The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-02-01
DUTIES OF THE STATE.

The state bears more intimate re-
lation to the people as relations of
the world With nature change, and
they vary as the minds of inventors
become more Imbued with natures
forces. The state has greater duties
because there is so much more for it
to take consequence of. The ancient
world was represented by the man on
horseback and the muleteer or camel
driver. These were types of place
and power, but to-day wealth has DIS
carded the saddle for the Pullman
palace car, the muleteer and camel
even the prairie schooner-have been.
discarded for the heavy freight trains
that move hundreds of tons. The
slow sailing ship is replaced by the
ubiquitous steamer. In every de-
partment of life we see the whirl of
steam and the fash of electricity, the
man who expects law and commerce
to go the same roads legislation and
trade travelled in the past. has failed
to catch the impulse OF the times.
While this ia so, we must hold a,
check on unreason and curb the ex-
travsgance that would rush headlong.
Oregon has never gone wildly into
schemes The greatest Investment
made has been to secure the locks
and canal at the falls of the William
cite. There has, since their con-
structiOn. been q check on monopoly
and the farmers of the Willamette
have found the worth Of this. great
work in the saving it has made for
them.
The success Of this undertaking is
encouragement for similar work where
it may be needed. Western Oregon
has had the advantage and benefits
of this work and eastern Oregon
stands waiting for some liberality
from the state in furnishing facilities
for transportation there. The COVER
nor wisely recommends that a small
tax be levied to construct ship rail.
way at the Dalles and have it COM
pleted by the time the canal and locks
are finished at the Cascades. East
ern Oregon-and Washington too, for
that matter-want the obstacles at
the Dalles removed. Eads's railway
scheme can be safely tried at the
Dalles and success in smaller way
will aid to perfect the idea for enter
prises on larger scale.
Oregon can more appropriately aid
such schemes as will build up the
state than local measures that are
questionable. There is no question
as to the value of the Dalles railway.
1t must aid the entire state by maxi
ing communication cheaper between
sections. Transportation is now the
key to prosperity; commercial great
ness is governed by the fact of pos
sessing such facilities as will control
trade. Portland needs all such i'm
provements, and this county will pay
its full proportion of the cost. East
ern Oregon has right to considera-
tion. But no sectional jealousy
should exist, no close figuring OF
rights be necessary. The state can
and should help all sections accord
ing to its means and their needs.
Oregon is not poor-the assessment
rolls to the contrary-and can raise
money for just and proper enterprises
at small interest, or can provide tax
to meet the cost. The state should
be justly liberal, should practice econ.
omy by p roviding much needed facil.
!, tiles and so enrich the people
There is a withholding that leadeth
to poverty" and there is just libef'
ality that is sure to bring recon-
pen se,-OTe0onian.