Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-12-28
DENoUNc1Na PENNoYER.
Resolutions Adopted at the Meeting
of the Salem Board of Trade.

The many people who have come
here through the circulation Of the
JOURNAL in Eastern states, and the
many readers Of the JOURNAL now in
those states Will be curious TO know
how the statements of Governor PEN
noyer as to existing desJitution are re-
ceived by the people of Salem.
Outside of those who like the govern
or or professional calamity howlers for
votes and revenue, the people of Salem
and Oregon universally denounce his
exaggeration of the distress prevailing
all over the country, but well known
by all close observers and travelling
men to be less prevalent In Oregon
than elsewhere. Even the more intel
llGent Populists admit he has overstated
the facts.
PRESIDENT CoTTLE'S REMARKS.
Chairman Cottle announced that the
meeting was a public one of the Salem
board of trade and citizens of Salem
generally, and had been called for the
purpose of taking some action upon the
Christmas letter addressed to President
Cleveland by the governor of Oregon,
In wbich 1t was stated that about one
quarter of million of Oregon's popula.
ton were out of employment and l00,-
900 more were in destitute crcum-
stances. Continuing, Mr.. Cottle said,
that between the several boards of trade
and chambers of commerce throughout
the state, together with the work done
by the Oregon worlds fair commission,
this state had been widely and honest.
ly advertised and that practical and
flattering results had accrued aud were
still accrning from these efforts, and
that he, with many others, felt that
the effect of the governors false state
mentss throughout the East would he
disastrous to the state unless counter.
acted in some forcible way.
Remarks were made by number of
gentleman, and the most favorable
thing said of the governors letter was
that it would represent matters as be-
ing 80 much worse in Oregon than else
where that 1t would keep even tramps
away.
A committee consisting of E. Hofer
of THE JOURNAL, e. H. Flagg-editor
Of the Democrat and A. 1. Wagner
drew up the following, which was un-
animously adopted:
THE RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, The governor of the state
of Oregon has abused the official POSI-
tiOn conferred upon him by The people,
by addressing to the president of the
United States letter containing GER
tain statements injurious to the com
monwealth and CALCULATED to create
an erroneous impression in the minds Of
those not acquainted with the facts,
thereby deterring those who might
contemplate engaging ia productive
industries here, therefore:
Resolved, That we, the board of trade
and business men of Salem most EN-
phatically deny the assertions of the
governor aud brand his statements AZ
false, and aver that Notwithstanding
the prevailing depression, there Is no
widespread destitution or actual want
in Oregon, and that the governor in
claiming two-thiris of our people are
without employment, while one-thrd
are without means of subsistence, was
guilty of gross Misrepresentation, and
we request our representatives in con-
gress To present these resolutions.to the
president Of the United States, and to
deny in both senate and house the
truth of the QOVernOr'a atAtamenta
While admitting that Oregon ia suffer
ing from the prevailing hard times, we
confidently claim that there is less pow
erty here, in proportion to the popula
tiOn, than in any state in the Union,
and the prospects for the future are ex-
cellent."
(Signed) Albert I. Wagner, Secy.
Salem board of trade.