The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-01-15
ALBANY, OREGON. FRIDAY, JANUARY Is, 1875

the appointment OF 'cOmm1GIee Oh
arrangements" to take into consider
alton the whole subject apparently,
agreed to meet again on the 18th Of
the same month. The gathering at
Champoeg-a point on the William
cite river, equidistant between the
present cities of Salem and Portland
ON that date, in the imperfect rec
ord left Of its proceedings, was
called ''a meeting of some of the in
habitants of the Willamette valley
for consultation concerning the steps
necessary to be taken for the forma-
ton of laws, and the election of Off
GERS to execute the same, for the bet
ter preservation Of peace and good
order" The business transacted
was principally in the nature of an
expression in the recommendation
of measures for future action. The
committee of arrangements" made
no report and were advised to pro-
pose" the creation of certain offices.
The Judgment of those present as to
who should be elected to fill these
Offices was manifested in nominating
candidates for them.
The meeting adjourned to meet the
next day in the Methodist Mission
House, which was then located on
the right bank Of the Willamette
river, opposite the present town Of
Wheatland. This adjourned meet
ing, on the 18th. was fully attended.
The record of it reads, sat a full
meeting" etc. The material point to
which there was no opposition was
the necessity of adopting some kind
of laws regulating probate matters
A crude form of government was de-
ternined upon. The executive pow
er was dispensed with, or practically
intended to be placed in the chief
functionary called Supreme Judge" !"
who was elected by those present.
A committee Of nine persons were
empowered ''to form constitution
and draft code of laws" and report
at subsequent meeting. A"clerk
of courts and recorder" a "high
sheriff, several justices of the peace
and constables" were also elected.
"It was then resolved that, until a
code of laws could be drafted by the
legislative committee and adopted by
the people, the Supreme Judge be
instructed to act according to the
laws of the State Of New York. ="
This public gathering, was larger
than at any previously held in the
colony, and adjourned to meet the
following first Tuesday of June, sat
the new building near the Catholic
Church.. This effort at government
making certainly was made to run
the gauntle. of the einfuence of these
two missionary establishments, which
no doubt was opposed to any further
perfection of it. At the meeting in
June, not SO fully attended as the
other, the Committee ON Constitution
and Code Of laws were called upon
to report, when it was announced
that they had never met to discharge
the duties assigned them. Some
withdrew from the committee and
others were appointed in their places,
and they were directed to report at
an adjourned meeting in October
following. The committees were al
so constructed to confer with the
commander Of the American squad
ron. and DR.. John Mclaughlin, chiel
factor Of the Hudson's Bay Compa-
nv, with regard to forming OF a con
stitution and code of laws for this
community" The only practical re.
suit of this movement appears tt
! have been the disposition Of the es
tate of the deceased party heretofort
alluded to, which was reached to th'
apparent satisfaction of the commu
nity. The Legislative Committee, Al
it was denominated, differed in opin
ion as to the expediency of establish
ing a permanent organization, an'
the settlers also must have entertain
ed adverse views, as the public meet
ing to receive the report Of the com
mittee was never convened. In
truth was tie Americans hoped to b
provided with government by au
thority Of Congress, within reason
able time, in an abrogation Of tn
treaty of joint occupancy and an ez
tension Of the jurisdiction of tn
United States. They were fearful
at least some we're, that matters s.
materially affecting their own imme
date interests might be complicate
and preiudiced through injudiciou
action on their part. The populatio.
was composed Of the two nationali
ties, the preponderance uncertai
perhaps, or at all events not so deter
inmate as the immigrations OF th
two subsequent years made it.
While the two home government
were seemingly Indifferent, and dc
ferring any positive action as to
settlement Of the question of ult
mate possession and jurisdiction, tn
"American camels' s'-the patient an
seryiceable oxen-with their length
ened lines Of wagons, laden with h
"household gods" we're annual
conveying across the continent, slov
IL but surely, through dreary deser
and unfriendly tribes of Indians, Il
inAexible power that was finally
, compel an adjustment Of the contr'
] versy and supplant the achieyemei
} Of any special and distinguishe
craftsmanship in its Accomplishment
The next attempt at instituting
government for the communities
Oregon took place two years late
and was crowned with success; al
e when perfected still two years late
s the system Of policy presented 70 u
e world by the pioneers OF the Nor
5 Pacific. was the admirable wol
' which gorthily received the encon
4 ums Of our statesmen, and fulhlll
the highest purpose Of all good go
...1',,t -, 5,rorrofinor the haUDine