The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1902-03-07
Some Observations,

Hood River, Feb. "A, 1902.-Editor
Glacier: | have observed with keen
enjoyment the interest taken in the de-
bates between 0dell and Pine Grove lit
erary societies. One of the most desira-
bic accomplishments Of a>man is to be
able to stand before an audience OF his
fellows and logically, fuently and grace
fully present to them his views upon
any subject under discussion, Itstrength-
ems, deepens and broadens the character
OF man and gives him advantages over
his fellows not to be attained otherwise
by birth or wealth or other favorable
circumstances. Our future statesmen,
politicians, leaders in the business and
social world are to be recruited from the
ranks OF the rising generation. If a
young man has ambition for q prOmi-
nent place in any of these avenues lead
ing to distinction in the ranks of his
fellows, a mastery over himself and his
speech will give to him an almost ire
sistible force, while lack of this will
prove an almost insurmountable handi-
cap to his career. Let our young men
zealously study to acquit themselves
with honor in the debate, and Hood River
may lead the world in statecraft as well
as in horticulture.
| have observed with a great deal OF
modification, disgust and personal in
convenience, the condition of some OF
our public highways in the valley. A
little fall OF snow followed by chinook
breeze with gentle rain, a typical pro-
gramme of the weather department OF
the valley, places many stretches OF our
roads in an almost impassable condition
for time, and even when the admira-
BILE qualities OF our soil and climate has
restored the roads to solid condition in
few days again, they are always LETT
in more or less rough condition by rea-
son of the numerous ruts, chuck holes
and new stones protruding where the
dirt had worn or washed away. The
amount. of time and money expended to
keep the roads III even passabe condi-
tion by our present methods for few
years, would,if expended in the purchase
of rock crusher and the manipulation
of the same, shortly place our roads in
such shape that nothing short Of
an earthquake would affect their soldity
Washington and Multnomah counties
tried this experiment years ago ovel
roads many times worse than our very
worst in the neighborhood OF Raleigh
and Beaverton particularly, and they
met with such abundant success that
when last heard from they proposed tC
concrete the entire district. Where ir
years past it was hardly possible to pass
on horseback, teams may now haul one
and one-hai to two cords OF wood ovel
roads as solid as adamant and clean and
smooth as a bicycle path, After being
thus treated with crushed rock ten pei
cent of the present expense would keel
the roads in fine shape Is not this a
pertinent question for our county com
missioners to consider? Such roads
would double the value ofour holdings ir
some parts Of the valley.
| have observed with some amuse
ment and considerable contempt the
sraining at gnat and the swallowing
OF the camel resorted to by some of oui
self-righteous male or female citizens
who appear to have been attacked by 8
severe spasm from the suferings of q
worthless cur, of which latter, HOOD
River is certainly abundantly accursed
If a cat or q dog cannot be taught to bt
decent about the premises, perhaps The
best thing that can be done is to kill it
but life is sweet to even a filthy dog OF
cat and many people, mercifully they
think, prefer to let them shift for them
selves rather than to kill them. Their,
is another ANIMAL one of Goods Great
ures, the genus homo, for which thes
people who have been suffering iron
this spasm of tenderheartedness seem {,
have no pity. A little more kindnes
shown to specimens Of this genus, boil
male and female, by all people woult
greatly reduce suffering, sin, disgrace
desertions and divorces, ,and an increas
in health, wealth and the pursuit G
happiness. Let every woman. give {
her husband the caresses and kisses sh
does to Il filthy cur or nasty cat an
the husband bestows upon his wife tn
same tender solicitude and affection h
often does upon cat or dog or horse an
there would be little occasion for a hr
name society. "Them's my sentiments.
UNCLE Ike.