The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-03-15
EnIToRIAL OoRREsPoNpENOE.

Old Sol has In the past week uelBueu /
to shed the light of his countenance
upon the landscape hereabOuts day /.
now and then, but to-day his face is
again closely veiled, and the wind rides
recklessly abroad over grain-field and
hilltop, his noisy chariot drawn by
the most boisterous of winged steeds. /
The pes-vines in the garden bow low
before his breath, showing here and
there the milk-white blossoms which
the few days sunshine coaxed out, aud
the housewife, with belief that every
thing good and perfect is produced in
season and out Of season in California,
seeing through the pouring rain the
creamy patches among the green vines,
says, aust one month from to-day we
will have a mess Of peas" We shiver-
ingly glance out, and wonder whether
she is not expecting too much from the
drenehed vines and occasional blooms,
but courtesy fOrbids US to doubt her
prophecy, so we ask and receive the
promise of an invitation to dine on
green peas on the day specified, feeling
sure meanwhile that if our bill Of fare is
so graced on that day that we will order
il in our own home.
Prospects Of an abundant grain crop
are everywhere visible, and farmers are
eorrespondingly happy. Anticipation
of great yields have led some Of them
into unwonted purchases, and more
than one woman whose best dress ere
while was of print, shows to her admir-
ing neighbor a ''pattern of worsted
goods" that he brought home the last
time he took the eggs to the station.
Indeed, record is made of one who, when
every one was looking ruefully at his
fields and foreboding drouth, exacted a
| promise OF parlor organ from her lord,
in case the "creek was half full five
times this winter" "The creek" as il
conscious Of the part it was expected to
bear in the longed-for purchase, fairly
outdid itself in generosity, and sent its
exuberant waters over the bank time
and again, and the steady-going people
of the neighborhoOd have been already
seandalized by the 'extravagsnce of the
free-holder in the fulillmeut Of his
promise. Let US hope that the strains
of the organ will he sufficiently clear to
render inaudible invidious remark, and
cause its possessor to be sublimely un-
conscious Of ill-natured prattling.
News Of disaster and distress caused
by the flood on the lOwlands that border
the Sacramento River continue TO reach
us, and appeals to the generosity OF
those more fortunately situated for the
relief Of those over whose fields and
homes the water holds sullen sway meet
with prompt response. The Sacramento
has been higher, it is said, than ever be-
: fore, while its tributary streams have
, not reached an unusual stage. This is
shown to be the case, not because OF the
unusual fall Of water over some former
? seasons, but because Of the raising
of the bed Of the river by depOs-
its from the mines above. The Leg
islature now in session is called upon by
2 the Record Union to devise some plan
and pass some law that will protect
, land-holders on the river, as well as the
capital city itself, from future loss anC
] inundation by the operations Of miners
{ It argues, and with reason, that on,
e branch of industry should not be al
D lowed to cripple and jeopardize another
D With thousands of acres of growing
wheat under water, hundreds Of peOpl,
I homeless, and years of patient labor los
by the destruction of levees, orchards
= fences, houses, and out-buildings within
= sight almost Of the States cOunci
q chambers, it would certainly seem tina
b such appeals to her assembled legisla
I tors for redress are well timed an'
r strongly supported.
There is, we opine, little room to hop,
r that this legislature will do anything
toward the political advancement o
I woman. What with wrangling abou
= "water bills" indulging in windy de
r bate on the Chinese question, seeking t
a rule the teaching Of French and German
q out Of the public schools, etc etc, tn
session will probably expire withou
4 any real and needed laws being mad
n that will benefit any considerable mum
Der Of the people. Notwithstanding th
n apathy existing, and the tardiness ex
n hibited in the movements Of reform, W
h still see evidences of its workings il
a various ways, and still hold fast to th
d belief that in due time the right vii
>, prevail. These workings, not ofte
tangible, often unnoticed by the careles
}. observer, and ignored by the cynica
a yet go silently and steadily forward j
the great realm Of thought and chang'
10 "where nuId feet through paths by man u
trod,
n Run on strange errands for Almighty God
= Thus the arguments Of Isabella Beech'
I" Hooker and other noble champions
right, recently put forth at our nation
capital, although they may fall upo
the ears of an obdurate Senate withoJ
immediate effect, go forth over the Ian
- waking by their silent power echoes
the souls Of men and women that sha
a one day answer back when justice call
, Walking with "bare, hushed feet Il
:, ground" that arrogance threads wit
boldness shod," these message-beare
:, come to the understanding with a col
n vincing force, and will by patien
suhfla andaavor a.-a,tr.tI.. ,.-.- 81.