The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-12-18
OREGOE'S FIRST NEWSPAPER.
II Was Called The Oregon Spectator. and q
CuriSuS Shsst It Was.

Thursday, February 8, ls46, Vol. l.,
No. l." Such is the legend on the front
page Of q four column, four page paper,
the Oregon Spectator, which was the
first issue Of the FIRST newspaper ever
printed in Oregon. This fact alone would
not be considered in any sense remark
able, as all branches Of industry must
have . beginning, and Of course news
papers had no home in a wilderness
peopled by uncivilized tribes Of dirty, fish,
eating Indians, as originally comprised
the population Of what Is now Oregon.
But the articles making up this pioneer
and frontier Spectator" are interesting
as furnishing an index to the social and
other conditions existing in the then
territory. The first page contains the
"Organic Laws Of Oregon" as recon-
mended by the legislative committee Of
the territory.
The first section provides that mo per
son demeaning himself In peaceable
manner shall ever be molested on account
Of his mode Of worship or religious
sentiments" Then follow other sections
providing for the government Of the
people. Section four declares that
'.neither slavery nor involuntary servi-
tude other than for the punishment Of
crimes" shall be permittedin the territory.
Section Eve permits the carrying Of arms
for purposes Of self defense.
Another section defines the conditions
Of land claims, and limits each holding TO
one square mile. This organic compact
was duly established on the 9Th Of July
1845.
In December following permission to
hold 90 acres Of prairie land and 40 acres
Of timber land, even though the tracts
did not join, was granted by the legislature.
An act was also passed absolutely prohib-
iting the manufacture or sale Of ardent
spirits in the territory under heavy penal
ties. (This act IL not now In force).
An editorial prescription is given in this
wise: "If your coat Is comfortable, wear
Il few months longer, even II the gloss
Is of. II you have no wife, get one; II
you have, God bless her, stay home with
her instead Of spending your evenings in
expensive fooleries. II your
circumstances are now embarrassed, they
may soon become easy, no matter who is
editor or what may be the price OF -four"
The editorial page is filed with dec
laration Of principles which are to govern
the paper an advertisement sets forth that
"John Travers and William CHASER" are
prepared tomake hats for Oregonians at 4
small profit, and adds, "Wool, beaver,
racoon, wildcat, muskrat and mink skins
will be taken in exchange for hats"
This pOstofice intelligence sets forth in
striking manner the almost utter isola-
ton Of Oregon at that time:
The postmaster general has contracted
with Mr.. H. Burns to carry the mail from
Oregon City to Weston, in Missouri, for
one trip only. Letters mailed ct any
Of the Offices, postpaid, will be forwarded
to any part Of the United States. As the
mail sent east by Mr.. Burns will reach
Weston early in the season, II would be
advisable for those wishing to correspond
with their friends In the east to avail
themselves Of this opportunity. Postage
only so cents on Q single sheet.
It Is hard 10 realize that so few years