The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-08-29

named as the temporary seat OF govern
ment. nntii March .. 1S4s. On the last
| day OF the administration OF James X.
Polk. Gov. Lane issued his proclama
tion giving to Oregon her form Of gov
eminent While it is not directly in the
line Of my subject. I desire to mention
one incident in connection with the or
ganization Of Oregon territory that
think deserves preservation. Gen.Lane
accompanied by Joseph L. Meek, who
was appointed oregon's first United
States marshal, came to the Pacific
coast overland.
The first legislature Of Oregon ter
ritory convened at Oregon City on the
10th day of July 1S4s About the first
work done was the dividing of the ter
ritory into three judicial districts. The
first district was composed of the coun-
ties Of Clackamas Marion and Lynn.
To this district Chief Justice William P.
Bryant was assigned. The Second dis
trict was composed of the counties of
Benton Polk Yamhill and Washington.
To this district Associate Judge o. c.
Pratt was assigned. The Third district
was composed of the counties Of Clark.
Clatsop and Lewis. No assignment of
a judge was made for this district as
the other appointee, Judge Burnett,
failed to qualify.
1t may be said in passing that it was
at this first session of the legislature
at which Champoeg county had its
name changedto that of Marion. Tuali-
tin to that Of Washington and vancou-
yer to that of Clark. OF the judges who
composed the first supreme court of
Oregon l knew but one-O. c. Pratt.
In former reminiscence gave short
characterization of this man and shall
not repeat 1t here. / will lonly say that
while he presided as judge with pro-
priety he lost no opportunity of showing
his Importance and replenishing his
Golfers.
The succeeding year, 1851, the bench |
was composed of Thomas Nelson, as
chief justice, with o. C. Pratt and vii |
liam Strong as associate justices. The
chief justice was never intended either |
by nature education for this hemis- |
phere. He was very precise in all his
utterances. He it was who told law
yer who had read and talked law for
an hour or more, that he fully agreed
with him in the proposition for which
he was contending. and among other
things said Should hold otherwise
the supsrm' court would promptly re-
verse me-" He could not say supreme
court If his souls salvation depended
upon it, but always said "superm'
court
I took it for granted that in his view
Of the matter the two phrases were
idem sonans. and therefore made but
little difference whether he used one
form or the other.
Judge Strong subsequently occupied a
seat upon the supreme bench Of Wash
lngton territory. Judge Strong, In ad-
1iton 80 being a profound lawyer and
an able, conscientious and fearless
judge, possessed a kindly disposition
and easy and winning manners. / well +
remember his constant fiow'of language
when engaged in conversation. His
was natural and anima-
ting Richly endowed with retentiye
memory, his instructive observation, in
always with anecdote, IN
va4iably left upon the recollection OF his
auditors the heritage of pleasant re-
A--
According to the Baker City Demo-
crat. Baker county is not taking the in
,,,ierI1t QynAofad of that