Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-09-29

stdtt. 1Hc lhlilOuus dPpiVNiaNo NAio
need of more people and larger
traffic.
W. @. Hale touched upon the mat.
ter of the new army post which is to
be established in the state and ad-
vocated its location at some point In
Southern Oregon. presenting the fol.
lowing resolution which was unaui-
mously adopted;
Whereas, II is understood that the
War Department is considering the
proposition of establishing Military
Post for the accommodation OF a
Regiment of Cavalry, at some point
I in Central or Southern Oregon, and
that General Arthur Macarthur, has
reported in favor thereof.
Wherefore, Resolved by the South
ern Division of the Oregon Develop
ment League, in convention as
sembled at Grants Pass, Oregon, on
September 23, 1904;
First, That it is the sense Of this
League that said Military Pest be
located and maintained at some eligi-
BILE site in Southern Oregon, conven-
lent to the Southern Pacific line of
railway, and midway to the Pacific
ocean, and tho country lying east of
| the Cascade mountains.
Secondly. The necessity for such
post in Southern Oregon is apparent,
in view of its vast area, and of its
geographical position relative to the
whole state, the state contiguous, and
| to the unprotected sea coast; the area
of Southern Oregon alone, equaling
that of twice the size of New Hamp-
shire, or of the combined area Of New
Jersey and New Hampshire, and has
an approximate area of II, 600 square
miles, counting from the summit Of
the Calapooia mountains, ON the
North In all this vast territory,
there is not a single fort, garrison or
other national or state defense, Fort
Klamath, in Southern Oregon, having
for many years been the last military
post south of Portland, in Oregon
Only two companies of National
Guard belong to Southern Oregon. In
early years, il was the policy of the
Government to maintain numerous
Military Posts In this section of the
state. United States troops being
stationed at Port Oxford, Fort imp
qua, Fort Lane and Fort klamath.
Thirdly, The strategical Importance
of post in Southern Oregon is fur
ther shown In the many highways
to the sea shore, connecting with the
different harbors, and with tho vast
country east of the Cascade noun.
tains, and with Californiaand Nevada
on the south aud southeast. Several
lines of railway are now in contem'
plation which are to connect Califor.
MIA and Southern Oregon, by the way
of the coast, and only short distance
over the Oregon and California line,
a railroad from the Southern Pacific
railroad has been completed into the
klamath Lake region.
Fourthly, Southern Oregon should
be preferred in this matter, as be-
tween it and Central Oregon, or the
Willamette valley, because that sec
tion il already supplied, or in proxi
nifty with permanent garrisons of the
regular army. Fort Vancouver, OF
the Columbia, river, only few milel
above the mouth OF the Willamettt
river, is practically a part Of the lat
ter country; and there Is the iarthe
garrison of Fort Stephens at tb'
mouth of the Columbia river N,
inconvenient barriers separate thes
posts from quick communication
with every part of the Willamette
valley, as numerous railways AM
, waterway communication now con
meet with these National defonses
In addition to these. many com
panies of the National Guard hav
, headquarters at the various larg
, towns and cities of the Willamett
valley.
Filthy, The climate Of Southern
Oregon Is excellent, no prevailing dis
eases are found there while the waite
] is everywhere pure and abundant, foo
and forage plentiful, accessible ant
reasonable in price. Numerous mos
excellent sites abound for the post
r containing hundreds or thousands q
0 acres in single tracts, suitable for th
purpose, in many portions and, there
fore, be IL further
Resolved, That a copy of these resC
= lntions be transmitted to the Honora
I BILE Secretary Of War, and Genera
z. Mac Arthur, the general oommandin
a the Department Of the Columbia, an
to each member of the Oregon Delegt
. tion in Congress, and be- 1t further
Resolved, That the chairman Of th
u meeting appoint committee compose
Q of the members Of the legislature irol
Southern Oregon and three citizens {
q each county in said district TO promol
the interest Of this section Of the stat
in securing tho establishment Of sal
g Military Post in Southern Oregon.