The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-11-03

Oregon Spectator, published semi-weekly
at Oregon City in 1916. 1t may not be
generally known, but nevertheless it is
80, thut the Spectator was the first paper
ever published on this coast, ranking the
Star, published at Monterey, in Upper
California, as it was then called several
months. The volume before US notices
the receipt of the first number of the Star
in quite Aattering terms
The Spectator commenced publication
on the 9Th Of February, 1S45, with w.
&. TVault as editor, and John Fleming
as printer. 1t was owned by joint
stock company, entitled the "Oregon
Printing Association" w. G.. TVault
was President of the Association, j. W.
Nesmith, Vice President, John y. Broks
Secretary, George Abernathy Treasurer,
and II. Ncwall, John II. Couch, and John
II. Long Directors. The first number, as
well Us the entire volume, presents II neat
typographical appearance and arrange
ment, considering the time when it was
printed, and the many disadvantages
newspapers labor under in new countay.
1t contains the number of arrivals in the
waters Of the Columbia, amounting to just
nine vessels in ten months, ending Feb
ruary lst, 1916.
Oregon boaatcd Of Postmaster General
The editor Of the Spectator held that po-
sition. lie was also District Attorney Of
the Territory. In the first number he
publishes notice that mail will be dis
patched 10 Weston, Missouri, from Ore
gon City, by land, advising those who de-
sired to correspond with their friends to
avail themselves Of the opportunity
Postage only fifty cents on single let
ter"
A law was passed by the Territorial
Legislature to prevent the introduction
and distllation of ardent spirits, under
a penalty of fifty dollars for each ofcnsc.
The number printed on tEe 18th of
March contained, among the latest news
items from the States, the death Of An
drew Jackson aud the acceptance by Tex
as of the terms Of annexation proposed
by the United States, both Of which events
occurred some seven or eight months pre-
viously.
The "Association" had hard time oi
it in procuring an editor who would stick
and one that suited the Directors. Mr.
IT'Vaut was dismissed in just two months
from the time the paper was started. lie
was succeeded by II. a. q. Lee, Esq.
Speaker of the Legislature, which had
Iadjourncd few months before. Mr.
Lee was to edit the paper for salary oi
$500 year, though Mr.. TVault had un-
dcrtakcn the same duties at half that
price. Mr. Lee only conducted the pa
per four months, when he got tired Of the
Job and retired The printer, j. Flcm
ing, then run the institution until the Isl
of October, 1876, just two months, when
George l.. Curry assumed the editorial
department, which he ably conducted foI
u year and three months, when he wa.
dismissed by the Association" Mr.
Curry was a fair writer, vigorous, and
fearless Of consequences.
i An article headed Oregon and Cali
fornia," says that the latter can never b'
an independent country, as she has no
, the soil and climate 10 produce bread anc
meat TO sustain large population, while
Oregon pre-cmincntly abounds in thes'
essentials
The Territorial Legislature ofIs4G, ad
journcd on the 18th of December, after
session OF nineteen days. 1t consisted o
sevcntecu members, representing cigh
counties, namely: Clackamas, Champoeg
Tuality, Yamhill, Clatsop, Lewis, Van
couver and Polk That session passct
thirty-two laws and number of joint res
olutions. The apportionment bill onl
called for fye thousand dollars, which de
fraycd the entire expenses of the terrific
ry for a year. The people were trul
economical in those days. 1t would b
= we'll for some of our Radical ofhce-hold
ers and Legislative bodies to emulate tn
example set by the first officers in Oregon
Territory.
Judge Burnett resigned the office o
Supreme Judge of the Territory, Janua
ry 9th, lS47.
In 1913 there was $50 900 bushels O
wheat raised in the Territory, at whicl
the editor gets on high horse, and de
clarcs Oregon to be the most prolific coun
try in the world.
Education was not forgotten by the pi
oncers of Oregon. Much time, troubl
, and money were expended in buildin,
shool houses and procuring teachers
Then there arose difficulties about schoo
books. But few could be had Spelling
; books in particular were needed, and no
to be had To satisfy this want, the pro
prietors of the Spectator printed an edi
ton of that useful book, and sold them a
the reasonable price of twenty-five cent
per copy stitched, and thirty-seven and
half cents bound. 1t contained ninet
: pages.
The Monterey Star, in June, 1S47
: said that large number of cmigrants in
: tended to leave Oregon for California a
: soon as transportation could be secured
+, The Spectator Indignantly denies the as
sertion, and asks "why should Oregoni
e ans give up certainty for an uncertaint
: "a good country for a poor one-a fin
G climate for sickly one p
: Great rejoicing was had throughou
s Oregon after the issue of the Spectator G
the Both of September, 1847, as that is
!. sue contained accounts of the battle G
Cerro Gordo, aud the surrender of Yer
e Cruz, which events took place in Marc
: and April of that year, over five month
e previous to being known in Oregon.
!; Such was Oregon nineteen years agt
e Look at her now And think, too, {
e the improvements Of the age Then frol
/. five to ten months elapsed from tho har