Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-09-17
When Washington Separated From Oregon
HOW DIVISION TERRITORY EFFECTED IN 1s5s-ORGAN.
EATON TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION
FIRST NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF GOV. l. STEVENS
BY Eldridge Wheeler, in MOntesanO
Vidette.

August 30, 1852, twenty-six dele
gates met at Cowlitz Landing to pre-
pare memorial to congress, asking
for division of the territory. Old
Oregon, at this time, extended from
the Pacific ocean east to the Rocky
Mountains and from California north
to the line of 40. This territory COW
cred an area of three hundred thou
sand square miles, of which noun
tain ranges and rivers made it more
difficult of communication than in
territory not so formed by nature.
The Columbia river was a serious
barrier, separating Old Oregon from
what is now Washington. In 1852 it
was destitute of ferries and to bridge
a river as wide as the Columbia was
never thought possible.
1t is interesting to study the rea-
sons why our states are of varying
forms-some rectangular, as Kansas
and Colorado, and others of different
shapes, but nearly all owe their pecu-
liar forms to some natural feature. A
territory to form a natural unit of
government should not be separated
by impossible rivers or mountains nor
wide eXpanses of desert.
1t is said that Thomas jefferson,
after the purchase of Louisiana terri
tory, with ruler and map, divided this
vast area into future states all of
which were rectangles and squares,
and to which he gave long Latin
names. He, of course, did not realize
that the natural topography and phys
ical features of the country would,
when peopled, determine the boun-
daries. 1t is doubtful if this story of
Jefferson is true, but if so it shows
the impractical side of the character
of the third president.
| Famous Men at Convention.
To return to the convention on the
Cowlitz. Most of the delegates came
naturally from that part of the terri
tory remote from the Columbia. Some
of the names of the men who signed
the memorial were: John R. Jack
son, Simon Plomondon, Sidney S.
Ford, Col. Mike Simmons, A. M. Poe,
T. M. Chambers and F.. S. Balch.
The convention prepared a memo
rial asking for division of the terri
tory, and for a military road from
some point of the Sound to Walla
Walla. They also indicated the boun-
daries for twelve counties of which
the new territory would consist. They
adjourned to meet in May next If the
prayer of their memorial was granted.
1.-The Columbian" Immediately took
up the cry for full representation
from every community and that an
other meeting should be held not
later than November, so that congress
could act at once. The place selected
most easily of access was the little
settlement named Monticello, on the
Cowlitz. On the appointed day "A
delegates assembled. G. F. McConaha
was made chairman and r. V. White
secretary. A committee of 3 drafted
a ringing memorial asking that that
portion of Old Oregon north of the
Columbia river from the point of the
mouth of the Walla Walla and thence
, following parallel 46 to the Rocky
Mountains, be set off and given ter
ritorial government to be named
Columbia.
Monticello did not at this time pos
sess hotel accommodations and each
delegate carried his own blanket, his
chief shelter being the forest trees.
It is said that around the camp fire
these men talked over the future pos
sibilities of the new commonwealth
that was soon to be born. The memo
rial was prepared and signed by all
present, A in number, and sent to
Washington. The legislature Of Ore
gon had just prepared similar one
and sent to the delegate in congress.
Gen. Joseph Lane.
Oregon was pleased to part With
| Washington. The expense of govern
ment due to inc lack of communica-
ton and to the large area of territory
made separation desirable. Delegate
Lane gave the memorial his hearty
support. He introduced bill in con-
gress creating the territory. There
was no opposition.
Washington Territory Formed.
When the matter came up for con-
sideration, Representative Stanton of
Kentucky proposed to change the
name from Columbia to Washington.
Mr. Lane said he would not object to
that name. Mr.. Stanton then con-
Guided: 81 have nothing more to say
except that I desire to see, If shall
live so long, at some future day,