East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-05-05


situation and it should be remedied
We have state tax commission
What is that commission for il not to
straighten out and prevent just such
!njustices as this? We have an at
torney general. Why should he no,
see that the assessors all obey the law
and do not nuilify such laws as they
find convenient.
If there is no way to secure uni
form observance of this law then the
law should be repealed. Umatiua
county should not be subjected to con-
slant penalty merely because We have
an honest assessor. 1t is a subject
that deserves consideration by the
Commercial Clubs and it is a subject
worthy the attention of the Umatilla
county legislative delegation.
~~~~s~>~~
Reports from Mexico show that the
people OF that mistreated land are ac-
Iuiring a glimmer of
Lifting Their intelligence regarding
Shackles. the actions and mot
ives of the United
States. Huerta for a time was
spreading all sorts of wild stories in
hopes of inflaming sentiment against
US. But the Mexican people, of the
intelligent class at least. are learning
the truth.
The Mexicans are learning that the
United States is not trying to conquer
or invade Mexico. This country is
the friend. not the foe. of the Mex
lean people. President Wilson did not
fall into Huerta's little scheme. We
have rested at Vera Cruz and thus
spoiled his plot which was to make
the Mexicans think this country was
moved by a desire for aggandisement
At Vera Cruz our soldiers and ma
rines have been giving the people the
first period of security they have had
il years. While Funston and the bat
tleships are there order will be pre-
served and the city will be maintain
ed in sanitary condition.
Not the least among the worthy acts
of the Americans at Vera Cruz was
the opening of the Huerta bastile
Since he has been, dictator Huerta
has manifested great tendency to
kill his opponents or place them in
Jail. He has had prisoners in various
places but his most infamous place OF
confinement for personal enemies was
the great castle of San Juan de Uloa
This is located half a mile from shore
on an island in the bay on which
Vera Cruz is built. Parts of it still
in use were begun in 1882. The cost
of the entire construction is said to
have been 40.0OO,0O0 pesos. Some OF
its foul, smothering dungeons are be-
low the sea level.
The doors OF the Paris Bastile
whose keys hang at Mount Vernon,
were opened by the French people
themselves. The doors of the Vera
Cruz Bastile were unlocked by the
American people. The Huerta vic
- Y.A.-o.1d o~ooodo1 Il, rrr,I1ar 81 q
victims of King Louis whose liber-
alton both Dickens and Dumas have
described. One was Ignatius Calder
en-, a historian. perilous profession in
Mexico just now. Another was a
brother-in-law Of the murdered Ma
dero. Still others were men who were
being reduced to the frame of mind
in which they would accept service in
Huerta armies.
These men were entitled to liber-
alton and the action OF the American
authorities in giving freedom to these
political offenders was in line with
the general purpose OF this govern
ment. The purpose is to restore Mex
leo to the Mexicans and Mexicans tc
Mexico. Such a spirit cannot fail tc
win approval for this country.
%~><e>$o~
II viii be interesting to watch th'
attitude Of democrats Of this state al
: the primary election. There is q
! splendid chance for the party TO elee
a governor II DR.. Smith is nominated
) There is no hope for democratic sue
cess IL he is not nominated. Accord
ingly the democrats have the alter
native Of nominating good man wh'
can run under such conditions tina
r he can win or a man who can ruI
E with a moral certainty Of defeat
3 Which course do the democrats pre-
> ferl
e II General Mas fools too long viii
= our friend Funston the reports frOu