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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1910)
r. Journal Section 3 8 Phage s DAILY CAPITAL JOURNAL, SALEM, OREGON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1010 mm A Newcomer's Impressions of Salem: Its Government, Climate, Industries (By Henry M. Hnnzen of Missoula, Montana, Capital Journal Staff.) Situated as? it is on the banks of the beautiful Willamette river, a stream which for scenic and pic turesque beauty is unsurpassed by any river in the state, and which is equalled by but one the Columbia the city of Salem occupies a scenic as well as a commanding and strat getic commercial position. Salem was the scene of one of tho first permanent settlements in the state of Oregon, and its development and growth from a small village up to a modern city of 20,000 popula tion has been slow, but steady and stable. Its career has been free from booms fro,e from that butter fly prosperity which, leaving all normal business conditions behind, soars skyward liko a rocket, and then for tho lack of commercial and industrial support to sustain It in its flight, descends even more rapid ly than it ascended and leaves in its trail deserted and empty business houses and a general depression and wreckage in business and financial circles. But Salem never was in the past, and is not today, a boom city and while its growth has not been rapid it has been steady and sub stantial, and its people are generally contented, satisfied and prosperous. Situated as it is in the heart of the most fertile portion of the famous Willamette valley, the tide of the oceans of trade beat in upon its municipal boundaries, and the cur rents of the commerce of its indus tries farming, fruit raising, stock raising, lumbering, hop ra'sing, manufacturing and its factories meet and mingle in its streets and it has all tho elements a combina tion of which is necessary to tho making of a great inland city, and its future is assured. Its Climate. 4 Tho climate of the city of Salem and surrounding country is ideal is almost perfect. There is absent heno the cold winters of the eastern states winters whose snows and whose cold wintry blasts and bliz zards give them a temperament like that of the cold and frozen north; absent the winds that frequent those states and which seem to never grow weary but to blow during all seasons of the year, developing into raging blazzards in the winter, and during thb summer season sweep continually across the plains carry ing in their sweep great clouds of alkali dust; absent the extreme cold of those states in the winter and ab sent the excessive and oppressive heat of their summer; and absent also tho excessive and oppressive heat of their summer; and absent also the humidity of the southern states and their summer heat the heat that beats one down. Tho summers in Salem are warm but not hot and th'o winter season mild and bearing a close resemblance to that of Cali fornia. There is seldom any snow in oalem, and whenever it falls it disappears the next day under the rays of the sun, and taking it all in all it is a climatb which when con sidered in all seasons of the year that is not surpassed by any state In tho union, and which when com pared with that of tho eastern and southern states is a paradise in which to live. world; scenery and surroundings which can not be surpassed and tha cheapest of all kinds of building materials; schools, both public schools, and the higher institutions of learning, aifa which have no su perior in the west and religious facilities which aro unexcelled in fact everything which enters into the composition of the ideal and perfect home. i Imposing Business Institutions. The business institutions of Salein Are modern in construction mod ern in equipment, and present to the eyo both a pleasing and impos ing appearance. Salem has never in its history had the unpleasant ex perience of a boom and as a conse quence it is possessed of none of those structure which were "born and constructed' in a hurry with lit tle regard to either beauty or sub stantiality; but on the contrary it's institution is also provided with a law, medicine and theological de partment, and tho courses offered in these as in tho institution itself are complete and thorough. Graduatos from the school are to bo found in every walk of life, and many of thorn today aro accupylivg positions of honor and distinction in tho state and nation: The institution is presided over by an efficient faculty composed of men and women from the leading colleges of the United States, and it ranks with the great schools of learning of tho Pacific coast. Besides the university tho city Is provided with excellent public schools and also several denomina tional schools. It is the boast of the people of Salem that their pub lic schools aro excelled by none in tho westtern states, and that they are equalled by few, and in it they aro sustained by facts. Both the public and denomnation schools aro under tho supervision of nblo men and women and aro