The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-08-12

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Side would not have passed, nor the
North Pacific Railroad bill. A large
number of the Republicans are OPP
posed to land grants, and it was by the
Democrats these measures were carried
through the House. OF the two hum
dred land grant bills that were before
Congress last session, but two passed; |
the West Side grant and the North |
Pacific Railroad bill. The credit for
the success OF these measures we're
claimed by Republican newspapers for
the Senators, when in fact, portion
Of the credit was due elswhere. In
relation to the North Pacific Railroad,
he had the bill so amended as to make
Portland point on the line of the
road, and it provides that twenty-five
miles Of the road between this point
and the Sound must be built next
year, and forty each succeeding year.
He stated that in framing this
amendment he had inserted the word
provided" in order that Portland
should necessarily be made point to
retain the franchise, but that in pass
ing through the Senate the word and"
was substituted. He believed that
the North Pacific Railroad would be
completed in his day, and that inside
Of eight years the iron horse from the
| farthermost shores of the continent
would be careering over the road and
slake its thirst in the clear waters of
the beautiful Willamette.
He said the newspapers and orators
Of this State have done much to inspire
people of Southern Oregon with the
belief that they were destined to cut be
off from all railroad communication. !
believe Southern Oregon will have a
railroad. The terms of the bill are
such that the Oregon or California
ioad shall continue on the State line,
and in case junction be not effected
ut that point the road shall be con.
tinued on until the line is completed.
He stated that the contemplated
road from the sink of the Humboldt
via klamath Lake, could never be
constructed to intersect the road now
building by Holladay. That the road
when built, would be laid along the
line Of the grant to klamath Lake
and from thence to Eugene City By
the most direct route without grant
and that after conversation upon tn,
subject, he was prepared upon his re
turn to vote for the bill as amended il
the Senate.
He called the attention OF his fellow
citizens to the appropriation Of $13,
+ 600 which he, in conjunction will
Senator Corbett, had secured for tn,
improvement of the Willamette. river
and in this connection remarked tha
Senator Casserly of California hat
said THAT Oregon had secured al
the harbor and river appropriations.
{ The Salt Lake branch of the Pacif
r Railroad, to a point on the Columbi,
river near Umatilla, had received hi
, attention while in the hands of tn
: Committe, and it would not be hi
fault il this bill did not pass befor
his present term of Office expired.
The Honorable gentleman in con
cluding called the attention of his fel
|. . low citizens to the proud future wlicl
he had lived as boy and man, and tn
State in which he hoped to live an
die.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Smith
b remarks, Hon. Benz. Stark, upon be
ing introduced to the audience b
q Hon. j. S. Smith; said:
: Fellow citizens my heart is file
: with unalloyed and sincere pleasur
= for the reception have received fror
i your hands, after SO long an absence
The necessity of being introduced I
: you among whom / have passed s
o many happy years of my life, give
e me momentary pang. I am thankfr
!, that ] left Oregon under Democrat
: rule, and return to find her governe
by the same wise counsels. A littl
less than quarter Of century ago
. landed near the spot where I no,
d stand. The site of this now flourish
. ing city was then an unbroken fores
!, marked only by the solitary log cabi
of the settler. Even at that earl
. period my confidence in its future Wa
: mistaken and although absent for
If time, have watched your onwar
!. march with pride and pleasure. Cros.
d ing the Columbia river bar ON day b,
o fore yesterday, ] looked about me an
. saw Cape disappointment as of yor,
Point Adams with its sands stretchin
t. towards the Clatsop beach was III
changed, save that man had place
the imprint of his progress upon it,
The broad Columbia rolled on unit
D the watars mixed with those of th
great Pacific, but on its bosom floate
proud steamships, and vessels of ever
!. nationality. But when I came in sigl
of your beautiful city, it was then il
deed that I realized the changes whic
Q had taken place during my absenc.
i Oregon, instead of being considere
r as an outside county of California,
= well known abroad. Men of wealt
: are seeking homes and Investment
among you, and within the next te
: years your population will be quad
: ropled.
= In conclusion, the speaker paid
Y high tribute to the efforts of our il
defatigable Congressman, who has
8 to say that he never missed sessio
9 of Congress unless confined to his be
I by sickness.
: Judge Page followed in brie
). speech, and the meeting broke u
2 with loud and prolonged cheering fo
/ Smith and Stark.
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