The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1893-05-05
ADDRESS TO CITIZENS.

fully apparent to our law abiding
who have given thought to
me matter and know the facts, that
the laws which were framed and
adopted for the purpose of securing
good order and suppressing vice in
our city, and Of preventing our !
young men and our children from
being debauched, are not enforced.
Of the truth of this statement abun-
dant illustrations can be adduced.
The law-defying element is thus en-
dangering the sanctity, not only Of
every home, but also of those young
people whom we have invited into
our midst, and who, for the time
being, are our guests. ave are our
brothers keeper, and will be held
responsible therefor" This want
of the enforcement of laws is endan-
gering the welfare of the state insti-
tuition located in our midst and it
has come to this, that either the Of
fcials Of the city must see that the
laws are enforced, Or our whole
community will suffer serious in
jury.
The time has come when the law
abiding element of Corvallis must
arise in it's strength and determine
whether or not such a condition of
things shall continue, and we must
say whether we shall continue to
elect men to Office simply to honor
them, or whether we shall demand
faithful performance of duty, and
rigid execution of our laws.
A Law and Order League has
been organized, especially for the
purpose of meeting ond combating
the evils in question, and for secur-
ing the enforcement of the laws op-
posed to them. We ask the earnest
cooperation Of all in our city who
desire the suppression of these flag
rant evils, and the inauguration of
better system Of things. We have
at heart the interests of Corvallis,
morally, socially and financially.
The revenue derived from the insti-
tutions in our midst, that are the
source and promoters of law-break-
ing, does not compare for moment
with the financial benefits derived
from the presence of the college,
which, without any attendant evils,
is the source of untold blessings.
The former pay into our city treas
ury about $4,000 each year, whilst
the college, in the same time, dis
burses in our community from $780,
loco to 100000. The removal of
the college would at once cause a
decrease in the value of property of
from 30 to so per cent, and would
remove from our community an ell
ement of population, composed OF
highly-educated. trained and disci-
plined minds, which does much to
promote the intellectually, refine
ment and culture, which creates in
every college town the pure and
inspiring atmosphere, for which they
are Justly celebrated.
In view of the ease with which
minors and even children can Sc
cure intoxicating drinks at any
time, and in view of the induce
| ments to haunts of vice and de-
| bauchery, which are SO manifold in
Jour midst, it has become a question
whether Corvallis is not rapidly un-
fitting itself to become the perma-
nent home of the State agricultural
college. Can we afford to lose it,or
even permit its present prosperity
to be endangered by a decrease in
the number of students in atten-
dance? Will we permit the law
breaking clement of our communi-
ty to undo the work the better class
is trying to accomplish? Can we
afford to lower the moral tone OF
the city? VIII we permit these
evils to increase in influence until
our very homes are no longer Sc
lcure?
| Citizens of Corvallis,we call upon
you to Join hands in an honest ef-
fort to secure the enforcement of
law and the suppression of the evils
which those laws are designed to