The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-02-13
OBSERVATIONS
ON OREGON
n Former Iowa Newspaper Man
Discusses His New
Home

especially in real estate, and there was
extravaganza in nearly all public affairs
Men with supposed fortunes in hand in
dulged in every luxury and lived like
princes. Nothing was too good or too
expensive, and public business was con
Quoted on the same liberal scale. Costly
improvements were made 10y towns and
cities, public debts we're piled up and
whole communities went dashing ah, ad
as il there never could come day Of
reckoning and settlement But the day
came, Notwithstanding, and it has been
hard shedding to get back to bed rock,
but that necessity is upon us.
Oregon has about 100000 inhabitants.
and Portland has fourth Of them.
This city is largely the state, but its
business mas been badly and extravagant-
ly managed. rs debt is in the vicinity
of s6,0Oo,0OO, drawing and per cent,
and taxes have not been collected
promptly. many OF them being delin.
quent for ten years or more. Men
bought real estate in flush times on
speculation and when the crash came
and sales could not be made, they stood
the collectors off, year by year, hoping
that something would happen to rescue
them from their peril. But they have
waited in vain. OF course this state OF
affairs could not continue and a decided
effort has been made, the past year, to
clear mp the record Tax collecting be-
gan in earnest for back years, and the
assessors valuation for 1895 was greatly
reduced. The valuation was $3I ,G50, III
at Sll ,2l0, ,693 below that OF 1898. The
heaviest reduction was Sc, l39, ,526 in
town lots, and $,2li, ,sO7 on improvements
on lots, and on household Furniture from
100000 in 1898 TO Sl6j,9lO for 1899, a
cut OF nearly one-half. Getting sober is
not pleasant, but it is profitable and
necessary. 1t will take years to clear up
the wreck, but in spite OF this handicap
1 believe there is a grand future before
this Northwest country, aud the disabil-
tiles and burdens OF old aud involved
citizens will give additional opportuni-
tics TO immigrants who come here with
means in their hands and foresight
enough to keep ont OF debt. II Is not
pleasant thought that one mans loss is
another's gain, but such seems to be the
way of the world, and am not philoso.
phizing, but trying to state facts for the
information OF your readers who may be
interested in this part Of the Pacific
coast
A largo per cent OF the property Of
this city and state has been and is yet
under mortgage, It came about as
have described above, but up through
the Willamette valley, the first generally
settled portion Of the state, other causes
must be sought. The early settlers from
the Mississippi valley we're generally
men OF force and energy. They worked 4
hard end made comfortable hc,mes. Il
TUNED out, however, that the climate
here enabled them 10 live with half the |
effort required in Illinois or Missouri
and this spoiled the next generation.
They grew up in comparative idleness
aud when the old folks died and the
children got bold nj the property, when
they wanted money, they mortgaged il.
As an old settler said To me few days
ogo, They just turn the calves to the
COWS and 90 down 10 the coast fishing
aud hunting The consequence is that
many neglected or !oorly conducted
h"fAt" 81 ANA 9ttfN AZ ANArbAablH AiFAltrf
and ia the hands 0i experienced farmers
who are used 20 work would certainly
prove TO be profitable Investments.
Only about one-quarter Of the area OF
the state can be turned 10 agricultural
account, but these available acres pro-
duco good crops Of all kinds oSgraiu ex.
cept corn. They told me down at Ash
land, the s5usIeJn border 81 tAo stats,
lase summer. that as much az hlty
bushels Of corn had BEEN raised - th's
acre in that vicinity, but what 1 saw
growing did not seem 20 promise more
fhsu Ten or fifteen bushels II looked
% w1y and stunted that sighed for
the co-nhelds Of Iowa. sith two large
ears and nuhbin 10 each s'aIk but il
would not he fair 70 have all the good
things ia one place, NOT sran 10 accom-
nodaie Anglo-saxons ara spread the
higher civilization
q To show something OF the grains thar