The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-08-21
LETTER FROM OREGON CITY.

I nave rarely seen a communication
from our city in your columns, and I /
am sure there should be one OCCASION |
ally, for there are certainly many per-
sons In this region round about, who
take great Interest in the work in which
you are engaged. 1 am inclined TO
think, therefore, that one waits for
another, and you know that what ia
everybody's business is nobody's busi-
ness.
Oureity and vicinity are now, aud have
for some time past, been very quiet;
perhaps one not denizen would put II
stronger and say Extremely dulI.n
Persons pursue the ordinary routine of
every day life, and keep ''the noiseless
tenor of their way" seemingly regardless
Of all the world without. Though this
seeming may be true in n business
sense, am sure that 1t does not hold
good in all things, for here, as elsewhere,
people take lively interest in the de-
velopments Of the great social world,
and discuss frequently. with wisdom,
tempered with moderation, the various
phases of the great reform, known to all
the world as the "Woman Movement,
Some excitement and much comment
was elected upon the recent parricide
in our county, the details of which you
have doubtless heard. The parricide,
young man Of twenty or thereabOuts,
was brought to this city in tho custody
of the Sheriff this morning. He Is OF
mild, intelligent appearance, with moth
ing brutal or revengeful i'm his aspect,
and looks as if the enormity of his crime
was To himself fearfully apparent.
While all must admit that the commits
sionof such a dreadful crime is appall-
ing in the extreme, yet If the reports
that have reached us concerning the
character of the victim are to be relied
upon, ami tie peculiar circumstances
under which the rash act was committed
he truthfuliy reported, there is much to
justify, or perhaps should say, extenu-
ate the deed
heard a visitor to our city remark,
In not very complimentary language, q
few days since, upon the dilapidated ap-
. pearance Of many OF the buildings upon
Main street, saying, in substance, that
the town did not look rs though it had
. furnished. employment TO brace of
painters or 4 half dozen carpenters for u
decade. For q moment | was inclined
to be Indignant, but glancing in the di-
rection indicated 10y the forefinger OF the
critic, | was mortified TO observe that
there-was much Of truth in his remark.
But you cannot always judge people
by outward appearances, you know,
Mrs. Editor, and il many of our dwell
ings look seedy, and the sidewalks lead
ing to them are broken and uneven, /
= will venture the assertion that some of
as hospitable, kind, and intelligent peo-
pie rs this boasted land of Webfoot
affords, live within sound of the waters
of the Willamette, as they pour over
her magnificent falls.
Then, did you ever stop at Canemah,
that quiet, cool, and pleasant village,
nestled closely between the broad river
and the rocky base of the steep hills,
covered with ancient fiTs, and made
rugged hy the moss-grown rocks OF de-
parted centuries
To reach this pleasant spot from
this city one must wend his way over
) tumble-down, and in places seemingly
dangerous walk, that years ago was
used rs track for the horse cars that
conveyed the freight of the p T. Com
pany around the portage. A row OF
venerable looking warehouses, which
first the basin, then the railroad, and
lately the locks have rendered useless
except as tenements for rats and bats, or
rs targets for stray hoOdlums, give an
unattractiye appearance TO the front;
but there are many tasteful residences,
inhabited by as cordial and pleasant
persons As are to be found anywhere.
Well, fluid that am covering n good
deal Of paper, perchance for your waste
basket, and | have not as yet told you a
/, word about our Equal Rights Club.
This organization has public meeting
once in two weeks, and is well differed
and usually well attended. \ library
and reading room has been established
by the efforts OF its members, and the
kind contributions Of numerous friends.
The city has no more quiet, pleasant
retreat than this same library affords on
Sunday afternoon.
Perhaps, also, it will not be out OF
place TO call yoTff attention to our local
newspaper, the Oregon City Enterprise,
which, while it is neither liberal nor
impartial in expression of views upon
the Woman Question, is still much
more respectable than formerly, and we
eventually hope to convert even its
editor, and number him among the
members of the Equal Rights Club.
When this event 6skes place the paper
will be valuable institution in the
county.
But fear that the length Of this let
ter has transcended all bounds OF. edlto-
rial patience, so with a fervent God
speed for the cause, and best wishes for
the prosperity and perpetuity Of the
NEW NORTHWEST, ] am respectfully
X. y. OWING.
Oregon City, August II, 1874.
The Omaha Repu6lican reports the