The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1912-11-15

prOvements before he was sent to con-
gress. There were no public buildings
worthy of the name; no surveys had
been made for improving the rivers
and harbors; there were few postof-
fees, and there was no navy yard,
assay Office, supports, quarantine sta
ton or marine hospital. The govern
ment had not undertaken it's plans for
fortifying Puget sound, and in secur-
ing at the hands of congress recOgni-
ton Of the importance of the work to
be done in this state Senator Wilson
performed distinguished service. The
ten years which he served in congress
were filled with hard work. His en-
ergy and persistence in securing ap-
preparations for public improvements
rendered the state a notable service.
The result is magnificent total. In
the Fifty-fifth congress Senator Wilson
was the only republican member from
Washington in congress that was re-
publican.
During those early days of Washing
toms statehood the delegation in con-
gress accomplished things. The ac-
quaintance formed by Senator Wilson
during his longer service made him
an important factor in the work, and
indeed he was chiefly instrumental in
securing for Washington the things so
needed for the states development. 1t
Is certain that had it not been for his
tireless energy many of the projects
most vital to this state at that time
would have failed.
Not all the things he was instru-
mental in securing can be put down
IN brief summary, but among them
will be REMEMBERED the appropriation
for the improvement of Gray's harbor
and tributary waters, tOtaling $780,
600; the appropriation for the Navy
Yard. Puget Sound, 1857, 1854; for a
public building in Seattle, 100000;
Columbia river improvements, $780,
900; for improving Puget sound and
tributary waters, 100000; the i'm
provement of Everett harbor, 1862 900;
for public surveys in the state, $780,
600; for improving the military post
at Spokane $4,000: for the Lake
Washington canal, $4,000; for dredg-
ing Salmon bay and further improve
ment of the Lake Washington canal,
$4,000; for an assay Office in Seattle,
! $4,000.
While in the house Senator Wilson
secured the organization of the mail
service OF the state on a proper basis
and the establishment of scores of
postOmces. He brought about the ad-
1ustment OF the Occur d'Alene Indian
/ treaty, secured the opening of the Col
Vile Indian reservation and obtained
homes for the Spokane Indians. He
also, while serving at Washington,
was instrumental in establishing the
United States assay Office at Seattle,
Qf that ftrno Nf tho
of this city. In the record of his ac-
tivities is the passage of the Wilson
lieu land bill, adjusting the disputes
arising out of the provision in pre-
vious enactments, for the taking of
lieu land by the Northern Pacific rail-
road for losses in its original grant.
The effect of the Wilson bill was to
confirm title to the settlers and farm
ers on hundreds of PalOuse farms, who
prior to the Wilson act, were in danger
OF being dispOssessed.
Senator Wilson labOred Industrious
ly and successfully for better coast de-
lenses on the North Pacific and was
chiefly responsible for much of the
harbOr Improvement work. He secured
the life saving station and lighthouse
at Gray's harbOr and the placing of the
Gray's harbor jetty construction on
the continuing appropriation bill, thus
doing away with the necessity of an
nual labor to secure an appropriation
for the needed work. He brought about
the establishment of the marine hos
pital and quarantine station at Port
Townsend. While he was in the house
he introduced the bill which resulted
In the law establishing a United States
court in this state. This only in part
enumerates his activities and accom-
plishments while in congress. His en-
ergy and ability gave him influence
and standing at Washington, where he
was looked upon as one of the leaders
of the Western delegation. Even after
he left official life high executive Of
ficers of the government consulted
him frequently on matters of policy
affecting not only the Pacific North
west, but the nation at large.
He was the first senator to take
steps to bring about an inquiry into
the trade relations of the United States
with the Orient. This he accomplished
through suggestion he made to Pres
ident Mckinley in 1897 upon which
suggestion the president acted Like
wise he was the first senator to ex-
hibit an appreciation of the needs and
stance. John Sherman, in 1897 intro
duced measure creating a Joint COM
mittee of senate and house to investi-
gate the affairs of Alaska, but the
resolution failed. Senator Wilson was
one of those who early realized the
value of the Isthmain canal, and he
labored for it industriously.
When in the house, Mr.. Wilson's
committe assignments included the
committees on postoffice and post
roads, Indian affairs and labor. In the
senate he served as chairman of the
committe on fisheries, forest reserva-
lions and game protection, Indian af-
fairs, mines and mining, organization.
conduct and expenditures of the exec
utive departments; public lands, In
dian depradations, and the select COM
mittee on the construction of the Mic
aragua canal. On all of these he did
hard, earnest work.
Among others of his numerous ac-
tivities which brought him distinction
at Washington, was bill introduced
by him in the Fifty-second congress to
increase the appropriation for the ex-
clusion of the Chinese. Upon several
occasions he spoke in the house of
representatives against the admission