The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-02-17


will be until all the vast territory, rich
with every production OF the earth and
drained by the waters OF the new-tound
river, shall have yielded up its illimit-
able wealth to distant generations.
The United States made a four told
claim 10 Oregon. This was contested by
England, with whom joint occupation
treaty was made for limited time. The
question in the east, especially at the ma
tonal capital was-"Is Oregon worth saw
ing?" DR.. Whitman formed the pur-
pose OF going to Washington City to cor
rect misrepresentation concerning Oregon;
to make known its value; to show that
joint occupation meant practically the ul-
innate sole occupancy by the Hudson
Bay Company; to prove tie practica-
bility of crossing the Rocky mountains
with wagons; to prevent the surrender
of the Northwest by treaty with England;
to stimulate emigration from the states,
and to lead company to Oregon on his
return.
DR.. Whitman left his home at Wal
latpu for Washington City, October 8,
1912. His arrival at st. Louis was an as
constituent to the hardy frontiersmen,
who deemed such a journey at such a
season absolutely impossible. He ar
rived in Washington City March 3, lS43,
having completed in five months the
journey OF four thousand miles. Three
years after his return. on July II, 1916,
the dispute of fifty-four years between
England and the United States was end
ed by treaty and the latter's claim to Ore.
gon was confirmed.
The first real movement made in the
direction OF new territory was on the
4th of July, 1851, when the Americans
met at Olympia to celebrate the nations
birthday. ]. b. Chapman, being. as he
asserts, the only lawyer among them.
was chosen orator of the occasion, and in
his speech referred to the future state of
Columbia with an enthusiasm which de-
lighted his hearers.
In Washington City, the following Jan
uary, a resolution was introduced in the
house in regard to organizing territory
north of the Columbia. Stanton of Ken
lucky moved to substitute the name OF
Washington for that OF Columbia. The
vote of the house was taken on the 10th
and the substitute carried. The senate
passed it on the 81 OF March, and the
president signed it on the same day
Thus was painessly severed from the real
Oregon that northern portion over which
statesmen and pioneers had at one time
80 holly contested with Great Britain.
About the middle of May it became
known that Isaac ingalls, Stevens, of
Andover, Mass, had been appointed gov
ernor. He arrived in Olympia Novem-
Der 26, 1853 1t would occupy too much
space to follow in detail the public acts of
Washington's first governor. He was a
great man, and filled his position as gov
ernor as nobly as he later did that OF con-
gresham. He was killed at the battle of
Chantily while leading his fsltering
command in a charge, himself carrying
the flag which his color-bearer, stricken
down by a shot, was about to let fall.
An act approved March 3, 1868, organ
lied the territory of Idaho out Of all that
portion OF Washington lying east OF Ore
gon and the 18th meridian of west longi-
tude.
From 1889 to 1888 the progress made
in Washington was phenomenal and was
felt in every drection-manufactu
banks, corporations, schools, gro With OF
towns, improved STYLES of building, con-
struction of railroads, mining an d agri-
cultural interests and in society. New
towns had risen among the frs and c.
dars of the Puget Sound country, and
upon the treeless prairies had sprung up
cities with corporate governments, grand
hotels, churches, colleges and opera
houses.
Governor Semple in his report for l SSS
gave the taxable property at $S4 ,62l 1872,
or gain of $65 sos, 200 in ten years.
This was taken from the assessment rolls
and NAV safely be considered conserva-
tive; for, as the governor remarked,
"Whstever the average American citi'
zen neglects, he never neglects to beat
down the assessor"
Washington was admitted to the Union