Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-09-29

years of peace"
The Committee of twelve" des-
ignated May ,, 1913, at Champoes,
as the time and place " to consider
the proprieiy of taking measures
for the civil and military protection
of the colony. On that day, at that
place, in an open field, the Pioneers
Of Oregon came together to per-
form that duty. DIR. 1. l.. Babcock
presided. Messrs. Gray. Wilson
and LeBreton We're the Secretaries.
The Committee reported their plan
of organic .tion, which being sub
mitted to the assembly, the motion
TO accept was about to be declared
lost. Confession anI excitement
succeeded, amid which George W.
LeBreton demanded a division. lie
was promptly seconded by William
H. Gray. Col. Joe. Meek with that
dash which ever characterized him,
realizing the situation. came forward
and assuming tho lead, called ont
call in favor of the report follow
me-" The effect was magnetic
Meek's column marched to the r'yju,
while the opponents of organization
filed to the left. The vote was close
bnt the report mad been accepted,
tifty.two to fifty. That result hay
ing been announced the dissen,ers
i'll II body withdrew from the meeting,
leaving the government party with
out further opposition.
The report was then considered
and adopted article by article, after
which followed the filling of the
offices which had been created. The
plan adopted necsssitated Supreme
Judge with probate powers; a Clerk
of Court CT Recorder, a Sheriff
three Magistrates, three Constables,
Treasurer, Major and thee Cap
tains and finally" "a committee Of
nine persons to draft code of laws
for the government of this COM
munity, to be presented for appro-
val to public meeting to be held
at Champoeg, on the fifth day of
July next"
A. Z. Wilson was elected Supreme
Judge, George w LeBreton. Clerk
and Joseph l.. Meek, Sheriff. The
first LIE gislative Committee consist.
ed of Robert Shortess, David Hill,
Alanson Beers, William H. Gray,
Thomas j. Hubbard, James A.
O'Neil, Robert Moore, Robert New
ell and William Doughty.
Several instructions Of the Leg
islative Committee were passed
among which were: That the ses-
sions of the said Legislative Com
mittee should not exceed six days;
that no tax should be levied; that
the Office of Governor should not be
created; that the compensation of
the Legislative Committee should be
81 rs per day; that the reve-
nues of the territory should be made
up by voluntary subscriptions.
The meeting finished its business
by electing four magistrates four
constables, a major and three cap.
tains. 1t recognized the officers
elected at the primary meeting of
the people of Oregon, validated the
official acts of such officers, and
continued them in Office till July 5,
1913, at which time the officers elect
were to be installed.
The Legislative Committee gave
evidence of earnestness and zeal,
each member contributing a sum
equal to the full amount of his SER
vices. Alanson Beers subscribed an
amount equal to the aggregate pay
of the committee. In other depart
ments q similar zeal was apparent.
DR.. Babcock, subscribed the same
sum as Mr.. Beers. The Methodist
Mission, fitted up the building known
as the Granary," and allowed it's
use free of charge. The first Leg
islative hall of Oregon, was a story
and half frame. sixteen by thirty
feet, with square room in front,
had been used as a school, then a
church, and now rs capitol.
Back of this hall and above stairs,
it was used as q granary or store
room, aud hence the name of the
building.
The first Legislative Assembly
Constitutional Convention of Ore
gon commenced its session May 16,
sitting at that time four consecutive
days, when it adjourned to June q,
and finished its labors upon that and
the succeeding day. Robert Moore
was Chairman or Speaker, and
George w. LIE Breton, Secretary.
From this Committee emanated GER
tain articles of compact, which were
submitted to the people of Oregon
in mass meeting assembled at Cham
poeg, and by them ratified July 9th,
1913.
" We, the people of Oregon ter
ritory, for purposes of mutual pro-
lection, and to secure peace and
prosperity among ourselves, agree
to adopt the following laws and re-
gulations, until such time as the
United States of America extend
their jurisdiction over u.s."
The territory was divided into
four districts. No person was to be
molested on account of his mode of
worship or religious sentiments;
Rights OF habeas corpus and trial by
jury guaranteed; representation
was to be equal and uniform, and
courts of law open equally to all
citizens; all offences, except capital.
were bailable; fines to be moder-
ate, and cruel and unusual punish.
ments prohibited; no man was to
be deprived of liberty without due
process of law, and if his property
was taken through public ext gencies,
he was to be compensated; no law
ought to interfere with or affect pri.
vate contracts or engagements, bona
tide and without fraud; it was the duty
of government 10 encourage relig-