in a flourishing condition. Its Citizenship. Tho citizenship of Salem is com posed of a people, who as a whole are contented and happy, progress ive, enterprising, and public spirited. That is evidenced by tho universal desire of its people to own their own homes to own them though some of thorn bo small, and to pre serve and adorn thoir premises; that is evidenced by tho many handsome, modern and Imposing business structures in tho city, and tho up-to-dato and modern stocks of mer chandise carried by Its mercantile establishments; that is evidenced by tho willingness of its citizens and business men to boar tho burdens of taxation that its present public parks may be maintained more establislned that elmosnary and charitable institutions may bo pro vided for and that vast municipal improvements may bo carried to n successful execution; and that Is evi denced by tho hearty and harmon ious co-operation of its people in all movements which havo for thoir making a better and greater Salem, and surrounded as it is by a rich territory composed of marvelous re sources, both developed and unde veloped a country which while comparatively old in years is just beginning to developo just begin ning to grow, the day is not far dis tant when Salem will be ns far in advance of tho present dream of its people as it is today in advance of tho dream, of its people of forty ij'ears ago. Indirect Taxation Has Made Very Remarkable Progress in Oregon Tho problem of securing rovonuo to carry on state and local govern ment has been partially solved in Oregon. Tho Editor of this paper is proud of having contributed to this reformation. The Capital Journal Is an advocato of indirect taxation. It believes tho principlo resources for defraying thb expenses of both local and stato government should not bo levied upon property and merchandise, but upon franchises, earnings of corporations and intan gible sources. Journal Has n Record. Tho editor of this paper, whon a member of tho Legislature in 1905, secured tho enactment of tho law lovying a tax of two p,or cent on tho gross premiums of all lnsuranco companies doing a business in tho state, which law is now ylolding a net revenuo to tho state of nearly $100,000.00 a yenr. As a member of tho Salom City Council tho editor of this paper se- Stmwbcrry-patc h and Orchard on the Main Lino of the Oivgon Electric. The strawberry, as a variety of small fruit, grows hero longer and to bettor advantage than most any other Willam ette Valley berry, is exceptional in size, flavor and keeping qualities, and-commands a most satisfactory figure In tho markets of Portland and Salem right at the door, as well as tho markets of Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane but a fow hours away. The demand for this fruit is in excess of tho production. growth and progress has been slow but steady and its business men and citizens in the construction of their business structures have given con sideration to both their substantial ly, their architectural beauty, and the convenience and modernness of their interior equipment. Its pro fessional men rank with the best and greatest in the state, and their offices aro handsomely furnished; its merchants and business men are wide-awake, progressive and enter prising, and as tho peoplo of Salem demand, not alone of its mercantile establishments superior quality, but also that tho merchandise be in ac cordance with tho pievailing styles of the day, tho stocks aro all mod ern and measure up to the h!gh standard of style and fashion set by tho markets of the east. Municipal Improvements. Salem is a well groomed city clean physically and clean morally. ft. is nnn of tho best irovorned cities in the United States and in munl-1 clpal improvements its citizens havo Marion County Court House. This is a snow-white bu Idlng costing $100,000, constructed in the Italian stylo of architecture. Salem Minister Has Continuous Mar riage Register for Nearly 50 Years City of Beautiful Homes. Salem has been denom'nnted tho city of beautiful homes, and deserv ingly so, as there Is probably no city on the Pacific coast two or threo times its population which can boast of more handsomo resi dences than can Salem. Tho ma terial entering into the construction of those homos aro tho best avail able on the markets; thtolr architec ture rofleot the latest designs in the architectural world; their furnish ings aro for the most part elegant and luxurious, and their premises well preserved and adorned, and present a beautiful appearance the year round. There aro but few cl tiks, not alone on the Pacific coast, but on the' American continent, which can offor to the soachor for an ideal home more advantages than Salem. It can offer a climate, one of the most pleasant and best in the marched with tho trend of affairs kept abreast with tho times. Its streets aro paved, clean and wide and shaded by handsome trees; it is provided with an oxcellent sewerago system, a good water work system, a splendid illuminating system and street railway serv'co. Its parks