The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-09-17
LETTER FROM SAN JOSE.

To THE EDITOR OF THE New NORTHWEST:
When last wrote you from my
home in Salem 1 did not dream of
changing my place of residence so soon,
tearing myself from the many friends
whom had learned to love so dearly,
and taking up my abode among stran-
gers-though the hospitable character of
the people surrounding me scarcely rem
ders the word applicable.
San Jose is an Eden of loveliness. Its
wide thoroughfares, beautiful parks,
magnificent school-buildings, large
banking-houses, fine residences and
costly churches form an attraction well
worthy its twenty thousand enterprisiug
population.
have taken my first drive through
the city, and have formed the acquaint-
ance of Hon. ]. ]. Owen, editor of the
Mercury, gentleman in fact, writer
of much ability, and a strong Woman
Suffragist, which last assertion is proof
positive of the first.
1 have had the pleasure of meeting
with the Santa Clara Woman Suffrage
Association, which convened at the ele-
CANT home of the President, Mrs. S. L.
Knox. L could but observe the fine, in
tellectual faces of these Jealous Suffra-
gists, and listened with genuine pride
and pleasure to the broad, liberal views
and high moral tone of their delibera-
tion.
Mrs. Knox is widow of command
ing personal appearance, an abundance
of bank stock, and wealth of that
much-to-be-desired but seldom-found
commodity, common sense, which she
displayed at the polls on last Wednes-
day by protesting against "taxation
without representation"
"a protest against being disfranchised
on account of SEX" signed by a number
of the tax-paying ladies Of this county,
was presented at the polling-place, but
not having yet been made citizens of the
United States, their petition was re-
jected, and the unrepresented "tax-
payers" of this so-called Republic
must continue to pay taxes for the sup
port of a government which claims to
derive its 'Just powers from the consent
of the governed" Tim Wong, a
Chinese resident of the town of Monte
rey, cast q Celestial vote for Phelps
upon the same day. But then Tim was
born and raised in the State $50 the pa
pers say, speaks Spanish and English
fluently, and, crowning virtue, is of the
masculine persuasion. This is the first
case on record, and should be the last
while woman, clothed with wisdom and
armed with justice, stands knocking al
the doors of political dogmas, petition
ing for "redress in the most humble
terms"
But 1 must not forget that through
this correspondence I am endeavorinG
to condense many promises made "tC
writer and that the noble few who art
yet unconverted to the gospel of human
liberty, though strong upon the tenn
perance question, may think it tres
pass upon their time should l descan
farther upon the great issue on which
all other reforms depend, so L will leav,
its discussion for abler pens and far bet
ter-natured minds.
August 18th, on board the "John L
Stephens 1 found myself seated on tn
upper deck" pencil in hand, endeavor
: ing to write in my 'Journap' what
could not find language to express. Th
dear old word "Good-bye" had beel
spoken, the great steamship was head
ing slowly down the Willamette, tn
: waving of hats and handkerchiefs from
, the wharf reminding US still more tina
we were leaving Oregon, and with
many pleasant associations we ha
learned to cherish fondly.
Almost four years since | left m,
/ childhood's home, and after fortnight
l detention in the snow blockade
: serious detention to US, but one upo
; which the pioneers Of Oregon woul
|. smile), I first set foot upon your friendl