Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1886-11-04

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

If We are to take the Oregonian as
stating the real sentiment of the business
men Of Portland It is evident that they
bsgn to realize that they have been
ignoring their true business relations
with the people of the Columbia basin
to the detriment of the latter, and arc
now losing confidence and business with
the interior, and say that "it is right
that the country should insist upon re.
ciprocity in this matter"
This is concession which they should
have made years ago. The Oregonian
of Oct. 27, says:
There are many evidences that the
prejudice against Portland which has
long prevailed in the interior of the
state and in the Columbia river basin is
giving way to sentiment much more
reasonable and just, and much better cal
culated to promote tho meny interests
which the town and country have in
common. 1t must be admitted that
this prejudice has not been entirely with
out reason, although, after the habit Of
pr judice, it has not been dscrim: mating
nor just. Portland as an institution (if
We may so speak, has been charged with
the faults of few greedy men Of bust
ness and Il few unscrupolous politicians,
and has suffered the blame due 10 justice
not to herself but to greedy few.
| The i'll feeling toward Portland in the
Willamette valley, for example, has
grown almost wholly out Of a corrupt
and wicked domination in politics, bs.
ginning in 1863 and not yet entirely
overthrow. The political machine
organized Inside the dominant party
shortly after the advent of Ben. Holla.
lay, with headquarters iu Portland, has
ridden rough shod over the interests Of
the valley and over the ambitions Of is
leading men. 1t has shaped legislation
to suit its own ends, selected for Office iu
the various counties its own agents and
given the people no choice but to sub.
init. 1t has elevated its own managers
to dishonor honorable positions, aud
closed the door Of political advancement
against every valley man Of high or in.
dependent character. An outraged peo-
pie, not closely discriminating between
the city and few bad men in il, have
charged their whole account Of honest
wrath against Portland aud have hated
her accordingly. 1t has not been borne
in mind, perhaps not really understood.
that Portland, like the valley, has been
under the same bitter rule all these years.
1t has escaped con ,idcration, and possibly
notice, that this organization, when il
rose to wickedness and power and ex.
posed its system and purposes, va,
! abandoned by large body ofmen who
formerly had made the strength of the
republican party in Portland. These
} men have since maintained . constant
fight against the corrupt machine, and
although from time to time they have
beaten it down, have never been able Il
+. triumph over it permanently. The peo'
! pie Of the valley are seeing at last tha
it isl political ring and mot the cit,
which merits their ill-will, and they ar'
beginning to zee that il every relation
Of natural interest they are allied 4
Portland and that Portland Is allied d
them-partuens 80 to speak for better o
for worse.
a In the Columbia river basin prejudice
p against Portland has been quite = pr
nounced as 10 the Willamette valley, hn
!. il had its origin in very di6srsat cauaa
Tho people in that section have sulsgei
for twenty-five ysas under severe e
: actions 10 tho matter Of freight oasriaee
All their freights have gone 70 o. 60
from Portland, and IN thsir minds III
city Ass bses slnociatsd With az uhi61
vIhs besa excessive AID gFisvssG ~