, 1873-01-26
OREGON.
The Past and Present Of the
State.
4 Remarkable Exhibit Of GROWTH.
Business Statistics.
Notes from the State Capital ana
Chief City.

Notes from the State Capital ant
Chief City.
spfcial Correspondents Of The Chicago Tdozne.
PORTLAND; Oregon, Jan. 5, 49,
TIE PAST AND PRESENT OF OREGON.
There are few Of the States or Territories O.
the Union attracting more attention than Oregon
{. doing. Prior to 1868, little WAS known OF thit
State BY the outside world. The general impress
sions we're unfavorable. It's remote and isolated
nosition rendered correct knowledge Difficult
to be- obtained. The prevailing opinions were
tbst it rained nine months out Of tho twelve
that the sun seldom made his appearance; that
the Indians and wild beasts made life and prop
:ert7 unsafe; that tho pcoplo were eemi-sayage
and uebfooted; TINT it was q, God-forsnker
lind Notwithstanding these erroneous opin-
ioas, the population increased; farmers grew
-ich; merchants aud bankers made fortunes
manufactures made progress; schools, colleges,
universities, and churches multiplied; doctorsi
,lsvyers, judges, statesmen, patriots, and sol
dicrs adorned all tho walks Of life. Brave men,
FIJI. women, and beautiful children are the gem
eraI characteristics OF the Inhabitants.
The Provisional Government. formed in 1915,
the Tor1itorial Government organized in 1913,
ssnd the Constitution adopted in 1859, were
founded On the strictest principles Of civil and
religious liberty. and the sacred rights Of life
and property, By men who know how to appreci-
ate true liberty, and how to defend it. Freedom,
tesod on intelligence and virtue, justice and
equity, is favorable to stability and growth, pro-
erees and prosperity. This has been the histo-
uof Oregon-slow, surs and permanent.
In 184s, when the Provisional Government
rBs started, the population Was about /, 600. In
1913, when the Territorial Government Was or
Ranized, tho population numbered about l., ,4G5.
In 1889, when Oregon Was received into the
Union as astate, the population counted $4,000.
And in 1870, the census returns made the popu-
e0s7s. It is now increasing at the rate of 1000
ayear-
Land has advanced during the last two years
from so to 100 per cent. Real estate in the cities
end large towns, has advanced m average Of 100
per cent during the same time, with steady
tendency upward From these facts, it can be
easily inferred that the farmers and business in
terests OF the State generally are in prosperous
condition, and the prospects ahead arc as en-
couraging as the pagt two years have been profit
abla None but those who have travelled over
tho 8tate can form any conception OF its present
prosperity and future progress.
4 brisk business TRs driven in the Columbia
Rirer in 1872 BY the salmon -catchers. There
were taken between April and Aug. i, for can
ming purposes, 10000 dsh, Weighing when
dressed 2,700,000 pounds, making $3.50
boxes Of 48 pounds each, and worth,
at Wholesale market-prices, 9432,000. The
salmon taken for curing purposes, during the
sane Heason, amounted in number to 162, 500,
weighing when dressed 1900, 900 pounds, max
ing IL, 200 barrels Of 200 pounds each, and worth
417,0 The total number of salm on taken on
the Lower Columbia River, during the seaaon of
four months, amounted to 49,, 900, weighing
$780, 900 pounds, and worth $549, 200. There
we're also large numbers sent to market for sale
fesh.
RAILROADS.
In the fall OF 1868, Mr. Holladay made ample
Preparations for commencing to build the Oregon
L California Railroad, which we're put into active
operation in the spring of 1869. In September,
1870. the railroad was completed to Salem, the
Capital OF tho 6tate,-51 miles. In October,
1911, It Was built to Eugene City, at the head Of
the Willamette Valley,-125 miles, It is now
finished as far as Roseburgh, 1913 miles from
Portland. The Oregon d Central Railroad, that
runs On the West side of the Willamette Valley, |
Vas commenced in 1871, and is built as far as the
1uTn Of st. Joseph, On the Iamhiu River,-40 |
miles from Portland. It will be continued to
Junction City,-120 miles, -whonce it will Join |
Tie East Side Road going south, at the head Of
tie willamette Valley. branch line is to be
built from McA1innviue to Astoria, near the
month Of, tho. Columbia Riyer,-78 miles
.na 6saa NJ aebs Tn yssg ESosh whds sbs ass ,sn
Inca completed, it will give 578 miles Of rail-
sc.3 to tie State, go miles Of which are now
completed and in good running order. Mr. Hol-
n9ay las displayed great energy and enterprise
n building these roads, and Congress has shown
hnd for these purposes, equal to {, ,483, 200
a1es. These railroads eaye produced a great
material revolution in the State. immigration
Of The Industrious and farming classes fzom 9TH
GoEsrnment lands have been taken up extern
aFely; farms have changed hands to great ex-
ten. lands haye advanced from Is to 100 per
ss cent IN three years; real estate in cities and
nfge towns has advanced still more. The State
ny progressed in its material interest more
sihin the last four years than it did during the
previous ten years. . A new lie and 3
crest impulse havo been given to improvements
and cultivation, the Importance of which cannot
1e estimated at present. Internal improve
state, and in Contemplation, TINT never would
nale been thougnt Of before the building of
glfosds commenced In this respect Mr.. Ho1Ia-
~ ~ has get an example worthy Of all praise.
ihe completion Of the Northern Pacific Railroad .
tom Lake Superior to Puget Sound, that will be
nnaialled in four years, and the building Of the
stofhand, Dal1es d Salt Lake Railroad, now be-
aoe Congress for liberal grant of land, will !
sonpete the emancipation OF Oregon from its I
'k1calturA and commercial uammels.
PORTLAND. 6
ihese railroads all centro in Portland, the !
numerical capital Of the State and the chief {