The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-15
A REBUKE TO OREGON,
Senate Reconsiders Vote on
Customs District Bill.
DIscoURTEsY OF Mr.. DoLPH,
Squire and Allen Explain the Meas
ure, and 1t Is Recommitted.
newt the Modus vivendi-United States
Taking Steps to Prohibit Poaching-
Judge Woods to Be Confirmed,

WASHINGTON CRY, March 4-lSpecial. !
The dignified Senate listened for an hour
today to the debate between the Washing
ton and Oregon senators over the pending
bill which proposes to cut off large por-
ton of Washington's territory and place
1t in the Oregon collection district. As
was anticipated, Senator Squire secured
the floor and moved that the bill be recon-
sidered and recommitted to the commerce
committee. Squire opened the oratorical
ball by stating that he had no notice of
such bill until it was reported from the
committee and placed on the calendar.
lie thought fair play entitled his state to
an opportunity for full argument of the
question. Continuing, he said:
learn from the treasury department that in
the creation OF customs collection district it is
the policy of the government to follow state
lines as nearly as practicable, and it seems to
me that is very good reason. 1t assimilates
the habits Of the people in all respects as re-
CARDS the operation of the different departments
OF the government. In this way it assists in
the administration of the department: it be.
comes simple ard the people are less likely to
be confused. Beside this, it is important that
the status of the commerce OF the state so
far as practicable, should be exhibited through
the reports OF the collector of customs.
In accordance with this view a very excellent
act was passed on August IS, 1890, providing for
the organization and establishment of tho
collection district OF Puget sound. In this bill
1t was provided that there should be head port
OF entry at Port Townsend, and that there
should be supports OF entry at Seattle, Tacoma,
Port Angeles, at some point on Gray's harbor
and such other points as the secretary OF the
treasury may provide. Under this provision
there have since been established supports of
entry at Aberdeen, on Gray's harbor, and What
com, on Beliingham bay. Near the mouth of
the Columbia river, on the Washington state
side, there is already indication OF much
larger settlement, and it will undoubtedly in a
short time develop into fine port OF entry.
The point l make is this: That under the
present law all that is necessary is to designate
this place as a SUPPORT OF entry. That is COM
batted By the senator from Oregon with the
statement that when a SUPPORT of eRtrv is
needed one can be created by law. But why
growing very rapidly. 1t is not like SOME of the
Western states. Even in the eyes of
the older states, l doubt IL the sena-
tor would agree to have their collection
districts taken away from them. The mere
question of the proper report of the commerce of
that region OF the state is a mater OF value that
is important to the people of the state They
nave pteti luelI WEeat
gees out from the state of Wgsk ;ngton as Oregon
wheat. Isuppose that three-fourths of all the
exports OF wheat comes from Washington. The
people of the state of Washington would like to
have the credit for their wheat.
Senator Dolph replied to Squire He
was not in an amiable mood. He ss id:
The senator from Washington seems to act as
if we are trying TO steal part of the collection
district of Washington. 1t does not affect the
appointment of any officer, it does not affect the
pay OF any officer, only the proper conduct of
the business at the mouth of the Columbia
river. My attention was called to this b IL by
the secretary OF the treasury in the hope that
would take action upon it. 1t was kept on the
calendar for several weeks until it could be
thoroughly examined by the senator from
Washington. and was finally passed
Senator Allen was next heard. He said:
will say that all the information had upon
the subject l acquired from the senator from
Oregon. The Senate has taken this action in
good faith. 1t seems to me this bill is mis-
take, and 1t is mistake that should not be
made. The existing laws should be main
tanned. In 1858 the territory of Washington was
created. The middle Of the main channel of
the Columbia river WAS made the boundary of
the state OF Oregon and tho territory
OF Washington. This is great river
river. It's width from Its mouth for
some twenty miles varies from three TO five to
eight and ten miles. am safe In saying that
the average 10 the Willamette river is two miles,
The purpose of this bill is to take Of a strip at
least one milehn width and over 100 miles long
from the state OF Washington and place it in the
collection district OF Oregon. When l came to
examine the law by which these districts are
formed ! found that since the year 1879
the variations have been the rarest
exceptions. The stale of Maine is
divided into four collection districts and
the integrity OF the state of Maine is preserved
You come done to the state of Delaware and all
oi the towns on that side Of the Delaware river
which is small as compared with the Columbia,
are confined TO that state. So it is with the
state OF New Jersey. All the waters OF the state
are retained in one district. This Is the case
with many other states in which rivers form
their boundaries.
As previously stated, the Columbia is the
greatest river OF the country, except the Missis-
sippi. Here is a state that was organized as a
collection district under the advisement oi the
treasury department 1t is so arranged that the
collection is made adjustable. It is proved that
there should be one principal port Of entry in
the district, but that such supports shall be
created anywhere within the district as the sec
retary OF the treasury from time to time thinks
necessary. Ii is a TACT that Southwestern Wash
iugton is growing more rapidly than Northwest.
ern Oregon. To every mile OF railroad in Oregon
there are ten miles in Washington. You go from
Astoria aud you have no railroads, unless il is a
little one running down the beach. We have
railroads all the way down to the harbors, and
you Gu1 rapid development taking place all over
the state Why is it that along this great river,
upon which a commonwealth presents an entire
boundary line with ports for shipping that are
pressing developments down the banks of the
river, there is no complaint? Since there has
heen no complaint, why do you ask to destroy
this district ami transfer strip OF land 100 miles
long aud one mile wide from one district TO an
other2 Il is not the saving of picayune 10 the
United states, and, as the senator hiss just con-
ceded II the interest OF commerce required this
bill could be passed
We came here 5000 miles to ask for lecisla-
tion, NOT to undo what has been done. The
only thing chat the secretary OF the treasury has
- do is to designate deputy collector to go
and administer the custom law auywh here il may
be Necessary on the banks OF this river. 1t
seems TO me IT is a matter OF justice, il is a
matter of sentiment and it is a matter OF state
pride which should be respected. The state col
lection districts should remain as whole.
viii ssy that with all my correspondence with
the communities along the Columbia river have
never heard one word of complaint IL is the
little towns along the Columbia river that
would complain If they were placed al a dis
advantage. ! urge. and think have right to
urge. that this collection boundary line remain
where II Is, a. the interstate boundary line
At this point Senator Dolph became
restive. He arose from his seat and
attempted 10 combat with some of Sem
ator Aliens statements. In closing he
said;
When the bill vas reported kep; it on the
~aTa