aro the most beautiful In tho stato bocauso of the mild climato the fol iage on the trees In thosb parks are kept perienally green, and not in frequently tho roses bloom the yoar round. Educational Facilities. Salem Is the seat of the Willlm ette univorsity one of the oldest and best educational Institutions among tho higher sohools of learn ing In tho west. Besides giving a colloglate course which measures up well with the standard of the large eastern universities and colleges. This Rev. P. S. Knight, Congregational pastor of this city, holds the record for continuous service as a minister In Oregon. Ho began April, 18C5, at Oregon City and down to tho present has kept in tho work. In April, 18G7 ho took the church at Salem and remained in the pulpit here until 1884. From 18S5 to 1887 ho preached at Corvallls. Prom 1887 to 1889 at Eugene, from 1893 to 1907 at Central church, Salem, and from 1904 to tho present at Willard also. In nearly 43 years Rev. Knight has performed about 500 marriage coromonles up to Christmas the record was 498 and tho end of tho year will probably see tho half-thou sand completed. Of these 500 couples, 35 couples were on ono sldo or tho other, child ren whose parents ho had united In marriage, lie proudly refers to the fact that nearly all pairs stayed matched but few havo been dl vorced. His first woddlng was Clmuncey Bell to Margaret C. Edwards at Ore gon City, Aug. 13, 18G5. Fee, $10. Tho last in tho register was Dec. 22, 1909. Henry Werner to Nollio B'ngor. Fee $5.00. Here are some between: G. P. Terrill to Emma Smith, 18C7. Paul Oberholmto Ponolopo Mc Donald, 1868. S. R. Jessup to Sophronla Coshou, 18G8. Samuol Rundlott to Harriet Goss ner, 1869. John W. Gilbort to Sarah R. Mc Alp'n, 1870. John C. Booth to Sarah I. Head rick, 1870. C W. Hillenbrand to Alvina Short, 1871. Squiro Farrar to Martha Watt, 1871. F. J. Babcock to Ida M. Pratt, mi. H. Strtpleton to Josephino Allen, 1871. 5i. M. Scott to Martha E. Gilbert, 1872. Y. W. Davenport to Nancy E. Wls ner, 1872. Robert Grant to Nellie R. Elgin, 1873. John T. Bushnell to Carrie Croe synt, 1873. J. C. Stratton, to Matilda Spong, 1874. Perry H. Raymond to Edna Dlck ensore, 1874. Owen D. Hutton to Sarah E. Bar ker, 1874. Frank W. Gilbert to Emma F. Gilbert, 1876. Norris H. Looney to Hhrriet D. Clark, 1878. Seneca Smith to Maggie Gilliland, 1S74. J. D. McCully to Lillian E. Patton, 1880. W. F. Ogle to Cora M. Cox, 1882. Prince Byrne to Ella Savage, 1882. Wm. J. Dwyer to Sarah J. Clark, 1883 E.'p. Keller to NcllLo W. Mellon, 1884. D. H. Loonoy to Jessie K. Thomp son, 1885. A. E. Strang to Lillian A. Carpen tor. 1880. O. E. Krauss-a to Llzzio Dalrym plo, 1887. Francis Feller to Ida Garrett, 1895. Tho rest of tho marrlngos nro ro ctont history. This nowspapor lias chronicled nearly all of Rev. Knight's weddings slnco 1889. Th- fees recolvod for tho 500 weddings wore all voluntary, und many cou ples wore united In a solemn and Impressive manner for life and paid no foo whatovor. Most of tho fees aro $5 and $10 gold pieces, with an occasional $20 and a fow are $50 reos. Rev. Knight married mnny Portland peoplo and sonio In California. cured the enactment of the' ordi nance by tho terms of which tho uuy or aaiem banks aro made pub lic depositories and pay tho city two per cent interest on dally balances. Tho Capital National Bank and tho United States National Bank are complying with this law, which will yield tho city a not revenue every month, amounting to several dollars per annum. Insurance Foes and Tuxes. In the year 1904 stock companies collected for firo insurance $2,542, 424.59, paid losses amounting to $775,364.88 and roturned premiums to policy holders to tho amount of $549,744.94. Tho mutual firo In surnnco associations of tho stato col lected $110,211.46 and paid of that sum In losses $53,212.47. In tho year 1908 stock flrio Insurance com panies collected In premiums $2, fl2Ii, 480.59, paid In losses, $1,096. 002.52 and in return promlums, $643,208.02. In tho year 1908 lo cal mutual firo associations collected $278,675.91 and paid losses amount ing to $128,692,84. For marine insuranco tho.no was collected in premiums in 1904, $83,- 5S4.04, paid In losses $41,734.78 and in return premiums $3,382.31. In 1908, those companies collected gross premiums amounting to $170,- 003.88, paid losses of $39,927.19 and returned premiums in tho sum of $3,549.76. In the yenr 1901 life insurance companies collected in gross pre miums $1,S77,994.72, paid losses amounting to $491,274.97 and ro turned promlums amounting .to $107,934.40. In tho year 1908 theso companies collected gross pre miums amounting to $2,190,545.27, paid losses of $544,231.46 and ro turned premiums of $287,463.99. During tho year 1904 thero was collected In premiums by casualty companies $224,639.23, paid In los ses $64,186.95 and promlums re turned $9,457.11. In tho year 1908 there was collected from theso com panies In gross promlums $395, 392.23, paid in losses $177,084.05 and in return promlums $38,409.06. Tho fees from tho Department of