The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1893-05-06
NER BLOOD NEEDED.

The Oregonian had a timely article
yesterday in relation TO the lack oi
enterprise in this state in not passing
the appropriation bill two years age
for proper exhibit at the worlds
fair. Washington's building on the
grounds is the wonder and admiration
of all visitors, and Oregon could have
constructed one equally as good in
every respect, and which would have
afforded a fine display of our native
woods. The taxes per capita WOULD
have been hardly appreciable, and this
opportunity of advertising to the worlc
the varieties of our forest trees would
not have been neglected. If $25O,OO(
had been spent for this purpose il
would have returned ten-fold. AS il
is, Oregon will hardly be known il
Chicago, and Washington, Idaho ano
Montana will be considered the great
states of the northwest.
The reason of this failure to appre-
ciate such opportunities for advertising
our resources the Oregoaiaaa lays to
the lack of immigration in the last few
years, and the aversion felt by our
people to any change from old meth
ods. Our neighboring state has re-
ce:ved an infusion of new blood, and,
in consequence, she has rapidly de-
veloped. Oregon is better adapted to
farming, has more mineral wealth and
richer natural resources; but she re-
maiIs inactive and desires no innova-
tion. This may be severe criticism
upon the old citizens of this state, but
facts will substantiate its correctness,
If the pioneers had found a less
fruitful region in the Willamette val
ley they would have acquired more
energy, and the development of the
state would have been farther ad-
vanced. Perhaps this may be true OF
Eastern Oregon In some particulars,
for there are many methods followed
east of The mountains that are not
conducive to growth and development.
This region was settled principally by
immigrants from the western counties
of the state, and they carried with
them their notions Of ease ard quiet.
But it is not only in regard 10 the
worlds fair appropriation that the
need of new blood is shown. Until
recently there were very few manufac-
turing industries in Oregon,a ,and thous-
ands of dollars were sent east annu-
ally for articles that could have easily
been made at home. There has been
little improvement in this regard,
but there are not yet half the factories
In operation that should be with the
numerous facilities for water power
that exist. Buy at home, and thus
keep all the money possible in circu-
lation in the locality, is good rule for
any community to follow, and this is
almost completely ignored in Oregon.
On the shelves of almost any store can
be seen foreign articles that could be
made at home; and the blllheads, let
ter heads and envelopes of large
number of business establishments are
printed in Chicago or St. Louis. Even
tax.recelpts are sometimes imported
from these same cities, and the printed
stationery used by public officials have
been furnished by eastern houses.
Such methods have the tendency to
kill local industries, and no country
can prosper while the money paid for
canned fruits and vegetables,
printed stationery and household COM
modities is a constant drain from the
of the people. The lake that
only has outlets will soon become dry.
Oregon needs active, enterprising men,
who understand the rules of business,
and who will not send dollar away
when it can be spent at home to ad-
Immigration will accomplish
this, and, with proper exhibit at Chi
cago, the state would, in few years,
have enjoyed much needed impulse
toward industrial advancement.