The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-12-15
SOLO CORRESPONDENCE.

EprroR DEnocnAr:--This modern Athens has
been, for the past ten days, in fearful stats oil
agitation, oocasiened by the recent city election
and the various contests theroupon. Tho mat
ter seems to present itself TO disinterested u.s.
tener and spectator about In this light:
A clique Of two or three men, II would seem.
of vast legal knowledge, and the most profound
egotisn, have heretofore held unlimited sway
over tho manipulations of this city government;
and. until tho last election. have succeeded In
aweing tho populaco into an unoquivoeai ae-
quescenoo to their regal sway. On Monday the
4th day Of December. however, the people
seemed TO rouse from their irksome aud unwar-
ranted thralldom, and assert the high preroga-
tive Of American freodom--of choosing the
officers who should administer their municipal
affairs. But after the election was over, and
the great Solons found themselves routed,
"horse, foot. and dragoon." instead Of acqui-
esing to tho majority, and adm itting defeat,
they instituted contests for the important off,
ces, and tried aud decided them with a sem
blauce &C formality, yet without shadow of law,
and thus disfranehised several legal voters, one
of whom has voted in Oregon since Is47. This
poor old man who has never failed. since
that time, to put into the ballot box true.blue
Democratic vote, without question, but IL was
reserved for the great Sanhedrm of the famous
city OF the Forks to pronounce him not legal
voter of tho State of Oregon. It Is perfectly
astonishing to your correspondent that such
profound erndition aud sucn remarkable talent
as may be found concentrated in this little out
Of the way hamlet, should for 50 long q time
have been permitted to BLUSH unseen
And waste its sweetness on the dosort air."
But " blood will tell" aud now tho day Is fast
4. han
acres Of the obscure village in the Forks, To be
the first aud foremost men Of the nation, aud to
whose superior judgment tho sophisticul and
antiq quatcd ideas Of Blackstone, Kent. Taney.
Black, Deadly and others win disappear like
mist before the rising sun. Wo eau al sny
we hail from The Forks" but proud will bu
that man IL pnsterity who can trace his pedi.
gree back to the famous capital of the Forks Of
the Santiam. When the names Of ancient and
modern times shall have passed away aud been
forgotten when Temple Bar shall have bc-
come the abode of owls and bats. the names Of
these para IONS of wisdom and legal lore who
are now the presiding gcn Of this city will
stand forth rs monuments Of perpetual grand
eur. In that day the humbiest Of its citizens
can stand up and say with virtuous pride. II
came fIsm the Forks.
|, The contested election cases were between T.
j. Thorpe and 7. +. Goodman. for the Mayor
ship, in which &c oduian won. aud was declared
Peter Smi'h and Daniel Gaby was decided In
favor nf the latter. j. l.. Miller. who contested
the election of Il. @. Head, for Recorder. al
though defeated 10y 9 vots.. granted the
certificate. on the ground tha, ar. Head was
not qualified voter OF the State. though be
swcrc TO residence in Po r,land ever since
1865, until October last. when hu removed to
Scio.
Do not allow these things to shoek you, for
am assured that they are in accordance with
law. the Constitution of the State To the contra
~ notwithstanding. 1t were presumption TO
question the legality OF this decision. These
eminent judges hold another sIt;in; to-morrow
evening. when, believe. il is proposed to frame
and adopt a new State Constitution. as the old
one does not exactly conform to their interpret
alton of eertais State ia,es. What . blessing
20 live where the lamp VI wisdom burns so
brightly!
NIscELLASEors ITEMS.
This village has Leen almost flooded once
this season. but is now perhaps safe from anoih-
er invasion by the turbid Thomas Greek.
A singing class Of large Dimensions has been
organized. and is now progressing vosifei ousiy.
A debating society Is sooL To be organized. In
which many promising young men Il seio in
tend. we understand. to prepare themselves for
the balls OF Congress.
An smaiure Theatrical society is now In pro-
srrss, and the people of this burg will ere long
have opportunity Of Witnessing the perform.
anees OF those wha possess histrionie talent.
Bot there Is still another a.sembiaye or com
pany here that suits the epigsstriHm Of your
correspondent better than singing, debs ting. or
a~ring, and that is kind of jolly soeiAbic
club. who meet around at each others homes
and spend the long winter evenings 'fast by an
ngle bleEing finely" discussing e. sh on. gossp.
literature, ETC., and also pay their dssoti ms 10
the de:irscies of richly laden luu h tables
We say suecesg 90 this Institution.
Your paper IL read here with interest and
looked for With eagcrness. The mail facilities.
however. are net so perfect Hs the interest. OF
the people demand. and ! understand that there
is great probability Of the establishment of n
daily mail line from here To Marion Station,
connecting with up and down trains Of the o.
c. Il. r. This will at once place thi. city in
direct communication wish London. Liverpool.
New York, San Francisco. aud ether eommrr-
cial cmporiGms. and will prove Of Invaluable
importance to business men of Seio.
Hoping that you will pardon me for writing
so long and dry letter, which is accounted for
BY the fact that all the rulers here are total alb
stinenee men). will close, with . promise not
TO be prosy next time. Yours traiy.
scio, Dec. I2. 1871. fEkfTAS.