The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-10-11
SCRAPS OF OREGON HISTORY.
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

TEHRlTORlAL GOVERNMENT.
The first effort made with view to the es-
adjustment Of civil government in Oregon
was made At Champoeg, then the principal
settlement in the Willamette valley, on the 7th
ri February, 1841, when "a meeting of some
Of the inhabitan was held for the purpose Of
consulting upon the steps necessary to be
taken for the formation of laws and the cleo
ton OF officers to execute the same" The Rev.
Jason Lee WAS called to the chair. The names
OF persons regarded by the meeting as suita-
BILE were recommended to the people at large
for governor and for other necessary officers
A resolat ton was also passed that all settlers
north Of the Columbia river not connected
with the Hudson's Bay Company, be admitted
to the protection OF our laws on making ap-
plication TO that effect" On the 18th of the
same month persons were elected to fill the
various Offices, and they were instructed "to act
according to the laws of New York" until
other laws should be adopted. These
officers did not, however, enter upon the dis
charge of their duties. Various causes for dis
coursgement presented so many obs tacles to
the organization Of civil government at that
time as to necessitate the abandonment Of the
scheme.
In March, 1843, another effort at civil gov
eminent, and meeting ct Champoeg, resulted
in the establishment of a provisional govern
ment, with q triumvirate executive, styled,
The Executive committee. The expenses
Of the government were borne by the people in
voluntary subscriptions of such amount an
nually as each subscriber should choose to
pay.
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE,
In May, 1874, the people elected a second
Executive committee, and also Legislative
committee. Peter g. Stewart, Osborn Russell
and W. j. Bailey were elected Executive com.
mittee, and Peter H. Burnett, David Hill NJ.
M. McCarver NJ. Gilmore. A. L. Lovejoy,
Robt. Newell Daniel Waldo and T. D. Keller
constituted the Legislative committee"
On the 9Th of June, 1874, the legislative
committee having assembled at what is now
known as Oregon City and received the first
message Of the executive committee, proceeded
to reconstruct the government. The executive
power was changed from the triumvirate to that
OF single head, the legislative powers were
better regulated and more clearly defined, and
q judiciary system was established. An act
was passed to create a revenue which should be
equal to the wants of an economical admins
tration OF the government Their session
lasted nine days and they performed much inn
portant labor.
The organic law thus passed by the legisla.
tive committee was subsequently adopted by
the people at a regular election. and became
the basis of all other territorial governments.
The legislative committee again assembled in
Oregon City December 10th of the same year,
and continued in session eight days, enacting
much necessary iegisiation OF importance
AN INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT.
1t is remembered as an interesting historical
fact, that about this time the question was
seriously discussed as to the expectancy and
necessity OF an independent instead Oh pro-
visional government 1t was argued that the
geographical position OF this territory was such
as to place it at SO great distance from the
seat OF the general government as 70 render ~
almost impossible to present the needs ana
wishes OF the people to the authorities at wash
ington, or to get assistance In return; so that
such an independent government was not only
expedient' but necessary. some lew persons
"a high character and important ihnuence were
IN this movement ana II was prompted oy the
TACT that TINS distant territory appeared 70 nave
been lett by the general goVsrnmen. wl'nou'
protection, ana as II abandoned oy tneir Own
country: Ihey were NOT Aoie 70 realize .no
difficulties that beset the negotiations aboutthe
title, and the endorsements and delay Of the
general government In consequence. But
happily for the people OF oregon tine indie
pendent movement found no favor IN the eyes
OF the large majority. The people very gener-
ally looked forward win honest pride ana nope
70 the time when the flag OF their country
would again throw It's projecting @eiS ABOVE
them-a visible sign that they had not been
forgotten in their distant home.
In the spring OF ls45 George Abernethy was
elected the first governor OF the territory OF
Oregon.
STARS AND STRIPES.
Ca. uon 7 o,;n, rhorrtor ;rdge NJ the
Sa:s aAon - - ~, .arr;,orv in b;s nsrrst;va
sup,emso; " ~ u w. 49,, i. ,caiv tor th;s 40.