The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-02-08
"COUETRYBOYs' DEBATING CLUB. -

UOUNIh1 BUYS DEBATING CLUB"
"Over the river" in the Twelfth Dis
trietp beyond East Portland, in the
neighborhood of what is known as
"Lents school-house," is a society
called the Country Boys Debating
Club" This society has been in sue
cessful operation for a number Of years,
and the consequence is that even the
children understand parliamentary
usages, and everybody is ready in debate.
Last Saturday afternoon it was the
good fortune Of the editor of this paper,
in compliance with previous Invitation
and arrangement, to get a seat, accom-
panied by her gracious liege, in the
substantial country carriage Of Mr..
Lent, our destination the aforesaid de-
batting society, where we were billed for
a lecture in the evening upon the wom-
an question.
The road from the built-up portion Of
East Portland, before emerging from
the incorporated area, which, by the
way, is about the size Of New York, is
simply a bob-lolly OF muck, mire, and
rotted lumber. The horses pull and
pant, the muck and mire splash and
splatter, and the rotted boards slap the
legs of the laboring animals, aud we
wonder much at the condition Of the
highway till we are Informed that the
city corporation is too poor or too bel
ligerent to make the necessary repairs,
and the county corporation is possessed
Of too much self-importanee TO coDde-
sceud to improve city thoroughfares.
So what is eyerybody's business is at
tended to by nobody.
Once beyond the city limits, where
there is no confiiction Of opposing forces,
the roads are better, though to find a
good highway at this season anywhere
in Oregon you must dig at least six feet
below the surface, and even there We
won't insure it.
But, to a denizen Of the man-made
city, how beautiful the grand old coun-
try looks. Even the fallen, blackened
log, left years ago by the voracious fire
king after his appetite had been sated
for the nonce on the erewhile green and
growing timber, even the unsightly
skeletons of these once stately trees are
things Of beauty, covered, as they are,
with briers and brambles, through
which the frOst-killed fern is every
where beheld, sure harbinger of the
tangled and bewildering green Of the
approaching summer. Here and there
the bosom Of the earth appears resplend-
ent in the gorgeous colorings Of bygone
autumn. Now we are in forest Of gi-
gantic frs, at whose feet the evergreen
brake, salall aud grape, in variegated
tints, from green to scarlet, from brown
to crimson, and from amber to mahog-
I any, awaken such covetOusness in ouT
greedy fancy that obliging friends pro-
vide Us with as many as We can carry to
adorn the city home. Our road runs
through fine farms and alongside oi
miles and miles Of substantial fencing
and passes here and there a commodiou:
farmhouse.
Six miles of this sort OF travelling, anC
we reach the home of Mr.. Lent, wher,
the good housewife and many rosy chill.
dren greet Us cordially. For genuine
hospitality, of the stamp that nevei
wears out, commend us to the farmer
now and always.
a supper fit for a queen, an hours
waiting, and then a visit to the "Coun,
try Boys Debating Club" The school
house is too small to hold the throng O
eager friends who gather from forest
hill, and plain to witness the proceed
ings. But a new and commOdious public
building is soon to be erected, and with
this in prospect the good people are con-
tent to work and wait.
Master William johnson, son of Hon.
Jacob johnson, of legislational fame,
and nephew of General Jasper johnson,
of the Greeley national committee, is
president Of the Club for the month,
and right royalty did he preside. Miss
Parsons, a teacher in the Mt. Tabor
school, presided at the melodeon, and,
with the choir, rendered excellent music.
Then came the lecture, which was at
tentively listened to during the two
hours Of its delivery, even though many
were compelled to remain standing
throughout the entire evening.
Human rights are at a premium in
the Twelfth District, though of course
there are few old fogies here, as else
where, who fear that women will get
ahead Of them If they are allowed an
even chance. And we don't wonder.
1t behooves some men to look we'll to
their laurels, else the consummatiou
they fear will become a reality rather
than a phantom.
We returned to the city on Sunday
/ through a pouring rain, feeling well re.
paid for the visit, and confidently ex.
pecting to go again sometime.
We again call special attention to the