of mountains vis ; the eastern and western. Each of these sections is of equal im portance to the state at large. Yet we find but three wagon roads connecting these two great natural divisions of Ore gon in all its length. One of these is the military road from Ashland to Fort Klam ath, another is the Lebanon wagon road, two hundred miles north of the military road, and the other is the Barlow route. still a hundred miles north. These things can only be spoken of with a shameful feeling, when we consider how vast the resources and how wealthy is the state of Oregon. With all the money now in the state treasury, the present legisla ture could do no better work than to order a portion ot it expended in the con struction of two good wagon thorough fares from the western portion of the state into the "Inland Empire." Surveys have demonstrated two very practical, short, and almost natural routes for such thoroughfares. These are from Riddle's station on the Oregon and Cali fornia railroad via. North Canyonville, Day's creek and Elk creek into the Klam ath basin ; and the other is through the well known Minto pass on the north fork of the Santiam river. The former route would lead directly into the Crater lake park, while the latter would connect the great Ochoco country with the Willam ette valley. It is estimated that these roads could be constructed at a very small expense, comparatively, to the state, and their value to the commercial interests of the two great sections of the state would be included. It is to be hoped that Marion county's delegation will not show lassitude nor weak knees when such an important question as this comes before them for consideration, but that they will show that they are men of public spirit, and m-jn with the interests of the entire state at large al heart. These appropriations should be made, and their expenditure should be placed under the supervision of a careful commissioner, and competent engineers. THE OFFICERS. Both houses of the legislature have shown excellent judgment in their selec tions of officers. Mr. Carson, the presi dent of the senate, is a gentleman well known throughout the state, and is a man of ability and sterling integrity. The chief clerk of the senate, Hon. E. G. Harsh, and his assistant, Mr. C. W. Watts, are both excellent clerks, and the people may rest fully assured that there will be no willful "mistakes" at this session. Mr. Gregg, who was elected speaker of the house, is a good parliamentarian and a man of ability and experience. The members of the bouse will have no occa sion to find fault with their choice for speaker. Mr. Jennings and Mr. Cole are both able clerks, and will no doubt give excellent satisfaction. The other officers are all well qualified for their positions. The cheerful announcement is made that cholera, smallpox and typhoid have been hunted to their hiding-places and will be expelled by civilization. Ho far good. But when will civilization beat its war drum and bunt the elusive and per vading flea ? Governor Ho a ply points out the fact that the state of Ohio is never heard complaining of railroad rates and dis criminations, and says it is because the hole matter was judicially adjusted there long ago. The Buckeye example deserves imitation. A rural democratic paper lias devised a way to give the democrats perpetual control of Yhe senate. It is to divide Tex as into 201 states of the size of Rhode Island. This would provide for enough democratic senators to hold the fort for all time to come. Ocr representatives should remember that the people wsnt a free wagon road through the Minto pass, and they aik an appropriation for this purpose at the hands of the legislature. Goldkx Weddisq. The fiftieth anni versary of the marriage of Hon. R. C. Geer and his estimable wife was celebrat ed on the 8th of January, at their resi- deuce, in the aldo Hills, by the assem blage of over one hundred and fifty neighbors and friends. Mr. Geer was bom in Windham county, Connecticut, March 13. 