Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 2.djvu/76

 chairman of the state central committee of the Union party, a combination of republicans and war democrats, who in 1862 carried Oregon for the Union. Two years later, when thirty years of age, he was chosen mayor of Portland and his administration constituted an era of development, improvement and reform in connection with Portland's affairs. During his first administration a new city charter was obtained, a system of street improvements adopted and much good work was done. So uniform was the endorsement of his first term that at his reelection there were only five dissenting votes. In 1873 he was chosen for a third term and as chief executive of the city he advocated and supported much municipal legislation which is still felt in its beneficial effects in Portland. In 1885 he became a member of the water committee and when that committee was organized was unanimously chosen chairman, thus serving until his death. He was never bitterly aggressive in politics nor indulged in person- alities. He believed in the principles which he advocated and, therefore, sup- ported them, but he allowed to each the right to individual opinion. His marvel- ous judgment and powers of exact calculation are well illustrated by his service as chairman of the water committee. For many years he, substantially unaided, annually made the estimates required by law of the receipts and expenditures of the committee for the year next ensuing. These estimates are, under the varied circumstances necessarily considered in making them, characteristic of him, and some of them are marvels of exactness. His estimate of the cost of operation, maintenance, repairs and interest for the year 1893 was one hundred thousand dollars and the actual outlay was one hundred thousand, two hundred and eleven dollars and ninety-one cents. His estimate of receipts for the year 1892 was two hundred and forty thousand dollars, and the receipts actually collected were two hundred, thirty-seven thousand, three hundred dollars and eighty-five cents. His estimate of the receipts for the year 1897 was two hundred and thirty-two thousand dollars. The amount actually collected was two hundred, thirty-one thousand, eight hundred and sixty dollars and ninety-five cents. The magnitude of the task of making these estimates is emphasized when the fact is considered that not only the fluctuations in the population of a large city must be considered but climatic conditions anticipated, and the amount of water consumed in irrigation based thereon ; the amount of building and the volume of trade considered, and an estimate made of the water con- sumed in building and in the use of elevators. These various sources of revenue were all carefully considered and estimates made w-hich were in excess of the actual income in but trifling amounts.

Not only in the field of politics did Mr. Failing put forth effort that had direct bearing upon the welfare of Portland, for in many other ways his labors were of equal value. No good work done in the name of charity or religion sought his cooperation in vain. He gave freely and generously of his means and of his time to support beneficial public projects. Chosen a regent of the Uni- versity of Oregon, he was made president of the board and so continued until his death, which occurred November 8, 1898. He was also a trustee and treas- urer of the Pacific University, the oldest educational institution of the state. Ha was a generous contributor to and active worker in the First Baptist church of Portland and the Baptist Society, of which he long served as president. He was the treasurer of the Children's Home and his heart and hand reached out in ready .sympathy and aid to all who needed assistance. He was associated with William S. Ladd and H. W. Corbett in purchasing and laying out the grounds of Riverside cemetery and the beautiful city of the dead is, as it were, a monument to his efi^orts in that direction. He labored earnestly and effectively for the Portland Library Association, of which he was president, and his benevolence and enterprise largely made possible the erection of the library building. Coming to Portland in pioneer times, he lived for forty-seven years to witness its growth and upbuilding. No duty devolving upon him was neglected and no opportunity to aid his city was passed by headlessly. He was still