The Portland daily press., 1881-03-12
The Canadian Road and Portland
interests.

The Canadian Road and Portland
interests.
The advance sheets of Mr.. A. j. Grover.
communication to the Chicago Sentinel
published in the PRESS this morning, invite
the attention of the citizens of Portland tc
the transportation question, and to the
competition now going on between
the Atlantic ports for oceanic traffic. 1t is
"a matter in which our people have vita
interest. Our natural facilities are of the
best, and the discreet employment of enter
prise and capital is the only thing needed tc
give us fair show in the race. Many
things said of the Canadian routes by Mr.
Grover are true and timely. All the things
he has to say will provoke attention by the
earnestness and vigor with which they ere
put. He anticipates little as to Portland
We have not yet determined to build eleva
tors and stock yards this season sufficient to
entertain the business that would. were his
statement accurate, come to us next Win.
ter. We are not wise enough yet to dc
that. But our prominent and enterprisine
business men are awake to their opportuni-
ty, and will, we trust, seize it. We cannot
afford to throw away so favorable chance.
The railroad which is disposed to do SO
much for our advantage-because thereby
its own fortunes are furthered-is about to
take steps in the direction indicated in Mr..
Growers article. 1t certainly should and
probably will receive from us all the aid
proper to give.
Mr.. Grover has much to say about corpo-
rations, and says some just and some un-
just things. So far as his article encourages
an unthinking and indiscriminate attack
upon corporate institutions or stimulates
disregard of vested rights it deserves rebuke.
So far as it condemns the unfair advantages
taken by corporations and protests against
extortions practiced by them it is eminently
meritorious. Some of its sentences seem to
pander to the demagogical cry against prop
erty and property-holders, but the article is,
in the main, so well-considered and presents
so many undeniable facts in so forcible and
pleasing way that we can afford to over
look the vagaries of its author. The mild
sensationalism of the heading is more likely
to provoke amusement than ire.
The interests of this port are strongly and
clearly stated. If we want to sustain them
we must put our shoulder to the wheel-and
that at once, for the Boston chariots are al
ready on the road and Boston has nearly
broken her mud-blockade. Our business
men should be up and doing with heart
for the fortune within their grasp. 1t is a
fair opportunity Mr.. Grover urges them to
seize. But, entertaining the views he does
concerning corporations, he of course asks
no aid from that corporation, the city OF
Portland. His statement that ''her citizens
will build elevators and stock yards" shows
that he expects nothing from the municipal
ity but much from our business men.
THE late John w. Dwinelle, lawyer OF
San Francisco, left some sensible directions
to be observed in case of his death. Among
other things he said: desire that there
shall be no adjournment of court. 1 desire
that the hour for the funeral shall be fixed
the bar who wish may attend it without in.
terfering with the business of the courts
The custom of adjourning the courts when a
lawyer dies ought to become obsolete
There is no good reason why the business OF
twelve courts of record should be interrupt
ed for day because a lawyer, even the
most distinguished, happens to die.
THE first Cabinet appointed by President
Washington, March 4, 1889, was Thomas
Jefferson, Secretary of State; Alexander
Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury; Hen.
ry Knox, Secretary of War and Navy; Ed.
ward Randolph, Attorney General. On
May 8, 179S, after the new Secretaryship of
the Navy was created, George Cabot Of
Massachusetts, was appointed to that place
The first Postmaster General appointed as a
Cabinet officer was William T. Barry OF
Kentucky, appointed March 8, 1929, and the
first Secretary of the Interior was Thomas
Ewing of Ohio, appointed March, s, 1s4s.
WHEN Grin V. Crowell left Socorro, New
Mexico, for Lake View, N. j., the othel
day, he kissed pretty girl goodbye, at the
same time noticing that her cheeks were
plumper than usual. On his arrival at Lake
View, he went among the citizens with &
swollen face, and his mouth open like thai
of fish. The pretty girl had the mumps
and by the kiss Grin caught them. Another
fearful example.
ONE of the most astonishing happenings
of this or any other century is happening in
Connecticut. Two allopathic physicians,
one homeopathic, and one eclectic, are
serving amicably together as a committee
appointed by the Legislature to draft a
medical practice act. Next thing we know,
the Universalists will cease talking about
hell. They monopolize the conversation on
that subject now.
NEW YORK Herald: The Cabinet meets
with general approval among Republicans
who are anxious for the harmony of the
party and the success of the Administra
tion. The common remark is that ''it will
work and prove stronger and more service
"HAS Ava oaAS POI W oAlu ullC SOuAGly tlS
few doubters Low think"
THE March number of Watson's Illumin.
ator is as brilliant as Edison's electric light
and decidedly more profitable-for already q
thousand copies of each issue are sold on
the Eastern railroad alone. Several excel
lent portraits of its editor and proprietor
illumine it's title.
WHEN there is nothing to be lost by yield
ing and nothing to be gained by insistin G.
the Democracy sometimes does the courte
GUS thing. Its Senatorial nomination in
Maine is the latest illustration of its occa.
sional tact.
The impression prevails that something
will certainly be said and much will proba
bly, be done by the new Secretary of State
in the matter of the fishery award.
MAINE has every reason to be satisfied
With the SecratarvShin of Stata tho laad ir