CHAPTER XIII.
LEGISLATION, MINING, AND SETTLEMENT.
1853–1854.
John W. Davis as Governor—Legislative Proceedings—Appropriations by Congress—Oregon Acts and Resolutions—Affairs of the Umpqua—Light-house Building—Beach Mining—Indian Disturbances—Palmer's Superintendence—Settlement of Coos Bay—Explorations and Mountain-climbing—Politics of the Period—The Question of State Organization—The People not Ready—Hard Times—Decadence of the Gold Epoch—Rise of Farming Interest—Some First Things—Agricultural Societies—Woolen Mills—Telegraphs—River and Ocean Shipping Interest and Disasters—Ward Massacre—Military Situation.
Late in October 1853 intelligence was received in Oregon of the appointment of John W. Davis of Indiana as governor of the territory.[1] He arrived very opportunely at Salem, on the 2d of December, just as the legislative assembly was about to convene. He brought with him the forty thousand dollars appropriated by congress for the erection of a capitol and penitentiary, which the legislature had been anxiously awaiting to apply to these purposes. Whether or not he was aware of the jealousy with which the lawmaking body of Oregon had excluded Governor Gaines from participating in legislative affairs, he prudently
- ↑ Davis was a native of Pennsylvania, where he studied medicine. He subsequently settled in Indiana, served in the legislature of that state, being speaker of the lower house, and was three times elected to congress, serving from 1835 to 1837, from 1839 to 1841, and from 1843 to 1847. He was once speaker of the house of representatives, and twice president of the national democratic convention. During Polk's administration he was commissioner to China. He died in 1859. Or. Statesman, Oct. 25, 1853; Id., Oct. 11, 1859; Or. Argus, Oct. 15, 1859.
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