The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-06-17
SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS.


A correspondent discusses some ques-
lions of interest to Astorians as fol-
lows:
Editor Historian
Word comes to us that, on Tuesday,
the governor pardoned nine convicts out
of the penitentiary Of this state, five
Of whom were serving life sentences.
One OF the latter, Charles Herbert, was
sentenced from this county, for the
murder Of Charles Mcdonald, less than
nine years ago. The eason given by
the governor for the pardon Of Herbert
was that he was not guilty of the crime
charged against him, and for which he
was convicted. l was present in court
during the whole of the Herbert trial,
and heard all of the evidence, and can
safely say that no mistake was made
when the jury found him guilty. II
there wa a mistake made, 1t was when
the Jury found a verdict Of murder in
the second degree, instead Of murder in
the first degree. Charles Herbert, UNI
der cover of the darkness of night, as
sassinated Charles Mcdonald, common
ly called "Scotty," by shooting him with
a pistol, which he had previously pro-
cured for the purpose, hid the pistol in
a lumber pile, fled from the scene Of his
crime, and. when captured, denied the
killing. Such was the evidence, and
yet, within nine years, Herbert is u free
man, restored to full citizenship, by
the pardon of the governor. 1 wonder
how the governor found out that Her
bert was innocent OF the crime for
which he was convicted. l cannot hear
Of his having made inquiries of those
dlslnterested citizens, who are familiar
with the facts in the case.
1000
For some days the chief topic Of con-
v~ersation on the street has been the
high water of the Columbia and the
Willamette at Portland, Quite a discus
sion Is taking place, and quite a differ
ence Of opinion exists, among a number
of the pioneers as to the relative heights
of this and previous floods. Some of
them contend that the flood of 1874 was
higher than the present one; Others that
It was not so high. The latter seem to
have the better of the argument, owing
to the fact of their having, In some In
stances, been engaged in navigating the
waters of the Columbia and Willamette
during the high water times. | was In
Portland last week, looking at the flood,
and was repeatedly asked how the high
water was affecting Astoria. 1t seemed
incredible to the average inlander, when
told that the tides were no higher here
than usual. They supposed. of course,
that the town was entirely submerged,
even though 1t hadn't been swept away
by a tidal wave. The Oregonian finds
fault with the newspapers Of other cities
for speaking of the damage which will
result to Portland by reason Of the high
water, and says the damage Will be
nominal. The fact Is, that most of the
reports of damage from the flood come
ullSCL ITuln IOTlldIlu. WhliC III NhoAit
last week l heard the report, from resi-
dents Of Portland, that certain buildings
had been damaged by the high water. |
do not think the report was true; but l
had the best of reason to believe 1t at
the time. ! am glad to say that do
not believe any Of the substantial build
inpra of Portland will be permanently in
jured by the high water; but that great
damage has been done thereby, 1t Is
useless for the Oregonian to deny. The
expense of moving, as the waters rose,
together with the expense of cleaning
up and putting things to rights again,
MS the waters subslde, will amount to a
considerable sum-, without taking into
consideration the loss to business, and
the cost Of necessary repairs, refltting
and refurnishing.
1000