Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-06-09

GOSSIP
It is stated that In his next annual
message President Roosevelt will rec
ommend that the balance of $22,00O,000
due this country from China as in
tiemnity for the Boxer outrages be re-
leased from payment on condition that
China devote the money to education.
The claims for American missionary
property destroyed, amounting to $2,-
OO,O0O, have been satisfied, and the
cost of our expedition to Pekin was not
over $1,OO0,00O. An award of $685.
0O0, 900 indemnity to the United States
was felt to be excessive, though not
larger in proportion than the amount
agreed on for the other nations that
marched to the relief or foreigners in
Pekin. But the idea of taking the
country for several reasons. 1t is far
too much, under the circumstances,
and China's helplessness appeals to
sympathy. The plight of the immense
Chinese empire excites compassion. Its
territory is battle ground for other
nations, and the neutrality Of its har-
bors is violated by belligerents. Nom
resistance is terribly poor national
policy. On the part of the United
States there is a sincere wish that
China may be able to claim place
among nations in when 1t can not be
wantonly imposed upon. To hand the
$22, ,000, 900 to China without conditions
might be construed as a criticism on
the countries that take all the indemn-
ity awarded them. But China can ac-
: cept our share as gift to an object
which it holds in high esteem, that Of
education. Americans do not want the
money as a windfall. They wish for
China better times and national Sc
curity, position in the world where It
can respect itself and command the re-
spect of others. The REIMBURSEMENT
= Of the $22,000,00O will strike the peo-
pie Of the United States favorably.
From the United States Census Bu-
r reau has recently come the report Of
E the first complete census of the Phil
3 ippine Islands. Nearly eight thousand
e people were employed in gathering the
statistics, and all but 125 of them
were native Filipinos. This census.
therefore, is the first in modern times
;. which tropical people have made Of
u themselves. Many interesting facts
were disclosed by the canvass of the
. Islands. In the first place, it was
= found that the population numbered
100000; that near 100000 possessed
some degree of civilization and pro-
fessed the Christian religion. 1t was
also discovered that almost the whole
population live in villages, as there
are nearly 14,OOO villages with an av-
erage population of 500. OF the larger
towns, 35 have 5000 population each;
four have 10000; and Manila has 220,-
600. The people own the houses, or
"huts," in which they Hve-only 8
per cent of the houses are rented
: and the farmers own their farms.
About 1900 children are enrolled in
the schools, and they are said to be
eager to learn. The night-schools in
l. Manila, 21 in number, have an enrol
. ment of more than 1000 adults who
. are studying English.
n The Cuban minister, Senior Gonzalo
t. Quesada, says that in some respects
II Havana can give Washington a few
Il points on the management of schools,
y writes correspondent from the capi.
: tal Some months ago the municipal
= authorities of Havana introduced q
system which is gradually becoming
popular in every part of the United
States. It is called the "School City,
and the system means simply govern.
q ing the school as a township, electine
J. a Mayor, Board of Councilmen, and
e, every officer needed for general govern
ment, even to that parsonage who com
Is mands the respect and admiration. OF
ID the small bey in every part of the
"a globe, the policeman. The poor urchins
"a of the Cuban capital ure enthusiastic
over the plan, and the schools are filled
!. to overfowing. Mr.. Quesada is author
= ity for the statement that nothing in
troduced since the Spanish departed
: has SO aroused the pride and gooi
= qualities Of the juveniles.
Of A new carpet has been purchased
te for the United States Senate. Abou
lg 300 yards of material is required, and
ae the cost of the carpet is a trife owe
" $1,000. Carpet concerns all over tn,
h country had their agents in Washing
ton in the hope of landing the con
tract. Colonel Ransdell, sergeant-a at
ia arms, chose green Wilton carpe
" made by a New England firm. Tn
average life Of Senate carpets is fou
- years.
IS.
10 The Panama railway board of direc
tors has decided to double-track th
ru road across the isthmus to acconrnc