The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1881-04-29
on TIE WAY.
atmAs. 70 aA.e 4 wooaEx nanL
only a question OF Emor,.

As result Of the local agitation of
the woolen mill question, considerable
correspondence has been had with va
rious parties in regard 20 the feasibility
of the enterprise,
The following extracts from letter
TO Mr.. John P. Rector, of Halsey,
written by his father, are of more than
ordinary interest, coming as they do
from man whose extensive experience
and well-known ability place him in the
front rank of Pacific Coast manufac-
turers. His strong, terse, sensible
points should strike homo to our citi.
zens who arc wavering in regard to this
matter Mr.. Rector is man of con-
siderable means, and we'll known to
many of our older citizens, as he crossed
the plains and came to Oregon at an
early day with many now living in this
vicinity lie wasone of the originators
of the Salem Wooden Mills, and while
in control of that establishment built it
up to one of the most successful manu-
featuring ventures on this Coast. A
thorough and competent machinist, a
man of sound, practical sense, and
withal successful man financially in
connection with the very kind of enter
prises which Albany needs so badly, we
could not find more suitable man or
one whose experience would be of moro
practical value than Mr.. Reotor's. If
our citizens manifest anything like the
interest they should take in this matter
Mr.. Rector will come here, and his
coming here is equivalent to success.
In the letter above referred to he says
" have Just msiled you letter in
which / gave you all the family news,
so I will reply here TO what you have
said in relation to the proposed woolen
factory at Albany. In the first place
| will say that it is move in the right
direction, and viii give you some rea-
sons which you are at liberty to use at
your own discretion. II is evident to
mr. mind that Oregon is destined to be
great manufacturing country. It has
every thing to promote such industry,
| and many things which no other State
on the Coast possesses It's unlimited
water power, mild climate, fine timber,
good iron ore, and in word everything
necessary to employ dense population
of industry forecasts its destiny to be
the New England of the Pacific slope.
Since left Oregon I have travelled
considerably and have seen other coun-
tries, and think | have learned by it.
| spent six months at one time in the
New England States, devoting my time
solely to a study of the great manufac-
turing interests of that section. In
contrasting their facilities for manufac-
turing with those of Oregon | sec a
large per centage IN favor OF the latter.
They have ice and extreme cold to con-
tend with, and the cost Of warming
their factories SO as to make them hab.
liable in winter Is of itself no small
item. Yet they live and thrive, hav-
ing to buy greater part of their sub
sistence from other sections of the coun-
try more favored with soil and climate,
sslile Oregon can feed as large popu-
lation Of factory operatives as the New
England States have from her own soil.
California has no water power, and
but little coal, yet there are six or seven
wooden mills running by steam at a cost
of so to $50 per day for their power
alone, and yet they seem to prosper.
The country south of here is all in the
same condition. When the people of
Oregon avail themselves of their ma
tive resources it will compel the manu-
featuring business of this State to 90
there, as they can never compete with
Oregon's cheap water power. Mexico
and a part of California produce cotton,
and it is likely to become staple pro-
duct. They are agitating the question
of manufacturing it here, but that can
never be done proftaely By steam. The
cotton now goes to England, what is
not used at the woolen mills.
When the people of Oregon realize
the great advantages it possesses by
nature, it cannot be long before it will
have the largest industrial population
on the Pacific coast. Then instead of
sending your wheat to England to feed
factory la5orers, feed it to them at
home. The country that sends the raw
material abroad without enhancing its
value by labor can never prosper large
ly. yet remember remark Of Gov.
Joe Lane IN one of his political speech
e. He said e'The South has made
the wealth of the nation-they have
toiled in the heat of the sun for il; but
the Yankees have got all the money
with their spindles.'
Now, in conclusion, I will say if par
ties at Albany want to get up a good
factory and desire the benefit of my ex-
Perience they have only to signify the
same and ] am at their service so far as
getting mp factory on the most i'm
proved plan and also in getting good
skilled labor to run it. 1 remain,
Your afectionate father,
WM. H. RECTOR.
Santa Rosa, Cal, April 3, 1881.
We hope the citizens of Albany viii
show their interest in this matter and
their appreciation Of Mr.. Rector's pro-
position by appointing citizens COM
mittee and empowering them to cores
pond with him and get more definitely