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About Lexington wheatfield. (Lexington, Or.) 1905-19?? | View Entire Issue (March 7, 1907)
LEXINGTON WHEATFIELD S. A. THOMAS, Publisher LEXINGTON OREGON NEWS OFTHE WEEK In a Condensed Form lor Our Bnsy Readers. A Resume of the Less Important but Not Less Interesting Events of the Past Week. The Nebraska legislature has passed au anti-pass bill. The British premier favors action on disarmament at The Hague. Reform of land laws will go over to the next session of congress. Russian terrorists have planned a wholesale massacre of officers. The president may create many for est reserves before the new law takes effect. Forty-two Greek laborers were in jured in a emashup of a construction train on the Salt Lake road at Leith, Nev. Railroads affected by the 2-cent pas senger rate laws passed in several states will combine to carry the fight into the courts. Fighting between Nicaragua and Honduras is now general. The former seems to have the advantage, though . balvador is helping Honduras. Sylvester R. Rush, of Nebraska, has been appointed Epecial assistant to the attorney general. He is to have charge of the land fraud inestigations in the Northwest. He has had much success in convicting land thieves in Nebraska. Chinese famine sufferers are dying by thousands. Hill has purchased the Astoria & Columbia River railroad. A number of senators and representa tives will Tisit Hawaii this summer. General Koslevsky was assassinated after joking about threats made to kill him. The National Arbitration and Peace congress will meet in New York April 14 to 17. President Roosevelt and Secretary Root have been asked to urge the peo ple to help the Russian famine suffer ers. A Baltimore & )hio express train was wrecked near Connellsville, Pa., and two persons killed and eight in jured. The Iowa legislature has adopted a resolution calling on congress to call a convention to amend the constitution so that United States senators may be elected by direct vote of the people. The San Francisco water board has revoked the franchise supplying the city with water on the ground that the company has been collecting excessive rates. The property is estimated to be worth $5,300,000. The French accuse the church of hav ing meddled in politics. The St. Paul railroad has stopped all improvements till popular wrath cools Sixteen children and their teacher were burned to death in a Montreal school. Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia nar rowly escaped being blown up by a ter rorist bomb. Stoeseel is called a coward by Smir- noff , one of the generals at Port Arthur during the siege. Fire at Los Angeles destroyed proper ty valued at $200,000. Firemen rescu ed 12 people from the flames. A British naval paymaster at Vic toria, B. C, is to be court martialed because his carelessness caused a loss of $1,550.. The English parliament will arrange a loan of $5,000,000 for Kingston, the money tc be used to rebuild the busi ness portion of the city. George Von L. Meyer, former Ameri can ambassador to Russia, has returned to tne United States to bectme post master general in President Roosevelt's cabinet. The Texas senate has voted to exon erate Senator Bailey. A Denver man has confessed to kill ing his wife that he might marry an other woman. The senate has approved of another Federal judge for the Northern district of California. The senate has refused to consider a measure to reduce tariff on sugar, to bacco and rice from the Philippines. Secretary Shaw will leave the cabinet March 4 to become president of the Carnegie Trust company, of New York. Pittsburg has just had a fire in the heart of the business district, the loss amounting to several hundred thousand dollars. MUST NOT OWN PROPERTY. California Legislature Passes Against Orientals. a Bill Sacramento, Cal., Mar. 1. The low' er house of the legislature today passed a sweeping anti-Japanese and anti- Chinese measure, introduced by Asseni' blyman Drew, ol Fresno, lhe Dill is known as the "anti-alien property holding bill." It is aimed at the Japanese and Chinese property owners in this state and is intended to prevent them from acquiring and owning prop- erty for a longer period than five years In urging the passage of the bill Drew stated that since January 1 of this year one-third of the property transfers in Fresno had been to Japaii' ese. The bill provides that any alien who does not become a citizen of the United States shall acquire and hold title to land in this state for not more than five years. If within that time the alien does not become a citizen, the district attorney shall compel the sale of his land or houses. Japanese and Chinese are not specifically named, but, as they cannot become citizens, the bill is aimed directly at them and pre cludes them from owning property for more than five years. The measure also provides that no contract, agree ment or lease of real estate for a long- er period than one year shall be made to any alien and any lease, agreement or devise of real estate made to any alien for a longer period shall be null and void. The impression is given out that if the bill reaches the govenor he will sign it. LABORATORY FOR NORTHWEST. Agricultural Department Will Estab lish One Soon. Washington. March 1. In the near future the department of Agricultuie will locate a pure food laboratory in some Northwestern city and make it headquarters for the examination of all food products imported into that section