The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-02-09

Townsend Southern.
The latest proposition to tack on
Alaska as County of Washington is
as amusing as it is foolish. Just what
this state could do with an elephant
several times it's own size, is not plain.
Alaska should remain a territory
under control of the United States,
until in proper condition for state
hood. 1t would take all the cash
Washington could gather up to pro-
tect Alaska and its interests, and this
state is big enough as it is.
~
The Midwinter Fair, jr. opened at
San Francisco on January 9th. and
it was estimated that nearly $4,000
people we're admitted. The exposi-
ton is incomplete in many respects,
but little will be lacking in the origi-
nal plans by the latter part of the
month. Storms delayed much of the
work, and the semi-tropic fair is near
ly an ocean of mud, which, however,
the finishing of the grounds will
cover. The exposition in all, is a
very creditable showing for the enter
prise of California, On such short
notice.
THE Ellensburgh Register discusses
the climatic changes of the last three
years East OF the mountains, and says
that if the changes continue for the
next ten years, the irrigation ques-
ton will be solved for the lands in that
section. From some causes, in which
the removal of timber and clearing
lands must figure to some extent, the
climate on Puget Sound is gradually
undergoing changes. Heavier winds
are more frequent than in past years.
However, owing to the mountain
ranges and the absence of large bare
level stretches, we need never fear
cyclones, and that is a great blessing.
Xxx
SEVERAL Of the weekly papers of
Portland, says the Montesano Vidette,
having favOrably mentioned the name
of Hon. H. w. Scott, editor of the
Oregonian, with the mayorality Of
that city, the gentleman declines to
become a candidate, and very frankly
admits that he couldn't be elected
any way. The editor of q newspaper
is usually, and ought to be, free
lance-praising or criticising without
fear or favor. Such man cannot be
popular in the sense of commanding
votes for himself. A successful politi-
clan is "all things to all men," does
not criticise unless it is policy to do;
is always careful not to commit him
self to a proposition until he feels the
public pulse, and conforms to instead
of creating public opinion. The edi-
tor of the Oregonian is not such a
man; neither is any other editor
worthy the name.
The Wilson bill passed the House
last Thursday, by majority of over
fifty votes, the representatives having
evidently thrown the the warnings of
their constituents to the winds and
followed the Presidents dictates, when
it came to voting. The bill is now in
the Senate, but it will be more than
a month before it comes to vote
before that body, the time being
spent on the income tax provision
tackled on the bill, and considering the
schedules. The Senate is evidently
going to get TO the bottom of it, as
they have sent out a million circula rs
addressed to merchants, manufacture
ers, labor organizations, agriculturists,
board OF trade, ETC., over the entire
country, requesting replies to series
OF questions propounded to each class,
as to their business and the past and
future effect of the tariffs. One of
the questions is to the cause of the
depression and what legislation will
remedy it. This data will be tabulat-
ed and examined, and if the public
opinion does not favor the new tariff
law, in may be promptly turned down.
Opinions are divided as to whether the
bill will pass the Senate, but the
chances favor it. Opinions also diff
fer as to whether its passage will real
ly cause business to settle down, but
we hope it will not get it's work in on
Puget Sound lumber until we get
another start
BROTHER JONATHAN, it is clear can
knock the spots out of John Bull,
whether on land or sea, in any field
where the Yankee matadore encOun-
tiers his bovine antagonist. The de-
feat of the burly Britisher in his eff
forts to retrieve the prize awarded
twenty odd years ago the superiority
of American yachts and seamanshi %
and the summary smashing of his
nose and pride in Corbett's brawny
lists and Herewith OF his expectations
of carrying off the belt of the worlds
championship from America to the
sea-girt isle, are emblematic in their
different ways of his failures to COM
pete with Yankee skill and energy
and enterprise in any of the contests
OF international competition when the
Yankee really sets himself seriously
to work to win. His last defeat on
that low plane of muscular strength.
activity and adroitness in which
Johnny is apt to boast of his superior
lty to the rest of the world, is the
lowest note of the gamut sounded by
the American eagle in his screams OF
victory over the British lion. At the
same time it will be remembered that
IN many things. especially in the
nobler realms of literature and art.
our cousins are still in some respects
Tar ahead of us, and that in many of
OF the practical arts of government
and IN other things besides, we have
much to learn from them.-Pioneer