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

call Of this committee the people as |
sembled at Champoeg on the I'd Of
May, when the report in favor Of or
ganizing government was adopted.
In accordance with the recommen;
dations of the committee, a supreme
Judge, with probate powers, was elec1
ted; also, a.. clerk, q recorder, treas
urer, sheriff, justices of the peace,
constables, etc. Nine persons were
selected to frame laws, and instruct
ed to report on the following 9th Of
July. 1t was agreed to pay them
one dollar and twenty-five cents each
per day, "the money to be raised by
subscriptions" and it was raised, the
members of the committee subscrib-
ing more than the amount of their
compensation. The organic and
other laws thus prepared were sub
mitted to the people, in Champoegi
on the 9th of July, 1843, and approv-
ed after some slight amendment,
The fundamental law, or "Articles OF
Compact, >" as they are termed, guar
anteed the freedom of religious be-
lief, the writ of habeas corpus, trial
by jury, "proportionate representa-
ton the maintenance Of "good
faith with the Indians, providing
Legislation "to prevent injustice be-
ing done TO them" and for the pres
ervation of peace and friendship!
Slavery was prohibited. The execu-
tive power was vested in committee
of three persons, to be elected annu-
ally. The Legislative power was
lodged in committee of nine per-
sons, to be styled Legislative Com
mittee," and chosen each year. The
judicial power was placed in Ia su-
preme, probate and justices courts,
the first to consist of a supreme judge
and two justices of the peace. Pro
vision was made for the election every
year, of other necessary officers.
The right of suffrage and to hold Of
fee was given to "every free male
descendant of white man." twenty
one years of age and upwards, in
habiting the territory at the time of
its organization, and to others six
months residence. Among the enact
ments put forth on this occasion
were laws for the organization of the
militia, and the possession and I'M
provement of lands, and certain laws
of Iowa Territory which were desig-
mated. The country was divided
into four districts, instead Of counties
called respectively Tualatin, Yamhill,
Clackamas, Champoeg, and only com
prised the section south Of the Co
iumbia rivers 1t was decided to des-
iouate these districts by the name OF
Oregon Territory. 1t was also deter
mined that the expense of the gov
ernment should be paid by voluntary
subscription instead of taxation, and
in the form designed for this purpose
it was provided "that in all cases
each individual subscriber may at
any time withdraw his name from
said subscription, upon paying oil
arrearages and notifying the treasur-
er of the colony Of such desire to
withdraw" Taxation was resorted
to, however, the ensuing year, when
a tax of one-eighth of one per cent.
was levied. Before the dissolution
of this convention of the people
Alanson Beers, David Hill and Jos
Gale, all Americans, were elected by
ballot to sarve as Executive Commit
tee. The first was a blacksmith at
tached to the Methodist mission, thu
second q farmer, the third had beer
settler since 1884, and had com
manded the first Oregon-built sea
going vessel, called the "Star," IN
a trip to Yerbd Buena, now Sal
francisco, in 1841. They were good
honest, practical men, and respected
by the community. The other othcerI
elected at the previous meeting wer
authorized to qualify and enter upol
their respective positions. The oatl
of Office was then administered tt
the members of the Executive by thr
president of the convention who wa
directed also to qualify the supreme
Judge. At the annual election OF
the I'd of May, 1874, new executive
and Legislative committees were cho
sen; the latter body held two sess
ions, revised the laws, and otherwis
} did considerable needed legislation
and submitted q series Of amend
ments to the "Artieles of Compact.
On the 26th of July, 1845, impor
tant additions perfecting the organi
laws were ratified by a vote Of tn
people. The boundaries Of the tel
ritory had been extended SO as to in
clude all moth Of the Columbia rive
to the parallel of 54' 40. The exc
; cutive power had been transferred I
a governor, with the usual powers Q
: such functionary. The legislatiy
: authority was changed to House Q
Representatives of not more tina
: sixty-one members. In the Judicis
Department, the right was given t
! create district and other inferio
courts, as they were required, an
Q the supreme court was re-arrange
and made to consist Of one judge, I
z hold two terms year. The right
8 in reference to holding and improV
e ing lands, were more distinctly d.
0 fined and made a part of the organ
: laws. George Abernethy was cleo
I ed governor, and held that office !
4 annual election thereafter for fot
!. years, until superseded, March
a 1840, by General Joseph Lane, a
4 pointed governor by President Pol
!, Governor Abernethy, an intelliger
d Christian gentleman, unassuminl
!, indisposed 10 court popular fayo
9 with strong common sense, and a d
b sire TO do his duty conscientious
k and quietly, was the right man 4
j the occasion, and, whatever preiudi
n A srF