irom aDioaa. investigations are now being made to determine whether it shall be located at Portland or Seattle. Senator Bourne is urging the depart ment to locate the laboratory in Port land, but before this can be done Port land must convince the department that its food imports exceed those of Seattle, or else offer adantages in the way of quarters that cannot be obtained at Seattle. The department desires to locate the laboratory in a public build ing. It is of the greatest importance to Portlai d to make a creditable showing, for if the laboratory is located there rather than at Seattle, it will have a tendency to increase importations of food products at that port, where they can be properly examined, rather than at other ports where there would neces- sanly be delay. Mr. Bourne is looking to the chamber of commerce to support him in his efforts. STICKS TO HERMANN. Former Private Secretary Says Good Things for Defendant. Washington, March 1. The prosecu tion in the trial of Representativ Her mann consumed today in a futile at tempt, to break down the evidence given yesterday by Elliott r. Hough, former private secretary to the defendant which was most favorable to Hermann. Hough had been put on the stand by ine prosecution with the expectation that his testimony would be damaging to the defendant, and District Attorney isaker was incensed that he should give evidence so much in Hermann's favor as his statements yesterday that Her mann ana jonn a. iienson, who is un der indictment for alleged land frauds, were not gocd friends; that, if official letters got into Hermann's private D00K8 it was through his fault: and that it had been the custom of all out going commissioners previous to Her mann's time to take their private let terpress copybooks with them. ChristTian II. Muller and Alexander E, Foster, who had been messengers in the land office under Hermann and who destroyed the letter press copybooks by his ireciton, testified to the part they naa piayea. jur. Muller received an order from Hermann three weeks he. fore the latter retired to take the letter books, about 35 in number, from Her mann's private room. Beatty to Continue Duties. Boise, Idaho, March 1. "In answer to a telegram received from the attor ney general asking me to withhold my resignation for a time," said Judge J. H. Beatty, of the United States District court, today, "I sent a telegram stat ing that I would willingly continue the duties of my office until after the March term. If by that time my successor has not been named, I shall probably urge the people in Washington to push matters. " The telegram to Judge Beat ty arrived some days after his resigna tion had started for Washington. Favors Philippine Bank Bill. Washington, March 1. The house committee on insular affairs today de cided to make a favorable report on the Philippine agricultural bank bill as passed by the senate. PROCEEDINGS OF OREGON LEGISLATURE Saturday, February 23. Salem, Feb. 23. The legislature which adjourned today went down in history as the most lavish Oregon has ever had. A grand total of $3,500,000 has been appropriated. The senate refused to adopt the house bill changing the brush fire law. The house reconsidered a vote of yes terday and passed two bills giving farm mDcrers ana tnresnermeii liens on crops for money due them. Indorsed by nearly every assessor in lhe state, the bill providing for an equitable system of assessing the tim ber Jands of the state went down to de feat in the senate. The house finished up its business at 11M0 but it was 2 o'clock before the senate was through, and it was neces sary for the house to continue in session until that time. It was announced to the members of the legislature that it would be more convenient to buy tickets at the depot than to pay fares on the train. Passes would not do, as the new anti-pass law is in effect. PASSED IMPORTANT BILLS. What the Legislature Accomplished During the Session. Salem Many important bills passed both houses of the Oregon legislature at the session just ended, and a consid erable number were defeated. The ap propriations are very large amounting to some $3,500,000 and no bills passed raisins any considerable amount of rev enue by new methods. Several bills for new revenue were defeated. Among them was that of Representative Beals to tax timber holdings on the basis of cruisings sub mitted to assessors by their owners. Another was that prepared by the lat tax commission and introduced by Rep resentative Freeman taxing public ser vice corporations on their capitalized net earnings. A third was that of Rep resentative Settlemier for collection of taxes on land that had escaped taxation in the last six years. One of the defeated measures of large moment was that of the Portland board of trade, for control of the water pow- era of the state. Another was that for a $60,000 appropriation for extension of the portage road to The Dalles. First of all the enactments was that for a railroad commission. The bill for this law was introduced by Repre sentative Chapin and the three commis sioners already have been appointed 1. K. Campbell, C. B. Aitchison and Oswald West. Representative Jones, of Polk, is father of a successful bill appropriating $300,000 for free locks at Willamette falls, contingent on the national gov ernment's appropriating an additional sum sufficient to provide the locks and maintain them. Representative Eaton, of Lane, has the credit of having secured enactment of a bill granting