which is going on east of the Cascades, of the enormous crops of wheat which swell the commerce of the port cities, of the wealth represented by millions of cattle, sheep and horses, all of which serves to support state government and activities. The east, while a little contemptuous of the more conservative west, respects it nevertheless as both the more populous and more developed region. Particularly do the easterners show consideration for the cities which are the commercial entrepots of these states. More or less trading goes forward at legislative sessions. The east—like all newer sections—feels itself badly treated in the distribution of state institutions, most of which are located in the west, and various attempts have been made with only partial success to balance the respective interests of the sections. On the whole, serious misunderstandings have generally been evaded.
A great point in the mitigation of sectional strife has been the fact that lines of communication cut across these states from east to west. The main railways either cross the Cascade Mountains or follow the line of the Columbia to tide-water. Feeders extend inland from these main lines. The Eastern Oregon town of Bend, on the Des Chutes, almost directly east of the Willamette Valley town of Eugene, is now within a few hours of Portland and her people feel as closely bound to their sea-port as do the residents of Eugene. Thus the social and economic influence of commerce is overcoming momentous natural forces in producing a genuine commonwealth sentiment in these states.
