St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-24
A Trip to the Pacific Coast.
Especial Correspondeuce of the Globe I

TIE StlUe, Iounu 10 ne city or cOnsiueraDIe
importance. 1 was delighted with the eli
mate especially. The fierce extremes of
heat and cold which are felt IN the northern
states of the Rocky noun tains are unknown
here. While it Is warm during The daytime
the nights are always cool. AS matter Of
consequence people wear the same kind of
clothing summer and winter, There is not
much rain during the summer, but in
the early part of spring and in winter there
is an abundance of it, when rubber
clothing is in big demand. The climate of
Oregon seemed to me like that of central
Germany with the exception that there is less
rain in summer.
was over delighted with the large amount
of fruit which at this season of the year was
for sale, but hardly found any buyers, al
though it was offered OF the lowest prices.
Think of it, pound of fine plums was sold
for one cent. and other fruit in proportion.
| have seen the trees almost broken down
with apples of very fine quality. The Ore
gon cherries are among the best of the world.
German prunes grow in abundance, which is
not the case in any other state of our coun-
try. As far as have Travelled in Oregon l
! found there immense forest trees of great
height, such as l have not seen in any part
of the United States. There have been cut
large quantities of lumber, but it is not
missed, and the supply seems to be ample
for many years to come. Where Portland
is now situated was originally
dense forest, yet it is clear, that
the location was well selected. The streets
and lanes of that city are adorned with trees,
which always beautify city. a kind friend
of mine drove Inc up to the mountains or
bluffs from where could view the city and
the surrounding country, which was of sur
passing beauty. 1t reminded me of Switz-
erland and Italy. Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams
Mt. st. Helens and Tacoma were plainly Wis
ible. They stand apart from the others, COW
cred with snow, and present an attractive
ness which cannot be surpassed. There are
already some nice residences built upon the
bluffs, and l have no doubt they will be
largely increased in the future as the site is
very healthy. The streets of Portland are
regularly laid out, but the blocks are very
small. There are great many fine business
houses erected which would be q credit to
any city. The residences have mostly all
large lots, and nice, cultivated gardens.
The wholesale trade of Portland is very ex-
tensive, which will assume still greater pro-
portion in the future as the country will set
tie up. The city suffers at present from the
decline Of real estate, for last year there was
great boom, when the Northern Pacific
railroad was about to be finished A large
hotel in course of construction, and upon
which already large sum of money has been
expended, but upon which work has been sus-
pended, and other improvements
contemplated such as the projected
union depot, machine shops, ETC.,
would have given employment to
a great many hands, but at present all is at
a stand STILL The people suffered also
heavy losses in consequence of the depression
of stocks of ali kinds. Here as everywhere
else there was too much speculation, and its
consequences were seriously felt. Consider
ing all these circumstances the city has
borne the crisis remarkably well. What es-
pecially augurs well for the future is the fact
that ample provision is made for the educa-
ton of the youth, not merely in the city
itself, but also in the state of Oregon There
exists there a very liberal school law, and
|
tonal purposes. A well selected library of
about 5000 volumes Of well selected books is
open to all who become members, and am
told is well patronized.
The Chinese population form on the Pacific
coast an important feature To an eastern
visitor it is alweys interesting to see so many
Chinese congrcgated as they are in
Portland, where one of the principal
streets, Second street, is almost exclusively
occupied by them. They pay very liberal
rents, that landlords accept them gladly as
tenants, yet very often are in theory strongly
strongly opposed to them. There are num-
Der of wealthy Chinese merchants at Port
land, who deal in teas and other articles
from their native land. The street, however,
is mostly occupied by small shops and res
taurants, patronized by Cinnamon. In the
windows may be seen strange articles Of
food displayed, not at all appetizing in ap-
pearance, such as half grown pig, roasted
whole from It slices are cut off of size to
suit customers. At present there is less de-
mand for labor than heretofore in this
section of country and many of the
Chinese are out of employment. They
have two theaters. / visited one of them
in company with friend and could have
remained there until two OF three O'Clock in
the morning, for so long the theatre lasts,
but had enough in less than an hour The
music was indeed not charming to nv ear
for it is sound like q bagpipe. and the rattle
of what sounds like COW bells which is heard
without interruption. The language, the
customs, the manners Of the performers, are
Asiatic, and one sees a dramatic representa-
ton developed and influences entirely dis
tinct from those under which our own have
been produced.
The joss house, or their house Of worship.
If it can be thus called, is large room on a
second floor Of business block, which
every one in Portland can point out.
At the rear of the room is gilded altar, with
many images with tapers constantly burning
and censers that diffuse the fragrance of
burning sandal wood. A dim religious
light is maintained throughout the depart
ment.
Whatever may be said in favor of Port
land, and certainly it has many attractions,
it must be admitted by all who have so
journed there that many institutions openly
tolerated there, such as gambling houses
etc. are disgrace to a civilized community.
The gambling houses are in the most promi-
nent public streets, frequented by hundreds,
young and old, with no one to inter-
fere. There is certainly much to be done
here to advance the morals of society and
while so many missionaries are engaged for
foreign lands, the question naturally sugges.
Itself, why not work here and elsewhere frstl
visited the Willamette valley, which ex-
tends north and south about 10 miles, and
is on an average about forty miles wide. 1t
has the Cascade mountains on tie east and
the coast range on the west Wkeat is the
staple product, but oats, barley, We and al
] Of e.