, 1858-03-05
EHRHAMn y

=. We had originally intended to have re-
piled somewhat at length to the Olympia
correspondent of the Oregon Statcsman-
DURHAM" but have concluded, briefly, to
refer to some errors into which that person
age has fallen, in his communication to that
paper, published January, 18th.
In speaking of the location question, the
writer says: when the river county delega-
ton presented their bill on the subject
Tthe PcnitentiaryJ Ia move was Anade by
the Sound representatives to remove the
Penitentary to Olympia" 1t is true that
such move was made by the members of
the Pierce county delegation, but it met
with no support, we believe, by representa-
tiyes from any other county on the Sound,
and was only intended to postpone, and if
possible, kill both the Capital and Peniten-
tiary bills
The correspondent then AYERS that "the
body show a bad hand, politically" that
"the hopes expressed in former letter with
reference to the old whg' element there.
will not be realized" &c. This has refer
ence to the gentlemen selected as commits
sioners for the erection Of the Capitol. We
arc free to confess that we were not entire
Iy pleased with the selection That we
would have made a'change in the board,
had it been left to our individual choice we
will not deny; but knowing full well that
but little progress would be made in the
erection of the Capitol the present season,
added to desire to put the location ques
ton at rest, amongst other considerations,
induced an acquicscence, perhaps, where,
under other circumstances, opposition would
have been met with. DURHAM says,
zone is a man who was elected 10 the Leg
islature two years ago, by Knownothing
votes" &c, and that another was and
yet is, doubtless, The great high priest Of
Kuownothngism, and is to-day federal
ist," &c. Neither Of the commissioners
we're elected to, or held a seat in the legis-
lature two years ago; and as for the charge
Of Knownolhingism against one of the
commissioners, it is well understood, here,
that the organization has disbandcd, and
has not had political existence in the Ter
ritory since the summer of 1855. We
have reason to knOto, moreover that for the
last two years, both the commissioners al
luded to, hare roted The straight democratic
ticket, Had not Durham" been somewhat
tender footed" in searching he might have
found preccdents, as paOtion for the legis-
lature in the premises.
AS it may have escaped his memory, we
desire to call the attention Of Durham I"
to the following resolution, unanimously
adopted at the Territorial Convention at
DREw's Mill, Lewis county, May 18th,
1851, as further in extenuation Of the ac-
tion Of the legislature in the appointment
of the commissioners referred to:
"Resolved That we hail as Democrats ALL, ichat-
srer heretofore may hare been their political creed
who will unite with us in support Of our principles
and cordially and honestly aid us In rolling back the
tide Of anatacism that is threatening to enguph our
beloved Union"
In reply to the balance Of the communi-
cation of "Durham," we would remark that
ifit Indicates disregard for the policy Of
our party, which is wholly inexcusable in
any body claiming to DO democratic" that
the late Legislature adopted a series of reso-
lntions, endorsing The action of the U. S.
Supreme Court in the Dred Scott case
approving the principles of the Kansas
Nebraska Bill, and approving of the policy
Of the present administration so far as de-
veloped-if such endorsement be dnli-dem-
Ocratie, then is Durham correct in the
record
We know nothing concerning the petit
ton said to have been gotten up and sign
ed, recommending that Judge SrRoNG be
appointed to the bench; but if such peti-
ton was in circulation. we do not believe
that it was ever forwarded TO Washington
City.