Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-03-06
The Creation Of Washington.

exercises attending the commemora-
ton of the Fiftieth Anniversary OF
the creation Of Washington Territory,
last Monday, we're exceedingly APP
propriate and gratifying. especially
made so by the large attendance OF
pioneers and the expressions OF heart
felt zeal by some ancoity tMicums who
could not attend.
The meeting at the theater at P.
NJ, was we'll attended, the body OF the
house being filled by members of the
Legislature, citizens and visitors, the
stage reserved for those assigned parts
on the programme and few of our
earliest pioneers. while the two lower
proscenium boxes we're occupied by
pioneer women and their daughters.
Judge Allen, as Chairman OF the
Chamber of Commerce Committee. in
troduced Gov. Mcbride, who, on taking
the chair, alluded to the important
epoch in history with which many Of
his auditors were at the time iden-
titled. "Our Governor" march, by
Gearon, was then rendered by the
band, which had been installed in the
gallery, above the audience. After
the reading Of letters Of regret from
Quincy A. Brooks and N. D. Hill, of
Port Townsend, and extracts from q
speech of the former gentleman made
in the Monticello Convention, from
which the first effective prayer was
addressed to Congress for the forma.
ton of separate Territory from Ore
gon. The Governor then introduced
Clarence B. .Bagley, of Seattle, who
has taken up the task of compiling
early history, and who, from long
and well-prepared essay, read few ex-
tracts, leaving his hearers to find it in
full in the daily newspapers, if they
chose to.
Probably the most interesting fea-
ture of the afternoon programme was
the singing of Francis Henry's " Old
Settler" by Charley Moore, illustrated
with stereopticon pictures. to which
were added few life-like portraits Of
pioneers who long ago crossed over the
Dark River.
Then came the Grafton by Judge
Hanford, OF Seattle, who referred with
much pathos to the hardships of the
early pioneers, and gave very COM
prehensive account of the slow, at
frat, but ever onward and upward
progress of the Territory to Statehood.
The Judges address was the central
figure of the stage programme and
met with hearty applause.
Then followed Ezra Meeker, OF Puy.
allup, President of the State Historical
Associa ton, who dwelt at considerable
length upon the same theme. It was
unfortunate for the speaker that his
enunciation was not distinct enough
for all that he said to be heard, and
doubtless many of the best points were
thus lost to his audience.
He was followed by D. r. Bigelow,
OF this city, who is we believe the only
surviving member of the first Terri
torial Legislature. This speech was
neither too long, nor too dry, remin-
iscent in character, and the most
marked success on the programme.
Other speeches of pioneers were intend.
ed to have been . prominent feature,
but 70 much time had been consumed
by the principal addresses, that the
exercises had to close without them.
The reception at the Olympia hotel,
10 the evening, beginning 1t 8 o'clock.
was . delightful season Of greeting Of
guests and interchange Of experience
Of the pioneers. Several hundred peo-
pie were present and each seemed to
abandon formality and contribute his
share TO the cordially OF feeling for
which this celebration has been %
conspicuously noted.
It was we'll on to IL p. N. when
President Smith, Of the Senate, raped
to order at the head Of the dining ia
bles, and introduced Thos. M. Vance
- Toastmaster, who presided in his
usually "dignifed" manner.
Washington Territorys First Gov.
ernor," was responded to by the Ter
ritory's last Governor, Miles c. Moore,
in . iervid tribute to Washiugton's
best, as we'll as first, executive.
To the toast Of THE Washington
Pioneer Association" the response
very naturally fell to its President,
Allen Weir.
"Reminiscences, and Pioneer Jour-
nalism." was the subject assigned to
H. w. Scott, the Nestor of the Press,
and right we'll he handled his theme,
though handicapped with manuscript.
"The Inland EMPIRE" elected An
eloquent impromptu effort from Hon.
Herman D. Grow, and the most pat.
riotic speech was made by Hon. G. N.
Ranck, to the toast of Washington
Volunteers" himself having been .
member Of Co. g., in tho Philippine
campaign.
The best speech Of the evening was
made by Congressman Humphrey, on
the toast "The Ladies'" This is prob.
ably explained by the fact that he had
the best subject. If an orator cannot
float heavenward with the angelic
hosts for his theme, he is devoid OF
sentiment and should be dumb in
speech. Mr.. Humphreys tribute to
"Woman" was . most admirable com.