insuranco In the year 1887 wh'on tho secretary of stato was mado ox ofllclo Insuranco Commissioner amounted tc $2,921.72. In tho yoar 1904 tho total recolved from tho fores, licenses and taxes on gross promlums amounted to $59,271.86 and In tho yoar 1908 from those samo sources to tho sum of $68, 265.82. Tho total for foes and 11 conses for tho year 1909 will ag gregate about $23,000.00 and with tho amount which vill bo received on account of tho tax provided by law on not premiums will bring the total fees for tho year 1909 to about $100,000.00, as thoro appears to have boon a largo increase in tho volumo of all classes of Insuranco business, and also that tho losses sustalnod by tho companies during tho yoar have not been n considera ble sum. From tho foregoing it will bo ob served that tho Increase In tho var ious classes of Insurance business has kept paco with tho natural growth and dovolopmont of the stato, especially Is this noticeablo in marine and casualty Insurance. Tho foes of tho department have incroasod somowhat on account of tho lncrcaso in tho annual llconso feps of fire insuranco companies, and furthor from tho fees received on account of tho groat increase In tho- ngoncy force of tho many llro nndi llfio companies now transacting busi ness In the state. At tho present timo thoro aro 38 authorized llfo Insuranco companies,. 39 companies engaged in tho miscel laneous lines and 87 companies transacting firo and firo nnd marine insuranco, whllo 12 local associa tions are authorized to writto mutual' firo Insuranco In tho stato under our laws. Other companies havo signified their Intention of entering tWo Ore gon field nnd doubtless during the coming year thoro will bo many now competitors for tho Insuranco busi ness of tho stuto and at tho same rapid rato of lncreaso In tho com mercial dovolopmont of tho state thoro will no doubt bo sufficient business for all strong companies which may deslro to extond thoir oporntlons to Oregon. Tho Now Year's Journal Is In debted to Insuranco Cominlssioner KoBOr for tho above statistics about his departmont. Bridge Across Santiam River is Needed. To enable peoplo to come to Sa lom to trade in a larger section of country than all the Waldo Hills, there Is a new bridge needed across tho Santiam rivor whore the Golden 'Ferry was formerly operated. Tho ferry Is no longor in commission, and tho peoplo aro forced to drlvo twenty miles In some cases to get to a trading place whon Salem would be their nearest point. There 's no bridge or forry for nearly twenty miles of tho river bottom and petitions are being circulated on both sides of the river asking Mar lon and Linn counties to Join In building a bridge. Petitions are al so to bo circulated at Salom. THE PIONEER GALLERY. T. J. Cronlso still conducts tho Plonoor Photograph Gallory of this duty, but every yoar soos progress made, for ho Is determined to keep up with tho domands of tho times in his profession. During tho past yoar ho has had made a flue lonse especially for por trait work ono of tho boat lenses mado. He has had to mo beautiful backgrounds In soft colors painted by the Stanley Bros., of Now York. Ho has also put In an Aristo electric lamp, by moans of which ho takes pictures on tho darkest- night, but by appolntmont only. If you want a fine portrait mado do not fall to visit this art gallery. Champion Car Load Cattle At Portland Union Stock Yards, Christmas Beef Show, Dec. 14, 1909. Exhibited by A. D. Goodalo of Gazollo, Calif., and sold to Union Mont Co., ut $9.00 par 100 lbs. Tho champion cow camo to Stousloff Bros., Salom and cost $10.25 por 100 lbs. 4 Institute for Feeble Minded and Epileptics. Last year there was established uoar this alty, another stato Institu tion by tho above titlo, for tho euro of two classes of unfortunates, who had hlthorto bbon cared for at the Stato Hospital for tho Insnno, and county Institutions. Hon. II. J. Bickers, formerly superintendent of the State Reform school was plnced In chargo of tho now institution. During tho pust jvxir tho following improvements havo boon made at this institution: Two now dormitories $29,000 ImnrovomentB on grounds. . 10.000 "Now barn 3,800 wow roauway 2,000 Heating plant and furnish ing buildings 31,000 Total $76,300) Tho two now dormitories nro! "iMijiifuu iur sixty patients oachX ami uio ontiro capacity of tho InstI tution is botwoon 200 and 300 pa 4 1....... ml.- . . 1 uuuiB. mo inosi inouoru system o uuueuuon nas uoon Introduced. Th feoblo mlndod aro instructed wltl kindorgnrton methnrln. nnrl Hirt aim. nlost unmet! nnd tnvu nv an,i t awakon tho sleeping faculties and? iiruuBo mo uormnnt and stagnant iiuiuuiuiuus oi uio c n n u ren to ui onu unit uioy may bocomo contentodj nnd usoful individuals. Many of thfam are qualified for learning? plain work, and tho simpler occu-J patlons. Mr. W. D. Pugh was tho contraojj tor for tho now buildings, and all? his- work Is notublo for strong con-S structlon, durability and good XMisf in architectural finish. The dorfinr tones wore first occupied nuout ue comber 15th.