Year: 1862

entertaining and cites me to the remark
able occurrence of the landing of the
steamer Julia every night at her wharf. 1t
may be "big fun" for him to sit up till
eleven or twelve o'clock at night to witness
her arrivals; but for myself must confess
it would be exceedingly cheap amusement.
The only particular qualification her ar
rival has ever afforded me was when had
waited at the portage" three or four hours,
in the highly salubrious atmosphere of the
Company's warehouse. He says the ocean
steamers reach here once in two weeks, and
thinks this fact ought to contribute excite
ment enough to last an up-country individ-
ual month. Well. I've missed these
two great sources of incident and amuse-
ment, and the people above must pardon
the direliction. The editor recommends
"Dennison's Opera House" as the only
play acting amusement in town at present.
The opera is very good-embracing songs,
dances and farce[but what are the attrac-
tions of a niger show ,one who has had
the exquisite delight of repeatedly witness
ing the unparalleled dramatic representa-
tions of the Walla Walla troupes? Those
who hav mt seen their theatrical displays
may be expected to enjoy the opera. The
meetings of the City Council are also in
stanced as affording fair share of amuse-
ment to spectators. The proceedings of
this body are no doubt interesting to those
who have taxes to pay, and more especially
so just now, as the Council have got into a
squabble in regaru to the manner of appro-
priating the public funds. 1t seems there
are two parties in the Council, about even
ly divided, an engine and an anti-engine
party. One party goes in for expending
the ''last dollar" fer engines and engine
buildings-the other is equally unanimous
in favor of expending it for the improve
ment of streets. And under their peculiar
style of working the difference is moi likely
to be adjusted, for whenever one party finds
itself in the minority, it is only necessary
| for a few members to skedaddle and leave
the Council without quorum. But the
meetings of this body, so far from being
entertaining to the spectator, are quite
common place-not to say extremely dull
! There was a time during the first year or
two of the administration of city govern
ment in Portland-when the meetings Of
the Common Council were a source of in
finite amusement and side-splittins fun. 1t
was time when commoners, elevated to
the position of "city fathers" assumed the
airs and dignity of lords time when the
| position was esteemed by its recipient as
distinguished token of honor. 1t was
time when the art of public speaking was
in embryo; when the members arose and
with the stereotyped phrase, "unaccus-
toned as l am to public speaking" hesita


tingly resumed their seats. 1t was at this
time that the celebrated, unique and novel
address Of the President to the Council,
was delivered, and which run in these
words: Gentlemen, all I've got to say is,
you done me up brown; a good deal
browner than expected" But those good
old days of homespun legislation and brief
address are past and gone, and who shall
say that they did not in every respect sub
serve the public interests.


The opposition steamboat company, on
the Columbia and Willamette rivers, intend
to have all their boats in running order and
on the line within three months from this
time. But few new boats will be built, as
arrangements have been made by which
the old opposition interests have been
merged in the new company now forming.
am told by one of the corporators that
the Columbia River Transportation Compa-
ny have recently had meeting, elected
new board of directors, and are going for
ward under the charter granted last winter.
| am also informed that Bush has assigned
to them the right of way at the Cascades,
and that in conjunction with the new COM
pany they are to build plank road over
the portage for the transportation of their
freight. This opposition now getting up
may be designed as permanent institution
for the transportation of freight and passen-
gers over the wate1s of the Columbia and
Willamette, but its arrangements SO far,
naturally lead one to think that it will be
an opposition so long as it pays. The shifts
they are making to avoid the investments
commensurate with the undertaking to be
successful, are an unfavorable omen in the
outstart. They may possibly succeed in
winning tAe public favor and patronage, ard
for time do a successful business in spite
of the vastly superior advantages of the old
company; but any opposition in order to
be permanently successful. must make its
advantages equal to the other line, and
must put its freight and passengers through
with the same expedition and at as low
rates. Can and will the opposition line
! now CONTEMPLATED do this much IF they