Weston weekly leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 1878-189?, 1885-08-21
Wastea Weekly Leader.
FRTDAY, AUGUST 2l, 1885.
NOT many years ago it would

NOT many years ago 1t would 3
have been difficult to convince many
farmers tha. the rate Of freight
from Blue Mountain or Centerville
10 Portland would ever be as low
as six dollars per ton. The build
ing of the railroad along the un-
navigable Columbia river has re.
suited in o great reduction of
freight rates. Farmers and ship
pefs appreciate this. While con-
tending for cheaper rates of trans
portation they are not unmindfuI
of the benefits already received.
j. matters not what motives may
have induced the benevolent monop.
oily to make the reductions. The
farmers have received the benefit.
But freights are considered high or
low by comparison. There is no
ingratitude in attempting to secure
the lowest possible rates Of trans
portation. Railroad organs would
have us believe that the producers
of the Inland Empire are the black
est ingrates for daring to complain
of the reasonable charges" of the
benevolent monopoly. This is
mere buncombe, worth so much per
line. IF the Columbia riveg was
davigable from Astoria to Wallula,
or if there was competing line of
railroad across the Cascades to Pu-
get Sound, the o. r. &. n. Co.
could afford to haul wheat from
Blue Mountain to Portland for con,
slderably less than six dollars per
ton. The fact that it has monop.
oily of the traffic is all that prevents
it from doing so now. Every cent
saved on transportation is clear
gain TO the farmer. If he can dc
anything to bring abott better
rates than the benevolent monopoly
is giving him, it is his business .c
do it, 1t may seem hopeless tc
look for free river to the Pacific
but it must come sometime, anc
much may be done to hasten th,
time. Portland's opposition ha
been fully exposed, and it will b,
less powerful in the future in con
trolling the politics and commercial
interests of the State for the exclus
i've benefit of Portland. The vas
and varied resources Of that par
OF Oregon and Washington of whic
the Columbia is the natural Quite
have hecome more generally know
throughout the Union. With pr,
per care in the choice of Represel
tatIve and Senators, national legi
lation on this important subjet
will not be so difficult as in da,
gone by. Despite his promises W
know that We have nothing to e:
lect from Dolph. One honest ei
dcavor is worth ten fair promise
judging from the temper Of Il
last Oregon Legislature it is not (
all probable that q Portland ma
will succeed Slater. L. is of tt
utmost Importance that an able an
genuine friend of the Inland En
pire should be chosen. The peop
of Eastern Oregon should impro
this fact upon their represent
tives, whether Republican or Des
oGratlc. Nero party success is
small thing compared with Il
opening Of .hc Columbia rive
Low freights have become a nece
sity. There has been vast fal
ing off in prices during the last tt
years, in wages and many staple a
ticles. AS the country grows old
there will probably be still! great
falling off. Freights must con
Gown in proportion. The dispo.
tlon Of this question lies largely
the hands Of those most deeply
terested. Will they allow negle
or party politics to prevent its pr
per Adjustment