to the State universi ty an annual standing appropriation of $125,000. Representative Jackson, of Douglas, introduced a successful bill appopriat ing f iuu,uuu lor JNational uuard arm ories. Representative Perking, of Jackson, has the credit of securing for fruitmen a law to prevent false labeling and branding of packed fruit, and of anoth- er law to prevent false marking of nur- sery stock A third bill of his permit oichardists to kill birds that destroy crops, but this bill is in danger of t veto. Representative Slusher is father of t successful bill creating a sheep commis sion and a sheep inspector, and author izing inspectors of the bureau of anima, industry to exercise police powers in the state for eradication of sheep scab. Representative Settlemier's bill pass ed both houses to appropriate $100,000 for the beattle exposition in 1009. Kepresentative Edwards was pro moter of an important enactment to raise the per capita tax of school dis tricts to $7. Representative Vawter of Jackson had a hill passed to create one board of regents for all the normals, also to ap propriate $40,000 for the Ashland nor mal. Representative Barrett of Uma tilla did the same for the Weston nor mal, in the sum of $35,000. Senator Loughary secured enactment of his bill providing $36,000 for Monmoulh and Representative Jackson put a successful rider on it appropriating $27,000 for Drain. Representative Carter of Ben ton secured passage of a $125,000 ap propriation for new. buildings at the State Agricultural college, and Senator Johnson of a $75,000 appropriation for maintenance. Representative Beals ie author of an enactment creating the office of cheese, dairy and creamery inspector, as dep uty to the state dairy commissioner. Kepresentative Driscoll introduced the bill for the act creating the Port of Columbia District of Multnomah, Co lumbia and Clatsop counties, for regu lation of towage and pilotage at the mouth of the Columbia river. Senator M. A. Miller, of Linn, has to his credit a compulsory education law, which promises to be the most effective measure of the kind ever pro posed in Oregon. most important senate was tne Haines banking bill, which, though acknowledged to be imperfect, is believed to be a wise measure for the reason that it is the beginning of state supervision of bank ing. Senator M. G. Miller, of Linn, was the author of a hill that has passed both houses providing for the loaning of surplus funds in the state treasury to banks giving security and paying in terest on daily balances. Senator F. J. Miller, of Linn-Marion secured the passage of bills for the es tablishment of an institution for the feeble-minded, an institution for which there has been general demand in or der to place under control a class of people not fit for the asylum but who ought not to be at large. Senator Sichel fathered two bills that will have considerable effect. One provides for the working of husbands who fail to support their families, and the payment of $1.50 a day to the fam ily for their support. The other pro vides a uniform insurance policy. Senator Coshow will be remembered kindly by all jurors hereafter, for he secured the enactment of a law raising the fees of jurors Worn $2 to $3 a day. Senator Hart of Baker was author of the bill which placos restrictions upon the pasturing of foreign sheep in Ore gon, so as to protect Oregon sheepmen Senator Malarkey introduced three measures which will be of considerable importance. One limits the hours of labor of trainmen, another makes the husband's courtesy the same as a wife's dower, and the third provides for the building of a bridge across the Willam ette at Oswego, thus affording the means of taking the trains off Fourth street in Portland. senator jmuit oi Jackson remem bered the widows and orphans by se curing the enactment of a law which raises from $3,000 to $7,5000 the amount that maj be recovered for acts causing death. Senator Cake framed the bill which has passed providing for the appoint ment of two supreme court commission ers to assist the court in catching up with Its work. Senator Kay pleased the merchants everywhere by securing the enactment of a law which provides for the garnish ment of wages of public employes. Such employes are very often judgment proof without such a law. Senator Schofield fathered a number of fishery laws, and has had the census law amended so that it is now suited to modern conditions. Senator Nottingham interested him self in the improvement of public morals as usual, and secured the enactment of a law for the punishment of persons guilty of enticing away children under 18 years for immoral purposes Senator Bingham was father of a new forest fire law, the efficiency of which has yet to be shown. It requires the burning of the debris of logging operr tions, and there were conflicting opin ions as to the practical working of the measure. PORTLAND MARKETS. Wheat Club, 70c; bluestem, 72c; valley, 70c; red, 68c Oats No. 1 white, $29; gray, $28.50 Barley Feed, $22.50 per ton; brew ing, $23; rolled, $23.5024.50. . Rye $1.451.50 per cwt. Corn Whole, $24.50: cracked, 1, $14 $22.50 per ton. Hay Valley timothy, No, 15 per ton: Eastern Oregon timothy, $1718; clover, $9; cheat, $9; grain hay, $910; alfalfa, $14. Butter Fancy creamery, 3235c per pound. Butter fat First grade cream, 33c per pound ; second grade cream, 2c less per pound. Eggs Oregon ranch, 1819c per dozen. Poultry Average old hens, 14 15c per pound; mixed chickens, 14 14c; spring,13)14c; old