, 1875-10-16
Columbia River POrtages.

At the recent session OF the State Grange,
Patrons Of Husbandry. held at Portland,
Mr.. L. NJ. Ringer presented the following pre-
ambe aud resolutions, which were adpoted
WHEREAS, One of the finest agricultural
districts of the country on the Pacific coast Is
situated east of the Cascade mountains in
Washington Territory, Idaho Territory and
the State of Oregon, embracing not less than
SIX million acres Of arabic land, capable OF
producing from twelve 10 IF een million
bushels Of grain annually for export; and
WHEREAS, At this time 1t contains pOpu-
latiun of about l5,0C9. which might and
would be increased to 100000 within few
years, and
WHEREAS, he cereals no% produced for
export appruxima'es 900, 900 bushels for the
present year, and which would be increased
TO not lrss than twelve or fifteen millions
within few years, if Necessary facilities
were afforded for transportation; and
WHEREAs, We firmly believe 1t to be bu,
Just and equitable that the general govern
inent shonld take steps through lis Legislative
assembly TO give to the people on the above
mentioned great Columbia basin an open
river 10 the senboard for the transportation 10
market Of the fruits of their toll, that they
may he enabled 10 receive reasUr4ble cont
pensa. ION for their labor therefore be it
ResOlred, Ths. II suitable petition be drawn,
setriuy IUrih the facts and condition. of the
country referred 10. and asking our repre-
seutarIves IN CUngr.ss Ia appeal to that body
TO max. the necessary appropriation for the
improvement OF the Columbia river. Begin
ming nj the Cascades, and doing ~ha soeeet
iiay b. necessary 10 rrmUve ImpedimentS 10
through navigation on the CUurbia river
and also TO improve the rapds on Snake
river 10 the head of avig4iion, that hight
draught steamers can ascend the rives to
Lewiston al least nine months in the year.
Rssottrf, That tie priition referred 10 be
printed and plared i'll the hards of the secre-
taIy Of The State Grange. who shall trans
nit ~ mail copy 10 each subordinate
grange, WITHIN this jurisdiction, without de-
lay-wIfh request that the masfer and Secrr-
tary of each grange haze II signed a. rarlv
IN practicable by the mrIiiberS and all others
having an interest III up'nIng up The above
named country and prcsp~n'y OF It's present
population; and after the signatures are
ob'arnrd, to rrturn all The PETITIONS TO the
Secretary of the State Grange, who vii for
"'''f ''''' W wa ~ - h''''A'No a. SSNh M
the next Congress cUuvenrs.
PETITION TO CONGRESS.
The following is the petition adopted by
the State Grange 10 be circulated among the
cI,izrns of Oregon aud territories for sigma
tures:
To tie Honorable the Senate and House Of Pep,e
sratres Of The United States ba Congress, assembled
GOnr m-'nOrInlIsts, the Parrous or Hu-b.ndry
of the State OF Oregon, Washington aud
Idaho territories, respectfully and most oarn-
e-;ly petition yonr hUnUrabie bodies 10 appro-
pirate from the funds of th" Uuitrd States
/ the of one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars foc the construction of locke aud eau Al
around the CASCADES Of the Columbia river,
and that the work on the st:ue be ordered 10
be pu-hrd forward ~ rapidly po--ible
B And further, thAr On account of rhe rxten-
sive dis rict aud luxurious du ies of the gov
ernn,-nt engine, of thi- district We further
pray that special ENGINEER be appointed by
proper authority 10 make any additional sur
vryS necessary 10 sup-rIure;d the work, and
! the exp, ndituIe Of the moneys Appropriated,
I especially III reference TO th- Improvement
above mentioned and your memorialists will
ever Pray ~ in du'y bound.