The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-08-18
THE QUESTION OF JURISDICTION,

OF course it was not to be expected that the eS-
teemed Post-Intelligeneer would maintain its sanity
in dealing with the question of jurisdiction over the
waters of the Columbia river. For this reason we
are not surprised to find our Seattle friend in a
highly indignant frame of mind because of the ar
rest of citizen of the state of Washington for
fishing without license nor aStoniShed at the accuS
alton that Oregon officials have kidnaped" him and
taken him to Astoria for trial In view of the fact
that the gentleman in question has been a resident
of Astoria for about 25 years. the kidnapping charge
will not weigh heavily upon poor Oregon shoulders
The Post-Intelhgencer sets up the contention that
the middle channel of the Columbia river is the di
vding line between the two states The Seattle paper
is in error. The act creating the boundary stipu-
lated that the dividing line shuld be the middle of
the widest channel and under this stipulation Sand
island became Oregon territory although it is north
of line drawn equally distant from the two shores.
1t will be well to have the boundary line settled
definitely but so far as prosecution of law-breakers
is concerned the present status should be permitted
to endure.
Oregon has always been reasonable in its atti-
tude affecting its rights in the premises Washing
ton has always been unreasonable, and once went
so far as to send her militia down to Ilwaco to back
up her absurd claims 1t will be recalled-with a
feeling Of remorse by the Post Integencer, no doubt
that this body of militia took possession of Sand
island, whereupon your Uncle Samuel's troops pro-
ceeded hence in the dead of the night and summarily
notified the commander of the Washington militia
that he would have 20 minutes to vacae the reserve
or else be driven into the river After this lesson
Washington subsidized but now has broken out again.
Oregon claims the right to enforce her laws to
the Washington Shore and is quite willing to con-
cede to Washington the right to enforce her laws to
the Oregon shore This agreement was reached long
ago, with the result that seiners have paid license in
both states. 1t is significant to note further that
seners secure title to grounds from both states Out
of spirit of fairness the Oregon authorities caused
the arrest for test-case purposes, of citizen of
Oregon, Mr.. Alexander Grant. There has been no
effort on the part of the officials of this state to avail
themselves of any advantage offered by the situa-
ton, and Mr. Grant will receive fair and impartial
trial in the courts here, which is, perhaps, just
little than could be said if he to have been
kidnapped and taken to Washington.
1t is manifestly unjust to require seiners to pay
double license, and establishment Of the boundary
line will right matters. The initiative has been
taken by the officials of Oregon, and not by the off
cias of Washington. The last-named state is quite
willing to collect large sums in license money on
the Columbia river for operation of hatcheries else
where, and it should not complain if Oregon seeks to
collect money rightfully due her for the maintenance
of Columbia river hatcheries.