The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1893-01-28
EASTERN oREGoN's HOPE.

IF those people in the valley who are
SO very anxious to see the state put up
$4O0, 900 for the Willamette falls canal
and locks are in earnest, they must
give the people of the Inland Empire
credit for just as much honesty of pur
pose in the pursuit of our plan to open
the Columbia river by the enactment of
the RaIey bill for the dalles portage
railway. The Columbia is one of the
natural highways of this nation, and its
improvement opens up an empire OF
territory. it is 4 work for the United
States government to perform, but the
people are sick anu disgusted with wait
ing. The canal and locks at the cas-
cades of the Columbia will be finished
next year by the general government,
and the Inland Empire cannot afford to
wait another twenty years for some
kind of relief above The Dailes. These
people have asked for the tenn porary
relief which hay he afforded by the
construction of the portage railway pro
vided for in Mr. Raley's bill. This
measure is certainly OF as much import
ance to us as the proposition to pur-
chase the Willamette canal and locks at
100000 is to the people of the valley.
We are IL unit on the proposition, how
ever, Of having the state own the canal
and locks at the Willamette falls; East
ern Oregon has never wavered in her
support of any meritorious act for the
benefit of any division of Oregon, and
we expect equal fairness from others.
In another column today is reproduced
an article from the Oregonian yesterday
which might have done this region
much good had it appeared before the
supposed death of the Raley bill on the
25th. In this connection we take pleas
ure in copying the following from the
Telegram of last night:
Eastern Oregon has made a gallant
fight for the portage railway bill. Their
forlorn hope made hard struggle, but
it was outvoted. Portland cannot help
pathizing with the Inland Empire,
and it is doubtful if part of the Multno-
mah delegation thoroughly represented
the wishes OF their constituents when
they voted against the bill 1t may be
that the majority did right in defeating
the measure, and its reconsideration or
dered yesterday Will probably not result
in its success, but still Eastern Oregon
must be given credit for sincerity in sup
porting the bill and having excellent
reasons in urging its passage. That sec
tion will also keep record of those men
who favored or opposed it, for future use
when they may be running for Office.
Unless a person has closely followed the
sentiment of Eastern Oregon, observed
the feelings carefully of the towns there
and the farming sections, he cannot ap-
preciate how much they longed for the
passage OF this BILL Its defeat is bit
ter pill for them. The national govern
ment is SO slow that its methods are
tantalizing and irritating, and the ap-
peal to the state is the cry of the people
who are in need. II the portage road,
Eastern Oregon saw an aid to business
and impetus to growth that would far
counterbalance the cost of construction.
The senators from the Willamette valley
evidently failed to see the question in
that light. 1t cannot be expected that
all important and expensive legislation
is to benefit the whole state, nor should
the fact that Portland as well as East
ern Oregon would be benefited act as a
selfish check. If tbe state is to make
any large appropriation, there are few
Improvements more worthy than this. "
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