roosters, 9 10c; dressed chickens, 1415c; tur keys, live, 16c; turkeys, dressed, choice, 1820c; geese, live, 910c; ducks, 1618c;. Apples Common, 75c $1.25 per box; choice, $1.502.60. Vegetables Turnips, $11.25 per sack; carrots, $11.25 per sack; beets, $1.2o1.50 per sack; horseradish, 7 8c per pound; sweet potatoes, 3c per pound; cauliflower, $2.50 per doz en; celery, $3.503.75 crate; sprouts, 9c; rhubaib, lloperpound; asparagus, 17c per pound. Onions Oregon, $11.15 per hun dred. Potatoes Oregon Burbanks, fancy, $1.40; common, 75c$l. J:eal Dressed, 6)9c per pound, leef Dressed bulls, 23)c per pound; cows, A 5c; country steers, 5)6)c. Mutton Dressed, fancy, 89c per pound; ordinary, 67c. Pork Dressed, 69c per pound. Hops 8Uai0)6c Per pound, accord ing to quality. Wool Eastern Oregon average best, 1318c, according to shrinkage; val ley, 20 23c, according to fineness; mohair, choice, 2730c per pound. Among the bills enacted LET NO CONTRACT. President Decides to Let Army En gineers Dig Canal. Washington, Feb. 2'. By an ordor addressed to Chairman Shonts of the Isthmian Canal commission today, President Roosovelt, as far as lay in his power under existing law, trans ferred to the engineer branch of the army the responsibility for the further construction of the Panama canal, lie also formal ly recorded the abandon ment, for the present at least, of the project of having the canal work done ly contract on the percentage system. Another feature was the announce ment of the resignation of John F. Stevens as engineer in chief of canal construction. Mr. Shonts is in' New York, where he will tomorrow preside at a meeting of the directors of the Panama Railroad company, of which he is president, and will formally re sign that office The presidont intends that there shall he an entire reorganization of the commission with three army officers of the engineer corps as its leading mem bers, who are to have charge of the en gineering features of the canal work. The chairman and engineer in chief of the commission will be Major G. W. Goethals. His associates will be Major DuB. Gaillard and Major William L. Siebert, to rank in the order named. These officers are all comparatively young, ambitious and energetic. Senator Joseph S. C. Blackburn, of Kentucky, who will retire from the United States senate on March 4, is to be made a member of the reorganized commission. HELPED LAND THIEVES. Informer About Frauds Betrayed by "Hermann, Washington, Feb. 27. Interest in the trial of Representative Hermann was revived today by the introduction in evidence of letters written him in 1901 by Benjamin T. May of La Grande, calling his attention to specific land frauds in Oregon and a later letter criticizing Hermann . for omitting to make an investigation of the alleged frauds, and also for having made known to interested parties the name of the informer. After their identification by May, the letters were read to the jury. The first was from May to Hermann and in formed him that sawmill owners were securing title to public land in the Blue mountains by fraud. Their plan was to get an employe to file on a cer tain tract and, when the claim was proved up, the employe was to deed the property over to them and receive $50 for his work. One firm kept a man employed to look out for the best tim ber land and to secure it in this man ner for his firm. In the year preceding the writing of this letter May charged that this firm had placed on record about 60 deeds secured in this manner. May concluded his letter with the state ment that he was a poor laborer and had no ax to grind and only desired to keep out land grabbers. HARRIMAN EXPLAINS. Tells Interstate Commerce Commis sion a Few Things. . New York, Feb. 27. An assertion by E. H. Harriman that Stuyvesant Fish was deposed from the presidency of the Illinois Central because of misconduct as to the funds of the company was a leading feature of today's session of the Interstate Commerce commission. Mr. Harriman was the only witness of the day, the events brought out by his tes timony making the hearing a memor able one. , Other features of Mr. Harriman's testimony follow: A continued refusal to answer ques tions relating to individual stock trans action. Explanations of the transfer of 300.- 000 shares of Southern Pacific stock to William G. Rockefeller during the at tempt of James R. Keene to secure con trol of the road, and of the delayed an nouncement of the dividends on Union. Pacific and Southern Pacific. Attempts of the government to show that the Union Pacific charges unfair rates, stifles competition in the vast territory traversed by its lines and its dividend of 10 per cent and its expend iture of $240,000,000 on betterments came from an unfair toll on its patrons. Miners Vote for Advance. Butte, Mont., Feb. 27. The vote of the Miners' union on the increase of wage scale resulted 2,349 in favoi -and . ,068 against, the new scale of $4 to- take effect May 1 . Many miners did not vote. The mines of Butte will con tinue in operation, notwithstanding the demand, but development work in all of the Amalgamated properties will cease. Officers of the union are em phatic, however, that there will be no strike. Companies will devote all time and energy to taking out ore and mak ing copper. Two-cent Fare is Law In Indiana. Indianapolis, Feb. 27. The governor today signed the 2-cent railroad fare act. It has no emergency clause, and goes into effect with the publication oL the new laws about May or June.