The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-18
COLUMBIA RIVER CENTENNIAL.
Oregon Wants 1t at Astoria, but Wash
ington Favors Vancouver.

oregon wants IL at Astoria, but w ASH
ington Favors Vancouver.
There is a difference of opinion between the
pioneers OF Washington and Oregon as to the
proper place at which to celebrate the eenten-
NAL OF the discovery of the Columbia river by
Captain Gray, which occurs on May IL, 1892
The residents on the Oregon side of the river
have organized the Columbia River Centennial
Celebration Association and propose to hold a
celebration at Astoria. The Washington Pio-
neer Association had already decided to meet
next year at Vancouver on the second Tuesday in
June, and to exhibit memorials of pioneer days
there, provided that the celebration is held at
that place. DR.. Curtis G. Strong, president of
the association organized in Oregon, made a
move to have a joint celebration by the two
states at Astoria by writing the following letter,
dated November r. to Judge James G. swan, of
Port Townsend.
To make this celebration what 1t should be,
will require the united effort of all persons in
every portion OF our Northwest. One reason for
my going into it was to do all in my power to
unite ali in this celebration. In my Judgment
there is but one place TO hold the celebration,
and that is the mouth OF the river itself, but
the good effects of the celebration will extend
over the entire Northwest, and there is but one
thing that can and will prevent this aud that is
local jealousies. 1t therefore becomes the duty
of all persons truly interested in the welfare
and growth of this portion of your country, to
unite in this matter, remembering that the
prosperity and growth OF one location depends
upon the prosperity and growth of all.
One idea that have had is that large steam
boats should come from the Sound to the river
at that time. You might try and bring one 80
large not to be able to enter the river, and
that we should arrange to accompany you back
to the Sound on our boats, and in that way
show our guests the extent and beauty OF our
country and in this way become your guests. II
the plans we now have for securing speaker
Tor the occasion should succeed this Will DC
more feasible.
lam confident that if we all work together we
can secure a large attendance OF representative
men-the event coming it does just before
the meeting OF the Presbyterian General As
sembly. This will call attention this way, and
as fares will be low, we have reason to expect
large attendance Personally, assure you that
should you have centennial or other ceiebra-
ton your way shall be pleased to do all in
my power to assist. l have always been inter
ested in you state, having lived in 1t for twelve
years.
Referring to this letter. Judge Swan said in an
interview with observation-disclosures reporter
last evening:
The reason why the Pioneer Association Sc
lected Vancouver was that it Is historical
place on the river, and that in all probability
before the next meeting the bridge Will be fin
ished across the Columbia river, thus affording
facilities for rapid transportation and for utliz
ing the hotel accommodations OF Portland rs
we'll as Vancouver The association objects to
going to Astoria for two reasons: One, that
! there is not sufficient accommodation for a
| large crowd there and the other, that Gray,
When ne entered the Coiuihpla river, ianueu az
| Chinook the Washington side, where
| was the village of Comcomoly, the
| great chief OF the Chinooks. But il would
| be preposterous to hold celebration
| on the Chinook beach, and the only proper
place in the estimation of the Pioneer Associa-
| ton, would be Vancouver, which used to be the
| headquarters OF the Hudson Bay Company.
| Neither the Pioneer Association nor the Worio
| fair commission of Washington could go lnto
Astoria to take any of their exhibits, because the
| exhibit will be a state exhibit II the centennial
i Is not held at Vancouver the state exhlot lot
| the Worlds fair will be stored at the Tacoma
| exposition building. The accommodations OF
| Astoria are utterly inadequate, as would those
| Of Vancouver be If Portland were not near az
| hand The celebration should be held on the
| Columh ia river, not on the Willamette or Puge
| sound.