The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-05

coast of $50 miles in extent: the country east OF
the Cascade mountains Is bound to that ON the
coast by the strongest ties OF interest; and mas
much as your petitioners believe that the terri
tory must inevitably be divided at no very
distant day, they of opinion that it would 70
unjust that one state should possess SO large a
seaboard to the exclusion of that in the interior
Third-The territory embraced within the
boundaries OF tae proposed Territory OF Colum-
bia," containing an area OF about $1,000 square
miles, IL, in the opinion of your petitioners,
about a fair aud just medium OF territorial OK
tent TO form one state.
Fourth--The proposed Territory of Column
bia' presents natural resources capable of sup
porting a population ut least as large as that of
any state in the Union possessing an equal ex-
tent Of territory.
Fifth-Those portions Of Oregon territory
lying respectively north and south of the Co
lumbia river, must, from their geographical POI
sition, always rival each other In commercial
advantages, and their respective citizens must,
as they now are and always have been, be actu-
ated by spirit OF opposition.
Sixth-1he southern part OF Oregon territory,
having q majority OF voters, hays controlled
the territorial legislature, and Northern Oregon
has never received any benefit from the appro-
priations made by congress Tor said territory,
which were subject to the disposition OF said
legislature.
seventh-The seat of the territorial legisla-
ture IL now situated, by the nearest practicable
route, at a distance OF 400 miles from large
portion of the citizens of Northern Oregon.
Eighth--A great part OF the legislation suitable
to the South is for local reasons, opposed to ths
interests OF the North, and inasmuch as the south
has majority of votes. and representatives are
always bound to reflect the will of their constit-
uents, your petitioners can entertain rea-
sonable hopes that their legislative wants will
ever be properly regarded under the present Or
ganization.
Ninth-Experience has, in the opinion OF your
petitioners, we'll established the principle that in
states having a moderate sized territory the
wants of the people are more easily made known
TO their representatives. there is less danger Of
conflict between sectional interests, and more
prompt and adequate legislation can always be
obtained.
In conclusion, your petitioners would re-
spectfully represent that Northern Oregon, with
its great natural resources, presenting such I'M
paraieled inducements to immigrants and
with its present large population constantly and
rapidly increasing by immigration, Is of sufii-
eient Importance, In a national point OF view.
to merit the fostering care OF congress. and its
interests are so numerous and SO entirely dis
tinct in their character, as to demand the alton
ton of a separate and independent Legislature.
Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that
your honorable bodies will at an early day pass
a law organizing the district of country before
described under n territorial government, TO be
named the TERRITORY of Columbia"
Done in convention assembled at the town OF
Monticello, Oregon territory, this 18th day Of
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