1818: bis father moved to Ohio in 1818; lived in Ohio until 1840 ; in Illinois from 1840 till 1847, when the en tire family removed to Oregon. Although 71 years of age, air. ueer is enjoying the best of health, and is in a remarkable state of physical I preservation. His wife was Miss Mary Willard, and a member of one of the oldest and most respected families of Ohio. A purse of fifty dollars in gold wss made up and presented to Mr. and Mrs. Geer bv their neighbors. and other presents of value were added, wiui me wish of ail mat tbey may live to see many anniversaries of the 8th of January. , , . OREGON LEGLSLATUKE. Opening of the Fourteenth Biennial Session. PERMANENTLY ORGANIZED. J. C Carson President of the Sen ate, J. T. Greg? Speaker of the House. Things began to assume a very lively appearance about the capitol building as early as 9 o'clock, although the hour for organization would not be reached until 11 o'clock. The two hours before the opening of the session were princi pally devoted to a general handshaking by the members, and a social exchange of courteous thoughts. Those who were apirants for the different positions, how ever, were to be seen in close communion with their friends in odd corners of the representatives' rooms, or the rotundas. The number of candidates for the minor places was really heartrending to the average member. The worst bore to them appeared to be the small boy who wanted to be a page, or the many for committee clerkships. However, as the hour of 1 1 began to draw near, the mem bers of the house began to gather, and at 11 :30 o'clock the house of representa tives was called to order by Hon. J. T. Gregg, of Marion county, and Hon. J. H. Roberts, of Coos, was, on motion of Mr. Goodsell,of Multnomah, elected tempora ry speaker, by acclamation. For temporary clerk, there were hut few applicants evidently, but finally A. C. Jennings, of Lane, and Mr. Cole, of Clackamas county, were placed in nom ination. A motion was made that the vote be taken by ballot. The ballot was taken by a rising vote, only a small portion of the members voting for Mr. Jennings and none for Mr. Cole. Mr. Jennings was declared elected, and he took his position as clerk. Mr. Hicks, of Marion, moved to ap point a committee of five on credentials, and. the chair appointed Hicks of Marion, Harrington of Multnomah, Ix-kett of Baker, Ililyeu of Lane, and Mclan of Klamath and Lake. On motion of Gregg, of Marion, the house adjourned until 2 : 30 p. m. HOVSE. AFTERNOON hkkhion. The house re-convened at 2:30 pur suant to adjournment and the committee on credentials submitted their report, which found the membership of the house as reported in this paper hereto fore. On motion of Daley, Messrs. Daley, of Polk, Paulsen, of Washington, and iJenjamin, of Douglas, on permanent or ganization, and the house took a recess 20 minutes to allow the committee to reort. On reconvening, the secretary of state was invited within the bar to administer the oath of office to the members. After which, the committee on permanent or ganization reported, recommending the election of officers in the following order: Speaker, chief clerk, assistant clerk, ser geant-at-arms, door keeper, three pages. Diunaeii, oi iunias, me smallest member of the house, then placed in nomination Gregg, of Marion, for perma nent speaker of the house. Daley, of Polk, nominated I Bilyeu, of Lane county. On roll call the vote stood for Gregg 35, Bilyeu 26, and Mr. Gregg was de clared the choice of the house tor sjieak er. Messrs. Benjamin, Palmer, McLean. were splinted a committee to escort the speaker-elect to the chsir. Mri tiregg thanked the iKxly for the honor done bim and called for the elec tion of chief clerk. L. F. Williams snd A. C. Jennlnirs were nominated for chief clerk. The vote stood : Jenninzs 35. Williams 25. Jennings declared elected. J. D. Cole was nominated for aMintant clerk, and was elected, the democrats voting blsnk. Henry Rogers, of Josephine county, was elected sergeant-at-arms. the demo crats voting for Robert Thomjwon, of Marion. Tho. G. Yountr. of Multnomah. S. D. Catterlin, and M. C. Herren, were nom- inateu lor door keeper. The vote was: Young 33, Herren 24, Catterlin 2. Young was declared elected. Message from the Senate informing the house that that body was organized and ready for business. For pages in the house. Ijren IjtOKb- ead, I-red Baker, and Mac Smith, were elected. On motion of Benjamin, the secretary of state was invited withm the bar to administer the oath of office to the offi cers of the house. On motion of Harrinzton. the rules of the 13th session were adopted as the rules of the present session. The house adjourned till 10 o'clock this morning. SENATE. Senator Simon, of Multnomah, called the senate to order at 11:45 a.m., and the roll wss called. Simon nominated Mr. Lee, of Polk, for president pro tem, and he was elected by acclamation. Shupe, of Douglas, nominated E. G. Harsh temporary chief clerk. He was elected by acclamation. C. W. Watts, of Linn, was elected tem porary assistant clerk by acclamation. T. C. Stephens, of Yamhill, was elect ed by acclamation temporary sergeant- at-arms. A. R. Brown, of Multiiomah, for tem porary doorkeeper, was elected by accla mation. Miller, of Josephine, moved a commit tee of five on credentials be appointed. Carried. The president appointed Miller, of Jo-