Political Parties in Oregon 351 It is its relation to the strictly political life of the community that is of concern here. On February 5th, 1846, appeared the first number of the Oregon Spectator, already referred to, published by the Oregon Printing Association, the latter gov- erned by a written constitution. Article 8 of the articles of Compact of that Constitution as published in the first issue of the Spectator reads: "The press owned by or in connec- tion with this association, shall never be used by any party for the purpose of propagating sectarian principles or doctrines, nor for the discussion of exclusive party politics." In the provision made for the amendment of the various articles, the 8th is expressly excepted. Among the officers the various elements of population are well represented. The policy and attitude of the paper, politically, is clearly set forth by the editor, W. G. T'Vault, in the following very significant saluta- tory : TO THE PUBLIC. "The printing press, type and materials are owned by the Oregon Printing Association and that Associa- tion has adopted a Constitution to govern the con- cerns of the Association as well as the publishing of the newspaper; consequently, the Spectator will have to keep within the pale of that Constitution, otherwise it violates the commands of its owners. A large ma- jority of the citizens of Oregon are emigrants from the United States, and for the last twenty years, poli- tics have there been the order of the day. * * * Hence it is to be presumed that a portion of the citizens of Oregon have brought with them their views of policy, entertained while residing in the United States. It might also be expected that the Oregon Spectator would be a political paper ; but reason and good sense argue differently. Situated as we are — remote from the civilized settlements of the United States, and at this time having no protection but that which is af- forded us by the Provisional Government of Oregon and having but one interest to represent and that in- terest the welfare of Oregon and the citizens unan- imously * * * it would be bad policy to break
